Barcelona turn attention to Arsenal's Mesut Ozil as Spanish deadline approaches? Friday's transfer news and gossip

PLUS: All the top stories from transfer deadline day in England and Europe

ByFootball Spy      SEP 01, 2017

Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester City fell apart because Arsenal couldn't secure a suitable replacement for him in Thomas Lemar.

So what are the chances of the Gunners selling another of their stars, Mesut Ozil, to Barcelona?

That's the link being made by COPE , who say the Catalans have turned their attention to the Germany World Cup winner after failed attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.

Spanish clubs have until late Friday night to sign players and Arsenal is said to have a price tag of at least £55m on Ozil.

Reports earlier in the week claimed Arsenal had spoken to Barca about a potential swap of Ozil for Arda Turan, but that negotiations broke down.

Here's the rest of today's news and gossip.

The best transfer news from today's Daily Mirror and Mirror online

TRANSFERS

Manchester City will attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez next year – after Blaming Arsenal for the collapse of the Chilean star's proposed £60million move to the Etihad. 

Alexis Sanchez was forced to stay at Arsenal after a transfer deadline day shambles. JOHN CROSS EXPLAINS HERE

Chelsea have signed midfielder Danny Drinkwater from Leicester in a last-gasp deal believed to be worth £30million. 

Ross Barkley pulled out of his move to Chelsea after having second thoughts DURING his medical. 

 

Fernando Llorente has completed his transfer from Swansea to Tottenham . Spurs won the race for the striker's signature ahead of Premier League champions Chelsea , who saw their attempts to land him hijacked by their London rivals.

Chelsea have signed Davide Zappacosta from Torino in a £23m deal. The Italy international will provide valuable cover for Antonio Conte at right wing-back after losing out to Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a £40m move. 

Ravel Morrison 's shock move to Mexico is complete. The fallen Manchester United starlet has been welcomed by Atlas FC in Guadalajara, Mexico's third biggest city, after a deal was done with Lazio. 

Paris Saint-Germain have signed Kylian Mbappe on loan, with a staggering £162million option to buy next summer. The French giants have sent waves around Europe this summer after signing Neymar from Barcelona for £199m. 

Transfer news and gossip from other sites and papers

Barcelona remain hopeful of signing Coutinho and are ready to pay around £148m to bring him to the Nou Camp. (Express)

Juventus have reportedly made a final attempt for Emre Can and "have the basis of agreement" for if the German international does not renew his contract when it is up at the end of next season. (Ilbianconero)

Olivier Giroud’s summer switch to Everton fell through because his partner vetoed the move. (Daily Star)

Fulham have made a stunning club record £18 million bid for Dwight Gayle. (The Sun)

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Chelsea, Liverpool, Premier League transfer news: Mamadou Sakho, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez

CHELSEA wrapped up a late move for Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater at the end of a nerve-jangling Deadline Day.

It is understood the fee is £35m, while Leicester are confident they have completed the signing of Adrien Silva from Sporting Lisbon before the deadline for a fee believed to be £22m.

Negotiations with Chelsea rumbled on as the clock ticked down on Thursday night with the Premier League champions falling short of the Foxes’ valuation of the England international.

Drinkwater was holed up at Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham as he awaited news of discussions between the two clubs.

The deal seemed to depend on Leicester attempting to sign Silva and at 1:30am both clubs confirmed that Drinkwater had sealed a move on a five-year deal for a club-record fee.

Drinkwater told Chelsea’s website: ‘I’m delighted to be a Chelsea player and can’t wait to get started. It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies.”

He becomes Chelsea’s sixth senior signing of the summer following the arrivals of Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata and Davide Zappacosta.

Silva was given permission to leave Portugal’s training camp to undergo a medical and negotiate the final parts of the potential Leicester deal.

Leicester saw a bid of £25m rejected by Sporting Lisbon last year for Silva, who has been capped 20 times by Portugal and was a member of the starting XI when they beat France in the Euro 2016 final.Leicester officials are awaiting formal confirmation from the FA and Premier League that the deal went through correctly.

Riyad Mahrez was still with Leicester when Deadline Day came to an end on Thursday night.

The forward had been given permission by Algeria to leave the national team’s camp in order to complete a transfer but the day passed with no deal in place.

The Spanish window remains open for another 24 hours, though, so there is a chance Mahrez could still leave for a La Liga club.

