Nottingham Forest have turned to Chelsea’s Andrey Santos as they look to bolster their midfield and that could help Mauricio Pochettino.
As Mail Sport revealed, Forest made a £30m offer for Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana last week but the 24-year-old France international has been holding out for a better option amid interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham this summer.
Santos has been excellent form in pre-season but Chelsea are overloaded with expensive midfielders and Pochettino’s immediate concern is his attack.
While happy with Nicolas Jackson’s contribution, the Chelsea boss recognises his side lack a goal threat and a creative number ten.
Chelsea have been considering Forest’s Brennan Johnson for a number of weeks and the idea of loans – such as Santos – plus cash to secure the Wales international appeals to some staff at the club.
Chelsea are keen to sign Brennan Johnson (right) after missing out on Michael Olise
Nottingham Forest are keen on Andrey Santos (pictured) which could boost Chelsea’s pursuit of Johnson
The loss of Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise over an alleged illegal approach came as a blow to plans while Lyon’s coveted Bradley Barcola is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The winger is rated at £50m and has strong interest from Tottenham and West Ham. Paramount to his decision, should a fee be agreed, is the amount of playing time he receives. The 22-year-old is understood to prefer Tottenham for that reason so Chelsea’s path is not so clear cut.
In recent weeks, Forest have also expressed interest in Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, but he has a hamstring injury, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ian Maatsen. The left-back has been offered a new deal by Chelsea but is unsure amid interest from West Ham and Borussia Dortmund too.
Liverpool hold further talks for Gravenberch
Liverpool and Bayern Munich have held further discussions over a deal for Ryan Gravenberch who is desperate to leave for regular football.
Manchester United remain in the background in the hope the 21-year-old Holland international may even be allowed out on an initial loan though that seems unlikely at this stage with Bayern needing to recoup funds.
Liverpool have been working on adding another midfielder and Gravenberch fits their profile. Contact has also been made for Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure but a deal for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, also on United’s wanted list, has now been ruled out.
Liverpool staff also liked Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana but that has not progressed.
Man City star Kalvin Phillips has been linked with the Reds this summer, but the England international won’t be making the switch to Anfield from their rival club.
United need to sell before they can bring anyone else in. They remain in the market for goalkeeping cover as Crystal Palace become favourites to sign Dean Henderson as Forest’s pursuit for the England international is seemingly over.
Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodimos is an option under consideration for United as is Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir. They are maintaining contact with Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo too in case another centre-back leaves.
Liverpool and Man United target Ryan Gravenberch could be allowed out on initial loan
Fulham continue push for Arsenal striker
Fulham are stepping up their efforts to tempt Folarin Balogun to join from Arsenal.
Saturday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Brentford coupled with the untimely departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al Hilal has sharpened the focus on bringing in a goalscorer.
Mail Sport reported last week that Chelsea have also shown an interest in the USA international while Monaco remain in the frame after having an offer rejected.
Arsenal are holding out for £50million for the Brooklyn-born forward who scored 22 goals on loan at Reims last season. That’s more than Fulham and Co would like to pay but Marco Silva is hopeful a compromise can be reached as they look to offer £35m plus add ons.
Fulham have considered other options with the likes of Hugo Ekitike from Paris Saint-Germain on their radar but Balogun talks are ongoing.
Silva has underlined the need to strengthen throughout his squad. A move for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is still a possible while they are competing with Nottingham Forest for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Fulham hope to sign striker Folarin Balogun (pictured) to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic
Tottenham chasing Fulham defender
Mail Sport revealed last week that Tottenham are back in the frame for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo who has an offer from Monaco.
The Principality side have failed to reach agreement with Fulham so far for the 25-year-old so have been considering Spurs’ Davinson Sanchez as an alternative.
Tottenham are in the frame to sign Tosin Adarabioyo who has received an offer from Monaco
Real Madrid consider Arsenal star as Militao replacement
Real Madrid have a genuine interest in Gabriel Magalhaes but the centre-back is happy at Arsenal.
Eder Militao was ruled out for months last week with a cruciate ligament injury and though Carlo Ancelotti insisted his squad is well stocked for defenders, the Spanish giants have been looking at the market.
Gabriel was left out of Arsenal’s opening Premier League game against Nottingham Forest amid a backdrop of interest from Saudi Arabian clubs also.
That interest is there too but the 25-year-old Brazil international is committed to the Arsenal cause as they look to go one step further in the league this season.
Meanwhile, dialogue between Arsenal and Besiktas remains open over the potential transfer of forward Nicolas Pepe.
