Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Bayern name price for Liverpool target Thiago

Newcastle United could soon have new owners, with a £300 million ($375m) takeover bid under way to take the Premier League club out of the hands of the notorious Mike Ashley.

Magpies fans have been agitating for a change of owner for years now, having witnessed two relegations under Ashley's stewardship, with a feeling of frustration festering among devotees of the Tyneside club.

Ashley is all too aware of that sentiment and he placed the club up for sale back in 2017. After some false starts, it appears that he may now have found a buyer, with the Premier League being informed that the process is close to completion.

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Matheus Fernandes will return to Barcelona following a loan spell at Valladolid, reports Sport. 

NEWS: Another one of Orlando's own is a Lion.

Welcome to the #OrlandoCity first team, Michael. #VamosOrlando

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Joe Hart is not yet close to signing with Celtic, reports the Daily Record. 

The ex-Manchester City goalkeeper has been linked with the Scottish giants, but Celtic do not have a shot-stopper at the top of their transfer priorities.

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has been offered a contract by Inter Miami, according to Don Balon. 

The Chile international, 33, has long been linked with the new MLS franchise, although he remains a key part of Quique Setien's Blaugrana line-up.

Russian right-back Igor Smolnikov is set to swap Zenit for MLS, according to Eurosport.ru. 

The player's agent has affirmed that several MLS sides are poised to make a bid this summer, although the 31-year-old's hefty salary demands could pose a problem in negotiations.

🎬🔥 PEPE EN LANÚS: NUEVOS EPISODIOS

Renovación confirmada de José con el Granate, para continuar una historia única y llena de gloria. ¡VAMOS! 🇱🇻9️⃣👊 pic.twitter.com/hea0bM6CiV

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Manchester City will have to pay £65 million ($82m) for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, claims the Mirror. 

Napoli have lowered their original asking price of £80m, and Koulibaly is believed to be a top target at the Etihad Stadium following the reversal of City's Champions League ban this week.

Southampton are prepared to move quickly in order to make Kyle Walker-Peters' move permanent, claims the Sun. 

The 23-year-old has impressed on loan from Tottenham, but that deal did not contain a purchase option and other clubs are also expected to swoop for the defender this summer. 

Zinedine Zidane brushed off a question about Gareth Bale's future at Real Madrid, insisting the team is united.

Bale has played just 100 minutes for Madrid in La Liga since the competition returned from its three-month hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite not spending much time on the pitch, the 30-year-old, who remained at the club after a move to Jiangsu Suning broke down following Zidane's return last year, has continued to make headlines.

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Staying home 🔥 We've exercised the 2021 contract option on Mauricio Pineda.#cffc #cf97

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Reds only willing to pay €20m for midfielder

Bayern will demand €40m (£45.6m) for Liverpool-linked midfielder Thiago Alcantara, according to the Mirror. 

The price-tag is significantly higher than the Reds' own valuation, with reports in Germany suggesting they would not be willing to pay more than €20m (£18.1m/$22.8m) for the ex-Barcelona man.

Matteo Guendouzi is "not the type of player who is going to knuckle down", according to Kevin Campbell, who thinks Arsenal will cut ties with the midfielder this summer.

Guendouzi hasn't seen a single minute of action for the Gunners since clashing with Brighton's Neal Maupay after a 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium on June 20.

The 21-year-old was caught on camera grabbing Maupay by the throat, and reports also surfaced alleging that the Frenchman taunted Seagulls players throughout the game over how much they earn.

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Premier League confirms key dates

The Premier League has confirmed that the 2020 summer transfer window in England will open on Monday, July 27, one day after the current season ends.

It has also been confirmed that the market will close on October 5, in accordance with UEFA's wishes.

The English transfer window was originally set to open on June 10, closing on September 1, so it will effectively be pushed back a month.

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Bayer Leverkusen are ready to challenge RB Leipzig in a bid to sign Roma forward Patrik Schick, according to Bild.

The Czech Republic international is currently on loan with Leipzig although, for financial reasons amid the coronavirus pandemic, they can only consider another temporary move for the 2020-21 season.

