Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Wednesday, July 1.
Football clubs home and abroad have been busy trying to get deals over the line since the season ended in May, but the transfer window has only just officially opened today.
With that in mind, expect a flurry of activity over the next month as clubs get their squads in order for the new campaign.
All of the latest deals and speculation will be delivered to you right here, so stick around.
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Good morning all! You may be surprised to discover that the summer transfer window has only been officially open for a matter of hours. So many deals have already been done - Petr Cech has left his Chelsea home for Arsenal, Memphis Depay has jetted over to Manchester United, and Liverpool have already signed four players, including Brazil's Roberto Firmino. Considering how many deals have already happened, you can expect things to get even busier as the month goes on!
One early story to bring you this morning involves Arsenal. You may have heard reports that the Gunners are considering a move for Juventus and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal. However, it looks as though that's a no-go (for now at least) as the 28-year-old's agent has confirmed that he has had no contact with the Premier League club.
This time last summer Tom Ince dominated plenty of headlines, with numerous Premier League clubs interested in his services. He eventually picked Hull City, but it has been reported that the England Under-21 international is ready to leave the Tigers after just one season. According to Sky Sports News, Ince will hold talks with club officials today regarding his future. Newcastle United and Derby County have been touted as potential destinations.
Wouldn't it be nice to have all of the transfer stories from the past 24 hours in the same place? Well, it's your lucky day! From now on until the window shuts, we will have daily 8am and 7pm updates listing all of the news that has emerged in that time. Click here for your first instalment.
I'm sure you've heard that Sergio Ramos is a reported target for Manchester United, and if you haven't, where have you been?! It is believed that the Premier League giants have tabled a £28.6m bid for the Real Madrid defender. It's seemed that a transfer could be on the cards after the Spaniard was reported to have told the La Liga club that he wants to leave this summer. However, Ramos's mother Paqui Garcia has rejected those claims and insists that her son is not interested in a move to Old Trafford. Mothers know best?
DONE DEAL! A transfer has gone through in the Championship. It's Leeds United who have been busy, signing striker Chris Wood from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee. The New Zealander had been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it is Leeds who have secured his services on a four-year deal.
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Some news now regarding Alvaro Arbeloa - remember him? The former Liverpool man has been with Real Madrid since 2009, but his six-year spell with the La Liga giants could be coming to an end. West Ham United are reportedly interested in bringing the Spanish defender back to the Premier League this summer.
Could Lukas Podolski be on his way out of Arsenal soon? The German forward has been linked with a move to Galatasaray this summer, and has now stated that he is keen on a switch to Turkish side.
More news from Arsenal now. The Gunners have confirmed that they have released Abou Diaby after nine years with the club. The French midfielder suffered a succession of serious injuries during his time in North London and is one of five players to be leaving the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Could Esteban Cambiasso be on his way to another Premier League club? The Argentine midfielder impressed for Leicester City last season as they stayed in the top flight, and it appears that his form has not gone unnoticed. Aston Villa have reportedly offered the 34-year-old a move across the Midlands to Villa Park.
DONE DEAL! Bournemouth have been busy in the transfer market this summer and have now added another player to their ranks. Veteran defender Sylvain Distin has joined the Premier League newcomers on a one-year deal following his release by Everton at the end of last season. Read more on the story here.
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DONE DEAL! Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto is back in football. The 31-year-old has signed for Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne on a one-year deal, having been released by Spurs in February.
DONE DEAL! Liverpool have signed Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton on a long-term deal.
"I'm delighted and it's a dream move for me to come here and play for such a big club with all of its history. I can't wait to get started," Clyne told Liverpool's official website. "As soon as Liverpool showed their interest in me, I was happy and just wanted the deal to go through. The gaffer has shown a lot of interest in me and this is a place where I can improve as a player, I think. It's definitely a good opportunity to come here and try to fulfil my potential."
Sergio Ramos saga alert! Bayern Munich are now reportedly in for the Spanish defender. I suspect this one will run and run until the end of the transfer window!
DONE DEAL! Bayern Munich have signed Brazilian attacker Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk. More to follow...
