Transfer rumours: Sergio Ramos wants Europe stay, Ajax to sign Chuba Akpom, Monaco keen on Albert Sambi Lokonga

The defender has been a free agent since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract in June, Ramos having made 56 appearances across two seasons.

While the 37-year-old is not expected to be short of offers, the assumption has been that he will either sign for a club playing in MLS or Saudi Arabia.

However, according to Marca, Ramos instead wants to continuing competing at the highest level in Europe.

Ramos is said to want to sign for a club that are participating in the Champions League, a competition that he has won four times in his career with Real Madrid.

As it stands, though, it is unclear which European teams may be in the running for the former Spain international, even when he is available as a free agent.

Meanwhile, Ajax - a club that has missed out on their usual position in the Champions League - are allegedly on the brink of signing Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom.

The Dutch giants are undergoing somewhat of a rebuild after only finishing in third position in the Eredivisie during 2022-23, with five of last season's regulars having departed the club.

That includes Dusan Tadic, while reports have indicated that Mohammed Kudus may move to a Premier League club before the end of the summer.

According to The Athletic, Ajax will be bolstering their forward line with the acquisition of Akpom in a €14m (£12.07m) deal.

Akpom scored 28 goals from 38 fixtures in the Championship last season, but the former England Under-21 international is yet to feature this campaign due to injury.

With less than a year remaining on his contract, the 27-year-old has been given permission to sign for Ajax, who are seemingly ready to hand him a contract until 2028.

Monaco have reportedly become the latest club to express an interest in securing a deal for Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

After making minimal impact at the Emirates Stadium during his opening 18 months, Lokonga spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace.

Although six starts and three substitute outings were made for the Eagles in the Premier League, the Belgian did not do enough to convince Mikel Arteta to include him as part of his plans for this campaign.

Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri has indicated on Twitter that Monaco may have moved ahead of Burnley in the race for the 23-year-old's signature.

At the same time as the latter failing to offer Lokonga his desired personal terms, Monaco continue to monitor the situation ahead of making a bid before the end of August.

Monaco are also in line to finalise the transfer of Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, although it is unclear whether that deal will impact on an approach for Lokonga.