LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Bayern planning third Kane bid
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Saturday, July 22.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Key events
Transfer rumours: Chukwueze to Milan, Hudson-Odoi to Lazio, Scamacca to Inter
AC Milan are reportedly set to sign Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal.
Milan have already recruited seven players this summer, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders and Noah Okafor.
According to AS, Milan are on the verge of signing the Nigeria international for a fixed €20m (£17.3m) fee plus add-ons.
With 12 months remaining on his current deal, Villarreal have taken the decision to cash in rather than let him leave for nothing next summer.
Chelsea 'showing an interest in Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins'
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa centre-forward Ollie Watkins during this summer's transfer window.
The Blues have already boosted their attack during the current window with the arrivals of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic have all departed, while Romelu Lukaku is also set to leave on a permanent basis.
Chelsea will not play European football next season, having finished 12th in the 2022-23 Premier League, meaning that deals for the likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani will not be possible during the current market.
The club's new head coach Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be determined to add at least one more forward to his squad, and according to journalist Simon Phillips, Watkins has emerged as a target.
Aston Villa confirm Moussa Diaby arrival from Bayer Leverkusen
Aston Villa have announced the signing of in-demand French attacker Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with both Arsenal and Manchester United believed to be admirers of his talents.
Newcastle United were credited with an interest in the France international last summer, meanwhile, and there had been suggestions that the Magpies were keeping a close eye on his situation in the current window.
The talk surrounding a potential move to Villa Park has gathered pace in recent days, though, and Villa have now confirmed his arrival on a five-year contract.
Manchester United 'remain interested in Randal Kolo Muani'
Manchester United are reportedly still interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani during this summer's transfer window.
Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club are in the market for a new striker this summer, with Atalanta BC's Rasmus Hojlund widely believed to be their leading target.
However, Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has suggested that the 20-time English champions might have to pay as much as €100m (£86.6m) in order to sign him during the current window.
Man United are said to be determined not to pay over the odds for the Denmark international and are believed to be willing to switch their attention to Kolo Muani.
Charlie Savage leaves Manchester United for Reading
Delighted to sign for @readingfc for the next 4 years. It was great meeting everyone yesterday & can't wait to get started at this amazing club! See you all soon 👊🏻💙 pic.twitter.com/kE1f0sMXnj
— Charlie Savage (@charliesavage84) July 22, 2023
Bayern Munich join race for Liverpool's Fabinho?
Bayern Munich would reportedly be interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Fabinho if his move to Al-Ittihad falls through.
Despite having three years left to run on his contract, Fabinho is set to end his five-year association with Liverpool this summer.
A recent report claimed that he had agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad, who are continuing their recruitment drive after signing N'Golo Kante, Jota and Karim Benzema.
The Saudi Arabian side are said to be in discussions with Liverpool over a deal after submitting a £40m bid for Fabinho.
Bayern winger Mane 'increasingly open to Saudi move'
Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane is reportedly increasingly open to departing the Allianz Arena this summer.
Last summer, Mane ended his long-term association with Liverpool in order to take on a new challenge in Germany, the perception being that the Bayern had got the best part of a £27.4m deal.
However, the 31-year-old's first season has been perceived to be a disappointment, despite Bayern being able to retain the Bundesliga title on the final day of the campaign.
Although Mane still chipped in with 12 goals and six assists from 38 appearances in all competitions, the Senegal international did not make the impression that many had anticipated.
PSG to hijack Man United's bid for Rasmus Hojlund?
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly prepared to hijack Manchester United's move for Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Having seemingly been priced out of potential deals for Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Man United have made Hojlund one of their top targets after being impressed with his first season as an Atalanta player.
After arriving from FC Copenhagen last summer, Hojlund went on to score 10 goals and provide four assists in 34 games for the Italian side.
Hojlund has also showcased his goalscoring ability at international level, netting six goals in as many appearances for Denmark.
Man City 'keen to tie Bernardo Silva down to new deal'
Manchester City are reportedly keen to agree a new contract with Bernardo Silva, amid links with a move away from the Etihad Stadium.
Since arriving from Monaco in the summer of 2017, Silva has become an integral part of the Man City side, registering 55 goals and 59 appearances in 306 games.
During his time at the Etihad Stadium, the Portugal international has helped the club win 14 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Having spent the last six years in the North-West of England, there is a belief that Silva is tempted to try a fresh challenge.
Chelsea 'to consider move for Kylian Mbappe'
Chelsea may reportedly make an approach for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe if they consider a deal to be feasible.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have, so far, endured a summer largely focused on facilitating as many sales as possible in order to meet FFP regulations.
As it stands, 13 players from last season's squad are no longer present, 10 departing on permanent deals, David Datro Fofana going out on loan to Union Berlin and each of Denis Zakaria and Joao Felix returning to Juventus and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Further departures will occur in due course, yet Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he is keen to add to the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson as soon as possible.
Arteta keen to keep Partey at Arsenal this summer
Mikel Arteta has revealed that he would prefer to retain the services of midfielder Thomas Partey for 2023-24.
The Gunners have enjoyed a productive period in the transfer market of late, signing each of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz for a combined total of in excess of £200m.
Reports have indicated that Arteta would like to add further players to his squad, yet the Spaniard would also need to oversee a number of departures for the club to retain a positive position with FFP.
Some exits look more of an inevitability than others with the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun leaving the Emirates Stadium expected to help free up space on the wage bill and generate funds.
Pochettino reveals ideal Chelsea squad size for next season
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he does not want any more than 25 players in his Chelsea squad for the 2023-24 campaign.
When the Argentine agreed to become the new head coach, he was faced with a group of more than 30 players, as well as prospects returning from loan spells that could break into the senior setup.
As it stands, the squad has been reduced by 13 players, permanent new homes being found for 10 of those players, a loan spell at Union Berlin being secured for David Datro Fofana and each of Denis Zakaria and Joao Felix returning to their parent clubs.
Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have been signed to boost the club's numbers in the final third, but Pochettino has reiterated on more than one occasion that he wants to add further fresh faces in other areas of the pitch.
Transfer rumours: Zaha to return to Palace, Sabitzer to Dortmund, Savage to leave Man United
Crystal Palace are reportedly becoming increasingly confident of their chances of re-signing Wilfried Zaha.
The 30-year-old left the Eagles when his contract expired at the end of June, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future in recent weeks.
According to the Evening Standard, Zaha has four main proposals on the table, but he has not received any attention from 'any of Europe's most powerful clubs' despite the fact that he is available for free.
The report claims that Palace are confident of bringing the Ivory Coast international back to Selhurst Park, having offered him a contract worth £200,000 a week.
Bayern Munich 'planning third offer for Harry Kane'
Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing to launch a third offer for Harry Kane, with the German champions determined to sign the Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward this summer.
The 29-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is currently being heavily linked with a move away from his North London club.
Manchester United are thought to have identified the forward as their leading target earlier this year, but it soon became clear that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would not be selling to a domestic rival.
Meanwhile, talk of a potential move to Real Madrid has cooled, with Bayern emerging as the favourites to secure the England captain's signature during the current market.
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
