Welcome to this new initiative by Times of Malta's sports desk. We are looking to keep our readers and social media followers updated with all the latest news and gossip regarding the summer transfer window.

10.00pm That's it for this week. Thank you for joining us and we will be back tomorrow for another week of transfer news!

9.30pm Sampdoria are looking to acquire the services of Empoli full-back Vincent Laurini in order to bolster their defensive department. 

9.15pm Roma have told Leicester they must hear back by August 15 over their club-record £31.8m bid for Foxes playmaker Riyad Mahrez, according to Sky in Italy.

If the Serie A club do not receive a response from Leicester's Thai owners by midnight on Tuesday they will withdraw their interest completely in the Algeria winger and turn their attention elsewhere.

The Giallorossi had other bids of £20m and £27m rejected, and have been chasing Mahrez all summer after the 26-year-old confirmed he wanted to leave the King Power.

9.05pm Serie A club Genoa are looking to sign former Barcelona and Milan striker Maxi Lopez, as Giovanni Simeone looks set to leave the club despite playing in today's Tim Cup match. 

9.00pm West Brom will look to Hull's Sam Clucas if they fail in their bid to lure Gareth Barry from Everton.

Leicester, Burnley and Newcastle have all enquired into the midfielder's availability since the Tigers were relegated from the Premier League in May.

8.45pm Ross Barkley will ignore the furore over Tottenham's wage structure to swap Goodison Park for North London, according to talkSPORT.

Barkley is prepared to agree terms on a £70,000 a week deal in order to sign for Mauricio Pocettino's side despite having turned down a £100,000 a week offer to stay at Everton.

Following the breakdown in talks boss Ronald Koeman announced that the England midfielder was no longer part his his plans which has ignited Spurs' interest.

8.35pm Chelsea are considering letting Baba Rahman re-join Schalke for a second successive season, according to the club's sporting director Christian Heidel.

Heidel said: "We are in talks with the player, his agent and Chelsea. Ultimately, it is about when Baba will be able to play again. No decision has been made yet."

Raman spent 2016/17 on loan at the Bundesliga side making 21 appearances before a ruptured cruciate ligament suffered on international duty with Ghana in January ended his season.

8.30pm Arsene Wenger has all but given up on his pursuit of Monaco's Thomas Lemar and will turn his attention instead to trimming fringe players from the club's wage bill, according to the Mail.

The French club are unlikely to sell the midfielder this summer which will almost certainly bring an end to Arsenal's summer transfer activity.

Kieran Gibbs and Lucas Perez head up a clutch of names who have been told they are surplus to requirements at the Emirates but have seen moves away from the club derailed over wages.

8.24pm Everton boss Ronald Koeman is keen on Fiorentina's Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic to spearhead his side's push for the Premier League top four, according to the Liverpool Echo.

AC Milan is understood to be the player's first-choice destination but Kalinic has moved to the front of Everton's most-wanted list after the club cooled their interest in Olivier Giroud and Christian Benteke.

7.14pm Luke Shaw will not be leaving Man Utd despite the club's interest in Tottenham full back Danny Rose, according to the Mirror.

Shaw's agent Jonathan Barnett has insisted that the former Southampton left back is happy at Old Trafford in spite of a difficult season last season which saw him clash publicly with manager Jose Mourinho.

“Luke Shaw is going to be one of the best left-backs in the world" said Barnett. "Manchester United love him and Luke Shaw loves Manchester United.”

Spurs' Rose spoke openly last week about a desire to play for a northern Premier League club sparking talk that Shaw could be sued as a makeweight in any possible move.

Kylian Mbappe closing in on a move to PSG.Kylian Mbappe closing in on a move to PSG.

6.30pm Paris St Germain will blow the world transfer record they set to sign Neymar out of the water in order to bring Kylian Mbappe to the club from Monaco, according to the Times.

The Qatar-backed giants are prepared to put up an initial £173m to prise the France forward away from the champions with a series of performance-related add-ons included to set a fresh record less than two weeks after landing Neymar for £200m.

5.54pm Rafa Benitez is keen to bring Jack Wilshere to Newcastle with the Arsenal midfielder having resigned himself to having no future at the Emirates, according to the Sun.

Wilshere was left out of Arsene Wenger's squad for the 4-3 win over Leicester on Friday night and has dropped into the U23's in a bid to prove himself, but is cutting an increasingly isolated figure in North London.

5.05pm Liverpool are looking at Schalke's attacking midfielder Max Meyer as a possible long-term replacement should Philip Coutinho up sticks for Barcelona, according to the Mirror.

The German international rejected the Bundesliga side's offer of a fresh contract last season as his current deal moves into its final year.

Any deal would represent unfinished business for Jurgen Klopp who tried unsuccessfully to sign the teenage Meyer when he was manager at Borussia Dortmund.

Danny Drinkwater (left) is being followed by Chelsea.Danny Drinkwater (left) is being followed by Chelsea.

5.02pm Chelsea will return with a second bid for Leicester's Danny Drinkwater after the 2015/16 champions rejected a £15m offer on Thursday, according to the Telegraph.

Antonio Conte is thought to be concerned about his lack of midfield options following the departure of Nemanja Matic to Man Utd and will look to test Leicester's resolve with a bid of £25m for the England midfielder.

