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Live Coverage: Transfer Talk - July 23

Sports Mole provides updates of all the latest transfer gossip as it emerges throughout the day.
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Welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Thursday, July 23.

Speculation surrounding potential player arrivals and departures continues to dominate the headlines as we gear up for the new football season.

Many clubs home and abroad have already strengthened their squads significantly, but with more than five weeks to go until business must cease, there is plenty of time for more money to be spent.

Throughout the day, we will update you with all the latest transfer developments.


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Good morning everyone! We have less than six weeks to go before the summer transfer window slams shut, so there is plenty of time for clubs up and down the country, as well as abroad, to make additions to their squads. Will Manchester City's £49m fee for Raheem Sterling be bettered? Well, only time will tell.

An early line to bring you comes from the mouth of Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez. Overnight, the Spaniard was asked about Sergio Ramos's current situation. If you're not aware (and if you're not, where have you been?!), Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign the defender, who is not believed to be the happiest of players at the Bernabeu currently. However, Benitez has told reporters that the Spain international is "100%" staying at the La Liga club. The transfer window can spring surprises on us, so despite Benitez's stance, this may not be the last we hear of this story.

Before we go any further, let's take a look at the stories that have dominated the transfer headlines over the past 13 hours or so. Click here to rummage through our roundup.

Chelsea's interest in Everton defender John Stones has been widely reported. There were reports that the Premier League champions are on the verge of increasing their initial £20 offer, which was rejected by the Toffees. However, during a press conference in the US last night, Blues boss Jose Mourinho claimed that a fresh bid has NOT been tabled and he is happy to start the season with the squad that he has now.

John Stones in action for Everton on September 21, 2014© Getty Images


Some big transfer news emerging this morning concerning Arturo Vidal, who has all-but completed a move to Bayern Munich. The Juventus midfield ace has agreed terms with the Bavarian giants, with only a medical standing between him and a £28m switch to the Allianz Arena.

News of Wojciech Szczesny's switch to Roma hardly comes by surprise, but further details are emerging with regards to his contract at the Italian club. According to reports, Roma will pay Arsenal an initial fee of £250,000 to take the Polish stopper on a season-long loan. Read more.

Angel di Maria's future still appears to be unclear, with reports from the Middle East suggesting that Paris Saint-Germain - the frontrunners to sign him - have now withdrawn from talks.

Dropping down to the Championship now, and Brighton & Hove Albion appear to have pulled off a big coup by landing a Real Madrid striker. Okay, it may only be a Madrid Juvenile player, but Jack Harper joins the Seagulls with six years of experience under his belt at one of the world's biggest clubs.

"It is not clear if he will continue here" - the words of Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini when asked about the future of Edin Dzeko. Serie A side Roma are rumoured to be strongly interested in the Bosnian striker. Read Pellegrini's comments in full right here.

Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie certainly caught the eye at the back end of last season, but could he be on his way out of Selhurst Park? According to this report, three Premier League clubs - Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Aston Villa - have each shown an interest in the DR Congo international.

Staying with Palace - one of their youngsters has been sent to Plymouth Argyle on a half-season loan. Find out who right here.

Remember Manucho? It didn't work out for the striker at Manchester United, but he has signed a new deal at his current club, so must be doing something right.

Manucho of Real Valladolid CF looks on during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio de Vallecas on October 25, 2013© Getty Images

Click here for the latest on Jason Shackell's mooted return to Derby County from Burnley. The Rams are certainly gearing up for a run at promotion after making several impressive signings already this summer.

There's said to be interest from Manchester Untied, but West Ham co-chairman David Gold insists that there are no plans to sell striker Diafra Sakho.

BREAKING! Like Patrick Bamford, Tomas Kalas has signed a new three-year contact with Chelsea after being sent out on loan for the 2015-16 campaign.

It would be a big shock if Manchester United were able to poach Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich and these words from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggest that it's not happening this summer.

Could Abou Diaby be joining a Premier League club after leaving Arsenal this summer? Click here to find out who has been linked with a move for the midfielder.