More on Douglas Costa's move to Bayern can be found here. The Brazilian has penned a five-year deal with the German champions. Good signing?
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The Arda Turan saga is not quite on the same level as the one involving Ramos, but it is still a fascinating story. A decision on Turan's future is expected before the end of the week, but according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are leading the race for the experienced midfielder.
DONE DEAL! Valencia have signed Alvaro Negredo from Manchester City on a permanent deal. The Spaniard spent the 2014-15 campaign on loan with the Spanish club, and that deal has now been made permanent.
More on Negredo's move to Valencia can be found here. The Spaniard only scored six times for Los Che last season, and they have shown a lot of faith by turning the move permanent.
Atletico Madrid will reportedly move for Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela this summer, should Arda Turan seek pastures new. More here.
TERMINATION! Southampton have terminated the contract of Italian striker Dani Osvaldo. More to follow...
More on Osvaldo's departure from Southampton can be found here. The Italian will now be available on a free transfer. Any takers?!
New Bayern Munich attacker Douglas Costa had this to say at his official press conference: "I'm proud to become a player for Bayern, following in the footsteps of so many magnificent Brazilian players. I'm looking forward to playing for this magnificent team and will do everything I can to fulfil the expectations placed in me."
DONE DEAL! Swansea have signed Portuguese international Eder from Braga on a three-year deal. More to follow.
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More on Eder's move to Swansea can be found here. The Portuguese forward has become the Welsh club's fourth signing of the summer.
"I am very happy to have signed with Swansea. It's a big club and I believe I can progress as a footballer here," Eder told the Welsh club's official website. "The Premier League will be a step up for me, but I've played in the European competitions and also for my country so I've experienced different levels of the game. Hopefully my teammates will help me develop and settle in quickly at the club. I can't wait to meet all of them when I report for pre-season training. Swansea are a solid club who have big ambitions - last season confirmed that - and it's great for me to be a part of it."
Some news coming from White Hart Lane now, with Tottenham Hotspur confirming that midfielder Lewis Holtby has joined Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV on a permanent deal. The 24-year-old spent the majority of last season on loan with the club.
Atletico Madrid have reportedly agreed to sign long-term Manchester United target Nicolas Gaitan from Benfica.
The Argentine midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford over the last couple of transfer windows, but it is unclear whether there has been an official offer from England.
Porto have completed the signing of midfielder Gianelli Imbula from Marseille on a five-year deal. The Frenchman, 21, has joined the 27-time Portuguese champions for an undisclosed fee thought to be around €20m (£14.1m).
Experienced goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has signed a new one-year contract with Italian giants AC Milan. The 37-year-old, who has been with Milan since 1998, was widely expected to seek pastures new this summer after losing his spot to Diego Lopez last season.
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AC Milan forward M'Baye Niang has signed a two-year contract extension with the Serie A club. The 20-year-old's new deal will keep him at the San Siro until summer 2019.
Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has joined Championship outfit Birmingham City on a two-year contract, with the option of a third. The 33-year-old joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a short-term deal last November, but did not extend his contract beyond the end of the 2014-15 campaign.
French defender Adil Rami could reportedly be available this summer for as little as £3m as he prepares to leave AC Milan. The centre-back joined Milan from Valencia in July 2014, but has struggled for form and fitness since making the move to Italy.
Charlton Athletic have signed Danish striker Simon Makienok from Palermo on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old, who stands at 6'7", leaves Palermo for 2015-16 after failing to make a start or score in his first season in Serie A following a switch from Brondby a year ago.
Fulham youngster Stephen Arthurworrey has signed a new one-year extension to his contract and also been again sent out on loan to League Two side Yeovil Town for next season.
Inter Milan have confirmed the signing of defender Miranda from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of £11m. The 30-year-old Brazilian international passed a medical with the Serie A side on Wednesday.
Watford defender Gabriele Angella has signed a new five-year contract with the newly-promoted Hornets. The Italian joined the Hertfordshire side two years ago from Udinese and has gone to score 10 goals from centre-back in 81 appearances.
