Soccer transfers updates: 16 July

Nuno rules out Spurs return for Bale

The new Tottenham head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, has confirmed that Real Madrid's Gareth Bale won't be spending a second season back at Spurs, telling reporters: "He will not be part of our squad."

Bale, who spent six years at Tottenham before signing for Madrid for a then-world-record 101m euros in 2013, rejoined the Premier League club on loan last term, scoring 16 goals in 32 games in 2020/21.

Wolfsburg sign Nmecha from Man City

VfL Wolfsburg have signed forward Lukas Nmecha, 22, from Manchester City. The Germany Under-21 international, who had a spell on loan at the Bundesliga club in 2019/20, has penned a four-year deal at the Volkswagen Arena.

Spurs reportedly propose Aouar-Ndombélé swap

Tottenham have made contact with Lyon to propose a swap deal involving Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombélé, according to ESPN. Ndombélé left Lyon for North London in a 60-million-euro transfer in 2019, but has struggled to settle in the Spurs side and could return to the club where he made his name.

Nuno adamant that Kane is 'a Tottenham player, period'

New Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo fired a hands-off warning to clubs interested in signing Kane, saying on Friday the striker was crucial to the club's ambitions next season.

Giroud bids farewell to CFC ahead of Milan move

The French striker took to Twitter to post a message of gratitude to 'the whole club' (Chelsea) ahead of his move to Serle A side AC Milan

Arsenal's Saliba on loan to OM

The 20-year-old has joined Olympique Marseille on loan through to the end of the 2021/22 season and will be assessed at the end of his spell with the French giants

New Barça signing tests positive

New Barcelona B signing Kays Ruiz-Atil has tested positive for Covid19. The player completed his move to the Catalan club just four days ago,

Atleti linked with Lingard

Atletico Madrid have been linked with Manchester United's 28-year-old England midfielder Jesse Lingard.

Bees to break the bank to land Ajer

Newly promoted Brentford are set to splash a club record transfer fee of £13.5m to land Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, claims The Telegraph.

Manu Hernando out from Real Madrid on loan

The 22-year-old who has been capped at U-21 level for Spain is to be sent out on loan again from parent club Real Madrid Castilla for the 2021/22 season and will play next campaign for Liga Nos side Tondela.

Spurs to move for Pellegrini

The Athletic believes Tottenham may make a move for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, although he has a £26m (€30m) release clause.

Felipe Anderson joins Lazio

The 28-year-old Brazilian international swaps East London for the Italian capital in a 4 million euro deal.

TRANSFER MARKET

Olivier Giroud arrives in Milan for medical

Olivier Giroud has arrived in Italy for a medical ahead of his switch to Milan from Chelsea.

You can watch him walk, wave, smile etc with a snazzy little club mask on too.

The Polish 'Messi' is Red

Mateusz Musialowski, 17, is already training with Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool have just signed him on a professional contract so as to ensure there is no doubt about his future.

You can see him in action here.

Done deal | Berghuis joins Ajax

Ajax have announced their new player Steven Berghuis who has joined on a permanent deal from Feyenoord until June 2025.

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid: Mbappé awaits a final summer push

Those inside the halls of Paris Saint-Germain are not yet willing to set a date for Kylian Mbappé's return to training. Aware of the importance of their star player getting back involved in the club’s pre-season, but with his future still up in the air, they have only stretched to say that it will be within the next 10 days.

And so we enter this summer’s final stretch in his latest will-he, won’t-he soap opera.

Marco Ruiz brings you the latest.

Atlético not interested in losing Félix

According to this report from Deportes Cuatro, Atlético Madrid will not contemplate using their record-breaking Portuguese signing to faciliate the return of Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona.

Aouar right for Liverpool?

According to the ever-reliable Julien Laurens, Liverpool would quite like to add Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar to their side as they target a return to the top of English and European football.

That said, calm down, as Aouar is a man in demand with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham also showing a very keen interest.

Harry [Kane] is our player. No need to talk about anything else. Period.

Now is the time for Harry to recover his energy and rest. When he returns is the time to talk. He needs to prepare for what's to come.

Man City transfer desires meet reality

There is a sense that things were fairly quiet during the European Championship but ultimately, there were still two significant updates: City made their first significant approach to Tottenham Hotspur for Harry Kane, and there was that flurry of stories around Jack Grealish’s future.

The England duo are City’s two biggest targets this summer by far, with any other business heavily dependant on outgoings.

It has been reported that City will have to choose which of the two to buy but The Athletic understands that is not the case and that they will sign both if Spurs and Aston Villa agree to let them go — and as long as City also sell some established first-teamers, which they expect to and has always been part of the plan.

The Athletic's Sam Lee has all the latest on the Kane/Grealish City links.

