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LIVE Transfer Talk: Bale's move from Madrid to China all but settled

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TOP STORY: Bale's move to China imminent

Gareth Bale's move to China looks set to be completed after all, with Jiangsu Suning finally able to come to an agreement with the Welshman, Marca reports. 

The three-year deal will see Bale earn a staggering €22 million per season. Bale's wage demands had previously caused complications for the Chinese outfit in the deal, but it's thought that only small details need to be finalised.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said that Bale refused to play in the squad's recent friendly against Bayern Munich. However, Zidane added: "I have not disrespected anyone and much less a player. The club is dealing with his departure. Period."

Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said after his side's 7-3 defeat to Atletico Madrid in New Jersey on Friday night: "Bale is our teammate, we are happy with him," Ramos said. "Each player decides their own future."

Bale was again a substitute, even with reports in the Spanish press that a move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning could be completed as soon as Saturday. Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has twice in recent weeks dismissed the idea of his client moving to China, even after club sources said the Bernabeu hierarchy would be prepared to let the Wales international leave for a Chinese Super League club on a free transfer.

LIVE BLOG

23.35 BST: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

23.20 BST: Man United bracing for late push for Paul Pogba?

The Mirror writes that the Old Trafford club are expecting a major effort from Real Madrid to sign the French midfielder, after Zinedine Zidane told the club to do so. The report claims that Madrid are set to make a big-money move for Pogba once Gareth Bale's speculated move to China is finalised. Bale's move would free up £600,000-a-week in wages, and Zidane has made no secret of his desire to manage his talented countryman.

United are adamant that they want to hold onto Pogba and reports in Spain suggest Madrid would have to offer £150m to even get United to think about selling the Frenchman.

With the Premier League deadline moved up to Aug. 8, the clock is ticking... 

22.37 BST: Swansea are hoping new head coach Steve Cooper will help them land a talented youngster from Chelsea.

The Welsh club hope Steve Cooper, formerly the England Under-17 manager, can use his connections to lure Kasey Palmer, 22, from the Blues. The midfielder is keen to find a home, having yet to appear for Chelsea and after five separate loan spells.  Chelsea are rumoured to want £3.5 million for Palmer, who last season split time on loan between Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City in the Championship.

"Kasey has been out in Japan with Chelsea and he's played some minutes for them," said Cooper.

'There are lots of players we have let our interest known on. It's difficult to make massive progress when the big Premier League clubs are away on pre-season tours.

'They're back in England now and hopefully that might help with the players we're looking at. Ideally you want to get players in as quickly as possible, but it's never easy as I'm finding out."

21. 29 BST: Kieran Tierney bid accepted?

One report claims that Arsenal have made a third bid of around £25 million and had it accepted by Celtic for the homegrown left-back. The 22-year-old left-back is Celtic through and through but has been linked with a move to Arsenal all summer long, with the London club having previously had two bids rejected.

20.39 BST: Christian Eriksen has voiced that he wants to leave Tottenham this summer but with the season just a few weeks away, the Dane remains a Spurs player. 

One club that could potentially still swoop in at the final hour is Man United. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri claims that United have opened up fresh talks with the Danish playmaker as a potential Paul Pogba replacement. Real Madrid are continuing to work on a deal for the France World Cup winner, and if a deal were completed, Eriksen could be the replacement.

20.00 BST: Celtic have confirmed the signing of youngster Tobi Oluwayemi from Tottenham.

The 16-year-old goalkeeper, who has represented England at every youth level, has penned a three-year contract at Celtic Park. 

"I am delighted to be joining Celtic, it really is a dream come true and a massive opportunity for me.

"I know Karamoko very well and he has told all about Celtic, the size of the Club, the great supporters and the Club's tradition for giving young players an opportunity.

"I am very excited about this move and I will be working hard, giving everything to the Club to progress and make the most of this great opportunity."

19.22 BST: Hoffenheim have signed one of Europe's most prolific forwards in 2018-19.

The club have announced they have signed Danish international Robert Skov from FC Copenhagen, who last season broke the Danish Superliga single-season goalscoring record with 29 goals. The Wolves and Tottenham target scored 32 goals in 48 games over all competitions ;last season and has signed on at Hoffenheim for five seasons.