Meanwhile, Mamadou Sakho is back at Crystal Palace after the Eagles signed him from Liverpool in a £26m Deadline Day deal.

The France international was a big hit when he was loaned to the Eagles last season, and they have been attempting to land him on a permanent basis throughout the summer.

Palace confirmed they had finally got their man in the early hours of Friday morning, after having a fee of £24m plus £2m in add-ons accepted.

Sky Sports News reported earlier this week that Palace had placed a third bid worth £22m, plus £3m in add-ons, but that was turned down.

“I am really happy to be here because I have some friends here.

“I still keep in touch with Christian (Benteke), Wilf (Zaha), Bakary (Sako) and Yohan Cabaye, as well as Jason Puncheon. We had a really good ambience last year and so we still speak to each other.

“I am really excited about playing for the Palace fans again, but in football the past is the past and you need to think about today and tomorrow.

“Last year we did a good job and we need to prove that again and have a good objective. If we put all of our power together, we will have a great season.”

Finally, Vincent Janssen will be staying at Tottenham after turning down the chance to join Premier League new boys Brighton.

The Seagulls have been struggling for goals this season so far and made a late attempt to land the Netherlands international striker just before the transfer window closed on Thursday night.

Janssen may struggle for minutes at Tottenham this season, following the news the London side have acquired Fernando Llorente from Swansea as another possible deputy for Harry Kane.

But the 23-year-old, who arrived at Spurs last summer after a prolific spell with AZ, has decided to stay with the club for the time being.

THE transfer window has CLOSED but there are still some late deals filtering through for Premier League clubs.

In a dramatic, frantic Deadline Day, a host of big name deals were made while even bigger deals collapsed late on.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool was completed as the Reds and Arsenal saw their pursuit of Thomas Lemar end. Philippe Coutinho, Virgil van Dijk, Diego Costa and Riyad Mahrez’s futures are still up in the air with the Spanish window remaining open for a further 24 hours.

CHAOTIC.

That’s the only way to describe the end to the summer Premier League transfer window.

As the dust settles and we gather our thoughts, Antonio Conte will be thinking ‘how did it all go so wrong?’

Chelsea secured the deal of Danny Drinkwater, albeit two and a half hours after deadline, to soothe the anger, but it was a shambolic day best summed up by the farce of Ross Barkley.

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Llorente links up with Tottenham

Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente has made a transfer deadline day move to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

The Spaniard departs the Swans having spent just over a year at the Liberty, with the World Cup and European Championship winner enjoying a successful debut season in the Premier League.

Llorente scored 15 goals in 33 top-flight appearances – which included four braces – with some of his most important strikes coming in late victories against Crystal Palace and Burnley.

His last goal came on the final day of the season, with a late winner against West Brom in what was his last appearance for the club.

Llorente failed to feature for the Swans this season after suffering a broken bone in his arm while cycling on a family holiday.

He now links up with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who host the Swans at Wembley Stadium on September 16.

Everybody at Swansea City would like to thank Fernando for his service to the club, and wish him well in his career.

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Chelsea medicals underway for Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta

Two incoming in the final hour of the transfer window

By David Pasztor      AUG 31, 2017

With just about an hour left in the 2017 summer transfer window, Chelsea are scrambling all resources to get at least a couple signings in before the deadline. And while the pursuits of Ross Barkley, Fernando Llorente, and Riyad Mahrez — not to mention the multitude of other names linked over the past few months — look set to end in disappointment, the club are all but certain to make good on a new wing-back in Davide Zappacosta from Torino and a new central midfielder in Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City.

Both players are now undergoing their medicals, with Zappacosta flying to London earlier today and Drinkwater just arriving at Cobham.

Theoretically not all i’s have to be dotted and not all t’s have to crossed, but all relevant documentation needs to be submitted to FIFA’s transfer system before the 11pm deadline in order for the transfers to become official.

Let’s hope the Wi-Fi’s working (we no longer use fax machines).

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Nothing For Mahrez, Chelsea, Drinkwater & Silva

There's still no news on a bid for Rihad Mahrez despite him supposedly being in a French airport, but Danny Drinkwater to Chelsea rumbles on - however we have a replacement.

More on Mahrez later - if anything happens.

The continuing speculation linking England midfielder Danny Drinkwater with a switch to Chelsea continues tonight as the deadline window nears but Leicester have apparently lined up a move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva should Chelsea meet our price.