5.01pm Barcelona are set to announce the signing of Paulinho in a deal worth £36.5m, according to the Mirror.

The former Tottenham midfielder joined Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League in 2015 following a largely unsuccessful spell in North London.

The Brazilian has enjoyed an upturn in form since arriving in China, and Barca's interest comes after he was called back into the national squad by coach Tite.

3.51pm Borussia Dortmund have extended the suspension of Ousmane Dembele "until further notice".

The decision was taken after a meeting last night between manager Peter Bosz, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke and sporting director Michael Zorc.

Dembele will be expected to train on his own while the rest of the squad prepare for their first Bundesliga game of the season against Wolfsburg next Saturday.

Dortmund rejected a €100m offer from Barcelona for Dembele on Thursday.

3.34pm Manchester United have rejected a Tottenham bid to sign Anthony Martial, according to RMC Sport.

The 21-year-old, who signed from Monaco in 2015, is falling behind in the pecking order at Old Trafford after the arrival of Romelu Lukaku and the continued form of Marcus Rashford.

It is thought a bid of £60m would suffice, but Spurs' first bid has reportedly been denied.

3.14pm Jurgen Klopp wants £60m-rated Lorenzo Insigne if he has to replace Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The 26-year-old playmaker scored 20 goals last season for the Serie A side, but Napoli have reportedly insisted he is not for sale.

The Italian has played 16 times for his country, scoring three goals.

2.39pm Tottenham target Davison Sanchez was not part of Ajax’s squad for their first game of the season yesterday because he was not “100 per cent focused”.

That’s according to reports in the Netherlands that also claim Spurs have seen a club-record £36.6m bid rejected.

Sky Sports News understands Tottenham are interested in the highly-rated defender but reports a deal is close to being agreed are premature.

2.22pm Joe Hart admits he would have preferred to find a permanent move away from Manchester City as he prepares to make his competitive debut for West Ham.

"The permanent move was going to be difficult," said Hart. "I don't think there were too many options for me to go on a permanent, if any. That was my ideal situation.

"When you've asked me questions I've always answered honestly, and ideally I wanted to be signing a permanent deal somewhere so I could set my life up and have a direction.

"It's a short career. The money side of it is great and it is important, but at the end of the day I'm a young guy, I want to play football, that's all I want to do. If going on loan is what needs to happen then for me that's fine."

2.17pm Welcome back everyone! We will be with you for the rest of the day with all news regarding transfers and also with some of the best matches to be played today across Europe. 


 

11.14pm That's it for today. Thank you for joining us and we will be back tomorrow. Good night folks!

10.46pm BOV Premier League newcomers Senglea Athletic have confirmed defender Randall Vella for their first top-flight campaign in over 35 years. 

10.22pm West Ham winger Sofiane Feghouli is set to complete a £4m move to Turkish club Galatasaray, according to Sky sources.

The 27-year-old will fly to Turkey on Saturday to complete the move after just a single season at the London Stadium.

The Hammers need to lower their wage bill after signing a number of players, including Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City and Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen.

Youth Samuel Timmy Ogundare has signed with Gzira United.Youth Samuel Timmy Ogundare has signed with Gzira United.

9.50pm 19-year old Samuel Timmy Ogundare is Gzira United's latest signing after putting pen to paper on a contract earlier today.

He is an U-23 Nigeria international and was also part of Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers academies in the past years. 

Moreover, they have also acquired the services of 27-year old Tounkara Diarra Samba.

The player from Mali boasts lot of experience across the world, having player in Oman and Spain with numerous clubs including Deportivo Aragon and UB Conquense. 

9.13pm According to Sky sources, Philippe Coutinho's Liverpool teammates sympathise with him after he handed in a transfer request.

They can see why he wants to move to Barcelona because nearly all players would say yes to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Coutinho did not feature in today's draw with Watford due to a back injury.

8.16pm Newly-promoted side SPAL have set their sights on Lazio striker Filip Djordjevic to bolster their offensive department ahead of the new season. 

7.20pm Great news for Pietro Ghedin ahead of Malta's tough task against England, as one of his forwards, Jean Paul Farrugia has managed to strike again for FC Chiasso.

He scored the winning goal in their cup fixture against SC Bruhl SG on 94 minutes, after the game headed into extra-time. 

6.12pm News from Malta, as last season's title challengers Balzan have brought in Maltese goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

Mintoff, 31, was recently at Rabat Ajax in Division One but has Premier League experience in his repertoire, having featured for Floriana and Tarxien Rainbows. 

5.53pm A thrilling finale for Ebbsfleet United, as Sam Magri and co. manage to snatch a point in a 3-3 draw against AFC Fylde.

The Malta international played for all 90 minutes in their third league match. 

On the other hand, Luke Gambin was an unused sub for Luton Town in their 1-0 defeat against Barnet. 

5.27pm Roma sporting director Monchi has said the club “will not bid again” for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez.

“The ball is in their court,” he said.

4.50pm Everton and Southampton are battling it out for the signature of highly-prized Club Brugge youngster Noah Fadiga, according to The Sun.

4.30pm Valon Behrami has landed in Italy to complete a move to Udinese from Watford.

The 32-year-old will meet with Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo – the son of Watford owner Gino – on Saturday to complete the transfer

3.50pm Meanwhile, his counterpart Luke Gambin will start on the bench for Luton Town as they take on his former foes in Barnet. 

