'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the transfer window closing in just over a day, Premier League teams are running about completing deals and why wouldn't they? It's the last chance they have to bolster their ranks before the fresh new season starts on Friday.
So, let's take a look at the transfer news and rumours that made headlines on 8th August, 2018:
Leicester City close in on 2 defensive signings
According to the Daily Mirror, Leicester City have closed in on 2 defenders- Croatia u-21 Filip Benkovic (plays for Dinamo Zagreb) and Freiburg’s Turkish prospect Caglar Soyuncu.
They are getting defensive reinforcements in place as they brace themselves for a fresh bid from Manchester United.
Leicester City are likely to remain insistent on keeping Harry Maguire even if they finalize the two deals for Filip Benkovic and Caglar Soyuncu. The Foxes' manager Claude Puel is keen on having some depth at the back.
Leicester City already have Yohan Benalouane, Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans (who arrived from West Bromwich earlier this summer).
Burnley sign Matej Vydra from Derby County
Burnley have signed striker Matej Vydra from Derby County. The Czech international is Burnley's third signing of the summer.
Vydra on joining Burnley, said,
“I think five years ago I was like a kid in the Premier League. Now I feel I have more experience in English football, I speak better English and I have learned more in England, so I hope I’m a better player than five years ago."
“For the last four years I have been fighting to be in the Premier League. I haven’t done it with the teams I was playing for and sometimes it has to be done with a transfer and now I’m so happy.
“My ambition is to play in the best league in the world so thank-you to the gaffer here and to Burnley for giving me a hand to play in the Premier League and now it’s about me to show he chose the right person and hopefully I will be successful with mine and Burnley’s targets.
“I watched Burnley last season and they played with two strikers which is good for me. Last season it looked like no-one liked to come to Burnley’s home stadium and I hope we will carry on with that and also we will play nice football which the fans will love.
“The team finished seventh last season. It will be hard to do that again but it’s football and you never know what can happen. You have to enjoy what we are doing because football is the best job you can do. I can’t be more happy to play in the Premier League and I will do my best for Burnley.”
Tottenham to make first summer signing
Tottenham have woken from their slumber and are finally getting active transfer window. Mauricio Pochettino has now taken his club one step closer to a new signing.
According to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to complete a £25 million deal for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish. The deal will see 21-year-old Josh Onomah heading to Aston Villa.
Jack Grealish appeared for Aston Villa in their pre-season friendly against Hull City. But at the end of the match, he looked like he was waving goodbye to the Villa fans.
Tiemoue Bakayoko in talks with AC Milan over a loan deal
According to The Sun, Tiemoue Bakayoko is talking to AC Milan about completing a loan deal. Sarri did not even name Bakayoko on the bench in Chelsea's FA Community Shield game against Manchester City and have granted permission to the player to hold talks with the Serie A giants.
However, it is understood that Chelsea are only keen on sending him out on loan as they believe that Bakayoko can improve and become a regular feature for them in the future.
Arsenal inching closer to Ousmane Dembele signing
This could really be the signing of the summer. According to The Mirror, Arsenal could yet sign Ousmane Dembele for a deal worth £100 million. Arsenal have been really cautious so far in this transfer window and had shelled out a total that's less than £100 million on 5 signings.
Dembele is reportedly unhappy with Barcelona's latest transfer activity and feels like Malcom's signing has threatened his place in the squad.
The 21-year-old joined Barcelona for a whopping amount of money just last summer.
Arsenal weighing up a move for Vida
According to Standard, Arsenal are planning to make a late move for the Croatian World Cup superstar Domagoj Vida. But they've been told to cough up £26.9 million by Besiktas.
The Gunners were previously trying to pull off a player+cash deal involving either Danny Welbeck or David Ospina but Besiktas weren't sold on that.
Calum Chambers has left for Fulham and Gunners are short staffed at the back right now.
Kovacic to have medical at Chelsea today
The Independent had earlier reported via Manchester Evening News that Kovacic is pushing for a move to Manchester City.
But now, Express are claiming that Kovacic is all set to have his medical at Chelsea today. Kovacic reportedly refused to train this week until his future was resolved. Now his request for a move away has been granted and will be joining Chelsea on loan and will have his medical today!
Manchester United desperate to sign Jordi Alba
Manchester United went into the transfer market wanting to resolve their left-back problems. Consequently, they were in the race to sign Alex Sandro of Juventus and Danny Rose of Tottenham.
However, neither of those moves worked out and it looked like United were going to stick with Luke Shaw. However, latest reports from The Daily Star suggest that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring none other than Barcelona's Jordi Alba all the way to Old Trafford.
However, this looks like a highly unlikely deal. Barcelona only recently sold Alba's backup Lucas Digne to Everton and they'd be in over their heads to offload one of their key players.
Jerome Boateng rejects Manchester United
Manchester United target, Jerome Boateng, called Jose Mourinho to inform the Portuguese manager that he is grateful for the interest but he is not interested in signing for the Red Devils, as per Bild.
Manchester United have been growing increasingly frustrated in their pursuit of a centre-back and had recently enquired about Jerome Boateng's availability to Bayern Munich.
Paul Pogba wants a £200,000 per week pay rise to stay at Manchester United
According to The Sun, Manchester United have been told by the Paul Pogba's agent, Mino Raoila, that the player wants a £200,000-a-week pay rise if he is to stay at the club. This comes on the back of Barcelona's recent flirtation with Pogba.
Barcelona reportedly offered £45 million + Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes to Manchester United but the Old Trafford outfit rubbished it outright.
