Paper Talk
David De Gea's dream move to Real Madrid came a big step closer as Iker Casillas agreed to leave for Porto.
Jose Mourinho has shunned a big pay rise because he is so keen to stay at Chelsea.
Toby Alderweireld had a Tottenham medical yesterday as Southampton still insist they have first option on him.
Manchester City are closing on a £50m deal for Raheem Sterling and are even hopeful he will join their pre-season tour of Australia.
Aston Villa have told Liverpool they will not budge on the £32.5m they are demanding for Christian Benteke.
Ronald Koeman will cash in on Morgan Schneiderlin - if Manchester United meet his £25m valuation.
Louis van Gaal has told David De Gea to focus on Manchester United, not Real Madrid, despite the goalkeeper's desire to return to Spain.
Pedro will disappoint Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal by telling Luis Enrique he wants to fight for his place at Barcelona.
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has finally signed a new contract, lessening the chances of a new defensive midfielder joining this summer.
Tottenham want Everton's £20m-rated midfielder James McCarthy and are prepared to part with Aaron Lennon as part of the deal.
Angry Southampton have told Tottenham to keep their hands off Toby Alderweireld.
Edin Dzeko is a target for Europa League winners Sevilla.
West Ham want Andros Townsend but fear a deal is unlikely because of bad blood with Tottenham.
Ronald Koeman says Morgan Schneiderlin will only join Manchester United if Southampton get the money they want.
Stoke want free agent Ali Al Habsi as goalkeeping cover as they prepare for life without Chelsea and Manchester United target Asmir Begovic.
Manchester City face competition from Paris Saint-Germain in the £50million pursuit of Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is considering a move to Porto in a deal that could trigger decisive action on David de Gea's future.
Southampton have launched a £2m bid for FC Twente defender Cuco Martina.
Mario Balotelli missed the start of pre-season training with Liverpool after being granted compassionate leave.
Chelsea have offered about £11million a year to use Wembley as a temporary home while Stamford Bridge is rebuilt.
Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Southampton rejected Manchester United's £20million offer for Morgan Schneiderlin a fortnight ago and wants a much higher fee for his France midfielder.
The continuing failure of Liverpool and Burnley to agree a fee for Danny Ings looks increasingly likely to result in the forward's value being determined at a Premier League tribunal.
Celtic are set to tie up the £250,000 capture of Belgian keeper Logan Bailly.
Stuart Duff insists Dundee United fans can stomach all the sales - if they see some of the cash splashed on new arrivals.
Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough has revealed the club are in talks with several goalkeeping targets.
Alan Stubbs has assured Mark Oxley he will start the season as Hibs' No.1 keeper - despite the arrival of new signing Antonio Reguero.
BBC
Bayern Munich are ready to offer Manchester United 25-year-old Germany forward Thomas Muller, 31-year-old Netherlands winger Arjen Robben and cash in exchange for Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria, 27. (Bild)
Manchester City are hoping to complete a £50m deal for Liverpool's England winger Raheem Sterling, 20, in time to take him on tour to Australia. (Daily Star)
Belgium striker Christian Benteke, 24, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, will tell Aston Villa he wants to leave the club this summer when he returns for pre-season training. (Guardian)
Tottenham are lining up a £20m move for Everton's Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy, 24, with winger Aaron Lennon also part of a possible deal. (Daily Mirror)
West Ham have agreed a deal in principle to sign Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini, 22, on loan from United Arab Emirates-based club Al Jazira. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, 26, will miss the start of the new season after helping Chile to win Copa America. (Telegraph)
Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, 34, is interested in a move to Porto after a formal bid for the Spain goalkeeper was submitted by last season's runners-up in the Portuguese League. (Guardian)