3.48pm Malta defender Sam Magri is set to start for Ebbsfleet United in their third outing from the National League against AFC Fylde. 

3.14pm Real Madrid are keen on Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele, reports RAC-1.

Barcelona have lined up Dembele as one of their primary targets to replace Neymar but Dortmund have not yet shown a willingness to cash in on the Frenchman.

Barca could also face competition for the youngster’s signature from deadly rivals Real Madrid, with RAC-1 reporting that the Bernabeu giants are even willing to offer players to Dortmund in exchange as part of any deal.

Real Madrid have turned to Dembele as Monaco hotshot Kylian Mbappe is now likely to join PSG instead.

2.59pm Brighton are set to beat Middlesbrough and Sunderland to the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Ezequiel Schelotto, reports The Sun.

2.36pm Fresh news from Manchester United..

2.27pm Barcelona could look to sign Angel Di Maria before the close of the transfer window, reports Marca.

The Camp Nou giants need to sign a replacement for Neymar and they are open to the idea of snapping up PSG’s Di Maria.

PSG reportedly need to sell in order to comply with financial fair play regulations and Di Maria could be allowed to leave for that reason.

In addition, Marca reports that current Barca star Lionel Messi would be delighted to link up with his Argentina international team-mate at the Camp Nou.

1.53pm Leicester are ready to rival Stoke in a move for Crystal Palace forward Andros Townsend, according to the Daily Mirror.

1.23pm Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has agreed a new three-year contract, reports AS.

Zidane, who replaced Rafa Benitez as Real Madrid coach in January 2016, has enjoyed superb success in the Bernabeu hotseat, lifting six trophies in the space of 19 months.

Club sources have informed AS that Zidane has agreed a new three-year deal, with his salary set to increase from €4.35m a year to nearly €8m a year.

1.22pm Good afternoon folks! We are back for a new day of transfer news coverage and also news from the Premier League opener. 


 

11.13pm That's it for today! Thank you for staying with us and join us again tomorrow for further developments about transfers and also coverage on the Premier League. 

11.12pm Leeds have rejected a bid of £16m for striker Chris Wood, according to Sky sources.

The offer is from an unnamed Premier League club.

One source has told us this evening that Burnley have also had a £12m bid rejected for the player, although we understand this latest offer is not from the Clarets.

Burnley have yet to confirm they have made a bid.

11.10pm Tottenham are interested in Ajax centre-back Davinson Sanchez, according to Sky sources.

The Colombia international, 21, is contracted to the Eredivisie club until the summer of 2021.

11.08pm To Stoke City now. One in. One out. One stays.

The one in is Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi. The Dutch international has joined for £7m, but was not registered in time to face Everton tomorrow.

The one out is Marc Muniesa, with the Spaniard's season-long loan move to Spanish club Girona having been confirmed tonight.

10.51pm Speaking of Everton, we are told there is an interest in Fiorentina's Nikola Kalinic.

The Croatia international is likely to leave Fiorentina this summer, with AC Milan also keen, and the asking price is in excess of £20m.

Kalinic spent two seasons in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers back in 2009.

10.43pm Talks are continuing between Everton and Swansea over the sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson as the two clubs aim to reach a compromise on the price.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has maintained a deal is close, with the Swans valuing the player at £50m.

9.42pm Meanwhile, St Andrews have added another player from Jamaica, after signing 24-year old defender Travis Blagrove. 

9.40pm News from Malta, as Mosta have acquired the services of former Birkirkara player Edison Bilbao Zarate.

He had various experiences in Malta including with Balzan and Qormi and featured also in Gozo with Ghajnsielem.

9.38pm Now for the latest on the latest on the future of Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.

Sky in Italy are reporting PSG have offered £140m, while Monaco are asking for £180m.

One source is telling us Mbappe has chosen PSG over Real Madrid, while another claims PSG will not be signing him.

9.37pm Liverpool have left Mamadou Sakho out of their champions league squad for the qualifier against Hoffenheim next week, but Palace boss Frank de Boer is unsure if the France defender will join the club this summer.

"I don't know. He was a major impact last season, everybody knows what he did. He was not only good on the pitch but also in the dressing room," he said.

"If you can get that kind of quality of player it always benefits your team."

8.27pm Juventus are readying a £23m bid to try and tempt Liverpool to part company with midfielder Emre Can, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Germany international, 23, has a contract at Anfield until the summer of 2018.

8.18pm One of the most talked-about players in this transfer window, Riyad Mahrez, starts for Leicester against Arsenal tonight in the first game of the season.

8.17pm Spurs have opened talks with Celta Vigo to sign midfielder Pape Cheikh Diop, SSN understands.

The 20-year-old Spain youth international is an athletic box-to-box midfield scouted by the north London club for some time.

Spurs are hoping to conclude a deal for the Senegal-born player by next week.
Diop has made 10 appearances for Spain's U19s and 19 appearances for Celta last season.

7.45pm Barcelona remain hopeful of signing Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele, according to reports in Sport.

The Catalans are set to return with an improved offer for the France international having seen their initial bid for the player rejected by the Bundesliga club.

6.33pm Former Newcastle United forward Nile Ranger has been released from prison and has returned to Southend for fitness tests ahead of a reintegration into the squad.

