LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Caicedo set for Chelsea medical, Liverpool agree Lavia fee
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Monday, August 14.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events
Villa announce transfer of Egyptian teenager Khedr
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Egyptian youngster Omar Khedr from Zed FC.
The West Midlands outfit have been active during the summer transfer window, adding the likes of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby to their squad.
On the back of long-term injuries sustained by Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia, manager Unai Emery will now need to replace those players.
Nevertheless, it appears that the Villa hierarchy want to place a certain focus on building for the future with Khedr being acquired from Egyptian football.
Broja 'to remain at Chelsea this summer'
Chelsea have reportedly decided to retain the services of Armando Broja for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Blues have enjoyed a busy summer in the transfer market, acquiring a number of players to replace a wide array of squad members who have departed Stamford Bridge.
However, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital remain very much active ahead of the close of business at the end of the month, the focus firmly on getting a deal over the line for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Further additions are expected to follow in due course with each of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and Crystal Palace playmaker Michael Olise being linked with a switch to West London.
Chelsea 'aiming to complete £45m deal for Michael Olise'
Chelsea are reportedly pushing to complete the £45m signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.
The Blues have endured a highly-eventful summer transfer window, parting aways with more than a dozen players and acquire a number of younger replacements.
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea will complete the £115m addition of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo at some point on Monday.
Shelling out that amount of money on one player at a time when it has been known that Chelsea need to make cutbacks to fulfil FFP criteria is expected to lead to the spending of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital coming under scrutiny.
Man City 'readying improved bid for Lucas Paqueta'
Manchester City are reportedly preparing to submit an improved offer for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
Pep Guardiola in looking to bolster his squad further following the arrivals of Croatia international Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol from Chelsea and RB Leipzig respectively earlier this summer.
A new midfielder is believed to be on Man City's radar following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, and West Ham star Paqueta has emerged as their top target.
The Citizens have been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old for some time and they explored a possible move for the midfielder last summer before he left Lyon to join West Ham for a club-record £51m.
Brighton to replace Moises Caicedo with Carlos Baleba?
Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly identified Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Moises Caicedo.
The Seagulls have allegedly reached a full agreement with the West Londoners to sell Caicedo for a British-record £115m, and the Ecuadorian's departure is said to be imminent as he has already completed the main part of his medical.
Brighton had agreed a £110m fee with Liverpool for Caicedo last week, but Chelsea have since tabled a better offer after discovering that the midfielder had made it clear that he would prefer a big-money move to Stamford Bridge over a switch to Anfield.
Roberto De Zerbi's side appear to have already lined up a replacement as journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the Seagulls have submitted an opening bid for Lille teenager Baleba.
West Ham 'identify Kudus as Paqueta replacement'
West Ham United have reportedly identified Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers are understood to have rebuffed an offer of £73.4m plus £8.6m in add-ons from Manchester City to sign Paqueta, as they are holding out for a figure closer to £95m.
Paqueta only joined West Ham last summer for a club-record £51m, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 41 appearances as David Moyes's side ended the 2022-23 campaign as Europa Conference League winners.
However, the 25-year-old is said to have expressed his desire to move to treble winners Man City this summer and has allegedly agreed personal terms over a six-year contract.
Transfer rumours: Ramos wants Europe stay, Ajax to sign Akpom, Monaco keen on Lokonga
Sergio Ramos reportedly intends to sign for a European club later in the summer transfer window.
The defender has been a free agent since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract in June, Ramos having made 56 appearances across two seasons.
While the 37-year-old is not expected to be short of offers, the assumption has been that he will either sign for a club playing in MLS or Saudi Arabia.
However, according to Marca, Ramos instead wants to continuing competing at the highest level in Europe.
Kyle Walker 'to sign new Man City contract within days'
Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a new contract with the Premier League and Champions League winners within the next few days.
The 33-year-old now has fewer than 12 months left to run on his current terms and was persistently linked with a move to Bayern Munich earlier in the summer.
Pep Guardiola's tactical switch often meant that there was no room for Walker in his starting XI, as John Stones took on an inverted hybrid role from the right-hand side of defence.
As a result, Walker only made 22 Premier League starts and was named on the bench for the Champions League final, although he did play the full 90 in the FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
Liverpool 'agree £60m deal to sign Romeo Lavia'
Liverpool have reportedly had a bid of £60m for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia accepted by the Saints, but they must still fend off competition from Chelsea for his signature.
The 19-year-old is expected to leave Russell Martin's side after just one season following the Saints' relegation to the Championship for the 2023-24 campaign.