Negotiations with the reigning Premier League champions are said to be ongoing according to Sky Sports but whilst there's no movement there - at least for now - Sky also report that we have lined up a deal for Silva should we need to move swiftly to cover Drinkwater's departure.

We were in for the player last year and reportedly had a £25million deal rebuffed by the Portuguese side for the 20 capped Portugal international, but the suggestion is 12 months on we have a £15million deal in place and he has been given permission to leave Portugal's training camp for a medical and personal terms discussions but the whole thing is contingent on us losing Drinkwater first.

This one could go right to the wire.

Update - Drinkwater is at Chelsea's Cobham training ground awaiting permission from Leicester once a deal is presumably agreed, and Silva has turned up at Belvoir Drive in readiness to complete his own potential deal - but the valuation for Drinkwater continues to be an issue.

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Arsenal transfer news: Alexis Sanchez to Man City was a done deal - Charlie Adam

BBC SPORT pundit and Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam claims he heard Alexis Sanchez’s proposed move to Manchester City from Arsenal was done THREE WEEKS ago.

By Lewis Winter     AUG 31, 2017

Sanchez’s switch to Manchester City now looks to be over after Arsenal failed to sign a replacement in Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.
The Chile international is set to stay at the Emirates with his contract running out at the end of the season.
 

Sanchez was desperate to leave Arsenal but after the deal falling through, he says he must do his talking on the pitch, just like Virgil van Dijk, who wanted to join Liverpool from Southampton.
 

“I heard three weeks ago that the deal was done, completed,” Adam said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Agreed, finances, everything was agreed. All they had to agree was the fee between Arsenal and Manchester City. I heard that three weeks ago.

“He has a week now to get his head around it before he gets back to Arsenal after the internationals.

“There’s nothing else he can do.

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Reports: Barcelona and Arsenal in talks over stunning swap deal

Which team benefits more from this swap-deal? Is it Arsenal or Barcelona?

By Shaurya Vineet       AUG 30, 2017

What’s the story?

Barcelona completed the club record signing of Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund last week and have been continuously pursuing Philippe Coutinho, despite Liverpool's reluctance to sell.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans are now targeting alternatives to the Brazilian and consider Arsenal's Mesut Ozil to be in the same mould and want to capitalize on the Gunners' interest in Arda Turan to complete a move for the German World Cup winner.

According to the reports, the two clubs are in talks over a Turan-Ozil swap deal, with the former deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, while the latter is reluctant to extend his contract with the Emirates outfit.

In case you didn’t know… 

Mesut Ozil's arrival ushered in a new era at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, which saw the club win 3 FA Cups and as many Community Shields. However, the club have failed to challenge for the Premier League title and this has led to 3 of their star players including Ozil, not extending their contracts with the club.

The German World Cup winner's contract expires at the end of the current season, following which he can walk away on a free.

On the other hand, Arda Turan moved to Barcelona at the start of the 2015/16 season but after spending 6 months on the bench - due to the Catalan outfit's transfer ban - the Turkish international has failed to establish himself as a key member of the squad.

The 30-year-old made 30 appearances for the Blaugrana last term, scoring 13 goals while assisting another 7 but has been deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.

The heart of the matter

With Mesut Ozil refusing to extend his contract with the Gunners, and with Arsenal apparently interested in the services of Arda Turan, Barcelona want to cash in on the situation and want to bring the German to Camp Nou, to link up with Lionel Messi and company.

Barcelona need a player to succeed Andreas Iniesta, who has reached the twilight of his career, and wanted Coutinho to be that person. However, Liverpool's reluctance to sell has forced them to look at other alternatives, and they just might have found a better replacement for Iniesta in Ozil

Author's Take

Bringing Mesut Ozil - a former Real Madrid star - to Camp Nou makes complete sense for Barcelona, who will not only be getting a playmaker in his prime but it will also help take off some of the burden from Lionel Messi.

However, a swap deal in which Arsenal lose one of their best players and get a Barcelona reject may not make complete sense for the Gunners, who are currently in the midst of a crisis of sorts. We will have to wait and watch how this one pans out with the transfer deadline less than 2 days away.

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Liverpool Push to Sign Thomas Lemar Following Capture of Oxlade-Chamberlain

Despite signing the Arsenal man, Liverpool are still attempting to capture Monaco’s young star.