18.37 BST: Real Betis defender Junior Firpo has been linked with clubs such as Barcelona and Liverpool but the 22-year-old is not listening to the noise.

Speaking with Mundo Deportivo, the Spain Under-21 international said "That news is coming out and the truth is that it is a compliment and a source of pride to be linked to important clubs such as Barcelona.

"But I am focused on Betis because it is my club and I also have huge gratitude because they have given me everything."

We'll see what is next for Firpo...

18.02 BST: PSG youngster Ruben Providence is reportedly set to move to Roma.

Goal.com reports that the highly-rated talent,18, is set to sign with Roma over a host of other European powers. 

17.22 BST: Newly-promoted Sheffield United have made six signings this summer but manager Chris Wilder says the Blades are not done.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Wilder said United are still chasing a few more signings ahead of this year's Aug. 8 Premier League deadline.

16.34 BST: Sticking with United for a moment... 

Is there an update on Romelu Lukaku coming soon? The Belgian striker has fuelled speculation he is nearing a move to Inter Milan by posting a picture of himself and his agent, Federico Pastorello, with the caption "soon to be continued."

Man United are looking for around £70 million for Lukaku and previously rejected a £54m offer from Inter. With Lukaku's proposed move to Inter dragging on, Juventus have also entered the fray and are reportedly willing to include Paulo Dybala in a package for the Belgian, sources tell ESPN FC.

16.03 BST: According to reports in Portugal, Man United are closing in on a long-time target Bruno Fernandes.

Correiro Della Sport claims that a fee has been agreed for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder and that Fernandes is flying to England to finalise his move to Old Trafford.

Fernandes, 24, is coming off a breakout season in Portugal having racked up 32 goals and 18 assists.

15.20 BST: Won't someone please help Dani Alves?! The right-back is a free agent (after leaving PSG this summer) and is looking for a new club. He posted on his Instagram page: "Looking for a job, where do I put my CV? Someone let me know if you have time to read it."

15.03 BST: Argentina winger Cristian Pavon has been left out of the Boca Juniors side for their game against Huracan, amid links with a move to LA Galaxy.

14.45 BST: One in, one out at Barcelona?

14.10 BST: PSG youngster Stanley N'Soki is the subject of interest from Newcastle, according to L'Equipe.

The 20-year-old defender is worth €15m to the French club, but Newcastle are only willing to offer €8m. Somewhere in the middle they might figure out a deal.

13.39 BST: Bournemouth have agreed a £15m fee with Huddersfield for midfielder Philip Billing say the BBC.

The 23-year-old Dane has been at the club since 2013 and will now be settling into life on the south coast if he can agree personal terms.

13.05 BST: Wolves have completed the signing of Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo.

12.42 BST: James Rodriguez has offers from both Napoli and Atletico Madrid.

12.14 BST: Real Madrid defender Javi Sanchez will join Real Valladolid on a season-long loan deal.

Former Spain U19 international Sanchez, 22, is a Real Madrid youth product who made five appearances for the first team last season.

A Radio Castilla y Leon report adds adds that the deal means Fernando Calero could leave Valladolid, the club owned by former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo, with Espanyol and PSV Eindhoven both interested in the 23-year-old.

11.43 BST: Arsenal are the frontrunners in the race to sign Lille winger Nicolas Pepe after becoming the fifth club to agree an €80m fee with the Ligue 1 side, according to ESPN FC sources.

Sources have told ESPN FC that, as well as Arsenal, Napoli, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have an agreement on the fee in place with Lille for Pepe.

While the 24-year-old has not agreed personal terms with any of those clubs, sources have told ESPN FC Arsenal are the player's preferred option.

Pepe joined Lille from Angers in 2017 and enjoyed an impressive first campaign with the Ligue 1 side as he hit 13 goals, despite battling relegation for much of the season.

However, he exploded into life in the his second term as his 22 goals in Ligue 1 helped Lille finish runners-up to PSG.

11.08 BST: Juventus are ready to make a bid for Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku which would include Paulo Dybala as part of the deal, according to ESPN FC sources.