That could see their Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen sneak in and seal a deal, with Peter Bosz's side likely to be in a position to afford Roma's €20 million (£18m/$23m) asking price.

 

I am very excited to be signing for one of the biggest clubs in world football....AC Milan. I want to help to bring the club lots of success, trophies and goals!
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— Natasha Dowie (@tatsdowie) July 15, 2020

Diego Simeone is not surprised by rumoured interest in Jan Oblak but hopes the goalkeeper will remain at Atletico Madrid.

"It does not surprise me, every year our most important players are wanted by the best in the world," the Atleti boss told the media ahead of Thursday's game with Getafe.

"It is normal to always look for the best – and we have many. Some have left and others have stayed.

"It is logical and normal that anyone wants Oblak. He is our captain and an important player. I hope we can count on his work, which is enormous for Atleti."

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Chelsea must improve defensively to "compete with the big boys", according to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who suggests the Blues are in desperate need of fresh blood at the back.

The Blues have shipped 49 Premier League goals in total, more than any other club in the top 10, and Hasselbaink says changes will be necessary for his old club to start challenging the elite again.

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We'd like to wish @Sio_Chamberlain all the best as she departs #MUWomen.

Thank you for all of your hard work on and off the pitch, Siobhan!

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) July 15, 2020

Manchester City "should definitely go for Harry Kane", according to Trevor Sinclair, who says the Tottenham striker would give Pep Guardiola a "plan B" in the final third.

Kane sparked speculation over his future at Spurs at the end of March after suggesting he could walk away from the club in order to fulfil his silverware ambitions.

Manchester United and Manchester City have both been tipped to offer the highly-rated centre-forward a way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but club chairman Daniel Levy will reportedly demand a fee in excess of £100 million ($126m) for a prized asset.

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Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is the subject of interest from Stuttgart - according to The Independent.

The 32-year-old only has one year left to run on his current contract at Emirates Stadium, with the Bundesliga outfit set to swoop for his signature this summer.

Stuttgart are also set to sign Dinos Mavropanos on loan from Arsenal, with the Premier League club's former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat currently pulling the strings at Mercedes-Benz Arena.

ℹ️ Borussia Dortmund und André Schürrle haben sich auf eine einvernehmliche Aufhebung des ursprünglich noch bis 2021 gültigen Vertrages verständigt.

Wir wünschen Dir alles Gute für die Zukunft, @Andre_Schuerrle! 🍀

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Gunners likely to miss out on Ghana midfielder

Arsenal target Thomas Partey is on the verge of signing a contract extension at Atletico Madrid - as Spanish publication AS reports.

The La Liga giants are prepared to double the 27-year-old's earnings at Wanda Metropolitano and increase his release clause to €100 million (£91m/$114m).

Arsenal have been strongly linked with Partey in recent months, but the midfielder now looks set to pledge his future to Atletico.

Valencia are planning a major squad overhaul in the summer transfer window - according to Cadena Ser.

The Spanish outfit are ready to offload Dani Parejo, Rodrigo, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Eliaquim Mangala, Mouctar Diakhaby, Kevin Gameiro, Jasper Cillessen, Ruben Sobrino and Thierry Correia to make room for fresh talent.

Carlos Soler and Jose Luis Gaya are the only two players Valencia wish to retain indefinitely, with a new head coach set to be appointed in the coming weeks following the recent sacking of Albert Celades.

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba favours a move to Spain if he leaves the club this summer - according to Bild.

The Bundesliga champions are prepared to sanction the 28-year-old's departure if their €36 million (£33m/$41m) valuation is met in the upcoming transfer window.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with Alaba, but he would prefer to join either Real Madrid and Barcelona as he sets his sights on a new challenge in La Liga.

Conte eager to lure Frenchman to San Siro

Inter are ready to offer Milan Skriniar to Manchester United in a part-exchange deal for Anthony Martial - according to Calcio Mercato.

The Red Devils' valuation of Martial is around £60 million ($76m) at the moment, but the Nerazzurri are hoping to reduce that price tag by sending Skriniar to Old Trafford.

Antonio Conte thinks Martial would fit into his system at Inter perfectly, however, the Frenchman is currently tied to a contract with United set to run until 2024.

