Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Monday, August 3.
The new season is now less than a week away and clubs across Europe will be looking to make final preparations to their squads before the campaign kicks off.
Stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest developments as they happen.
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Good morning everyone! We're entering the final few days before the new season begins, but will this mean that we'll see some deals going through?
There continues to be speculation surrounding the future of Everton defender John Stones, with Chelsea expected to make a third bid for the England international. However, Stones's manager Roberto Martinez has stated that he wants to keep hold of the player. More here.
Worried that you've missed out on the latest transfer news from overnight? Fear not, for our latest update contains all the stories that have emerged during the small hours. You can find it here.
Karim Benzema has been linked with Arsenal for some time and it appears that the Frenchman could now be on his way to the Emirates. According to reports, Real Madrid are prepared to sell the frontman to the Gunners and have already lined up potential replacements for him.
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Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov has been linked with a return to the Premier League this summer, having come to the end of his spell with AS Monaco. Aston Villa have been connected with the Bulgarian, and his former international teammate Stiliyan Petrov, who is on the coaching staff at Villa Park, admits that there have been talks.
Northampton Town striker Ivan Toney has been linked with a move away from the Cobblers, netting 13 goals for the League Two side season. Newcastle United are the front-runners to secure the 19-year-old's services, as they will host Toney for a medical later today, according to reports this morning.
Manchester City have continually been linked with Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne in recent weeks after the winger starred for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga last season. However, the 24-year-old has insisted that he will not force the German club to sell him if they don't get a high-enough bid.
Are Liverpool about to make a ninth signing of the summer? It's looking that way as the Reds have reportedly made a £14.2m bid for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, and are hopeful of completing the deal by the end of the week.
Yesterday we brought you the news that Rafael is on the verge of completing a move to Lyon. Well, the French side's president has confirmed on Twitter that the Brazilian has arrived this morning for a medical.
Right, we have an update surrounding Manchester United's reported pursuit of Barcelona attacker Pedro. According to Sport, the Red Devils' executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has arranged to fly out to Spain to complete a £17.5m transfer.
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DEAL AGREED! Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Kenny Jackett has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Cardiff City regarding the signing of striker Adam le Fondre. Read more.
Kenny Jackett has confirmed that Wolves have reached an agreement with Cardiff to speak to Adam Le Fondre and he will be at the club today.
— Wolves (@OfficialWolves) August 3, 2015
DONE DEAL! Leicester City confirm the signing of N'Golo Kante from Caen on a four-year deal. Read more.
BREAKING: N'Golo Kanté completes his move to #lcfc from @SMCaen_officiel. More follows... #WelcomeNGolo pic.twitter.com/4RXAMGTyAD
— Leicester City (@OfficialFOXES) August 3, 2015
DONE DEAL! The transfers keep on coming! This time, news comes from Crystal Palace, who have completed the signing of Connor Wickham from Sunderland. Read more.
BREAKING: #CPFC are delighted to announce the signing of @ConnorWickham10 on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. pic.twitter.com/g1pY9h6neV
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) August 3, 2015
We've got two quick lines to bring you. Reports in Spain have claimed that Barcelona youngster Adama Traore will sign a permanent deal at Liverpool this week, while Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann has played down reports that he could leave the club this summer, despite the Frenchman being linked to Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
BREAKING NEWS! Leicester City have completed a deal to bring Atalanta BC defender Yohan Benalouane to the club on a four-year deal. More on that developing story right here.
Real Betis manager Pepe Mel has revealed that there is "zero chance" of the Spanish club signing Dani Osvaldo this summer. The former Southampton forward is now a free agent.
Kenny Jackett has confirmed that Wolverhampton Wanderers are indeed interested in landing Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo on loan. Read more.
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Could former Leeds United winger Max Gradel be on his way back to English football? Sky Sports News are reporting that the Ivory Coast international has undergone a medical at Bournemouth this afternoon ahead of a proposed move.
Xherdan Shaqiri has been linked with his fair share of clubs in recent weeks, including Stoke City, but he could now be on his way to Borussia Dortmund. The German outfit have reportedly made an approach for the winger, who scored three goals for Inter Milan upon joining in January.
Well now that the Sergio Ramos to Manchester United rumours have died down a little, there is a big Real Madrid-shaped void to fill in the newspaper columns. Step forward Pepe, who is the latest to have been linked with a high-profile move to Old Trafford.
It has been another busy day of action so far, but fear not if you have missed anything - we have neatly rounded-up all the day's developments in our evening Transfer Update.
Chelsea defender Todd Kane has signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League champions. The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks at the Blues, but he is yet to make a senior appearance for the club.
DONE DEAL! Napoli have completed the signing of Albania international Elseid Hysaj from Empoli. The 21-year-old has penned a five-year contract for a reported fee of €6m (£4.2m).
Let's stay in Italy, where Gonzalo Higuain's agent has confirmed that the striker has rejected Napoli's offer of a new contract. However, his current deal runs until 2018 and he has not made contact with any other clubs regarding a possible transfer.
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DONE DEAL! Lyon have completed the signing of Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva from Manchester United. The 25-year-old has inked a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 outfit for an undisclosed fee.
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DONE DEAL! We've got another transfer to tell you about, as Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Adam Le Fondre on a season-long loan from Cardiff City. The 28-year-old had joined the Bluebirds last year from Reading, but he scored just three league goals and was sent out on loan to Bolton Wanderers in January.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said that Roberto Soldado will not be leaving the club this summer. The 30-year-old has constantly been linked with an exit from White Hart Lane, after enduring a difficult spell in North London.
Paul Pogba has been in the headlines all summer, but today his brother Mathias has been making the news after signing a one-year deal with Scottish Premier League outfit Partick Thistle.
A warm welcome is extended to new signing Mathias Pogba. pic.twitter.com/LSAj0BXV7J
— PartickThistle FC (@ThistleTweet) August 3, 2015
DONE DEAL! Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of striker Bobby Zamora. The 34-year-old has returned to his former club on a one-year contract after being released by Queens Park Rangers in May.
Bobby is back! #BHAFC #WelcomeBackBobby #Together pic.twitter.com/UmDo0nUdhT
— BHAFC (@OfficialBHAFC) August 3, 2015
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho recently suggested that he was keen to strengthen his defence following the departure of Filipe Luis, and a report has claimed that Spurs left-back Danny Rose is a target for the Premier League champions.
After being linked with both players in recent weeks, reports have suggested that Sunderland are close to loan deals for midfield pair Yann M'Vila and Leroy Fer.
Despite being repeatedly linked with a return to Serie A, Abel Hernandez could be set for a season in the Championship after Steve Bruce confirmed that he wants to keep the striker at the club.
That's all from our transfer blog for now, but make sure you're back here at 7am for more of the latest news and gossip. Goodbye.
Written by
Steven Toplis
Steven Toplis