The 26-year-old was given an eight-month sentence in May after admitting to online banking fraud, an offence the Shrimpers were aware of before they signed him in August 2016.

6.00pm Valencia want Gabriel Paulista to replace Ezequiel Garay, who is off to Spartak Moscow, reports Superdeporte.

Inter's Jeison Murillo had appeared to be top of manager Marcelino's shortlist, but he prefers the Arsenal centre-back, who he previously coached at Villarreal.

5.30pm Manchester United's transfer business is "75 per cent" complete but the club is still looking for a winger, manager Jose Mourinho said ahead of their Premier League opener against West Ham on Sunday.

United have added striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielder Nemanja Matic and defender Victor Lindelof to their squad. However, they have been unable to sign a wide player, and a move for Inter's Ivan Perisic, who has been linked in the British media with a transfer to Old Trafford, looks unlikely.

"Twenty-five per cent means one of four," Mourinho told a news conference on Friday. "We got a central defender who can play many other positions which is very important. Victor can play right-back and centre midfield.

"We have a central midfielder and striker, so obviously another player would be one coming from the sides."

5.15pm Gary Medel has left Serie A giants Inter to join Besiktas.

5.00pm German defender Michael Hefele has become the ninth player from Huddersfield's promotion-winning squad to sign a new contract this summer.

The 26-year-old moved to the John Smith's Stadium on a free transfer last summer from the German third tier and made 40 Championship appearances, including three starts in the play-offs as the Terriers secured a place in this season's Premier League.

4.45pm Bad news for Milan as Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia, who has just joined the club from Lazio, is out for a month with injury.

4.30pm Chelsea's record signing Alvaro Morata is unlikely to start the champions' Premier League opener against Burnley on Saturday because he has not adjusted to their style, Blues manager Antonio Conte said on Friday.

"Alvaro is working well but he needs time to understand and adapt to our style of football, above all because he's a striker. He is starting to understand what I want from him during games," Conte said.

4.20pm Geoffrey Kondogbia has reportedly asked to join Spanish side Valencia from Inter.

4.10pm Mauricio Pochettino has sought to draw a line under Danny Rose's criticism of Tottenham's pay structure and transfer strategy by declaring he has forgiven the England full-back.

Rose apologised for his comments in a statement released shortly before Spurs' press conference to preview Sunday's Premier League match against Newcastle.

"Danny apologised to the club, chairman, manager, team-mates and fans. This was important and good," Pochettino said.

"Sometime as a player you are frustrated for different reasons. But the players are calm and the club is calm. I forgive him.

3.45pm Some quotes from Mourinho on his intention to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"You know, he's injured, he needs time to recover," the United boss said. "He's not ready to play tomorrow.

"It's not something urgent, it's nothing that you are desperate to have it done or not done.

"I just think that he was very clear by showing that what he did last year was not enough for him. He thinks he can do more.

"He wants more at football's highest level, so we are having conversations and we are discussing the possibility of him staying with us for the second part of the season."

3.30pm Neymar has been cleared to make his debut for Paris St Germain this weekend, the French Football Federation has announced.

The French governing body has now received the relevant international transfer paperwork from its Spanish counterpart for the Brazil star to be formally registered.

Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona for a world record £200.6million transfer last week but was unable to play in their Ligue 1 opener against Amiens last Saturday.

3.15pm Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could rejoin the club.

3.00pm Bruno Martins Indi has completed a £7m move to Stoke.

The defender spent last season on loan with the Potters from Porto, but has now penned a five-year deal

2.50pm Major news coming out of England as SkySports is reporting that Philippe Coutinho has official handed a transfer request to Liverpool.

2.45pm Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has joined Premier League rivals Crystal Palace on a season-long loan for the 2017-18 campaign, both clubs said.

The Dutchman made his senior United debut in February 2016 and has since made 21 appearances for the first team. He has played in various defensive and midfield positions, and signed a long-term contract at the club last October.

2.30pm Stoke City are close to signing defender Bruno Martins Indi but the deal may not be completed in time for him to feature in their opening Premier League game at Everton on Saturday, manager Mark Hughes has said.

"My understanding is it's (the signing) very close," Hughes told a news conference on Friday. "All being well, he should be with us today at some point and hopefully we will get that done.

2.15pm Barcelona's plans to sign Philippe Coutinho to fill the void left by the departure of Neymar appear to be dead in the water after Liverpool released a statement on Friday announcing they will not sell the Brazilian playmaker at any price.

"We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho," said a statement from Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group on the Merseyside club's official website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

"The club's definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes."

2.00pm Good afternoon and welcome to Times of Malta Live Transfer News and Rumours. Stay with us to follow all the latest movements from the European scene.


 

10.20pm That's it for tonight! Thank you staying with us and join us tomorrow for another round of transfer news. 

10.14pm Stoke City say they have had an approach from Swansea City for midfielder Joe Allen.

The Swans have been told he is not for sale and Stoke consider that the end of the matter.

10.09pm PSG are on the verge of signing Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe in a deal worth €180m, according to reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The France international has also been interesting the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Man City.

9.14pm News from Maltese football as Kyle Butler of Jamaica is set to join St Andrews.

The Jamaican midfielder was recently playing in Belgium with K.V.C Westerlo and FC Liefering, and also in Austria with USK Anif. 

Moreover, St Andrews have also signed Nicolas Maclaren, 23, who was already in Malta last season after featuring for Sirens. 