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Brazilian star continues to be linked with a return to Barca

Paris Saint-Germain are demanding €80 million (£72m/$91m)-plus Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona in exchange for Neymar - according to El Chiringuito.

The French champions will only consider selling Neymar for a reduced fee when the transfer market reopens if they get Dembele in return.

Neymar has been heavily linked with a return to Camp Nou for well over a year, while Dembele's time at Barca has been blighted by injuries.

Paris Saint-Germain are considering launching a bid for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini - according to Calcio Mercato.

The French champions would be prepared to meet the 24-year-old's release clause, but it is understood that his preference is to remain at Stadio Olimpico.

Pellegrini has racked up 29 appearances in all competitions for Roma this term, scoring three goals.

 Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season - according to The Athletic.

The 22-year-old no longer believes he has a future at Emirates Stadium after slipping down the squad pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

Maitland-Niles is ready to seek a move away from Arsenal this summer in order to start playing regular football again.

Roma want to bring in Arkadiusz Milik from Napoli if they lose Edin Dzeko this summer - according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Dzeko has been tipped to leave Stadio Olimpico when the transfer window reopens, with Inter thought to be leading the race for his services.

Milik, meanwhile, has also been linked with Juventus, but Roma may be able to edge out the Serie A champions due to the fact they can guarantee him a starting a spot.

Manchester City's successful Champions League appeal could have an impact on Raul Jimenez and Wolves.

According to ESPN, Wolves would have a hard time keeping the Mexican star if the club fails to finish in a Champions League spot.

The good news for Wolves is that the club has Jimenez under contract until 2023, giving the club a bit of control over the situation.

Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann says that Thiago Alcantara would provide a major boost in skill to Liverpool's squad if the Spaniard was to sign for the Reds..

Hamann says that Liverpool could use a more technically-gifted player like the Bayern Munich star to pair with the current "workhorses" in midfield.

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Manchester United may be stuck with Alexis Sanchez as the forward is refusing to take a paycut, reports, the Daily Mail.

Sanchez is currently on loan with Inter, with his future after this season still up in the air.

The attacker is reluctant to leave Europe and has two years remaining on his £25m-a-year ($31 million) deal.

Mikel Arteta says that he believes that big stars still want to join Arsenal.

The manager says that he has faith in the club's ability to recruit new talent, even if the Gunners miss out on European football for next season.

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Victor Osimhen is very close to sealing his move to Napoli, reports Sky Sports.

The forward is set to sign a deal with the club that will tie him to the Serie A side through 2025.

Napoli are still finalising the last few details with Lille, paving the way for a transfer in the coming days. 

Talleres have announced that the club has sold Andres Cubas to Olympique Nimes.

The midfielder will head to France after playing 38 matches for Talleres, including several in the Copa Libertadores.

Cubas, a once-capped Paraguay international, originally joined Talleres from Boca Juniors. 

Cecelio Dominguez says that he is now a free agent as the Paraguayan claims that Independiente have missed out on several payments, reports TyC.

Dominguez says he has written to the club to declare himself a free agent due to the club's current debt and non-compliance with his contract.

He is the second player to announce their frustration with the club recently, with Silvio Romero saying he does not plan on continuing on with the team.

Jesse Lingard is one of several players that Manchester United could sell this summer to raise funds, reports the Telegraph.

Alexis Sanchez, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Diogo Dalot and Lingard have been deemed available by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would listen to offers for any of those listed.

Given last summer's spending spree on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, as well as the winter purchase of Bruno Fernandes, Man Utd will be unable to make any big deals unless several players are moved this summer.

David Alaba's future with Bayern Munich remains uncertain as the defender has yet to agree to a new contract.

According to Bild, talks between the two parties have reached an impasse due to the Austrian's salary demands.

So far, no club has made a serious offer for Alaba, who has been linked to Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Jorge Jesus is set to complete his return to Benfica this week, reports SportTV.

The manager, who coached Benfica from 2009-15, is set to return to the club, having most recently managed Flamengo in Brazil.

Jesus is also set to bring several Flamengo players with him, with Gerson and Bruno Henrique set to make the move to Portugal.