LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: West Ham reach Maguire agreement, Man Utd want Pavard
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Wednesday, August 9.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events
Barcelona confirm Franck Kessie exit
FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli SC have agreed on a 12.5 million euro transfer for the player Franck Kessie.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 9, 2023
Fulham 'expect to sign Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi this week'
Fulham reportedly expect to complete the signing of Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi later this week.
The Blues academy graduate has been back at Stamford Bridge ever since Bayer Leverkusen opted against taking up the option of a permanent deal after his loan spell in Germany during 2022-23.
However, despite the possibility of a fresh start under Mauricio Pochettino, the 22-year-old has never been considered as a part of the Argentine's plans.
Hudson-Odoi has spent pre-season training at Cobham and representing the Under-21s in friendlies in order to keep his fitness ticking over ahead of a move.
Bournemouth 'hijack Leeds bid for Max Aarons'
Bournemouth have reportedly moved to the brink of beating Leeds United in the race to sign Norwich City defender Max Aarons.
The full-back has spent his entire professional career at Carrow Road, contributing six goals and 17 assists from 213 appearances in all competitions.
However, since he first burst onto the scene, the former England Under-21 international has been heavily linked to one of the bigger teams in the Premier League.
A transfer is yet to materialise, Aarons not helped by featuring in two relegation campaigns with the Canaries and a failed promotion bid from the Championship in 2022-23.
Al-Hilal showing interest in Neymar transfer?
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Al-Hilal.
Neymar has enjoyed a successful six-year stint at the French giants, contributing 118 goals and 77 assists from his 173 appearances in all competitions.
The 31-year-old has also played an active part in the club's pre-season, an indication that there are no issues behind the scenes involving the Brazil international.
Nevertheless, it was claimed earlier this week that Neymar is keen to depart the Ligue 1 champions before the end of August.
Sheffield United sign Vinicius Souza
Sheffield United have completed the signing of Vinicius Souza from Belgian side Lommel.
The 24-year-old joins the newly-promoted Blades for a "substantial undisclosed fee", penning a four-year deal that will keep him at Bramall Lane until 2027.
Vinicius bolsters Sheffield United's midfield ranks, with the news of his arrival coming less than an hour after the club confirmed Sander Berge's move to fellow Premier League side Burnley.
The Brazilian becomes Sheffield United's fifth signing of the summer, following Auston Trusty, Benie Traore, Anis Slimane and Yasser Larouci through the door.
Burnley sign Sander Berge from Sheffield United
Burnley have completed the signing of Sander Berge from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be worth around Β£15m.
The 25-year-old has penned a four-year contract at Turf Moor that will keep him at the club until 2027.
Berge joins the Clarets from fellow newly-promoted side Sheffield United, where he spent three-and-a-half years and made 109 appearances.
The Norway international midfielder becomes Burnley's 10th signing of a busy transfer window as they prepare for life back in the Premier League after winning the Championship last season.
Sergio Arribas leaves Real Madrid
Official Announcement: Sergio Arribas.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. π¬π§πΊπΈ (@realmadriden) August 9, 2023
Zion Suzuki confirms he turned down Man United move this summer
Zion Suzuki has revealed that he rejected a move to Manchester United this summer due to the importance of playing regular football at this stage of his career.
The 20-year-old had allegedly been identified by Man United as the perfect addition to their goalkeeping department, with the stopper potentially being the club's number three for the 2023-24 campaign behind Andre Onana and Tom Heaton.
Dean Henderson is still at the club, but the England international is not in the plans of head coach Erik ten Hag and is widely expected to move on before the end of the transfer window.
Suzuki is still owned by Urawa Red Diamonds but has made the move to Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden, with the Japan international set to spend the 2023-24 campaign at the club.
Manuel Benson signs new Burnley contract
He's here for ππ’π¨π₯ more years! π€©
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 9, 2023
Manuel Benson has signed a contract extension to keep him at Turf Moor until 2027! π pic.twitter.com/ewlaXfdUpR
Tottenham 'planning to step up interest in Gift Orban'
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning to step up their pursuit of Gent forward Gift Orban, with Bayern Munich believed to be confident of finally securing a deal for Harry Kane.
