Transfer rumors: Arsenal set to land a striker; Everton rules out Hart
The summer transfer season is in full swing, with European powers loading up for the campaigns that have either already begun or are on the horizon with the summer's international competitions in the rear-view mirror.
Manchester United (Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly) and Manchester City (John Stones, Leroy Sane, Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus, Marlos Moreno) have already spent big, while their competitors both in England and abroad position themselves as well. Early results and injuries are also playing and will continue to play into team's decisions for the remainder of the month.
Despite some of the biggest names on the market already switching clubs and settling into their new surroundings, a number of others are still slated for moves as the countdown to the deadline continues.
Here is the latest buzz from the summer transfer window:
Thursday, August 25
Arsenal swoops in to steal Everton target: Arsenal has addressed its need for forward at long last, reportedly swooping in to pry Lucas Perez Martinez away from Everton, which was set to make a £17 million move for the Spanish striker. Martinez, 27, scored 17 goals in La Liga last season and scored the game-winner in Deportivo La Coruña's opening match of this campaign. He's not the caliber of Karim Benzema, Jamie Vardy or Alexandre Lacazette, but it's another striker.
Everton rules out Hart move: Joe Hart figures to be done at Manchester City, with the club signing Claudio Bravo Thursday, but Everton manager Ronald Koeman played down reports that he'd become a Toffee, saying that the club isn't interested.
Tottenham in talks for Zaha: Spurs' quest to land more attacking firepower has extended out to Crystal Palace, where star Wilfried Zaha is reportedly wants out. Tottenham's bid for £15 million, however, is not enough to bring him to White Hart Lane.
Southampton to spend club-record fee: Southampton has made a habit of selling off talented assets, and with some of that financial windfall it is set to sign forward Sofiane Boufal from Lille for a club-record £21 million fee–£6 million more than it spent on Dani Osvaldo three years ago.
Chelsea rejected for Romagnoli again: Chelsea's improved offer of £35 million for AC Milan center back Alessio Romagnoli has reportedly been rejected, with Milan saying the 21-year-old is not for sale. The offer is £5 million more than what was previously presented. Chelsea did sign goalkeeper Eduardo from Dinamo Zagreb.
Wednesday, August 24
Lacazette to Arsenal deal is dead: Lyon's president Jean-Michel Aulas reportedly says that Alexandre Lacazette will not be sold to Arsenal and will likely finish the season at the Ligue 1 club. According to reports, Arsenal also spent the summer pursuing Antoine Griezmann, who just signed a new five-year deal with Atletico Madrid, setting aside £60 million for the France star.
Stoke bidding big for Pulisic? Christian Pulisic maintains he is staying put at Dortmund for the season and is not seeking a loan, but that's not stopping German outlet Bild from reporting that Stoke City is bidding €20 million for the 17-year-old American and that promoted Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig has interest in him as well.
Janmaat move clears way for Yedlin: Right back Daryl Janmaat has left Newcastle for Watford on a reported £7.5 million transfer. His move opens the door for USA's DeAndre Yedlin, whose transfer from Tottenham to Newcastle is imminent.
Krul to join Ajax on loan: With Jasper Cillessen bound for Barcelona, Ajax has a hole at goalkeeper. Newcastle's Netherlands international Tim Krul will reportedly fill it, spending the season on loan in Amsterdam. That will extend the goalkeeper domino effect around Europe. Krul to Ajax. Cillessen to Barcelona. Claudio Bravo to Manchester City. Joe Hart to a destination to be determined.
Tottenham interested in Calhanoglu, Sissoko: Turkey and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, whose free-kick acumen is among the world's best, has reportedly drawn the interest of Tottenham, which is eyeing another creative attacking option. France's Moussa Sissoko, who turned heads at Euro 2016, is another player reportedly on Tottenham's radar.
What's next for Schweinsteiger? With the German midfielder stating he wouldn't leave Manchester United for another club in Europe, speculation is rife with the possibility that he'd leave for MLS or China.