By Noel Chomyn     AUG 30, 2017

At the start of the day, we were told Liverpool would move for either Thomas Lemar of Monaco or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal. So when the club pushed through a deal for the latter, most assumed the former was off the table. However, Lemar making the switch to Anfield is still in play.

According to both sources in France and journalists with ties to Liverpool, the signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain does not end the club’s interest in Lemar—but Liverpool will need to move quickly if they’re to secure a deal as the player is expected to start in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier for France.

His involvement would make agreeing personal terms and undergoing a medical difficult if a deal cannot be pushed through this evening, and as a result it should only be a matter of hours before Liverpool fans know one way or another if Lemar is going to be joining the club for the 2017-18 season.

Liverpool most recently were willing to offer Monaco €81M and the loan of Divock Origi to secure Lemar’s services, and while Barcelona have also shown interest in the player, their offer today was far less than Liverpool’s, standing at just €60M plus the loan of Arda Turan for the season.

There have been further reports in the Catalan press that Barcelona’s main goal was to disrupt Liverpool’s transfer plans by turning the player’s head towards the La Liga side—retaliation for Liverpool’s continuing resistance to sanctioning the sale of want-away star Philippe Coutinho.

That, though has not stopped Liverpool’s push for the player, and neither has the singing of Oxlade-Chamberlain as the club push to close out the transfer window with two final signings—Lemar and Southampton centre half Virgil van Dijk.

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Mbappe’s father explains why his son didn’t sign for Real Madrid

By Lucas Navarrete    AUG 30, 2017

Kylian Mbappe will not sign for Real Madrid this summer, even though most reports, rumors and quotes suggested that he would end up playing for Los Blancos. Apparently, the player is set to join PSG on a loan deal which will become permanent next year.

“Ever since Zidane became Ancelotti’s assistant I thought that he would not have the time to pay attention to his development but had he kept going as Castilla’s coach we would’ve chosen Madrid instead of Monaco at the time,” said Mbappe’s father to ESPN.

Apparently, Mbappe wanted to be close to Zidane and the only way to achieve that would’ve been to work with the French coach in Castilla back then. However, he decided to join Monaco instead and now he will be sold to Paris Saint-Germain in yet another huge deal for the French club. Mbappe lost the chance to play for Madrid and the club lost a player with huge potential and room for development after a deal could not be agreed between the striker and Los Blancos.

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Arsenal Lining-Up £32m Bid For Liverpool Target After Opening Transfer Talks

By Fraser Crawford     AUG 29, 2017

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the final days of the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal and Liverpool are linked with Julian Draxler…

Arsenal have stolen a march on Liverpool after opening talks over the signing of Julian Draxler and are now lining-up a £32m for the Paris Saint-Germain attacker, according to reports in France via the Metro.

Draxler only joined PSG from Wolfsburg in a £35m deal back in January but his future at the Parc des Princes is already in serious doubt following the arrival of Neymar from Barcelona.

The French giants are also being tipped to sign Kylian Mbappe from Monaco so Draxler is going to be pushed even further down the pecking order after being consigned to a bench role so far this season.

The German international is still considered as one of the best young attackers in Europe so understandably he’s attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League.

The Metro are citing a report from Le 10 Sport that claims Arsenal and Liverpool are both showing a keen interest in signing the 23-year-old before the window slams shut on Thursday night.

Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Draxler and he’s now renewed his interest as the French outlet says Arsenal are now weighing-up a £32m bid after opening talks with PSG about a potential deal.

The Gunners could be lining-up Draxler as a possible replacement for Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean international is being strongly linked with a move to Manchester City once again today.

The German youngster is capable of playing anywhere across the attacking positions so he would be a direct replacement for Sanchez if Arsenal could get a deal agreed for his signature.

However, the north Londoners could yet face some strong competition as the report indicates that Liverpool are also considering formalising their interest in Draxler over the coming days.

Jurgen Klopp is also seemingly in the market for another attacker amid on-going speculation linking Philippe Coutinho with a move to Barcelona but the Reds are also reportedly in talks for Arsenal target Thomas Lemar.

 So if Liverpool snap-up the Monaco attacker then it will leave Arsenal in pole position to sign Draxler and I actually think the German star would be a better purchase for whoever ends up buying him.

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Arsenal receive major transfer blow as PSG star Julian Draxler sends message to Arsene Wenger - report

Arsenal transfers news includes an update on Julian Draxler's future at PSG

ByCharles Watts   AUG 29, 2017

Arsenal have been handed a major blow in their hunt for Julian Draxler.