Abou Diaby of Arsenal takes a shot on goal during the FA Cup with Budweiser fifth round match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2013© Getty Images

Rodolph Austin has captained Jamaica to a historic run to the final at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but he is without a club after being released by Leeds United. That might not be the case for much longer, as six clubs are said to be interested in him.

One of the three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season are reportedly interested in signing Ryan Taylor, who is a free agent after leaving Newcastle United this summer.

Diego Fabbrini and Robert Tesche impressed Birmingham City supporters last season and Blues boss Gary Rowett says that he is working on signing the pair permanently.

Elliot Parish has signed a one-year contract with Colchester United. The goalkeeper had been a free agent since the end of last season when he was among a list of 17 players that was released by Blackpool.

West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has revealed that the club is hoping to sign up to two more players before the start of the season. More here.

West Bromwich Albion have reportedly entered an "advanced stage" of discussions over a new contract for goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

West Brom keeper Boaz Myhill reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City at The Hawthorns on December 7, 2013© Getty Images


DONE DEAL! It's been made official in the last few moments - West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Boaz Myhill has signed a contract extension with the club. You can read all about it here.

Preston North End boss Simon Grayson has hinted that the club is considering a fresh bid for Chesterfield defender Tendayi Darikwa.

Derby County have reached an agreement with Burnley for the transfer of Jason Shackell. The 31-year-old defender is now free to discuss personal terms with the Rams, who he will rejoin three years after being signed by Burnley.

DONE DEAL! Crystal Palace have completed the signing of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from QPR. You can read more about that story here.

Derby have also been busy in the transfer market today, bringing in defender Jason Shackell from Burnley.



Robbie Fowler has claimed that Christian Benteke should be a success at former club Liverpool. The Belgian striker joined the Reds from Aston Villa on Wednesday for a fee of around £32.5m.

Some news from Spain now as Levante defender Ivan Lopez signs a new contract with the La Liga club until 2020.

Saint-Etienne defender Florentin Pogba has extended his stay with the Ligue 1 club until 2018. The 24-year-old scored one goal in 22 appearances for Christophe Galtier's side last season.

Burnley defender Luke Conlan has joined St Mirren on a season-long loan. More here.

TRANSFER UPDATE! With the sun setting on another busy day in the summer transfer window, why not take a look at our nightly roundup? All of Thursday's deals and gossip so far can be found here.

Rangers have certainly been active of late, but they have reportedly had a second bid for Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan rejected this evening. Don't worry, the same report suggests that a third bid is imminent.

Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham may have dropped below his best levels over the past couple of seasons, but according to Russell Slade the Englishman is still very much in demand. Two clubs have had bids knocked back for the former Aston Villa man, who could play a key part for the Bluebirds once more this coming season.

Nicolas Otamendi has been heavily linked with Manchester United of late, but Paco Alcacer has stressed that his Valencia teammate should stay put this summer.

Valencia's Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi jumps to shoot during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 17, 2015© Getty Images


If you missed it a litter earlier, Crystal Palace today completed the signing of Alex McCarthy from Queens Park Rangers. The 25-year-old joins the Eagles for a fee in the region of £3.5m.

Benjamin Stambouli completed a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, but he admits that the French moneybags have taken a "gamble" on signing him.

Speculation has continued to mount regarding Ashley Young's contract situation at Manchester United. According to one report this evening, his former club Aston Villa are watching his position closely.

United's reported attempts to sign a striker have been the subject of intense debate over the past few days. This evening the Manchester Evening News has suggested that the club are now working on a deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford this summer.

More exciting gossip coming out of Old Trafford now... Several outlets are carrying a report that the Red Devils have offered Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic a three-year contract worth around £7m to join the former Premier League champions.

Southampton have been rocked by the news that young centre-back Florin Gardos could face up to seven months out with a knee injury, which may force Ronald Koeman to delve into the transfer market a little deeper than he might have expected.

One more story before we head off tonight. Hibernian coach Alan Stubbs has moved to fend off any interest in midfielder Scott Allan from Rangers. Stubbs has insisted that the 23-year-old will not be sold to the Ibrox club.

Thank you all for joining us today. We'll be back in the morning with more news and gossip as the summer transfer window continues to rumble on...

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Juventus' forward from Spain Fernando Llorente celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match Cagliari vs Juventus on December 18, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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