Lavia failed to make the grade at Manchester City and made the move to Southampton for £10.6m in 2022, contributing one goal and one assist from 34 games in his debut season.
The Belgium international still has four years left to run on his deal with Southampton, but a summer exit is seen as inevitable, assuming that an interested party meets his £50m price tag.
Aston Villa agree deal to sign Egyptian teen Omar Khedr
Aston Villa is pleased to announce the signing of exciting Egyptian talent, Omar Khedr, from Zed FC! ✍️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 14, 2023
!يسر أستون فيلا أن يعلن عن توقيع الموهبة المصرية الشابة عمر خضر من زد إف سي 🇪🇬
Besiktas snap up free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
⭕❌
— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) August 14, 2023
Everton sign Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds
Everton have signed Jack Harrison on a season-long loan deal from Leeds United.
The 26-year-old underwent his medical with the Toffees on Sunday, but reports suggested that Aston Villa could pull off a late hijack of the deal after Unai Emery contacted the player directly.
However, Villa ultimately walked away from talks after learning of an injury Harrison is currently carrying, which some reports have suggested could keep him out for up to six weeks.
Everton confirmed in their announcement that Harrison is recovering from a hip problem at the moment, but described the injury as "minor".
Real Madrid complete Kepa signing from Chelsea
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Spanish giants were left in need of goalkeeping reinforcements following an ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois which is expected to keep him out for the entire season.
Los Blancos have now confirmed the arrival of Kepa, who was deemed surplus to requirements by new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino following the arrival of Robert Sanchez earlier this summer.
The Spanish shot-stopper will now spend the current season with Real Madrid, before returning to Stamford Bridge next summer as the deal is not thought to include any option or obligation to buy.
Liverpool 'among clubs interested in Sangare'
Liverpool reportedly hold an interest in signing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare before the end of the summer transfer window.
The situation in Liverpool's engine room has been well documented in recent months, Jurgen Klopp seeing as many as five players in that area of the pitch depart for pastures new.
While the three exits on free transfers were planned, losing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian clubs only materialised through the players in question pushing for the transfers.
As a result, Alexis Mac Allister has been deputising as the most defensive member of a three to mixed effect, Liverpool eventually being over-run by Chelsea during their 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Spurs considering Arsenal's Balogun as Kane replacement?
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to consider an approach for Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun.
On Sunday afternoon, Spurs commenced their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a 2-2 draw at Brentford, a day after Harry Kane had departed for Bayern Munich.
Richarlison led the line as an alternative to the club's all-time leading goalscorer, and Argentine youngster Alejo Veliz has been acquired as one for the future.
However, the Spurs hierarchy are expected to act in the transfer market before the end of the month in order to secure the services of another experienced frontman.
Newcastle 'ready to move for Tierney, Cucurella'
Newcastle United are reportedly keen to sign one of Kieran Tierney or Marc Cucurella before the end of the transfer window.
As a result of last season's fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, the Magpies have secured a spot in the Champions League group stages.
Eddie Howe has reacted to that achievement by bringing in the eye-catching additions of Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes.
However, Howe has constantly referred to Newcastle being required to remain on the right side of FFP, something which now requires more work with a further £134m having been spent this summer.
West Ham sign James Ward-Prowse from Southampton
West Ham United have confirmed the signing of James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.
The 28-year-old arrives at the London Stadium for an undisclosed fee - thought to be around £30m - and has penned a four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2027.
The move sees Ward-Prowse end his 20-year association with Southampton, having joined the club at the age of eight and progressed through the ranks to become captain of the senior team.
The midfielder made 410 appearances for the club across his 12 years in the senior team and missed just two Premier League games over the course of the last four seasons before the Saints suffered relegation to the Championship last term.
Transfer rumours: Harrison to Everton, Samardzic to West Ham, Akpom to Ajax
Everton have reportedly managed to hijack Aston Villa's proposed move for Leeds United attacker Jack Harrison.
The 26-year-old is expected to be part of a mass Elland Road exodus following their relegation from the Premier League and was initially thought to be close to joining Unai Emery's side.
However, according to The Athletic, Everton are now poised to sign the former Manchester City man, who was undergoing a medical with the Toffees on Sunday.
Sean Dyche's side have supposedly triggered a clause in Harrison's deal allowing him to join on loan for the 2023-24 season, and his move would likely be made permanent next year.
Welcome!
Good morning and welcome to another day of transfer news and rumours!
Before we get started with a look at all of today's biggest transfer talk, let's first have a quick recap of what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's top stories
Click here to read full details of all yesterday's transfer news and rumours