With a deal for Thomas Lemar now 'dead' according to Arsene Wenger, reports suggested the Frenchman had rekindled his interest in Draxler - a player he has chased since he was a teenager.

But the latest developments from France claim that the German star is refusing to leave Paris Saint German.

Draxler only moved to the French capital in January from Wolfsburg and he enjoyed a fine start to life with the Ligue 1 giants, producing several fine performances during the 2016/17 run-in.

But the arrival of Neymar in a world record £200 million deal, combined with the imminent capture of Kylian Mbappe, has reportedly led to Draxler being viewed as surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes.

SFR Sport state, however, that the 23-year-old is categorically refusing to leave and that if any deal is pushed through, it will be 100 per cent against the player's wishes.

Arsenal meanwhile have yet to receive an official offer for Alexis Sanchez, according to sources close to the club.

The Chile international has just one year left on his contract at the Emirates and his future has been a source of continued debate during the summer transfer window.

Manchester City ave been heavily linked, with Pep Guardiola keen on linking up once again with the forward he signed when he was manager of Barcelona.

Arsene Wenger has remained adamant, however, throughout the summer that Sanchez will not be sold - even if he doesn't agree to a contract extension in north London.

 But City are not giving up and Arsenal have been expecting a bid to arrive from the Etihad outfit this week before Thursday evening's transfer deadline.

A bid of up to £70 million was said to be being prepared, but reports this morning claim that Raheem Sterling has been included in a sensational player plus cash deal.

Football.London has been told, however, that an official offer has yet to arrive from City for Sanchez - although there are suggestions that talks have taken place.

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Chelsea transfer news LIVE updates: Hazard’s brother signs, Ox medical, Drinkwater latest

CHELSEA are ramping up their transfer business in the final days of the window and Express Sport brings you the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge.

By Bruce Archer      AUG 29, 2017

Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Keep up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea in talks with Llorente

20.30: Chelsea are in talks with Swansea over the £15m signing of Fernando Llorente.

Chelsea are keen to bolster their attack with the addition of the Spanish striker.

Antonio Conte worked with Llorente at Juventus and wants him as back up for Alvaro Morata.

Llorente is yet to play for Swansea this season with an arm injury.

Ox problem...

19.30: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to play in midfield for Chelsea, according to Danny Higginbotham.

The England winger is closing in on a deal to leave Arsenal after a fee was agreed with Chelsea yesterday.

But Higginbotham thinks he might have a problem at Stamford Bridge.

Higginbotham said: "If you look at Chelsea, I don't think he wants to play right wing-back.

"He talks about wanting to play in midfield. Look at the way Chelsea play with Kante, Matic, Bakayoko and Fabregas plays there every now and again.

"In an ideal world, Conte attacks with a five and defends with a five, with two defensive midfielders.

"Does he fit into that defensive role? I don't think so.

"If he goes to a club like Chelsea, he'll be looking at one of those two or three behind the frontman. I think that's how he sees it.

"I still believe that I would want him going forward rather than defending, either on the left or right wing."

Hazard signs...

19.00: Chelsea have signed Eden Hazard’s younger brother Kylian.
The 22-year-old has gone into the development squad.
“Kylian Hazard has today signed for Chelsea from Hungarian side Ujpest, and will join our development squad,” a club statement read.
“The 22-year-old, a younger brother of Eden, is an attacking midfielder who started his professional career in his native Belgium, first with White Star Brussels and then Zulte-Waregem. He joined Ujpest in the summer of 2015 and played 42 times for them.
“Chelsea’s development squad is next in action at home to Sunderland on Saturday 9 September.”

Ox medical

18.45: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to sign a five-year deal at Chelsea after a £35m fee was agreed yesterday.
The winger wants to leave Arsenal and is now likely to join Chelsea despite interest from Liverpool.
Chelsea are hoping for a late flurry in the transfer market and want to sign English trio Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater as well as Fernando Llorente.

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Chelsea star Tiémoué Bakayoko believes Thomas Lemar will stay at Monaco despite Liverpool offer

• Blues midfielder was part of the summer exodus at the French champions this summer.
• Monaco insists Lemar will not become the latest high profile player to leave for England.

By Tony Mogan   AUG 29, 2017

Bakayoko (left) and Lemar (right) were both part of Monaco's title-winning side last season

Chelsea midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko expects Thomas Lemar to remain at Monaco this season despite Liverpool's late attempts to sign him.