Tuesday, August 23
Valencia will keep Alcacer, Mustafi: Barcelona and Arsenal appear to be out of luck, as their respective targets Paco Alcacer and Shkodran Mustafi will be staying put at Valencia, at least according to manager Pako Ayestaran.
Bravo on his way to Manchester: Claudio Bravo has reportedly arrived in Manchester ahead of his expected move to Manchester City. That should, in turn, trigger a sale or loan of Joe Hart from the Etihad.
Chelsea rejected on Romagnoli: Chelsea reportedly bid £30 million for AC Milan center back Antonio Romagnoli only to be denied by the Serie A side, which reportedly wants to hold on to the 21-year-old rising star.
Newcastle, Aston Villa bid for Yedlin: USA right back DeAndre Yedlin figures to require a move away from Tottenham to secure playing time, as he did on loan last season at Sunderland. Second-tier Newcastle and Aston Villa have reportedly bid £5 million for his services, joining the likes of Hull City, Derby County and Sunderland as teams who have expressed interest in either buying Yedlin or bringing him in on loan. Subsequent reports suggest Yedlin has arrived at Newcastle for a full transfer valued at $6.6 million.
1860 Munich in the Miazga mix: Another young U.S. defender is seeking a new environment as well. Matt Miazga doesn't figure to be in Antonio Conte's plans at Chelsea, and 1860 Munich is reportedly interested in bringing him in on loan.
Mr. Jones and Stoke City?: With Phil Jones not a first-choice defender at Manchester United, he could be eyeing an exit, and Stoke City's assistant manager claims the club is looking to sign him.
Monday, August 22
Mustafi price rises: Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal's interest in Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi, and the Spanish club appears to be taking full advantage. His asking price has reportedly risen to £50 million, with Valencia sensing the Gunners' desperation.
Klopp won't panic buy: Liverpool's defense has leaked five goals in two matches, but following a 2-0 loss to Burnley manager Jurgen Klopp says he would be "an idiot" if he let one result influence his opinions on his squad. Klopp, for one, is not a fan of the transfer mania sparked by the deadline, saying at his Monday press conference, "I really wait for the day when finally the transfer window is closed because I can’t believe how obsessed you all are with this and that you don’t believe for a second in improving things on the training pitch."
Bravo-Hart-Cillessen domino effect: Claudio Bravo's move to Manchester City and Joe Hart's subsequent move away from the Etihad are reportedly contingent on Barcelona being able to lure Jasper Cillessen away from Ajax. The Dutch goalkeeper is slated for a £12 million permanent move to Camp Nou. According to reports, Bravo's move to City could be done as soon as Thursday. (Update: It was completed Thursday, as was Cillessen's move to Barcelona.)
West Ham wants Bony: Amid his club's injury crisis, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic wants to add another forward, and Manchester City's out-of-favor Wilfried Bony is reportedly on his wish list.
Chiellini to Chelsea? Antonio Conte knows first-hand what Giorgio Chiellini can do, both on the club and international level, and Chelsea is reportedly mulling a £25 million bid for the Juventus defender. This comes amid reports that primary center back target Kalidou Koulibaly is 90% certain to stay at Napoli, according to Sky Sports.
Juventus optimistic over Cuadrado: Juventus's president says he's hopeful a move for Juan Cuadrado can be completed in the next few days. After starring on loan at Juve last year, Cuadrado is expected to go on loan for another season in Turin before making the move permanent for £19 million.
Everton in talks with Brahimi: The Toffees are eyeing Algeria and Porto striker Yacine Brahimi, who has been left out of the Portuguese club's midweek squad for its Champions League playoff. He reportedly wants to be at a club in the Champions League, though.
Ex-Arsenal duo heading to Turkey: Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor are set to join Caykur Rizespor in Turkey, the top-flight club's coach announced. Agreements in principle with both players have been reached.
Borthwick-Jackson heads out on loan: Manchester United's Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 19, will spend the season on loan at Wolverhampton. The young fullback made 14 appearances with the first team under Louis van Gaal last season.