Another Jamaican will be under Danilo Doncic's guide as defensive midfielder Ricardo Martin, 28 has signed a two-year deal with the club.

9.12pm According to Sky Sport, Inter defender Jeison Murillo is set to join Valencia tomorrow. 

The Spanish side will pay 13 million euro to acquire the services of the Colombian central defender. 

8.57pm Shaun Maloney has ended his playing career to return to Celtic in a coaching role.

Celtic have announced the 34-year-old former Scotland international has taken up a role as a 'development coach' with their U20s side.

8.01pm It's been a busy day and week for Brighton. They have now completed the signing of winger Soufyan Ahannach from Dutch Eerste Divisie side Almere City.

The 21-year-old joins on a three-year contract on undisclosed terms.

"He's has done very well playing senior football in Holland in recent seasons and we look forward to seeing more of what Soufyan is capable of over the coming weeks and months," manager Chris Hughton told the club website.

7.33pm Sky sources are telling us that Hull City have rejected a bid from Burnley for midfielder Sam Clucas.

The 26-year-old midfielder missed just one Premier League game last season and it’s thought Hull are not keen to sell.

Clucas signed a three-year contract last August and is believed to want to return to the Premier League. He is valued at around £10m.

7.17pm Brighton have confirmed they have agreed terms with Club Brugge for the club-record transfer of Jose Izquierdo.

The 25-year-old has also agreed personal terms as the Seagulls break their record for the third time this summer, with the fee believed to be around £16m.

Manager Chris Hughton told the club website: "Jose is someone we have been aware of for sometime and has been one of the standout players in the Belgian league over the past three years."

6.27pm Chelsea have reportedly made a £35m bid for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The 23-year-old is in the final year of his contract and the Daily Star say he has been offered a new deal.

However, Chelsea are said to have made a move for the England international while there is also interest from Liverpool.

6.07pm According to The Telegraph, there is a growing sense in Portugal that West Ham may get William Carvalho but only after Sporting's Champions League play-off v Steaua Bucharest.

5.51pm Chelsea midfielder Willian has revealed his agent held talks with Manchester United.

Willian struggled under new boss Antonio Conte last season and was linked with a summer move away from Stamford Bridge.

"There were a few conversations with my agent. I worked with [Jose] Mourinho and I became his friend as well," he told Goal.

"Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened, because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way and I'm very happy at Chelsea."

5.14pm Brighton are close to completing the signing of Colombian winger Jose Izquierdo from Club Brugge.

Brighton representatives met with the player last night in a restaurant in Belgium to finalise the deal.

The deal is understood to be worth £16m, which will be a club-record fee, surpassing the previous record of around £10m, which was paid for Davy Propper earlier this week.

3.45pm Newcastle are in talks with Chelsea over a season-long loan for winger Kenedy.

Rafa Benitez met the Brazilian in London yesterday while he was attending the Premier League launch, and he hopes to bring him to the North East before Sunday's opener against Tottenham.

3.35pm Ross Barkley may well remain at Everton after all as no bids were tabled for him according to manager Ronald Koeman.

3.25pm And Brighton have signed winger Soufyan Ahannach

3.15pm Marseille have announced the signing of Jordan Amavi, from Aston Villa.

Amavi was on the verge of joining Sevilla last month, having agreed a deal with the LaLiga club, but the transfer collapsed, paving the way for Marseille to swoop for the former Nice player.

3.00pm Curious news coming out of Germany as Borussia Dortmund head coach Peter Bosz has just told a press conference that Ousmane Dembele did not show up at training this morning.

Bosz doesn’t know why and they have tried to get a hold of him, but he doesn’t answer his phone.

Dembele is currently a target for Spanish giants Barcelona and he has openly stated that he wants to move to the LaLiga club.

2.45pm Inter have reportedly stepped up their interest in Serge Aurier, of Paris St Germain. 

The Ivory Coast defender was reportedly a target of Manchester United.

2.30pm Gareth Bale wants to stay at Real Madrid and fight for his place, despite interest from a Manchester United side he believes are getting "back to where they belong" under Jose Mourinho.

The Wales international was peppered with questions about his future, yet appeared unflustered and reiterated his desire to stay at the Bernabeu.
"What do you want me to say? I'm concentrating on my football, I'm concentrating on getting my fitness up," Bale said.

"I'm happy I'm playing football, I'm winning trophies, so yeah, I don't want to move, there's not really much more I can say."

2.00pm Bournemouth's early off-season transfer activity has improved the quality of the squad but the Premier League club is still hoping to add a few more players while the window remains open, manager Eddie Howe has said.

Bournemouth have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender Nathan Ake from Chelsea, and picked up midfielder Connor Mahoney and striker Jermain Defoe on free transfers. Several senior players also signed new long-term deals.

"I'm happy with what we've got," Howe told the Daily Echo. "We acted early in the market and are delighted with the players we have signed.

"To say that we were finished would not be accurate because I never consider our business done."

1.40pm Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sent a clear message to Barcelona regarding their interest on Philippe Coutinho.

1.30pm SkySports is reporting that West Ham are interested in signing William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon.

The midfielder wants to move to the Premier League and has a £40m release clause in his contract, which has three years left to run.

Carvalho has been linked in the past with Arsenal and Manchester United.

