Transfer News LIVE - Arsenal 'close' to Morata plus Doucoure and Dembele latest

The season is over on the pitch and what a finale we had as Manchester City regained their crown thanks to an epic comeback.

Pep Guardiola's side are likely to be even better with Erling Haaland arriving at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund this summer. One man who won't be on the move is Kylian Mbappe, who has penned a contract extension at PSG.

Liverpool are among those linked with the World Cup winner and will have to bolster their options if they want to topple City next season, but they've made a start by adding Fabio Carvalho to their ranks.

Manchester United will be hoping for a much improved campaign next time out and had Erik ten Hag watching them in their defeat at Crystal Palace, but they face competition for the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Hugo Ekitike.

Wholesale changes are expected at Old Trafford and we'll keep you up to date with the latest news and gossip.

08:15Samuel Meade

Maldini on Leão's interest

AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has offered an update on Rafael Leão's future with both PSG and Real Madrid keen on the player.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "We consider Rafa Leão untouchable. He's not for sale".

07:49KEY EVENT

Nkunku seen as Salah replacement

Liverpool view RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, should the Egyptian leave, reports Todofichajes.

The Reds want their star forward to sign a new deal but he only has 12 months left on his deal.

As a result, Nkunku, who scored 35 goals in 52 games for Leipzig last term, is on their radar.

07:14Samuel Meade

Good morning

Hello and welcome back for another day of transfer gossip.

We had some deals yesterday with both Leeds and Aston Villa doing business.

We'll keep you up to date through the day!

23:25Tom Blow

Goodnight!

That's all for tonight, folks!

We'll see you again on Friday morning for more transfer news and gossip.

23:12Tom Blow

Newcastle want Diaby

Newcastle have made Moussa Diaby one of their main summer transfer targets, according to L'Equipe via Get French Football News.

The France international, 22, is one of the best young wingers in Europe and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season.

22:36KEY EVENT

Bayern land Gravenberch

Bayern Munich have signed Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax, according to German newspaper Kicker.

The midfielder, 20, is one of the best prospects in European football. Bayern are believed to have agreed a €18.5million plus bonuses (around £15.8m).

22:01Tom Blow

Man Utd handed transfer boost

Manchester United were among those to be linked with Erling Haaland when he first burst onto the scene, but have seen him head to neighbours Manchester City.

The Red Devils were never chasing the Norwegian this summer but are in the market for reinforcements in the final third. Edinson Cavani is leaving whilst Anthony Martial could also follow him out of the exit door. Marcus Rashford is also lacking form and has done for several months, leaving question marks over his future.

That has led to United's interest in Darwin Nunez, who has enjoyed a breakout year with Benfica. The forward scored 34 times for the Portuguese side and has a host of top clubs courting his signature. Benfica have shown their willingness to sell their in-demand stars for the right price.

Nunez could be a major summer mover and highlighted his credentials on the European stage as Benfica made the last eight in Europe. He notched at Anfield and has received a glowing endorsement from Virgil van Dijk when the Dutchman named his top stars.

"Aguero was obviously unbelievable," said Van Dijk. "Messi, arguably the best player in the history of football in my opinion. Mbappe is different, quick... Haaland and also Darwin. He's a bit similar - very direct, quick, tall, strong and it's quite difficult to play against him."

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21:36Tom Blow

Man Utd 'keeping tabs' on Derby talent

Manchester United and Crystal Palace are both interested in signing Derby County youngster Malcolm Ebiowei, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Monaco and Vitesse are also keeping tabs on the 18-year-old, who made 15 Championship appearances last season.

20:58Tom Blow

Arsenal and Barcelona want Villa teenager

Arsenal and Barcelona are both interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, according to reports.

The 18-year-old is an England U19 international - winning eight caps to date - and was part of the Villa team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2020-21. He's played 19 senior games to date, 11 of which have come in the Premier League this season.

Chukwuemeka, who joined Villa's academy from Northampton Town in 2016, is eligible to play for England, Austria and Nigeria at international level and was described as 'the best 16-year-old footballer in England' by Villa CEO Christian Purslow in March 2020.