This week is set to be decisive in terms of Kane's future, with the England captain not thought to be willing to switch clubs after the start of the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Spurs are set to open their campaign against Brentford on Sunday afternoon, but it is unclear whether their star player will be available for the contest.
According to The Times, Tottenham are now resigned to losing the 30-year-old, with Bayern preparing to raise their offer to Β£94.5m following the latest round of talks.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur to battle for Douglas Luiz?
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz before the end of this summer's transfer window.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old last summer, but he remained at Villa Park and was a vital player for Villa during the 2022-23 campaign.
Luiz scored seven times and registered six assists in 40 appearances for Unai Emery's side last season, including six goals and six assists in 37 Premier League outings.
The Brazilian signed a new contract extension at Villa Park last October, with his current deal due to run until June 2026, but there has been fresh speculation surrounding his future this summer.
PSG 'remove Kylian Mbappe shirts from club shop'
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly removed Kylian Mbappe shirts from the club shop amid the speculation surrounding the attacker's future in the French capital.
The 24-year-old has allegedly been placed up for sale this summer, having made it clear that he will not be signing an extension to his contract which is due to expire next June.
PSG believe that Mbappe has already come to an agreement over a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next June, but the Paris giants are not willing to lose the forward for nothing.
As a result, Luis Enrique's team are said to be hoping to sell the France international before the end of the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid seen as the heavy favourites.
Luton sign Ross Barkley on free transfer
Luton Town have signed former Everton and Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old was a free agent after being released by Ligue 1 outfit Nice at the end of last season, and has now secured a return to the Premier League.
The length of the contract with the newly-promoted Hatters has not been confirmed, but Barkley will join up with his new teammates in time for their top-flight opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
"Why Luton? Going from the Conference to the Premier League is a great story and for me personally to be back in the Premier League, it's great motivation," he told the club's website.
Bayern-linked Kyle Walker 'agrees to stay at Man City'
Kyle Walker is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract at Manchester City, with Bayern Munich set to fail in their attempts to sign the experienced defender.
The England international's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with Bayern believed to have made him a priority target during the summer window.
At one stage, the Munich giants, who are still battling to sign Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, were believed to be close to coming to an agreement with Walker.
However, Man City have been battling to keep hold of the 33-year-old, with Citizens head coach Pep Guardiola recently opening up on the importance of retaining his services.
Man United 'to move for Pavard as Maguire replacement'
Manchester United are reportedly lining up an offer for Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard, with the club preparing to bring in a replacement for Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils are believed to have come to an agreement with West Ham United over the sale of Maguire, who is set to make the move to the London Stadium in a Β£30m deal.
Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo is thought to be Man United's 'priority target' in the middle of the defence, but according to Sky Sports News, Pavard has emerged as a genuine option for Erik ten Hag's side.
The report claims that Bayern are aware of Pavard's desire to leave this summer, and the France international is interested in making the move to the 20-time English champions.
West Ham 'reach agreement with Man United over Maguire deal'
West Ham United have reportedly come to an agreement in principle with Manchester United over the signing of central defender Harry Maguire.
The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, having only started eight Premier League matches during the 2022-23 campaign.
Maguire also recently had the Man United captain's armband taken away from him, with Bruno Fernandes confirmed as the club's skipper for the 2023-24 season.
Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag has said on more than one occasion during pre-season that he wants to keep the former Sheffield United youngster at the club this summer.
Transfer rumours: West Ham want Maatsen, Leeds closing on Rodon, Oxlade-Chamberlain to Besiktas
West Ham United have reportedly not given up hope of signing Chelsea wide player Ian Maatsen before the end of the summer transfer window.
Having starred during Burnley's Championship promotion campaign in 2022-23, it was expected that the Netherlands Under-21 international would be sold by Chelsea.
However, the 21-year-old impressed during the Blues' pre-season tour of the United States, Mauricio Pochettino using him on the left and as a number 10.