Olivier Giroud... ArsenalOlivier Giroud... Arsenal

12.55pm Marseille boss Rudi Garcia has given up hope of signing Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

The France international has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium after struggling to secure a regular place in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up last season.

"I do not think he wants to come to Marseille, Olivier Giroud. That's the problem," Garcia told L'Equipe.

"It is understandable - as he is a striker with the French national team who is making progress with Arsenal - that when he does change clubs, his interests might lie beyond OM."

12.20pm Brighton have confirmed they have agreed terms with Club Brugge for the club-record transfer of Jose Izquierdo.

The 25-year-old has also agreed personal terms as the Seagulls break their record for the third time this summer, with the fee believed to be around £16m.

11.45am Middlesbrough have accepted a bid from Atalanta for midfielder Marten de Roon, Press Association Sport reported.

The 26-year-old Dutchman joined Boro from the Italian side last summer in a £12million move ahead of their return to the Premier League, but has been linked with a return this summer.

It is understood the Teessiders have now agreed a fee to allow De Roon, who started last Saturday's 1-0 Sky Bet Championship defeat at Wolves, to head back to Italy.

11.30am Major news emerging from France as Kylian Mbappe has reportedly chosen to join Paris SG for a fee close to 200 million euros.

11.10am As usual we kick off the day by having a look at the latest transfer gossip from the UK newspapers backpages. Read all here.

 

11am Good morning everyone and welcome to Times of Malta Live Transfer News and Rumours. Stay with us for another day of transfer activity.


 

10.03pm We can call it a day! Thank you for your support and we hope that you join us tomorrow for further news from across the world. 

Paolo Dybala's new no.10 shirt at Juventus.Paolo Dybala's new no.10 shirt at Juventus.

8.36pm Juventus have confirmed that Argentine talent Paolo Dybala will wear Juventus' coveted number 10 shirt.

The last player to wear the legendary number on his back was Paul Pogba during the 2015/2016 season.

This will definitely wave off the interest of Spanish giants Barcelona from the former Palermo forward. 

8.30pm Reports in France claim Paris Saint-Germain are now favourites to sign Monaco star Kylian Mbappe.

Despite the £200m signing of Neymar, PSG are reportedly set to shell out another £100m+ on the France striker.

8.01pm Another Maltese forward is in action tonight as Jean Paul Farrugia is included in FC Chiasso's squad match against FC Rapperswil-Jona.

He is currently on the bench as the match is underway.

7.54pm Giampiero Ventura has extended his contract as Italy head coach until 2020, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has announced.

The 69-year-old signed a two-year deal when replacing Antonio Conte, who left to join Chelsea, in the role in June last year.

But, having won eight of his 11 games in charge, former Torino boss Ventura was handed fresh terms by FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

7.35pm Swansea have confirmed a new contract for defender Kyle Bartley.

It is a four-year deal for the former Arsenal man.

6.50pm Fiorentina announced they have signed Nice attacking midfielder Valentin Eysseric as their second signing of the day.

The 25-year-old has agreed a five-year deal, keeping him with the Viola until 2021, after netting eight goals and collecting seven assists in 39 games for the Ligue 1 side last season.

Andre Schembri to start on the bench for Apollon Limassol.Andre Schembri to start on the bench for Apollon Limassol.

6.19pm Malta international Andre Schembri will start on the bench for Apollon Limassol, as the Cypriot club will take on Apoel Nicosia in the Cyprus Super Cup.

Schembri is on terrific form for his new club after scoring three goals in his first four Europa League matches for Apollon Limassol.

Last season, the Malta international was playing in Portugal's top-flight with Boavista, where he left a good impression and he even managed to score against the likes of Benfica, away from home. 

Stay tuned to us for further coverage on this game. 

6.00pm Roberto Soldado is heading to Turkey to join Fenerbahce.

5.50pm Marten de Roon is closing in on a return to Atalanta after Middlesbrough’s relegation, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international arrived at the Riverside Stadium from the Italian side last summer.

5.35pm Watford have confirmed the signing of striker Andre Gray from Burnley for a club-record transfer fee. 

Gray, 26, has penned a five-year contract with the Hornets, in what is understood to be a deal worth in the region of £18.5million.

5.15pm Former Spain striker Roberto Soldado is poised to join Fenerbahce after Villarreal announced they had reached a deal with the Turkish side.

Fenerbahce are reportedly ready to spend 10 million euro on the 32-year-old ex-Valencia and Tottenham striker, who scored four goals in 11 matches during an injury-marred 2016/17 season.

5.00pm The Italian Football Federation have agreed to extend the contract of national coach Giampiero Ventura.

4.55pm Roma are set to make a new offer to Leicester City for Riyad Mahrez, according to Sky Sports Italia.

This will be their fourth bid for the Algerian and we are told it will be made later today.

Leicester have repeatedly said they do not want to sell the former PFA Player of the Year, despite Mahrez handing in a transfer request.

4.31pm Premier League newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion have suffered a setback before the start of the season, with the club confirming on Wednesday that midfielder Beram Kayal has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a broken leg.

The Israeli international featured regularly under manager Chris Hughton last season, playing 45 times as the team won promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

Zlatan IbrahimovicZlatan Ibrahimovic

4.05pm Manchester United have started talks over a new deal to bring back striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to Sky in Italy.

