Liverpool have no intention to sell Ibrahima Konate this window despite working on moves for two centre backs, as they continue to work towards a new contract for the France international.
The Premier League club are working on deals for Parma’s Giovanni Leoni and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, but Konate remains key to their plans for the new season.
Real Madrid have been alert to Konate’s situation as they ponder signing him as a free agent next year should Liverpool fail to agree new terms. Other European clubs are also monitoring developments with the 26-year-old.
Liverpool have been working to add defenders having sold Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen, while Joe Gomez picked up a calf injury – leaving them with only Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk, who is 34.
Leoni was the subject of strong interest from Newcastle United before they switched to AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw. It is considered a challenge to try to prise 18-year-old Leoni out of Italy this summer but Liverpool are firm admirers.
Guehi remains keen to join the Premier League champions if they can reach accord with Palace over a fee around £35million including add-ons after opening initial talks.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi (right)
Real Madrid hold a long-standing interest in Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate (right)
Liverpool are primed to bid again for Alexander Isak at Newcastle United and will consider offers for Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas and Ben Doak. Federico Chiesa could yet leave at the end of the window, depending on who Liverpool are able to bring in. Elliott, who Liverpool value at £40m with a buyback option, has interest from Red Bull Leipzig.
Sticking on the Leipzig theme, the Bundesliga side have been negotiating with Chelsea to sell Xavi Simons but have asked about the possibility of Christopher Nkunku or Tyrique George coming the other way on loan.
Leeds United, West Ham and Wolves have all shown interest in Doak, as have Everton early in the window. Liverpool want over £20m for the Scotland international.
Real want Wharton
Real Madrid are continuing to follow Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
The England international played well again against Liverpool in Sunday’s Community Shield, setting up Palace’s equaliser and continues to be a target for top clubs.
Tottenham made an enquiry prior to the FA Cup final in May and their interest remains but Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Madrid have held a constant presence in the stands at Selhurst Park as they keep an eye on the 21-year-old’s progress.
Adam Wharton is on Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United’s lists
City in for Donnarumma
Manchester City are weighing up a move for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after Galatasaray returned to negotiations to sign Ederson.
City bought James Trafford from Burnley earlier this window and the England international is primed to be the club’s new No 1.
With Ederson having explored possible departures in recent seasons, City were aware the Brazilian stopper could yet go and have been alert to market movement. Donnarumma has been told he is no longer first choice at PSG but they still want around £40m for the Italy international. Real Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia have also shown tentative interest in Donnarumma.
City remain in talks with Nottingham Forest over the sale of James McAtee. City are pushing for £30m while Forest have reached around £27m including add-ons.
Manchester City, clubs in Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid have interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma
United’s not-so-fab five on way out
Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is the subject of an enquiry from Roma.
The Italians are the latest to discuss a potential loan and option to buy for the England international but United only want a permanent sale for the 25-year-old.
United have yet to offer anything of substance to Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba. Talks are continuing with his representatives – which has not enamoured United to Brighton, who have little intention to sell bar a substantial offer.
United are in the throes of selling Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea but want £50m. They also have offers on the table for Rasmus Hojlund and Antony.
Meanwhile, former United defender Victor Lindelof has held initial talks over a potential move to Bayer Leverkusen, where ex-Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag is now in charge.
Five on Everton list for wing star
After pulling off the coup of signing Jack Grealish on loan, Everton manager David Moyes is pressing to add a right winger ahead of their season kick-off against Leeds United on Monday.
Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu is one of the names under consideration. The 21-year-old Ghana international started the season well against Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday.
Everton have also checked on Takefusa Kubo at Real Sociedad and Franculino Dju at Midtjylland while they also bid for Lyon’s Malick Fofana.
As it stands, a move for Southampton winger Tyler Dibling is considered too expensive. Everton have had a number of offers rejected for the 19-year-old, with Southampton demanding £45m plus £5m in add-ons and a 25 per cent sell-on clause. Dibling has been training away from the first-team squad, though he is expected to hold talks about his future on Wednesday.
Everton have had a number of bids rejected for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling
Buonanotte’s big move as Spurs eye wide trio
Brighton are prepared to allow attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte out on loan again this summer.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Leicester City, scoring six goals in 35 games.
Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have both enquired to take the Argentine on loan but Brighton want him to continue his development in the Premier League.
West Ham, Leeds and Forest are all showing interest while Tottenham also have him on their list as they assess what they can spend with Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Manchester City’s Savinho and Nico Paz of Como also on their list of potential targets.
Facundo Buonanotte (right) spent last term at Leicester and could leave Brighton on loan again
Bournemouth eye Osorio to replace Ouattara
Bournemouth have checked out Chile winger Dario Osorio.
The 21-year-old left-footed right-winger has three years left on contract at Danish club Midtjylland and the Cherries want a wide player with interest intensifying for Midtjylland who is a target for Brentford.
Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, 23, is another on Brentford’s radar.
No Tripp out for Newcastle
Newcastle United have no desire to lose Kieran Trippier despite interest being shown by Monaco and a number of clubs.
Eddie Howe is keen to have Trippier’s experience around his squad following a difficult summer in the transfer market. Newcastle still anticipate a bid arriving from Liverpool for Alexander Isak and want to add two forwards plus a midfielder. Talks for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa have been held up over figures and Brentford looking for a replacement.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are monitoring Plymouth Argyle’s highly rated 16-year-old Joe Mwaro. Scouts are expected to watch the teenager on Tuesday evening if he makes his first-team bow in the Carabao Cup.
A versatile defender, who filled in at right back during the pre-season friendly against Torquay, Mwaro won academy player of the year last season. Another Plymouth prospect clubs are showing interest in is 16-year-old striker Seb Campbell, who has been prolific at youth level.
Newcastle are eyeing a move for Plymouth’s 16-year-old star Joe Mwaro, who plays in defence
Asensio wants Villa return
Aston Villa have revived talks with PSG over a possible return for Marco Asensio.
The Spain international had an enjoyable loan spell at Villa Park last season and is keen to return, having snubbed moves to Turkey and Saudi Arabia so far.
Villa, who have asked about loan and permanent deals for the 29-year-old, have been looking to bolster attacking options with interest still around Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey who could yet be sold.
As Daily Mail Sport revealed, Newcastle United, who maintain an interest in Watkins, have asked about Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn also but those departures are considered unlikely as it stands.
Aston Villa have asked about loans and permanent deals for Marco Asensio (right)
Ballard and Fernandes heading for Southampton exit
Southampton’s England Under 20 forward Dom Ballard could leave the club over the next few days.
Ballard, who grew up in Greece, has strong interest from Plymouth, Leyton Orient and Barnsley. The 20-year-old has had loan spells at Cambridge, Blackpool and Reading in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, West Ham are struggling to prise Mateus Fernandes away from the Saints amid rival interest from Atletico Madrid. West Ham have seen an opening bid of £30m rejected by Southampton.
Leeds eye double swoop
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is continuing to explore options abroad as a priority for his next move.
Leeds are among the front-runners to sign free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The former Everton striker has interest from Newcastle and Leeds, while Villa showed interest earlier in the window. The free agent can still sign for a club after the window closes but is keen to go in fit with some degree of pre-season behind him.
Leeds remain in contact with Fulham for Rodrigo Muniz, who has offers from Atalanta and is on Newcastle’s list also.
ONE TO WATCH
Justin Haak of New York City is attracting interest from Rangers and a number of Championship clubs.
The 23-year-old USA Under 20 international, who hails from Brooklyn, can play as a defensive midfielder or at centre back and has impressed club analysts with his statistics.