As reported by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona sporting advisor Jordi Cruyff and director of football Mateu Alemany met with Chukwuemeka's representatives on Tuesday to discuss a potential transfer. These were thought to be just initial talks.

The Gunners are also believed to be keen on signing Chukwuemeka but much will depend on extension talks with Villa. He has just 13 months left on his existing deal and Steven Gerrard's side want to tie him down to a new long-term contract.

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20:30Tom Blow

Mbappe transfer row intensifies

The Kylian Mbappe transfer row has escalated further after the head of Ligue 1 wrote a letter to his opposite number in Spain calling out "disrespectful smears" and referring to Real Madrid and Barcelona benefiting from "illegal state aid."

Vincent Labrune has said that Javier Tebas, who last week claimed Mbappe's decision to sign a €300m contract to remain at Paris Saint-Germain was "an insult to football", has "denigrated" the French game with claims that are "both unacceptable and manifestly false."

He also namechecked Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos leaving Spain "by choice" last summer - to join Mbappe at PSG, who have won eight of the past ten domestic titles. Mbappe, 23, signed a deal to remain in Paris until 2025 having reportedly verbally agreed to joining Real earlier in the campaign.

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20:03Tom Blow

Man Utd's Dembele offer

Manchester United will reportedly offer Ousmane Dembele a lucrative contract after Paris Saint-Germain pulled out of the race for his signature.

The Barcelona winger, 25, is out of contract in June and has a fine CV - winning two La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, the World Cup, German Cup and Spanish Super Cup. Yet he's struggled with injuries, playing just 150 club games during the last five years.

Despite this, Man Utd have offered Dembele a contract worth between £8.4m and £12.5m per season - according to El Chiringuito journalist Dario Montero via The Express. If true, the player could earn more than £240,000-a-week at Old Trafford.

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19:28Tom Blow

Leeds sign Aaronson

Leeds have signed Brenden Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg.

The US international, 21, has signed a five-year deal at Elland Road and will become a Leeds player on July 1. Aaronson, a winger, scored six goals in all competitions last season.

He was coached by Jesse Marsch at Salzburg.

18:55Tom Blow

Man Utd's De Jong ultimatum

Manchester United are seeking Frenkie de Jong's final answer about whether the midfielder wants to join the club from Barcelona this summer.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Red Devils since Erik ten Hag was appointed as their new manager earlier this month. The pair worked together at Ajax and helped the club reach the Champions League semi-final during the 2018/19 season.

It is thought De Jong would prefer to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona but the Spanish giants remain in serious financial danger and could be forced to sell some of their star assets in the transfer window. The club must offload players before they can buy anyone due to their restraints, and with Pedri, Gavi and Sergio Busquests all impressing in Barca's midfield last term, De Jong may be the one to make way.

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18:34Tom Blow

Drinkwater apologises to Chelsea fans

Danny Drinkwater has expressed his "disappointment" after finally leaving Chelsea after five years on the club's books.

The midfielder endured a horror spell at Stamford Bridge, making just 23 appearances amid loan moves to Burnley, Aston Villa Reading and Turkish side Kasimpasa as he sought to get his best form back. Drinkwater cost the Blues £35m back in 2017, shortly after playing a starring role in Leicester City's title triumph.

His move saw him rekindle his partnership with N'Golo Kante. But whilst the Frenchman has gone from strength to strength, Drinkwater's career has notably declined. The player himself claimed "the list of excuses could be endless" but attempted to take the positives from his time at Chelsea.

He penned a message on social media which read: "My time at Chelsea has come to an end… actually feels really strange writing this. Me, the club and fans are hugely disappointed with the outcome there is no doubt about that.

"Injuries, how I have been treated, mistakes I have made, issues off the pitch, lack of game time… the list of excuses could be endless but I would not and can not change what's happened. I'm going to look at positives over the past five years, I have played with great players, coached by awesome managers, worked with some brilliant staff, met some fantastic people, lived in some beautiful places, travelled the world and won some more silverware.

"Footballs a fantastic sport but this for both parties was a business move gone wrong, it's as black and white as that. To the Chelsea fans I apologise for how this has turned out I would of loved for u to see me at my best in that shirt doing what I love.