The 35-year-old Swede is a free agent following his release from Old Trafford at the end of last season and is battling back to fitness after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in April.

His rehabilitation has continued at the club's Carrington training complex, with Jose Mourinho saying in July that he could resume at United despite Romelu Lukaku's arrival. "Why not wait for such a good player that gave us so much?" he said.

3.45pm Inter have announced the signing of Henrique Dalbert from Nice. 

3.35pm Atletico Madrid are looking to sell striker Luciano Vietto, reports AS.

Vietto has failed to establish himself as a first-team player at Atleti, having joined the club from Villarreal in a €20m deal in 2015.

He spent last season on loan at Sevilla and several clubs from around Europe have enquired about securing his services on a temporary basis this summer.

However, Atleti are understood to favour a permanent move for the 23-year-old.

3.10pm Alexis Sanchez will not be playing for Arsenal this weekend as the Chile forward will miss their first two Premier League games of the season after picking up an abdominal strain in training, manager Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday.

Wenger said the Chile international would miss Arsenal's home fixture against Leicester City on Friday as well as the trip to Stoke City on Aug. 19.

2.40pm Juventus have bid €30m (£27m) for former Manchester United target Kevin Strootman, according to Tuttosport.

However, Roma are standing firm on their valuation of the Netherlands international and are demanding €45m (£40m).

2.30pm Real Betis have signed Ryad Boudebouz on a four-year deal from Montpellier.

2.00pm Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists he is not contemplating the sale of Gareth Bale.

Bale, who is in his fifth season at Real, has repeatedly been tipped to return to the Premier League, with Manchester United frequently touted as suitors.

The player himself is believed to be happy in the Spanish capital while club president Perez says he is not considering parting ways with the Wales forward.

When asked about the possible departure of Bale, Perez told Champions Total: “I do not contemplate those things.

“Bale is Real Madrid, we are very satisfied with him and he is one of the best players in the world.”

1.15pm Fiorentina have signed Torino midfielder Marco Benassi.

The 23-year-old will put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

1.00pm Hull have signed midfielder Sebastian Larsson following his recent release by Sunderland. 

Sweden international Larsson, 32, one of several high profile names to depart Sunderland in June, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

"I'm delighted to be here and I am really looking forward to this fresh challenge," Larsson told Tigers TV.

12.30pm Goalkeeper Adam Legzdins said he could not ignore interest from Burnley and is looking forward to getting started at the Premier League club after making the switch from Championship side Birmingham City.

The 30-year-old arrived at Turf Moor on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee after ending his second spell with Birmingham, where he started his career before going on to play for Crewe, Burton Albion, Derby County and Leyton Orient.

12.20pm Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said that the Blues need to sign more players if they are to successfully defend their league crown.

10.45am Roma have not given up hopes of a deal with Leicester City for winger Riyad Mahrez but are also assessing other transfer targets, sporting director Monchi has said.

"I am happy with the effort the club is making to take him...I do not think the club has often bid over 30 million euros ($35.22 million)," Monchi has told reporters.

"If my memory does not deceive me, the latest offer would be the club's most expensive purchase in our history. We are, therefore, engaged and expect an answer. But it is true that we are working on other solutions.

10.25am Some news that will make Arsenal fans happy...

10.15am Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has announced his next club will be MLS expansion side Los Angeles FC.

The 28-year-old Mexico international will arrive in the United States in January, his current club Real Sociedad revealed on Tuesday.

A statement on the LaLiga club's website read: "Real Sociedad and Major League Soccer (MLS) have reached a principle of agreement that will see Carlos Vela transferred to a team in the American league during the winter transfer window.

Gareth Bale... staying at Real.Gareth Bale... staying at Real.

09.55am Jose Mourinho accepts it is "game over" in Manchester United's pursuit of Real Madrid's Gareth Bale.

"Clearly the club wants him, the manager wants him and he wants the club, so for me it's game over - even before it started," Mourinho told BT Sport.

"It's game over clearly because everybody knows he is going to stay.

09.50am As usual we kick off the day with the latest gossip from the UK newspapers backpages. Read all here.

09.45am Good morning everyone and welcome to another day of transfer activity. Stay with us to follow all the major movements from clubs across the world. 


 

10.45pm That's all for today! Thank you for following us and we will be back tomorrow for further transfer news from across the world. 

10.40pm Mixed fortunes for two Maltese international as Sam Magri played for Ebbsfleet United and won 2-0 against Maidstone United in their second National League outing.

Meanwhile, Luke Gambin played the last 15 minutes for Luton Town's defeat to Ipswich Town in their Carabao Cup first round tie. 

10.29pm More news from Malta, as Balzan continue to use their good links with Red Star Belgrade to further strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League season when they reached an agreement to sign two upcoming players from the Serbian giants’ ranks.

The Times of Malta has learnt that the Reds are close to completing a deal to sign defender Antonio Mitrev and attacking midfielder Marko Platisa.

The 18-year-old Mitrev is a Macedonia U-19 international and he came through the ranks of Metalurg Skopje.

The right-footed Mitrev was spotted by Red Star scouts at the start of the year and completed the move to the Serbian club last February.

On his part, Platisa was on the books of Red Star’s fierce rivals Partizan. Last season he was on at FK Graficar.

10.13pm Hibernians are set to sign their second Brazilian striker this week after reaching an agreement with Arlindo Neto.