News of Casillas's possible departure has increased fears at Manchester United that Real will move to replace him with his 24-year-old compatriot David De Gea. (Sun - subscription required)
United are refusing to drop their asking price for De Gea and remain determined to sign Real's Spain defender Sergio Ramos, 29. (Manchester Evening News)
Sunderland and Middlesbrough are battling for West Ham winger Stewart Downing, 30, after the Black Cats had a £5m deal rejected. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, 33, has finally signed a one-year contract - months after the Spanish midfielder verbally agreed a deal with the Gunners. (Daily Mirror)
Newcastle United are hopeful Schalke's £10m-rated Cameroon defender Joel Matip, 23, will become new manager Steve McClaren's first signing. (Evening Chronicle)
Manchester United are ready to listen to offers for Brazilian right-back Rafael da Silva, 24, who may move to a club in Italy. (Sky Sports)
Everton hope to beat West Ham and Southampton to the signing of Juventus' Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna, 27. (Liverpool Echo)
Bolton boss Neil Lennon is keen on the vacant manager's job at Leicester but the Foxes' owners want a bigger name. (Daily Mirror)
Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants to sign former Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, 33, as back-up to England Under-21 international Jack Butland, with Asmir Begovic expected to join Chelsea. (Daily Mail)
Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli, 24, was allowed to miss the start of pre-season training after being granted compassionate leave. (Telegraph)
Liverpool and Burnley are heading for a tribunal to determine a fee for England Under-21 striker Danny Ings, 22, with the two clubs unable to reach an agreement. (Times - subscription required)
Southampton want Feyenoord's Netherlands midfielder Jordy Clasie, 24, if 25-year-old France international Morgan Schneiderlin, a target for Manchester United, leaves the club. (Southern Daily Echo)
However, Saints boss Ronald Koeman will allow Schneiderlin to move to Old Trafford if United pay £25m. (Daily Star)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, 52, has turned down a pay rise at Stamford Bridge because he is so keen to remain with the Premier League champions. (Sun - subscription required)
Best of social media
Manchester United were among the Premier League clubs to be back in pre-season training on Monday and it appears new £31m signing Memphis Depay has already made a positive impression. Red Devils defender Luke Shaw tweeted: "Good session back with all the lads today and good to be training with Memphis for the first time!"
Spurs striker Roberto Soldado hopes he will benefit from new contracts for team-mates Nabil Bentaleb and Harry Winks. Soldado tweeted he hoped he would be invited for a meal by his colleagues. And it appears he may not be disappointed, with Bentaleb replying: "Thanks Robby you have a daily invitation my friend."
Rio Ferdinand is impressed with Barcelona's latest bit of transfer business. The ex-England defender tweeted: "Turan to @FCBarcelona - @realmadrid better come with someone to trump that because Barca just reinforced an already top midfield..."
And finally
Micronesia were thrashed 46-0 by Vanuatu in their latest game in an Olympic qualifying tournament - and now have a goal difference of -114. (Fox Sports)
It appears Titi Ameobi - the sister of Newcastle forward Sammy, 23 - has broken news of his move to Cardiff City through a social media posting. (Wales Online)
Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry, 19, has earned an unlikely place in team-mate Mesut Ozil's all-time XI - after playing just 18 games for the Gunners. (Metro)
Sherwood Bear is making a comeback as the official mascot of Nottingham Forest. (Nottingham Post)
Guardian Rumour Mill
Paul Doyle
The Mill has never paid much attention to Ángel Di María’s tattoos and nor, presumably has Louis van Gaal. And that might just be where we’re both going wrong. Because suspicions have been aroused this morning that there is more to the Argentinian’s inkwork than meets the eye, which is just as well because all that meets the eye is a collection of stars, numbers and smudges that look awfully like nearly everyone else’s tattoos. But here’s the thing: when Di María is placed under a special infra-red light, his body art actually contains coded clues to the location of an unimaginably vast treasure stash that hunters have been seeking for centuries.