Villarreal have reportedly reached an agreement with Valencia over the permanent signing of Spanish defender Victor Ruiz. The 26-year-old spent the 2014-15 season on loan with the Yellow Submarine – making 25 league appearances for Marcelino's team.
Arjen Robben has dismissed suggestions that Bayern Munich need an overhaul of their squad this summer. Despite romping to the Bundesliga title, Pep Guardiola's side failed to win any other trophies last season.
BREAKING: Borussia Dortmund have announced that midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has signed a new deal with the club until 2017.
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Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta has denied suggestions that the Italian champions have agreed to sell Paul Pogba to Barcelona.
DONE DEAL! News on a Manchester United exit as Saidy Janko leaves for Scottish champions Celtic, signing a four-year contract with the Glasgow outfit.
Sticking with the Red Devils, Dutchman Jordy Clasie is said to be on their radar. Van Gaal certainly likes looking in his homeland doesn't he!
Is Juan Cuadrado's time at Chelsea going to end after just half a season? The Colombian made just 14 appearances for the Blues and could now be reportedly used in a deal to bring Arda Turan to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid. Read more here.
Another Dutchman United have been linked with this summer is Georginio Wijnaldum, but might he be off to the Italian capital? Here's the latest on speculation linking him with Roma.
DONE DEAL! Sebastian Coates becomes a Sunderland player for the next four years after the Black Cats and Liverpool reached an agreement for the Uruguayan. The story's developing right here.
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7PM UPDATE: Time to round up all the stories from throughout the day in transfer land. Catch up here.
Despite Manchester United reportedly throwing a bunch of money on the table, Germany forward Thomas Muller insists that he will not be leaving Bayern Munich this summer.
A few stories from the Football League to quickly update you on: Michael Harriman has signed a new contract with QPR; Josh Morris has left Blackburn Rovers to join Bradford City; Jonathan Spector has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with Birmingham City.
We brought you news earlier of Aston Villa's possible interest in Danish international Nicolai Boileson and his father and agent Kenny has confirmed that there is interest in his son this summer.
Daryl Murphy scored six more goals than anyone else in the Championship last season for Ipswich Town and that has seen plenty of interest in the Irishman so far this summer. Beaten playoff finalists Middlesbrough are the latest club to have reportedly made an approach.
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Earlier, we told you that Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan could be on the verge of a move from the Spanish side to Chelsea. However, it is now being reported in Spain that the Turkish international will be staying in La Liga after agreeing a five-year contract with Barcelona.
Robin van Persie could be on his way out of Manchester United this summer, and it looks like he will have the opportunity to move to Turkey, as Besiktas have said that they would be willing to push to their financial limit to acquire the Dutchman.
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DONE DEAL! Just over a year after leaving Spain, AC Milan defender Adil Rami is heading back! Sevilla have announced that they have agreed a four-year contract with the 29-year-old, subject to him passing a medical when he returns from holiday next week.
Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye will reportedly be on a flight to Britain for a medical at Aston Villa tomorrow. It is understood that the Premier League side have agreed a £9m fee for the Senegal international, who has also been linked with Southampton and West Ham United.
DONE DEAL! Bradford City have announced that midfielder Josh Morris has penned a three-year deal with the League One side after agreeing to the termination of his contract with Blackburn Rovers.
Is Shaqiri heading to Stoke City? Potters forward Peter Crouch seems to think so, after tweeting THIS in the last hour.
Potentially BIG development in the Sergio Ramos saga now as ex-Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says that the 29-year-old is determined to join Manchester United this summer. He'd know, wouldn't he? More on this here.
DONE DEAL! Villarreal confirm that 26-year-old defender Victor Ruiz has joined the club on a four-year deal. More on this in here.
Nathaniel Clyne has said that Adam Lallana convinced him to join Liverpool. Here's what the Reds' latest capture had to say on Lallana's role in bringing him to Anfield.
Anywho, I think that's all we've got time for today. Join us for day two of the transfer window, which is certain to throw up plenty of deals and gossip. Cheers!
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
