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Hello people! Welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. With the World Cup now behind us, the focus will rightly shift towards the all-important summer transfer period.
And as always, there are stories which will have huge repercussions on the transfer market. After scorching through papers and sources from all over Europe, we have managed to find transfer stories that made headlines on August 2, 2018:
Premier League
Chelsea risk losing Thibaut Courtois for free next summer
The Daily Mail has reported that Chelsea are risking financial damages if Thibaut Courtois is not sold in the next week or so. The goalkeeper is willing to join Real Madrid but Chelsea have made it clear that they will not sanction the deal unless an able replacement is found and signed.
Courtois has under 12 months remaining on his current Chelsea deal and has so far rejected advances over signing an extension. Citing personal reasons, Courtois has made it clear that he wants a move back to Spain with Real Madrid keen on taking him on board.
Chelsea have already signed Rob Green this summer who will be the club's third choice custodian. The Blues have so far been linked with the likes of Alisson Becker, Jack Butland, Kasper Schmeichel and Jordan Pickford.
Tottenham Hotspur target Lewis Cook
Bournemouth centre-back Lewis Cook is attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur. The Daily Star reports that Mauricio Pochettino is impressed by Cook's progress with the Cherries and is ready to make a £30 million bid for the youngster. Spurs are yet to make a summer signing.
Cook captained the England U-20 side to World Cup glory last summer and then made 33 league appearances for Bournemouth. The 21 year old was also kept on standby in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.
Serie A
AC Milan and Juventus close in announcing massive swap deal
The two Serie A clubs have today confirmed that all three players that were reported in a swap deal (Gonzalo Higuain, Mattia Caldara and Leonardo Bonucci) have arrived for medicals at their respective new clubs. Higuain and Caldara are all set to join AC Milan on a season-long loan spell with a view to make it permanent in the summer of 2019.
Whereas, Leonardo Bonucci will return to Juventus after a season with the Rossoneri. Higuain, on the other hand, is expected to cost AC Milan a reported fee of €58 million next summer.
Kevin Mirallas set to join Fiorentina on loan
Sky Sports can reveal that Kevin Mirallas will complete a season-long loan move to Fiorentina in the next 24 hours. After failing to land a starting berth at Everton last season along with falling out of favour with caretaker-manager David Unsworth, Mirallas spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Olympiakos. The 30-year-old made 151 appearances for Everton.
Bundesliga
Manchester United demand Robert Lewandowski in return for Anthony Martial
Bayern Munich have been monitoring Anthony Martial's situation in England. The Frenchman is expected to leave Manchester United this month with the Red Devils valuing him at £70 million. But the Bavarians are ready to pay only around £50 million for the forward.
The Sun has also reported that United will demand Robert Lewandowski to be included in any deal for Martial. Jose Mourinho is said to be a huge admirer of the Polish striker and is eager on linking the elite goalscorer with Romelu Lukaku.
Borussia Dortmund closing in on Alex Witsel
Tianjin Quanjian and Belgium midfielder is reportedly close to secure a move back to Europe. Sport Bild understands that Dortmund are closing in on the transfer of Witself for around €20 million. The negotiations are said to be in the final stages as Witself is currently waiting in Ibiza to receive the green signal for joining his new teammates.
La Liga
Matteo Kovacic rejects Manchester United because of Jose Mourinho
The Croatian midfielder is looking to leave Real Madrid this summer for regular game time. It was reported that Manchester United made a €60 million bid for Kovacic which was rejected by the player himself.
Marca reports that Kovacic does want to leave Real Madrid this summer but not for Manchester United. Kovacic reportedly does not see himself as a fit in Jose Mourinho's philosophy and has hence rejected a move to the Premier League giants.
FC Barcelona enter Arturo Vidal race
The Catalans have supposedly approached Bayern Munich for the transfer of Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal. Previously linked with Inter Milan, Vidal is destined to leave Bayern Munich this summer. Barcelona see Vidal as a replacement for Paulinho and according to Mundo Deportivo, Ernesto Valverde's side is ready to make a €30 million bid for the Chile veteran.
Ligue 1
Manchester City eyeing Marco Verratti
After losing out Jorginho to Chelsea and Fred to Manchester United, the Premier League champions have now set their sights on PSG midfielder Marco Verratti. Tuttomercatoweb has linked City with the Italian international.
It is believed that City will test PSG's resolve with a huge offer in the next few days. Meanwhile, PSG are expected to offer Verratti a new deal, worth €11 million per year in wages.
West Ham United to sign Thiago Maia
The Sun has claimed that West Ham and Lille are close in reaching an agreement for the 20-year-old defensive midfielder, Thiago Maia. It is believed that the Hammers have put in a £20 million bid for the Brazilian. If accepted, Maia will be West Ham's eighth summer signing, taking their summer spending over the £100 million mark.