Lemar, 21, has been the subject of two offers from Merseyside over the last 48 hours, according to L'Equipe. While Monaco are adamant the France international is not for sale this summer, the Merseyside club appear determined to test their resolve and have offered €80m plus Divock Origi on a one-year loan deal to try and tempt them into doing business before Thursday's transfer deadline.

Monaco's Ligue 1 triumph last season, coupled with their impressive run in reaching the Champions League semi-final stage, saw their bright young squad become the envy of Europe.

Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva, two key players under Leonardo Jardim last term, have both left the Stade Louis II to join Manchester City with Kylian Mbappe, the jewel in the Monaco crown, now expected to join domestic rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

Bakayoko was also part of the exodus, joining Chelsea for a reported £36m. But while Mbappe looks set to be the next high profile player to leave the French champions, the Blues midfielder does not believe Lemar will follow suit.

"Having talked a bit with him last season, he is more or less staying," Bakayoko told SFR Sport.

Liverpool will be hoping to change that in the coming days. L'Equipe understand the Reds have returned with a new offer; €50m up front with a further instalment of €30m to be paid next summer for Lemar in addition to offering Origi's services. The Premier League side are now awaiting a response from Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.

However, a number of reports in France, including SFR Sport and RMC Sport indicate that Monaco's position on the player has not changed and are adamant he is not for sale at any price.

Arsene Wenger, who had been determined to sign the player "at all costs" earlier this summer, has even admitted defeat in prising him away from the principality.

"It's dead because Monaco has closed the door definitely," Wenger told reporters last week.

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Manchester United round-up: Shock Sanchez contact; Bale bid rumours; Griezmann almost signed

By Sam Leveridge     AUG 29, 2017

In a shocking late twist to one of the transfer sagas of the summer, the Independent claim that Alexis Sanchez’s agent had made contact with Manchester United. He is seeking to engineer a move away from Arsenal with an agreement with Manchester City still some way off despite being the Chilean’s preferred option.

Sanchez has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents with his trickery, skill, technical ability and goals. Entering into the final 12 months of his contract in London, he could leave for free next summer but seems desperate to make a departure this summer to remain in the Champions League.

Another huge superstar could be on his way to Old Trafford too as Spanish source Don Balon say that Manchester United have made a €100 million (£93 million) bid for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale. The report gives no indication on whether or not Real Madrid would consider such an offer.

However, the source is far from the most reliable in Spain and many of Spain’s more reliable outlets, such as journalist Guillem Balague, say that there is no chance of any agreement taking place before Thursday’s transfer deadline. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bale linked again in January or next summer though.

One deal which looked set to happen was the signing of Atletico Madrid ace Antoine Griezmann. A move collapsed early this summer though and his then agent, Eric Olhats, who has since stopped working with the left sided forward, is quoted by the Independent as revealing:

“Griezmann didn’t feel able to leave Atletico. He’s been integral to them and has shown his commitment to the club at a time when they couldn’t sign players. Without the Fifa sanctions he would have gone.”

Griezmann instead stayed in the Spanish capital and signed a new deal which doubled his release clause. The club are moving into their new home at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium this season, but Griezmann could miss out having been sent off in the first game of the season against newly promoted Girona.

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Lionel Messi angered by Neymar advice to Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho - report

NEYMAR has reportedly stabbed Lionel Messi in the back for telling Philippe Coutinho not to join Barcelona.

By Alex Wood   AUG 29, 2017

Coutinho has been chased by the La Liga giants for several weeks.

However, Liverpool are determined not to sell their prized asset and have snubbed repeated bids.

But Barca keep pushing and a mega-money transfer might still be a possibility.

Messi - who is a hugely influential and revered figure at the club - is desperate for Ernesto Valverde to draft in reinforcements.

But Spanish news outlet Diario Gol say Neymar has told Coutinho to stay at Liverpool.

Neymar completed a world-record £199m move to Paris St-Germain earlier this summer having grown tired of life at the Nou Camp.

The duo are currently on international duty with Brazil.

Lionel Messi isn't happy with PSG star Neymar

Diario Gol say Neymar has told Coutinho that there are deep-rooted issues at the club and he needs to steer clear.

Neymar also warned his pal he will be under huge pressure from Barca fans given his hefty price tag.

It’s suggested Neymar is keen to maintain cordial relations at the Nou Camp.

