Soccer transfers live updates, 22 July: signings and news from LaLiga, Premier League, Serie A...

Bees snap up Ajer

The Norwegian central defender moves to newly promoted Premier League side Brentford following a 14 million euro move from Glasgow Celtic. The defender joins the West London outfit on a five year deal.

Lejuene returns to Alaves

The French defender leaves Newcastle United as a free agent and returns to LaLiga side Deportivo Alaves where he spent the 2020/21 season on loan.

Bayern Munich make second approach for Sergiño Dest

The Bundesliga giants have made a second attempt to sign the United States men’s national team defender ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Pogba refuses to renew with United

The Mirror report that the French star has turned down a contract renewal with the Premier League side as rumours linking the midfielder with a move to PSG grow.

Kane to City?

Italian journalist Palmeiri citing the Sun with a claim that the Tottenham striker is set to sign for Manchester City for a fee of 187 million euro. If this were the case, Kane would become the second most expensive player of all time!

Arsenal preparing Ramsdale bid

talkSPORT reports that Arsenal are preparing a £30m bid to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Times claims the Gunners have been told to raise their offer.

Funes Mori heads to Saudi

Villarreal have confirmed that the Argentinean international is to leave the LaLiga side having completed a move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr FC

Gil-Lamela swap close to conclusion

Tottenham's swap deal for Bryan Gil from Sevilla in exchange for Erik Lamela will soon be finalized according to Sky Sports. Spurs will also pay £21.6 million (€25m) for the winger.

Griezmann can leave but not at any price

Both club president Joan Laporta and Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany have acknowledged that the French striker is on the transfer list but the Catalan club will only entertain substantial offers for his services.

Xhaka poised for Serie A?

The Arsenal and Switzerland player who impressed at Euro 2020 is on AS Roma's wanted list maintain Calciomercato stating that the Serie A side will pay 20 million euro for his signature.

Kossounou swaps Brugge for Bundesliga

The Ivory Coast defender leaves Belgian side Club Brugge moving to Bayer Leverkusen on a five year deal.

Barcelona prospect Balde extends Camp Nou contract

Barcelona have announced that 17-year-old left-back Álex Balde, who currently plays for the club's 'B' team, has signed a new contract tying him to the Blaugrana until 2024. Balde's deal includes a 500-million-euro release clause.

Dybala due for contract talks with Juventus

Fabrizio Romano reports that Paulo Dybala's agent is to hold talks with Juventus next week over a new, "long term" contract for the Argentina international. Romano adds that Juve and Barcelona have refuted suggestions that Dybala could go to the Camp Nou in a swap deal involving the Blaugrana's Antoine Griezmann.

Paulinho moves to Saudi Arabia

Saudi club Al-Ahli have announced the signing of former Barcelona player Paulinho, in a social-media post with the message: "Dreams come true." The 32-year-old midfielder, who has 56 caps for Brazil, had been without a club since parting company with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande in June.

Depay pulls on the Barcelona kit

At his Barcelona presentation this evening, new signing Memphis Depay has donned the Blaugrana kit, posed for photos out on the Camp Nou pitch, and engaged in the by now mandatory spot of keepie-ups.

Depay unveiled by Barcelona

Memphis Depay is being officially unveiled by Barcelona as we speak, having joined the LaLiga giants on a free transfer from Lyon. Depay, 27, can be seen putting pen to paper on his two-year contract in the video below:

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid: Chelsea contacted over Eden Hazard return

ICYMI: Here's AS journalist Carlos Forjanes' report on a possible Stamford Bridge return for Eden Hazard.

Arsenal tie Smith Rowe down to new deal

Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has signed a new, "long term" contract at the Premier League club, and will now wear the No. 10 shirt at the Emirates Stadium.

Smith Rowe, who has been at Arsenal since the age of nine, enjoyed a breakout season last term, impressing for the Gunners in 33 appearances in all competitions.

Reacting to the 20-year-old's new deal, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "As we all saw last season, Emile is an intelligent player with excellent ability. His sharpness on the turn and exceptional vision have already made him a key player for us. His attitude and willingness to learn have also been very impressive.