The 20-year-old striker arrived in Malta on Monday and was due to join Mark Miller’s team for training yesterday.

Neto represented his country at youth level and was also on the books of Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Corinthians.

Last week, Hibernians offered a contract to Jorgi Elias who put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

8.52pm Los Angeles FC, MLS newest expansion team, has reportedly reached a deal to make Carlos Vela their first Designated Player.

LAFC will be coached by Bob Bradley, former United States and Swansea City coach as well. 

Vela boasts lot of experience in Europe, having came through the ranks of Arsenal while also played in Spain with Real Sociedad.

8.48pm It is understood talks have broken down between Everton and Swansea over a deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

We understand a deal is now in jeopardy after more than five weeks of negotiations.

One source has suggested a verbal agreement was reached between the two clubs, only for Everton to withdraw the offer 48 hours later and refer back to a previous offer, understood to be around £40m.

There’s now a fear at Goodison Park that soured relations may scupper the process completely, seriously hampering Ronald Koeman’s and Paul Clement’s planned transfer dealings over the next three weeks.

Sky Sports News understands that the two clubs are less than £5m apart on a fee, with Sigurdsson’s wages not expected to be a problem.

8.15pm Malta international Sam Magri is set to feature for Ebbsfleet United as they play their first home game of the season.

They will take on Maidstone United after last Saturday they faced Guiseley A.F.C away from home, ending the match in a 2-2 tie. 

Amadou Samb (right) to feature for Gzira United next season.Amadou Samb (right) to feature for Gzira United next season.

7.43pm Gżira United completed the double capture of defender Gary Muir and forward Amadou Samb.

Scottish defender Muir was released by Birkirkara last month and has put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

On the other hand, Samb, who last season was on the books of Floriana, has impressed coach Darren Abdilla during training in the past few weeks and has agreed to a two-year contract.

7.30pm Southampton have confirmed the signing of Mario Lemina from Juventus.

The 23-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the Saints.

Lemina started his career in France with Lorient, before joining Marseille in 2013 and then moving to Juventus in 2015, initially on loan, before completing a permanent transfer last summer.

7.15pm ESPN FC have some major news on the Coutinho deal as they are reporting that Barcelona have agreed a fee with Liverpool over the Brazilian schemer. We await developments.

7.00pm Catalonian newspaper Deportes claim Barcelona directors are in England this week for talks with Coutinho's representatives in the hope of striking a deal.

But sources have told Sky Sports News that there are Barcelona officials in Germany trying to secure the signing of Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund, while Liverpool are also unaware of any Barca officials being in England.

6.30pm West Brom are expected to return with a third bid for Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson, according to Sky Sports.

The Baggies have failed with two bids for the 24-year-old centre-back, with the second offer totalling £20m.

6.15pm Roma's sporting director Monchi said the Serie A side have already tabled their maximum offer for winger Riyad Mahrez, of Leicester City. 

6.05pm Bordeaux have completed the signing of Otavio from Brazilian Serie A side Atletico Paranaense.

The 23-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder made his way up through the youth teams at Paranaense, where he made his first-team debut in 2014, and joins the Ligue 1 club on a four-year deal.

5.45pm Burnley have signed goalkeeper Adam Legzdins from Birmingham for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the Clarets and becomes the club’s fifth summer signing 

4.35pm Argentine midfielder Matias Kranevitter has joined Zenit St Petersburg from Athletico Madrid on a four-year deal, the Russian club announced on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old ended last season on loan to Seville but made his name at River Plate, where he won the Argentine league and the Copa Libertadores. Kranevitter, who has eight international caps, is the fourth Argentine to join the Russian club this close season, following the signings of Leandro Paredes, Emanuel Mammana and Sebastian Driussi.

4.10pm Brazilian striker Richarlison has signed a five-year deal with Watford, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old joins from Brazilian club Fluminese for whom he scored 19 times in 67 games.

"The Hornets have beaten off strong competition to secure the services of the highly-rated 20-year-old, following a successful work permit application," Watford said on their website.

3.40pm Galatasaray are trying to bring out-of-favour Barcelona forward Arda Turan back to the Turkish club, president Dursun Ozbek said on Tuesday.

Arda, who made his professional debut for Galatasaray in 2004 and stayed at the club until joining Atletico Madrid in 2011, was an unused substitute in Barcelona's 5-0 friendly win over Chapecoense on Monday, even though coach Ernesto Valverde made 11 changes.

His exclusion has been reported in the Spanish media as a sign the Turk does not feature in Valverde's plans for the season and that he is on his way out of Barca.

[attach id=594468 size="medium" align="left"]Wesley Sneijder... moved to nIce[/attach]

3.20pm Nice unveiled their latest signing Wesley Sneijder who joined the club on a free transfer from Galatasaray.

Sneijder said: "I always found new challenges in my career. I still want to win titles and I came in Nice for that.

"I am very proud. The reception has been great. I'm here to help. I had a good feeling in training. Nice is a very beautiful city, but I came only for the sport.

"I came to Ligue 1 for the team and the style of play the team wants to play. It was an easy decision."

Jonny Evans... not leaving West Brom.Jonny Evans... not leaving West Brom.

2.55pm Jonny Evans insists he is committed to West Brom after the Premier League side rejected two offers from Leicester City

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