However, his words of wisdom to Coutinho have apparently infuriated Argentine superstar Messi.

Coutinho has played 138 games for Liverpool since signing from Inter Milan in 2013. 

Barca have already spent big this summer.

Ousmane Dembele was drafted in last week for around £135m.

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Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool perform U-turn and prepare to sell to Barcelona

AUG 29, 2017

Liverpool are ready to sell star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, according to The Sun.

The Reds are reportedly performing a U-turn after owners Fenway Sports Group decided to go back on their word to cash-in on the Brazil international.

FSG are said to have held a meeting with the player’s representatives on Friday and reached a “very positive outcome”.

They have previously insisted that Coutinho is not for sale, rejected a transfer request from the attacking midfielder and turned down a series of bids from Barca.

But they are now ready to do business for a fee in the region of £138m to £148m having decided that it will be better to accept an inflated fee for Coutinho and invest it in a replacement rather than sticking to their guns and having a potentially unmotivated player in their ranks for the season ahead.

Monaco’s Thomas Lemar is the man earmarked to replace Coutinho, the report claims.

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Barcelona Transfer News: Agent in Spain to complete Gomes and Di Maria moves

BARCELONA are set to open talks with agent Jorge Mendes over a move Angel Di Maria, while Andre Gomes’ move to Juventus should also be wrapped up.

By Joe Short     AUG 29, 2017

Barcelona are keen to sign TWO players before deadline day, with Di Maria and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho their top targets.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

The Nou Camp club are struggling to get Liverpool’s permission to speak to Coutinho.
But it looks as though a move for Di Maria will soon be settled.
Spanish newspaper Marca claim agent Jorge Mendes has arrived Barcelona and will get started on the two deals.
Mendes is one of the most powerful agents in world football and has Gomes on his books.

And although he is not Di Maria’s agent, Barca hope his close relationship with Paris Saint-Germain can help smooth over the transfer.
The Portuguese will discuss how Barca can sign Di Maria, with PSG supposedly ready to accept £46m for the ex-Manchester United player.

As for Gomes, Juventus are determined to land the Portugal international, who has endured a miserable first 12 months at Barca since joining from Valencia.

The 24-year-old is free to leave and, while Barca want to sell, Juve are said to be more keen on a loan deal.

Discussing deals earlier today, Barca technical director Robert Fernandez said: "We are working to sign one more player and if possible, two," he said.

"We know what we want but we will have to wait right until the last moment."

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PREDICTIONS FROM Mr SMITH (USA) AUG 29, 2017

PREDICTIONS FROM Mr SMITH (USA)

YOU CAN ALSO

Send your predictions to Saywinwin30@gmail.com and qualify for our bet award, predict 7-10 Games not less than 20 Odds, you can also see how your score compares to all others in our votes and bet award of all contestants, which also includes links to see each participants predictions.

COUNTRY	TEAMS	TIPS	ODDS
SWEDEN	Trelleborgs FF - Helsingborgs	Over 1.5	1.21
ENGLAND	Blackpool - Wigan	Over 1.5	1.25
ENGLAND	Forest Green - Newport Coun	Over 1.5	1.19
ENGLAND	Coventry City - Shrewsbury	Over 1.5	1.26
ENGLAND	Crawley Town - Charlton	Over 1.5	1.21
ENGLAND	Barnet - Wimbledon	Over 1.5	1.25
ENGLAND	Stevenage - Oxford Utd	Over 1.5	1.21
ENGLAND	Grimsby Town - Doncaster	Over 1.5	1.28
ENGLAND	Mansfield Town - Lincoln City	Over 1.5	1.26
ENGLAND	Oldham Athletic - Port Vale	Over 1.5	1.27

BEST OF LUCK!!!

Disclaimer:  Betting Business can be a challenging and potentially profitable opportunity for investors. However, before deciding to participate with Saywinwin, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. Most importantly, do not invest money you cannot afford to lose.

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SINGLE TIP OF THE DAY AUG 29, 2017 BEST OF LUCK

SINGLE TIP OF THE DAY     AUG 29, 2017

SWEDEN
Trelleborgs FF - Helsingborgs             TIP- 12& Over 1.5

Disclaimer:  Betting Business can be a challenging and potentially profitable opportunity for investors. However, before deciding to participate with Saywinwin, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. Most importantly, do not invest money you cannot afford to lose.

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