Six Toffees stuck onto Rafa's out list

Everton are willing to “listen to offers for up to half a dozen senior players” this summer as Rafael Benitez hopes to build funds, according to reports.

The 61-year-old former Liverpool boss has a big job on his hands, as Everton have “financial restrictions” in place this season. In an attempt to counteract this, the Toffees are willing to let “up to” six players leave.

The report names James Rodriguez, Andre Gomes, Bernard, Fabian Delph, Yerry Mina and Cenk Tosun as the six “high earners Everton would consider cashing in on if the right offers” are placed.

Full story brought to you by Lewis Oldham for F365.

Marseille have no interest in Diego Costa

Fabrizio Romano reporting that Olympique Marseille have no interest in signing Diego Costa, with club looking at other options...

United want Varane and Trippier

It seems Man United want to make a double sweep in the Spanish capital by landing Real Madrid's Raphael Varane and Atlético Madrid's Kieran Trippier. According to reports in the UK, United are willing a pay a total of €80m to bring the pair to Old Trafford, adding to the €85m already spent on Jadon Sancho.

As reported by AS, United and Real Madrid are already in talks about Varane's transfer, with United expected to present their first formal offer in writing in the coming days.

PSG almost a have an XI of goalkeepers

Following the signing of Italy shot stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma this week, PSG now have 9 goalkeepers on their roster, as highlighted by ESPN....

Giroud in Milan

Olivier Giroud is now in the Lombardy capital, to complete his move to AC Milan. The French striker leaves London after 9 years, six of which were with Arsenal followed by three at Chelsea.

Juventus want Haaland for post-Cristiano era

According to La Reppublica, Juventus are planning a swoop for Erling Haaland next year and the club is willing to pay €75m. Though with reports that Chelsea are ready to unlock 150 million pounds to sign the Norwegian star, the Serie A giants might need a lot more than 75 million. Juve reportedly want Haaland to become the star of the post-Cristiano era.

But it seems that Ronaldo is going nowhere yet, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that CR7 has ensured Juve that he plans to stay on next season.

Tadic completes renewal deal at Ajax

"He's going nowhere". Ajax and Dusan Tadic have reached an agreement to extend the Serbian’s contract, which was set to expire on June 30, 2023. His new contract will run until June 30, 2024...

Spurs linked with Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini

The Athletic believes Tottenham may make a move for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, although he has a £26m (€30m) release clause.

Atlético eye Lingard

90min reports that Manchester United's Jesse Lingard has emerged as a target for Spanish champions Atlético Madrid, having caught Diego Simeone's eye during his loan spell at West Ham United.

Madrid target Salah if Mbappé fails

Ancelotti has told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez he wants to sign Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, reports Fichajes.

The Italian believes Los Blancos needs another forward, with Salah seen as his back-up plan if they fail to land Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé.

Madrid's financial situation is complicated, with the club not making any major signings in 2020-21 amid the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, but they appear determined to land a major forward this off-season. (Perform)

Arsenal want Tammy Abraham

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal want Tammy Abraham and are willing to offer London rivals Chelsea around €47 million for the 23-year-old. Chelsea want to sell the striker and Arsenal seemingly lead the list of interested teams, which also includes Tottenham, West Ham and Leicester.

Wolves confirm José Sá signing

Wolves have confirmed the signing of José Sá. The Portuguese keeper arrives from Olympiakos to replace Rui Patricio, who has joined Roma. €8m Sá becomes Wolves fourth signing after Ytrerson Mosquera, Francisco Trincao y Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Official: Ryan Bertrand joins Leicester

The Foxes have confirmed the signing of Ryan Bertrand, who arrives from Southampton on a free transfer after seven seasons at Saint Mary's Stadium...

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid defender Varane's Man United switch draws closer

The departure of Raphaël Varane from Real Madrid appears to be drawing closer. The French international, who is currently enjoying vacation after France’s Euro 2020 campaign, could be Manchester United-bound in the coming days should negotiations between the two clubs accelerate as expected.

BARCELONA

Barcelona want João Félix instead of Saúl in Griezmann swap deal - reports

According to Sport, Barcelona have expressed their interest in João Félix over Saúl in the swap deal involving Antoine Griezmann. Atlético see João Felix as non-transferible.

Lukaku's agent confirm's Inter stay

The agent of Romelu Lukaku's, Federico Pastorello, has cleared up and doubts about the future of his client and sent a reassuring message to the Inter fans: "He is taking a well-deserved vacation. Inter can be calm about Romelu's future, there is no problem," he said.

Transfer news live updates: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live transfer-news blog for Friday 16 July. We'll endeavour to keep you abreast of all the happenings in this summer's transfer window as news breaks.