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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Today's stories feature the latest update on some of the major happenings in world football which may change the complexion of a few clubs. So let's head right in and take a look at the major happenings across Europe that made headlines on September 23, 2017:
La Liga
Real Madrid identify Keylor Navas successor
It is believed that the current Los Blancos goalkeeper, Keylor Navas is in his last year with the Spanish giants. Club president Florentino Perez is eyeing a more dynamic person between the posts with Zinedine Zidane being in agreement with the supremo. According to Don Balon, Real Madrid have earmarked Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga as the club's long-term custodian.
The 22-year-old is considered as the future of Spain and is a highly rated goalkeeper. The academy graduate from Athletic Bilbao is in his final year of the contract and is expected to leave on a free transfer next summer. Kepa also fits in with Real Madrid's new philosophy of introducing young Spanish blood into the side which has yielded success in the recent past.
Andre Gomes on Manchester United's radar
The much talked about FC Barcelona midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United by Don Balon. Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be an admirer of his countryman and believes that Gomes can improve under his tutelage. The £35 million signing has failed to deliver the goods until now and has not yet impressed new Barcelona boss, Ernesto Valverde.
Serie A
Inter Milan target Mesut Ozil
The Daily Star understands that Arsenal have accepted defeat in their pursuit of making Mesut Ozil sign a new deal. It is now believed that the Gunners will let Ozil leave in January for whatever sum they will get for the German. Inter Milan are monitoring the situation and are readying a £25 million bid for the playmaker.
Andrea Belotti to snub Chelsea and sign a new deal
Calciomercato understands that Andrea Belotti has held talks with Torino over signing an extension and ending all talks of a potential move to Chelsea. Torino are expected to offer him a bumper new deal which will also increase his release clause to up to €150 million. Belotti has been Torino's go-to guy since the last season and has been linked with a move to Chelsea and AC Milan.
Bundesliga
FC Barcelona hopeful of a cut-price deal for Leon Goretzka
With Leon Goretzka favouring a move to either FC Barcelona or Bayern Munich, the Catalans have taken the charge and are preparing an offer for the midfielder in January. Schalke 04 are keen on getting some value for the German international in January and prefer selling Goretzka abroad than to a direct rival. Mundo Deportivo has reported a £15 million price tag for the German.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur monitoring David Philipp
Premier League sides are ready to battle it out for one of Germany's most promising players in David Philipp. The 17-year-old Werder Bremen starlet is a highly rated player in Germany and has started to garner attention due to his exploits for the U-17 side. Philipp scored 18 and assisted 21 for Bremen's U-17 side last season. Philipp will be out of contract next summer but the Bundesliga side are confident of making him sign a new deal.
Premier League
Arsenal set to make a move for Dries Mertens
Calciomercato reveals that Arsenal are looking to take advantage of Dries Mertens' release clause of €30 million in the summer. It is also reported that the Gunners tried to sign the Belgian this past summer but failed to reach an agreement with Napoli. But with Mertens' release clause set to be activated next summer, Arsenal are expected to go back for the forward. Mertens is also seen as a direct replacement for Alexis Sanchez who will leave on a free transfer after the end of the season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek unsure of a future at Chelsea
One of England's hottest prospects, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has revealed that he has no idea if he features in Antonio Conte's future plans at Stamford Bridge. The England U-21 said about his Chelsea future, "I don’t think it’s right to because you never know how I’ll perform this season. So, right now I’m just literally focused on Palace. He (Conte) said I need to play games. Chelsea is a big club and there’s a lot of pressure which I understand. For me, I think it was the right time for me to go away from Chelsea right now and get my game time elsewhere.”
Rest of the world
Chelsea leading race for the next Ngolo Kante
According to the Sun, Chelsea are favourites to sign Caen's 14-year-old prodigy, Elye Wahi. The likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Southampton, Man City and Man United are also chasing the goalscoring midfielder but it is Chelsea who are said to be leading the race for the midfielder. Wahi has been compared to Kante due to his similar work rate to the two-time Premier League champion.
Manchester United looking to sign Lucas Lima in January
Manchester Evening News has reported that the Red Devils are looking to sign Lucas Lima, the 27-year-old Santos attacker dubbed as the next Ronaldinho in his formative years on a free transfer in January. The Brazilian is a highly rated player and has rejected an extension with Santos to sign for a European club in January. Jose Mourinho is expected to sign a forward in January to increase the competition in the squad with Lima hoping to be a quality addition.
