Transfer News Today: Major Lavia HINT, WORLD-RECORD deal COMPLETED, Arsenal TARGET midfielder

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 4 Aug 2023 21:13 BST
• 12 min read

The start of the European domestic calendar is right around the corner, and that means transfer news is ramping up in a massive way.

Clubs across the continent are starting to scramble as they bid to add the finishing touches to their first-team squad before the campaign gets underway.

The Saudi Pro League also starts next weekend, and the Public Investment Fund-backed league continues its pursuit of signing the best talent from the European game.

However, one player who will not be moving to Saudi Arabia is Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. The Morrocan international has reportedly turned down the chance to join the Saudi league in order to sign for Manchester United.

In other Premier League news, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion's Robert Sanchez, according to David Ornstein, and Arsenal have submitted their opening offer for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Furthermore, Tottenham are on the verge of signing Dutch defender Micky van de Ven from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Here is the latest major football transfer news on Friday August 4, 2023.

Arsenal Transfer News

* Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia as they look to find a backup plan for Bukayo Saka (FootballTransfers Exclusive).

* Arsenal have tabled a first offer for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya. Mikel Arteta's side have opened with a €23.2 million bid, plus €3.5m in add-ons (Fabrizio Romano).

* Nottingham Forest have submitted their opening bid for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner. The deal is thought to be crucial in the Gunners' hopes of signing Raya (Fabrizio Romano).

* Arsenal are willing to terminate Nicolas Pepe's contract at the club in order to shift him off their books. They are happy to pay him out of the deal so he can leave this summer (Foot Mercato).

Man Utd Transfer News

* Rasmus Hojlund has completed his medical at Manchester United ahead of his €85m transfer from Atalanta to Old Trafford. He is expected to be unveiled during their pre-season friendly against Lens on Saturday. (Manchester Evening News).

* Man Utd target Sofyan Amrabat has rejected the chance to join the Saudi Pro League in order to sign for the Red Devils (Gazzetta dello Sport).

* Man Utd are still engaged in talks with Real Sociedad over a potential move for Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek. A bid has not yet been lodged (Fabrizio Romano).

Chelsea Transfer News

* Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for a fee in the region of €29m. He will compete with compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga for the number one shirt at Stamford Bridge (The Athletic).

* Brighton do not expect to sell Moises Caicedo this summer, despite heavy interest from Chelsea. The two clubs have been locked in negotiations for weeks, but the Blues have not yet matched Brighton's €115m asking price (BBC Sport).

* Chelsea academy graduate Valentino Livramento is on the verge of joining Newcastle from Southampton for roughly €46.4m after the two clubs agreed a deal (Sky Sports News).

* The Blues will earn around €17.5m from this deal thanks to a sell-on clause included in Livramento's contract (Ben Jacobs).

* Strasbourg are waiting to see if Chelsea will loan out Lesley Ugochukwu and Angelo Gabriel as they ramp up preparations for the new Ligue 1 season (L'Equipe).

* Former Chelsea star Willian has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab just weeks after signing a new one-year deal at Fulham (Fabrizio Romano).

Liverpool Transfer News

* Southampton BENCHED major Liverpool transfer target Romeo Lavia for Friday night's Championship opener vs Sheffield Wednesday. The talented young midfielder is fancied to complete a £50m move to Anfield this summer.

* Liverpool are looking at signing Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall following Jordan Henderson's departure (AnfieldWatch).

* Furthermore, Liverpool are ready to bid €25m for Fluminense midfielder Andre as Jurgen Klopp continues his midfield overhaul at Anfield (GazetaEsportiva).

Man City Transfer News

* Josko Gvardiol has signed his Man City contract to complete a world-record transfer for a defender from RB Leipzig (Fabrizio Romano).

* Manchester City are considering Florian Wirtz as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez in this summer's transfer window. The Bayer Leverkusen star is on the list of Man City's transfer targets (FootballTransfers EXCLUSIVE).

* Ajax have completed the signing of young winger Carlos Borges from Manchester City. The Eredivisie side have paid €14m, plus €5m in add-ons, to sign Borges (Ajax).

Newcastle Transfer News

* Valentino Livramento is on the verge of joining Newcastle from Southampton for roughly €46.4m after the two clubs agreed a deal (Sky Sports News).

Tottenham Transfer News

* Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven is set to join Tottenham after agreeing a move to north London. The deal is worth €50m and he will travel for his Spurs medical in the next 24 hours (Fabrizio Romano).

* Tottenham are one step away from signing Argentine youngster Alejo Veliz from Rosario Central for €14m (La Voz).

Barcelona Transfer News

* Neymar has been offered to Barcelona on loan by Paris Saint-Germain in light of their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele. However, the Blaugrana have rejected the chance to sign the Brazilian on a season-long loan (SPORT).

* Al Ahli have submitted a €15m bid to sign Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie and the Ivorian has accepted the offer presented to him. A deal is now very close (Fabrizio Romano).

Real Madrid Transfer News

* PSG believe Kylian Mbappe has an agreement to join Real Madrid next summer and have targeted four Los Blancos players in response. The Ligue 1 club want to sign Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Rodrygo and Nico Paz from the Spanish club as revenge for their pursuit of Mbappe (SPORT).

* Real Madrid want to finalise the sale of youngster Sergio Arribas by the end of this week; Los Blancos would like €10m for the 21-year-old and will ask for a 50% sell-on clause to be included in any sale (Diario AS).

PSG Transfer News

* Neymar has been offered to Barcelona on loan by Paris Saint-Germain in light of their pursuit of Ousmane Dembele. However, the Blaugrana have rejected the chance to sign the Brazilian on a season-long loan (SPORT).

* PSG believe Kylian Mbappe has an agreement to join Real Madrid next summer and have targeted four Los Blancos players in response. The Ligue 1 club want to sign Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Rodrygo and Nico Paz from the Spanish club as revenge for their pursuit of Mbappe (SPORT).

Juventus Transfer News

* Juventus have ended their pursuit of Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo due to the demands of the Ligue 1 clubs. Other teams across Europe remain interested (Fabrizio Romano).

Nottingham Forest Transfer News

* Nottingham Forest have submitted an official bid of €25m for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez, and negotiations are now underway between the two clubs (Fabrizio Romano).

* Nottingham Forest have submitted their opening bid for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner. The deal is thought to be crucial in the Gunners' hopes of signing Raya (Fabrizio Romano).

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