That, at any rate, is what the Mill has deduced from reports that Bayern Munich have grown so desperate to get their clutches on Di María that, in return, they are willing to offer Manchester United a large sum of cash, Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller! And some reports go so far as to claim that the German club may even throw Bastian Schweinsteiger into the deal, too! Heck, if United stand their ground they may even be able to get Bayern to add Manuel Neuer, Pep Guardiola, a fleet of BMWs and the Hofbräuhaus.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are going to have to fork out a small treasure stash of their own if they are to land Kevin De Bruyne, especially now that Paris Saint-Germain have made the Belgian their No1 target. PSG are also complicating City’s quiet pursuit of Hachim Mastour, with the French club now the favourite to prise the 17-year-old Moroccan from Milan. But City aren’t going to dwell on that disappointment, instead they’re going to engage in more retail therapy and return to Anfield to give Liverpool the £50m they want for Raheem Sterling. Better batten down the hatches, Southampton.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid are all linked with the Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who has shown the skills he learned at the ever popular Footballer Media Training course by giving a textbook recital of the “flattered to hear about it, but just concentrating on my job” response to such speculation.
Question: if Ryan Mason is as good as some fans claim, how come Spurs are plotting a bid of £20m plus Aaron Lennon for Everton’s James McCarthy? And here’s another question: is the Mill right to be utterly bemused by reports that at least five clubs are preparing bids of up to £15m for Andros Townsend? Explanations have yet to be provided by West Ham, Aston Villa, Swansea, Newcastle or Sunderland. One report this morning has gone so far as to claim that Spurs are unwilling to let the winger go for so little. The Mill has obviously drunk too much. Or not enough.
Everton, meanwhile, fancy the Juventus midfielder Angelo Ogbonna, but will have to do battle with West Ham to get him.
That David De Gea-Hugo Lloris chain reaction might be about to kick in, as Iker Casillas is poised to leave Real Madrid for Porto.
Lyon are lining up another offer for the Marseille centre-back Nicolas N’koulou.
Stewart Downing is heading northwards, either to Sunderland or Middlesbrough.
Esteban Cambiasso, who has yet to sign a new deal with Leicester, could soon be part of Mark Hughes’s Stoke revamp. And so could Ali Al-Habsi, who will be drafted in as Jack Butland’s deputy if Asmir Begovic gets his dream move to become Thibaut Courtois’ deputy.
Finally, goodbye.
Mail
West Ham close to loan deal for Argentine Manuel Lanzini from UAE club Al Jazira
West Ham have agreed a deal to bring in Manuel Lanzini on loan
The Argentine midfielder was considered by the Hammers last season
Sunderland and Middlesbrough are chasing Stewart Downing
By Simon Jones
West Ham have agreed a deal in principle to sign Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini on loan from UAE-based club Al Jazira.
The 22-year-old, who has an Italian passport, was considered by West Ham while at River Plate last summer but he moved to the Middle East instead for £5.25million.
Known as 'La Joya' or 'The Jewel', Lanzini also has interest from Sharjah. He scored eight goals in 24 appearances to help Jazira to a second-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League last season.
Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini, pictured playing for River Plate, could be on his way to Upton Park on loan
The 22-year-old was considered by the Hammers last year before joining UAE club Al Jazira
West Ham are continuing discussions over a proposed loan deal for Carl Jenkinson from Arsenal and are awaiting Alex Song's injury to clear up before proceeding with his proposed move from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Sunderland and Middlesbrough will continue their pursuit of Hammers winger Stewart Downing this week.
West Ham have been surprised at the bidding particularly with Middlesbrough's efforts to take the 30-year-old England international back to the Riverside.
Downing turns 31 later this month but Boro are willing to offer a four-year deal worth in excess of £55,000 a week and offer £6million plus add-ons to West Ham.
HITC
West Ham finally agree to sign Manuel Lanzini after year-long pursuit
West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini on a season-long loan deal from Al-Jazira.
Olly Dawes
The Hammers have been busy this summer, appointing new manager Slaven Bilic as well as signing goalkeeper Darren Randolph, midfielder Pedro Obiang and playmaker Dimitri Payet.
The work doesn't stop there though for West Ham, with more depth needed in a squad which will be competing in the Premier League and Europa League next season.
It now appears that West Ham are close to making a fourth summer signing, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Hammers have struck a deal to sign playmaker Manuel Lanzini from Al-Jazira.
The report states that West Ham actually tried to sign Lanzini from River Plate last summer, but he chose a shock move to the United Arab Emirates with Al-Jazira.
