Welcome to our daily transfer rumours round-up. Today’s big news is coming from Serie A where Chelsea have been handed a huge blow in their pursuit of Napoli’s central defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Elsewhere, Juventus have been offered a Premier League winning star to replace Paul Pogba while Arsenal are set to sign a promising defender in next 48 hours (not Mustafi).
On that note, here are the most popular transfer news and rumours doing the rounds on August 12th.
Serie A
- Nikola Maksimovic and Torino have opened contract negotiations with player most likely to agree a new 3-year deal with the Serie A side. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, this decision will ruin Chelsea’s hopes of signing Kalidou Koulibaly this summer as Napoli were eyeing Maksimovic as Koulibaly’s replacement.
- Zenit St Petersburg have joined Leicester City in the race for Roma star Leandro Paredes, according to reports from Talksport (via Calcimercato). Paredes is certain to quit Serie A this summer with Leicester willing to sign him as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
- AC Milan are hoping to seal a move for Tottenham target Milan Badelj this summer, according to reports in Italy. Badelj has been a long-term target for both Spurs and Chelsea however Milan are adamant to sign Badelj to bring quality midfield players at San Siro this summer.
Bundesliga
- Lazio have signed German midfielder Moritz Leitner from Borussia Dortmund, the Italian side confirmed on Friday. The 23-year-old made nine Bundesliga appearances last season, having spent the previous two seasons on loan with VfB Stuttgart.
- German newspaper Bild has reported that West Ham have failed in an attempt to sign progressive Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac this summer. West Ham are still in the market to sign a capable left back following a long-term injury to Aaron Cresswell.
- Napoli have joined Valencia and Arsenal in the pursuit for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim centre-back Fabian Schar, according to Liga Insider. The report claims that Valencia are the favorites to sign Schar as he is seen as a possible replacement to Shkodran Mustafi, who is heading to Arsenal in coming weeks.
Premier League
- Shkodran Mustafi is edging closer to signing for Arsenal after the Valencia man is reportedly set for a medical with the North London side. Daily Express claims that the deal could be announced in next 48 hours although it will not be enough for him to play against Liverpool this weekend.
- Liverpool have turned their attention to 28-year-old Sporting striker Islam Slimani, according to reports from A Bola. The report claima that Jurgen Klopp is keen to ship the likes of Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke before making a move for the Algerian striker.
- Arsenal are linked with a shock move for Barcelona’s central defender Jeremy Mathieu, according to reports from Fichajes. Gunners have three of their fist choice central defenders out due to injury and are looking to sign a defender this summer. Shkodran Mustafi is also linked with a transfer to Emirates but the deal is yet to be agreed between player and the club.
- Chelsea have offered Cesc Fabregas to Juventus, according to Italian newspaper Tuttosport. The report claims Antonio Conte is planning to use Eden Hazard in a more central role, meaning Fabregas' importance has faded somewhat ahead of the new season.
La Liga
- Valencia are favorites to sign Chelsea flop Pedro this summer. Antonio Conte is willing to let Pedro leave who despite a bright start has failed to settle to life in Premier League. Meanwhile Atletico Madrid are also keeping a close eye on Pedro’s stint at Stamford Bridge.
- Spanish media are confident of Mesut Ozil’s return to Real Madrid after the German playmaker has refused to sign a contract extension with Arsenal. Ozil is not convinced with Arsene Wenger’s transfer policies and is willing to quit Premier League this summer.
Rest of Europe
- Patrick Bamford is said to be "close" to sealing a season-long loan move from Chelsea to Aston Villa. According to reports from Chronicle, Villa will complete the signing "in the next 48 hours" as they prepare for a late flurry of transfer activity under new owner Dr. Tony Xia.
- Middlesbrough winger Harry Chapman has signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan and could make his debut against Rochdale at Bramall Lane on Saturday. The Hartlepool-born teenager impressed at Oakwell during the second-half of the 2015-16 campaign, making 14 appearances