Real Madrid have a genuine interest in signing Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes
Real Madrid are on the market for a defender after the injury suffered to Eder Militao
Forest set to sign World Cup winner
Gonzalo Montiel is expected to fly in today for his medical with Nottingham Forest ahead of signing from Sevilla for £9.4m.
The Argentine right-back, who scored his country’s World Cup winning penalty, could yet be joined by compatriot Nicolas Dominguez from Bologna, another midfield option.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are expected to step up their bid for New England Revolution keeper Djordje Petrovic in the coming days after offering £12m for the Serbian.
Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the penalty to win Argentina the World Cup, looks set to join Forest from Spanish side Sevilla
Bournemouth sign USA captain
Bournemouth’s persistence paid off as they finally landed Tyler Adams from Leeds.
After the USA international’s move to Chelsea fell through, time was limited for clubs to take advantage of the midfielder’s relegation release clause, understood to be around £24million, as it expired last Tuesday.
Bournemouth had emailed their offer before then but there was some dispute as Leeds said they hadn’t received it in time. Leeds have been looking at adding a new holding midfielder with Rangers’ Glen Kamara and Norwich’s Kenny McLean among names discussed.
Bournemouth completed the signing of Tyler Adams from Leeds for around £24m
Southampton make Tella demand
Southampton are asking £25million for winger Nathan Tella.
Bayer Leverkusen have offered £17.5m but there is a chance a deal can be struck around £20m for the 24-year-old, who impressed on loan at Burnley last season.
Borussia Dortmund remain keen on Armel Bella-Kotchap whil Everton are continuing negotiations over a £15m deal for striker Che Adams.
Southampton have interest in Swansea’s Joel Piroe and Cameron Archer from Aston Villa but could face competition from Leeds.
Meanwhile, they may have lost free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse but Southampton hope to maintain their set-piece prowess after appointing Andreas Georgson.
The 41-year-old set-piece coach, who had been technical director with Malmo for the past two years, was formerly with Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Southampton want £25m for Nathan Tella amid interest from German side Bayer Leverkusen
Everton make improved Branthwaite offer
Everton have made an improved contract offer to defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they look to keep the 20-year-old away from rival clubs.
Branthwaite has been pushing for inclusion in Everton’s starting line-up since returning from an impressive loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season.
Everton are continuing to work on new additions though a move for Mama Balde of Troyes is not top of their list.
Balde has interest from Burnley and Sheffield United. Everton have an offer from Al Shabab for wantaway winger Demarai Gray but want a forward in before he departs. An improved offer is expected to go in for Leeds’ Willy Gnonto.
Another former Everton target, Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, is the subject of an offer from Red Bull Leipzig.
Everton are pushing to keep Jarrad Branthwaite (centre) amid interest from other clubs
West Ham monitor England U20 star
West Ham scouts checked on Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards last week during their 3-1 win at Barnsley.
The 20-year-old is technically gifted but some top level sides question whether at 6ft he is tall enough to cope with the Premier League.
Edwards has arguably coped with more physical propositions in League One and impressed for England U20s at the recent World Cup in Argentina.
Rangers, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have also watched him closely with Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony last week saying : ‘It’s an absolute joke Ronnie is still here.
‘We are all amazed, and it’s not because we are being greedy or silly. I know three Premier League clubs will make bids for Ronnie before the transfer deadline. But they will sign other players first as they don’t want their first signing to be a 20-year-old from League One.’
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAntony said it is a ‘joke’ that Ronnie Edwards (pictured) is still with the League One side
Man City step up talks for £55m winger
Manchester City are stepping up talks with Rennes over £55m-rated Jeremy Doku amid West Ham’s offer for the Belgium winger.
City, who are also in discussions to loan full-back Joao Cancelo to Barcelona and have agreed to sell Aymeric Laporte to Al Nassr, want another forward after selling Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Leipzig’s Dani Olmo is another on their radar after their bid for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta hit the buffers last week.
West Ham have also considered Georges Mikautadze of Metz and Genk’s Mike Tresor though they are still trying to agree a fee with Ajax for Mohammed Kudus.
Man City are stepped up talks with Rennes over their £55m-rated winger Jeremy Doku
Hull push for Villa youngster
Hull City are in talks to sign Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene in a deal worth in the region of £5million – plus a buy-back option.
The Championship club have lodged a bid for the 21-year-old winger who is now expected to leave Villa on a permanent deal as he wants regular game time. Stoke and Ipswich have also asked.
Villa, who are discussing a deal with Arsenal for full-back Nuno Tavares, are also fielding a number of enquiries for forwards Cameron Archer and Keinan Davis.
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