Former Barcelona star wants Real Madrid move, Manchester United agree deal for top target and other transfer news: 7th August 2018

Julen Lopetegui Announced As New Real Madrid Manager
Perez means business

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup. The Premier League transfer window will slam shut in two days and it's now or never time for the clubs to get their act together and sign some players to bolster their ranks ahead of the upcoming season. As a result, there are quite a few stories that have made headlines on 19th July 2018.

Without further ado, let's check them out:


Serie A

Real Madrid preparing a €100 million bid for Miralem Pjanic

According to Corriere Dela Sera, Real Madrid have identified Juventus' Miralem Pjanic as the ideal heir to Luka Modric and are readying a €100 million bid to sign the Bosnian international.

Meanwhile, Tuttosport reports that €80 million is Juventus' valuation of Pjanic. But then again, Luka Modric is not expected to force a move out of the club and hence this deal is contingent on whether or not the Croatian leaves the club this summer.

Keita Balde agrees to Inter move

Senegal v Colombia: Group H - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Keita in action for Senegal at the World Cup

Speaking of Modric, Inter Milan may yet pull out of the race to sign him as according to Calcio Mercato, Inter now have a contingency plan in place. If Modric doesn't arrive, they will swap Antonio Candreva for Keita Balde.

Keita has already agreed to move to Inter as per the report. However, convincing AS Monaco to take Candreva in exchange will be a tough ask.

La Liga

Celta de Vigo v Barcelona - La Liga
What a signing this could be for Arsenal

Unai Emery to make a last-ditch bid for Ousmane Dembele

Arsenal have been quite active in this summer transfer window and have already signed 5 new players - Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Mattéo Guendouzi, and Stephan Lichtsteiner.

They're not done though. Metro claims that new manager Unai Emery isn't entirely satisfied with the squad that's at his disposal just yet and has reportedly instructed the club to make a last-ditch move believed to be worth £89 million for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele.

Kovacic to join Chelsea on loan

Chelsea are one step away from securing the services Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid according to Marca. The two clubs are nearing agreement over a deal for him as per the report.

The Croatian refused to train with Los Blancos insisting that he wants his future resolved. The midfielder has seen game time come at a premium and hence wants to secure a move to a club where he can play football more often than he does at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Premier League

Olympique de Marseille v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Europa League Final
Oblak is one of the best goalkeepers in the world

Chelsea to make stunning move for Jan Oblak

Chelsea have picked out Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak as the ideal replacement and are willing to trigger his £89 million release clause, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Chelsea have been hesitant to sell Thibaut Courtois owing to the lack of an ideal replacement. Now, it looks like that problem has been solved. Jan Oblak is easily one of the best goalkeepers in the world and going by last year's form, he is doing better than Courtois.

Tottenham agree to sell Alderweireld to Manchester United on one condition

Just when you thought Mourinho will finally have his wish and have his player, in comes a twist. According to Goal, Tottenham will sell Alderweireld to Manchester United given they find a replacement for him before the Premier League transfer window shuts in 2 days.

The clubs have reportedly agreed over a fee (undisclosed) but the transfer will happen only if Spurs are able to find a replacement in time.

Bundesliga

Real Madrid v Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg
Thiago wants to move

Thiago Alcantara wants Real Madrid switch

According to Don Balon, Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara wants to move to Real Madrid as a replacement for Luka Modric who is expected to leave. Thiago is a La Masia product and would fit right into Lopetegui's system. The new Real Madrid gaffer has worked with Thiago at the international level as well.

Liverpool interested in Leon Bailey

According to Kicker, Liverpool are now interested in Bayer Leverkusen ace Leon Bailey. The 20-year-old was on fire last season and scored 9 goals and notched up a further 6 assists playing down the wings for the Bundesliga side. In an interview, Bailey confirmed that there is 'concrete interest' from Chelsea, Roma and Liverpool.

Bailey is one of the hottest young prospects in world football at the moment.

Rest of the world

Huddersfield Town v Olympique Lyonnais - Pre-Season Friendly
Huddersfield Town v Olympique Lyonnais - Pre-Season Friendly

Tottenham Hotspur considering a late bid for Tanguy Ndombele

According to L'Equipe, Tottenham Hotspur are considering launching a new bid for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. Lack of transfer activity has frustrated the Spurs fans and Daniel Levy is under pressure to bring a fresh face to Wembley.

The Frenchman had been linked with Tottenham throughout the summer but the Ligue 1 outfit are reluctant to sell the box-to-box midfielder who is 21 years of age.

Leicester City sign Rachid Ghezzal from AS Monaco

Leicester City have signed Algerian winger Rachid Ghezzal from AS Monaco for a paltry sum of £10 million.

Ghezzal is Leicester City's 5th signing of the summer after Danny Ward, Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans and James Maddison.

The 26-year-old who signed a 4 year deal with the Foxes said,

"I'm very excited and very happy to be here."
"I know the coach from Lyon and this is where I want to be.
"It is a good club and an ambitious one too. Leicester City has many great players and I hope we will have a great season."

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith
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