After eight goals in 24 appearances, Lanzini is now set for a move to Europe, with West Ham seemingly finally poised to land their man on a season-long loan deal.
Ideal for Bilic?
At Besiktas last season, Bilic primarily played a 4-2-3-1 system with Argentine playmaker Jose Sosa playing behind Demba Ba in attack.
Now at West Ham, Bilic could go with something similar with Lanzini behind Diafra Sakho, given that the duo have somewhat similar attributes to the duo he had at Besiktas.
Lanzini is technically gifted with close control and dribbling ability, and whilst some fans may fear that he's too similar to Mauro Zarate, Lanzini should be an exciting signing for West Ham, whose ambition in their final season at Upton Park is clear.
Lanzini 'tube
Mirror
West Ham want £15million Andros Townsend but fear Tottenham won't deal with them
By Darren Lewis
Bad blood between the clubs stems from their rival bids to move into the Olympic Stadium and a loan move for Emmanuel Adebayor which collapsed
West Ham are keen on England winger Andros Townsend - but fear a deal is unlikely with Spurs because of their poor relationship.
Aston Villa, Swansea, Newcastle and Sunderland are already interested in the 23-year-old wide man. Tottenham want around £15million for him.
Townsend, who has three years left on his contract, wants to fight for his place at Spurs but is aware that he needs to be playing regularly with the European Championship next summer.
Tottenham have already shown an interest in Monaco wide man Yannick Ferreira Carrasco.
The bad blood with West Ham - who beat Spurs to the Olympic Stadium - hit a fresh low back in January when Spurs chairman Daniel Levy blocked the Hammers' loan move for striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Levy refused to pay part of the Togo front man’s £100,000-a-week wages at Upton Park even though he was willing to do so if Adebayor played elsewhere.
West Brom, Stoke and Crystal Palace were among the other clubs that had come in for the player but he preferred a move to the Boleyn.
HITC
West Ham and West Brom-linked Vicente Iborra admits agent has been contacted
Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra has been linked with Premier League trio West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton.
Stephen Pickering
According to Spanish publication ABC, Vicente Iborra is a target for Premier League trio West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton as the player admitted to the interest in his signature.
The 27-year-old defensive midfielder, who has played a key role in both of Sevilla’s Europa League wins, told ABC that clubs have been in contact with his agent. However, also added, that he was happy at Sevilla and hadn’t given a move away a second thought.
‘’Yes they have had contact, that’s right,’’ Iborra told ABC. ‘’But for me there is no other plan than to play for Seville.
‘’I believe that I am in a big team, not only in Spain but in Europe, as we have shown lately. We will play in the Champions League next season, which is something that is very important to me. Also, my family is very happy.’’
If West Brom or West Ham were to sign Iborra, how big of a coup would it be?
The midfield stopper is a giant of a man, who can be compared to Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic in many ways due to the way he plays.
Last season, the midfielder was as influential as ever and helped Seville, not only a Europa League trophy, but also an impressive fifth place finish in La Liga.
He, like Matic, isn’t limited to playing a holding midfield role either. He has the ability to play in a more advanced role as proven by his 11 starts in La Liga matches in an attacking midfield position, according to Whoscored.
He would be a huge coup for both clubs as his physical attributes, along with his ability, would make him a perfect fit for the Premier League.
Foot365
Payet flashed to 170 km / h
Currently on holiday in Reunion, Dimitri Payet, the new player from West Ham, was flashed Friday at 170 km / h at the wheel of his Audi. His license was immediately withdrawn.
According to the site zinfos974.com Reunion, Friday Dimitri Payet committed an excess of very important speed driving his Audi Quattro RS 5. Transferred this summer from Marseille to West Ham attacking midfielder of 28 years was flashed to 170km / h on the Route des Tamarins when he spends his holidays in Reunion, his native island. His license was immediately revoked.
The former Saint-Etienne would be convened in September by the St. Paul police court while his car was immediately immobilized. Payet could have done this bad publicity before trying to earn a regular place in the Hammers in his first season in the Premier League ...