Lukaku is a target for Juve's Serie A rivals Inter Milan and sources have told ESPN FC he is keen to join the Nerazzurri and work under manager Antonio Conte, who he recently labelled the "best manager in the world."

Injuries have prevented Lukaku from making any appearances during United's preaseason tour of the Far East and, so far, the Old Trafford club's £80 million valuation of the Belgium international has not been met.

Despite spending €75m to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax, Juve are looking for one more big signing and sources have told ESPN FC they are preparing to offer Dybala to United as part of a bid for Lukaku. Though, it remains unclear whether Dybala would be interested in moving to Old Trafford.

10.37 BST: Kieran Trippier has said "behind the scenes" issues caused him to leave Tottenham for Atletico Madrid.

Trippier joined the Rojiblancos in deal which could be worth up up to €25m.

"I think it was time for me to change and move on," Trippier said. "I don't necessarily mean that I needed to move on, but things happened behind the scenes at Tottenham, which I don't really want to go into, but I needed to move on from that."

10.08 BST: Vissel Kobe have signed Thomas Vermaelen on a free transfer from Barcelona. The Belgian defender has signed a deal with the Japanese club until the end of 2021 after his contract at Barca expired last month.

Vermaelen, 33, joins a growing contingent of former Barca players in Kobe. Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper are already at the club, who face the Catalans in the Rakuten Cup on Saturday.

During an injury-hit five years at Barcelona, Vermaelen, who joined the club from Arsenal in 2014 and spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Roma, made 53 appearances in all competitions.

09.33 BST: AC Milan forward Patrick Cutrone is on the verge of completing a move to Wolves, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 21-year-old has left Milan's preseason base in Boston as the deal reaches the final stages.

09.00 BST: Bayern Munich have opened talks with Manchester City winger Leroy Sane over a £90m summer transfer, according to The Mirror.

Bayern have been in the market for a winger, having seemingly missed out on Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi.

PAPER TALK (by Stephen Wright)

Pavon's move to Galaxy in jeopardy

The deal to bring Boca Juniors forward Cristian Pavon to MLS side LA Galaxy is "not close" to being completed and there are "no record fees here," a league source with direct knowledge of the negotiations tells ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle.

Fox Sports Argentina reported that Pavon was "very close" to joining the Galaxy, and the $18m fee being reported would be an MLS record for an incoming player. Pavon's current status with Boca is at a low ebb, as he is now third choice in his position with the likes of Eduardo Salvio and Jan Hurtado having been brought in during the summer. As such, Pavon is eager to be reunited with current Galaxy manager and former Boca boss Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

The source added that Boca is trying to loan Pavon to Europe. LA is seeking a similar arrangement because it already has the maximum number of three Designated Players. That also makes the $18m transfer fee highly unlikely and makes getting a deal done before the MLS transfer window closes on Aug. 7 also a challenge.

Inter not giving up on Lukaku

Inter Milan will make a fresh bid for Romelu Lukaku, with Manchester United asking for £75 million for the centre-forward, The Sun reports. 

That asking price reportedly caused the delay in the move going forward, but Antonio Conte has since won over the club chiefs in an effort to speed up the process.

After a bid of £60m was rebuffed, Inter president Beppe Marotta said: "It's all very positive. It's good to feel a bit of pressure. You can see Conte's work. We are very happy. There's more to be done but there is optimism."

Premier League return for Adebayor?

Emmanuel Adebayor could be set for a shock return to the Premier League, with West Ham, Watford, and Sheffield United all targeting the forward, according to The Sun. 

Currently a free agent, the 35-year-old has plenty of experience in England's top flight, having played for Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace since 2006.

West Ham have their sights set on Adebayor as a replacement for Andy Carroll, while Watford, Sheffield United, and Celtic are all also interested.

Tap-ins

-- AFC Bournemouth could be preparing to make another summer signing, with The Sun reporting that Huddersfield's Philip Billing is the next target on their shortlist.  Brighton are also interested in the midfielder, who is valued at around £15m.

-- Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful that Toby Alderweireld will stay at the club this summer, after his release clause expired, The Mirror reports.  The £25m release clause wasn't triggered by any other club, and expired on Thursday afternoon, so Mauricio Pochettino will aim to pin the Belgian down to an extended contract.

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