As it stands, Maatsen will be kept in Chelsea's squad, that decision highlighted by receiving a squad number on Tuesday, but the Daily Mail claims that West Ham still have him on their radar.
Palace eyeing up relegated duo as Guaita replacement?
Crystal Palace have reportedly identified Alex McCarthy and Daniel Iversen as possible replacements for Vicente Guaita.
Roy Hodgson has gone on record to reveal that Guaita no longer wants to stay at the club; feeling 'disenchanted' at losing his place in the side to Sam Johnstone late last season.
Guaita was initially signed by Hodgson in his first spell at the club back in 2018, but after picking up an injury shortly after the 76-year-old arrived back at Selhurst Park, he never regained his spot.
The Spanish keeper has one year left on his current deal with Palace - after signing an extension in January - but the Daily Mail claims that he is seeking out a return to Getafe.
Blackburn send Jared Harlock on loan to TNS
π€ #Rovers Under-21s midfielder Jared Harlock has today joined the reigning Cymru Premier champions @tnsfc on a season-long loan.
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) August 9, 2023
All the best, @jaredharlock02! π
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Stoke send goalkeeper Alfie Brooks on loan to Colwyn Bay
Under-21s goalkeeper Alfie Brooks has joined Welsh Premier League side Colwyn Bay on a season-long loan.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 9, 2023
Nottingham Forest sign Matt Turner from Arsenal
#NFFC is delighted to announce the signing of @USMNT international Matt Turner πΊπΈ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 9, 2023
Bayern 'add Chelsea's Arrizabalaga to goalkeeping shortlist'
Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly keen on a reunion with Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
During his five-year stay at Stamford Bridge, Arrizabalaga has not always been regarded as first choice, yet he has still made a total of 163 appearances in all competitions.
As many as 39 of those outings came during 2022-23, the Spaniard regaining the number-one spot, and it appears that he is in line to retain that position for the upcoming campaign.
Newly-appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino has put his faith in the former Athletic Bilbao stopper, while Arrizabalaga was friends with coach Toni Jimenez before he followed Pochettino to West London.
Man City 'launch Β£70m bid for West Ham's Lucas Paqueta'
Manchester City have reportedly made a Β£70m bid for West Ham United attacker Lucas Paqueta.
The 25-year-old made the move to the London Stadium from Lyon last August, and he represented the Hammers on 41 occasions during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring five goals and registering seven assists.
Paqueta contributed one goal and four assists in 11 Europa Conference League appearances, as the capital outfit won the trophy, while he managed four goals and three assists in 28 Premier League outings.
The Brazil international penned a five-year deal at the London Stadium upon his arrival, with his current terms running until June 2027, including the option of a further year.
Neymar's father denies Paris Saint-Germain exit talk
Neymar's father and agent has denied suggestions that the Brazil international has informed Paris Saint-Germain of his desire to leave the French giants during this summer's transfer window.
The 31-year-old's future was the subject of much speculation earlier this year, but reports surrounding a potential exit have cooled in recent weeks, with Kylian Mbappe now the player being heavily linked with a move away from the French champions.
A recent report claimed that Neymar had informed PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi of his desire to leave the club before the end of the market.
Chelsea have since been linked with a move, in addition to the South American's former club Barcelona, but the player's father has branded the news report 'fake'.
Hoffenheim sign Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley
Wout ist da π pic.twitter.com/Wr4I2AydHW
— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) August 9, 2023
Transfer rumours: Tierney to Real Sociedad, Hall to Palace, Ramsey to Burnley
Real Sociedad are reportedly hopeful of signing Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney on loan for the 2023-24 season.
The Scotland international's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with the Gunners believed to be prepared to let him leave before the end of the transfer window.
According to The Telegraph, Real Sociedad are at the head of the queue for the left-back, with the La Liga outfit hoping to take him on loan for the 2023-24 campaign.
The report claims that Arsenal are willing to listen to offers of around Β£30m for the 26-year-old but are reluctant to let him depart on a short-term basis.
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