"Huge credit to our team in our academy who have given Emile a great education and have worked superbly to help with his development through the age groups."

Ilaix on his way to England?

The Spanish football journalist Adrián Sánchez is reporting that Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba, who has been banished from the Blaugrana’s pre-season preparations over his rejection of a new contract offer, could be on his way to the Premier League.

Sánchez says Chelsea and Manchester City are both interested in Ilaix, 18, who made 18 first-team appearances for Barça last season.

(Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

James told he can leave Toffees if sweet offer comes in

The Liverpool Echo reports that Everton have informed James Rodríguez he can leave Goodison Park if the club receive a suitable offer for the Colombian. The news does not come as a surprise, given that James endured a difficult relationship with new Everton boss Rafa Benítez when the pair worked together at Real Madrid.

PSG eye more signings

PSG are not stopping and after adding Wijnaldum, Achraf, Ramos and Donnarumma to their cause, Pogba and Theo Hernandez are their next targets.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri have reacted to this interest in the Milan full-back, with Maldini wanting to renew the contract of the former Madrid player.

The Milan sporting director wants to put Theo's salary on a par with the best in the squad (he is now near the bottom with a salary of 1.5 million euros a year) and, in this way, convince him that the best option for his future is to stay with the Rossoneri.

It's a Gray-blues day at Goodison

Demarai Gray has joined from Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a three-year contract until the end of June 2024 with the option for a fourth year.

Rafa Benítez is building...

Spurs-Sevilla swap secured

According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal for the switch between Bryan Gil and Erik Lamela is done.

He states that Tottenham will throw in €25 million to get the player in that they want from LaLiga.

REAL MADRID

Bale decides to stay with Real Madrid

Gareth Bale was considering playing football in the MLS next season, however, according to those closest to him, this option has since been ruled out.

"He is staying at Real Madrid this season," sources say convincingly. Finishing his contract at Madrid was always in the plans of the Welsh forward, whose family stayed in Madrid during his loan spell at Tottenham in which, although he did not play many minutes (1,672), he ended up scoring 16 goals. Now, with Zinedine Zidane gone, Bale sees a clearer path ahead.

Movement on the line

As has been the case with defenders, having a top class all-round goalkeeper has proved crucial in teams achieving their goals and transfer prices have rocketed to reflect this.

Could your team do with a new stopper? Here are how some of the Premier League's best were rated.

Depay to be presented at Barcelona

Memphis Depay will be officially presented as a Barcelona player later today at Camp Nou. The Dutch striker has joined Barca from Lyon on a free transfer, adding more strength to coach Ronald Koeman's attacking line for next season.

PSG maintaining contact with Koulibaly

PSG remain in contact with Kalidou Koulibaly after a representative of the Napoli defender met with PSG in Paris this week, according to Foot Mercato.

Van de Beek turns down Real Madrid loan move

Despite having had very little game time with Manchester United last season, it seems Donny van de Beek is keen to stay at Old Trafford. According to Manchester Evening News, the Dutch midfielder has turned down the opportunity of a one-year loan move to Real Madrid, who had been previously linked with the player before his arrival in Manchester last summer. Van de Beek wants to stay at Old Trafford to focus on winning the confidence of coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Alaba inherits Ramos' Real shirt

New Real Madrid signing David Alaba has taken the No. 4 shirt vacated by former captain Sergio Ramos, who left the LaLiga giants this summer after 16 years at the Bernabéu.

Alaba was officially unveiled by Madrid on Wednesday, having joined Los Blancos on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid: Chelsea contacted over Eden Hazard return

Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard could be in line for a sensational summer move back to Chelsea.

The Premier League club have been contacted by intermediaries proposing the Belgian’s return to Stamford Bridge, where he spent seven successful years before joining Madrid in a 100-million-euro deal in 2019.

Here's the full story on a possible Hazard return to Chelsea.

Transfer window live updates: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live transfers blog for Thursday 22 July 2021. We'll keep you updated right through the day with all the latest comings and goings in the transfer market as they emerge.