Reports: FC Barcelona and Manchester United plan a swap deal involving Ivan Rakitic, Real Madrid make the first bid for Eden Hazard and more: Transfer round-up, July 21, 2018

Good evening, folks! Welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. With the World Cup now behind us, the focus will rightly shift towards the all-important summer transfer period.

And as always, there are stories which will have huge repercussions on the transfer market. After scorching through papers and sources from all over Europe, we have managed to find transfer stories that made headlines on July 21, 2018:

---

Premier League

Can Real Madrid lure Eden Hazard out of Chelsea?

Real Madrid to open the bidding at £112 million for Eden Hazard

According to the Evening Standard, Real Madrid have lodged a £112 million bid for Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard. The Belgian is Madrid's top choice of forward to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. Hazard has flirted with the La Liga giants for a while now and has admitted he may move this summer after an impressive World Cup campaign.

But Chelsea are determined to hold onto their talisman as they place a £200 million valuation on his head. The Blues are reportedly calm about the situation and are almost sure that Hazard will not try and force his way out of the club. Instead, the club are expected to offer the 27 year old a brand new deal to keep him happy in London.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are closing in another Chelsea superstar in the form of Thibaut Courtois. The shot-stopper is on his way to the Bernabeu for a deal worth around £35 million. With Courtois on his way out of the club, Chelsea are hell-bent on not losing Eden Hazard in the same transfer window.

Everton closing in on Richarlison

The Toffees are ready to turn heads this summer with an audacious £50 million move for Watford's Richarlison. The Brazilian forward was the surprise package of the first half of the previous season, scoring five goals in his first 12 appearances. He faded in the second half of the campaign but remained Watford's go-to guy.

It was Marco Silva who brought him to the Premier League from Fluminense for £13 million and is now eyeing a reunion at Goodison Park. Sky Sports has reported that Richarlison will soon become Everton's record signing, eclipsing Gylfi Sigurdsson's £45 million transfer last summer.

Serie A

Will Cavani come back to Serie A?

Napoli contact Edinson Cavani

Tuttosport claims that Napoli have got in touch with Edinson Cavani's agent over a potential return to Serie A. Cavani spent three eventful seasons with the Partenopei before leaving for Paris Saint Germain. Carlo Ancelotti is looking for a target man up front and is targeting Cavani.

Napoli are reportedly offering a four-year deal to the Uruguayan along with €8 million per year in wages. PSG might be tempted to offload Cavani this summer to keep Neymar happy and also fund a move for Chelsea's N'golo Kante.

Sassuolo complete the signing of Jeremie Boga

Chelsea midfielder Jeremie Boga has completed a permanent move to Sassuolo. Three consecutive loan spells and no future at the club has led another talented youngster to leave the Blues. Meanwhile, Chelsea have inserted a buy-back clause in Boga's move to Sassuolo. The 21-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder. He made one senior appearance under Antonio Conte.

Bundesliga

Not going anywhere

James Rodriguez to stay put at Bayern Munich

Reports of a potential return of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid have been vehemently denied by Bayern Munich CEO Karl Heinz Rummenigge. After Zinedine Zidane's resignation, Rodriguez was linked with a return to the Bernabeu.

But the Bayern boss was quoted by ESPN as saying, "Lots of rumours that emanate from Spain are not true. The contract situation of the player is well known to everyone. James will definitely play for us this season, and I expect him to play for Bayern beyond that."

Andre Schurrle on his way out of Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund has reportedly decided to offload Andre Schurrle this summer. Goal has claimed that Schurrle is free to negotiate his transfer away from the club and is linked with a move back to the Premier League.

He was an unused substitute in Dortmund's 1-0 win over Manchester City in a preseason friendly. Lucian Favre's side is reportedly in the race to sign Wilfried Zaha with Andre Schurrle making way.

La Liga

On FC Barcelona's radar

Manchester United demand Ivan Rakitic plus cash for Paul Pogba

FC Barcelona's interest in the World Cup winner is growing with each passing day. Manchester United are in the know-how and have told the Catalans to include Ivan Rakitic in the deal. According to Don Balon, Jose Mourinho admires Rakitic and wants him to replace Pogba at the heart of his team.

Barcelona are pondering over this offer with Rakitic being on the other side of 30. Manchester United value Pogba at around €150 million but with Rakitic's inclusion, that price is expected to come down considerably.

Real Madrid target Kieran Trippier

In your most improbable rumour of the day, the Sun has reported that Real Madrid are preparing a £50 million bid for Tottenham Hotspur's Kieran Trippier. The fullback's impressive run in the World Cup has caught Real Madrid's attention.

But Spurs are confident of holding onto Trippier who only signed a five year deal with the club last summer. Madrid also have far too many right backs in their roster in the form of Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola and Achraf Hakimi.

Rest of the world

Next Aston Villa boss?

Aston Villa eyeing Thierry Henry

The Daily Mail has reported that the new Aston Villa owners are planning to sack Steve Bruce and bring in a fresh face. It is believed that Thierry Henry is on Villa's shortlist to replace Bruce. Belgium's assistant manager impressed during his stint under Roberto Martinez. Henry has also left punditry with Sky Sports to try his luck in management.

AS Roma agree to a deal for Malcom

According to Sky Sports, AS Roma are closing in on the signing of Bordeaux winger Malcom. Roma have reportedly tabled a £31.3 million bid for the forward with Bordeaux expected to reply in the next 48 hours. Personal terms have already been agreed upon as Roma is all set to beat Everton to the signing of the highly rated forward.