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A new day brings it with loads of fresh transfer rumours and gossip and as always the clubs most heavily linked are Real Madrid and Barcelona. The two Spanish powerhouses have not spent too much on new signings as yet but that could change in the coming weeks.
On that note, we bring you a round-up of the latest happenings from the transfer market:
Arsenal and Roma to battle for N'Zonzi
Arsenal are back in the race to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, if reports in AS are to be believed. However, Roma are also in the reckoning and it will ultimately boil down to which club the player prefers.
Sevilla are holding out for a fee in the region of €40m, which is incidentally N'Zonzi's release clause, but neither club values him that highly. The Frenchman had a standout season with Sevilla last time around and also played a role in France's run to the World Cup title recently.
If it were to boil down to an Arsenal vs Roma showdown, N'Zonzi might indeed prefer a move to London where he could be reunited with former coach Unai Emery.
Simeone speaks about Griezmann and other possible transfers
Diego Simeone opened up about his plans for the summer as well as Antoine Griezmann's future at the club in his most recent press conference. "I hope he keeps growing even more than he has until now, he has no limit, he's important for us and is a good teammate, surrounded by the people who form a squad which is improving," Simeone said about Griezmann.
He also went on to address the issue of Sime Vrsaljko's possible exit. "We're very happy with Sime, he had a very good World Cup, especially showing what he can do in attack and was decisive for his team. We are waiting for him to arrive on August 6 and after that we will see the needs of the club, I'm happy with what he's given us, he's an important player."
About Olivier Giroud's possible arrival, Simeone had this to say: "You have to be careful because they keep coming up and there are always rumours that some are leaving or others are coming, but I can't add anything."
Barcelona
Dembele closing in on Arsenal switch
According to reports in Football London, Ousmane Dembele is set to hold talks with Arsenal over a possible move to the English side.
Dembele's future has been up in the air ever since the arrival of Malcom from Bordeaux. He essentially performs the same role in the side, meaning Dembele might be the second-choice winger at Barcelona. Arsenal, on the other hand, are looking for quick wingers to bolster the squad following the departures of both Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez and could make a loan move for the Frenchman,
Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is reportedly in contact with Dembele which would bode well for the Gunners.
Lucas Digne to Everton
Rumours of Lucas Digne moving to Everton have gained traction, especially after the left-back was allowed to leave preseason training to return to Spain and finalise his exit from the club.
Digne is close to completing a £22 million switch to Everton after a fee in principle was agreed last night.
"I want to say thank you very much to all. First to the club that has given me everything since I arrived. Thanks to all the physios, the staff with whom I have worked, the physical trainers, the security people, all that make the club a family," Digne announced last night.
Barcelona to table €50 million bid for Hector Herrera
Don Balon are at it again, this time claiming Barcelona have set their sights on Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera. According to the reports, they are set to offer €50 million for the Porto man. Real Madrid were also targetting the midfielder but decided to pursue other options instead.
Manchester United make bold demand
United have reportedly asked Barcelona defender Yerry Mina to delay a decision on his future as they look to him as the backup if their move for Harry Maguire falls through. Jose Mourinho will line up a £35.6m move for the Colombian if they cannot make progress with Leicester who have demanded a whopping £80m for Maguire. Mina was set for a move to Everton but could now put that on hold.
Real Madrid
Madrid to swoop for 2 Chelsea players
Reports in Daily Mail have indicated that Real Madrid are closing in on Chelsea players, Thibaut Courtois and Willian. Los Blancos have made a £100m double bid for the two Chelsea stars and could complete the signings by the end of the week.
Madrid were also linked with Hazard earlier in the window, but were put off by Chelsea's evaluation of the player. The reports suggest Real Madrid's bid is being seriously considered by Chelsea who are looking to offload the players not expected to be a part of Sarri's plans.
However, in complete contrast, Sky Sports have reported Madrid have pulled out of negotiations with Courtois as Chelsea are unwilling to offload him until they find a replacement.
Lewandowski dreams of Madrid move; warned against it
Sources close to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski have revealed that he is looking for a dream move to Real Madrid this summer. However, Bayern hero Giovane Elber has warned Lewandowski against seeking a move elsewhere and has urged him to focus on his Bayern career.
"This isn’t good, like what happened last season with his agent always talking about how he could leave, he could go to Madrid, he could go I don’t know where. We saw that the last season, the time when the club needed Lewandowski most, we didn’t see him at the end. That’s not good for him or for Bayern Munich," Eiber said while speaking to Goal. "The things that are going to happen, he should leave to his agent, to the other people. He doesn’t need to have issues with Bayern Munich," he added.
Kovacic wants out
According to Diario AS, Mateo Kovacic has told his teammates and manager Julen Lopetegui that he wants to leave the club this summer. Kovacic spoke to Lopetegui after returning from the World Cup and made his intentions clear. Manchester City were initially interested in signing the Croat but were put off by the €80m price-tag Madrid had slapped on him. However, the club are likely to lower that figure considering Kovacic indeed has his heart set on a move away.
