Premier League transfer news: Coutinho, Maguire, Dybala, Aubameyang, Pogba
Philippe Coutinho rules out Arsenal loan move and Manchester United complete signing of Harry Maguire
Premier League transfer gossip and rumours
Coutinho says no to Arsenal
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo has quashed rumours that Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho could join Arsenal on loan.
In reporting the news, Football.London says Coutinho “has no intention of leaving the Nou Camp” and his priority is to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona.
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According to the Spanish press, Barcelona are open to a season-long loan deal for Coutinho, “if a club would agree to pay a fee in the region of €30m [£27.4m]”.
The Gunners lost to Barca in a pre-season match on Sunday and after the game head coach Unai Emery said: “He is a splendid player, but we have not talked at any time about Coutinho.”
Tierney update
Despite the fact Kieran Tierney is expected to be sidelined until the late autumn, the London Evening Standard says that Celtic manager Neil Lennon is “braced for another bid” from Arsenal.
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The 22-year-old Bhoys defender is not only recovering from a double hernia operation earlier this year, but he is also struggling with a hip problem. Nonetheless, the Standard predicts that Arsenal are determined to bring Tierney to the Emirates, and Lennon believes a third bid is imminent.
“Nothing has changed yet,” he told Sky Sports, referring to Arsenal’s two failed offers. “It’s not speaking from insider knowledge, but in my experience another bid will come in. I’d be surprised if it didn’t.”
Deals for Aubameyang and Lacazette
The Daily Star says that Arsenal have “offered one-year contract extensions” to strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
The two frontmen have both been linked with moves away from north London in recent weeks, but the Star says that the Arsenal board have exploited the morale boost of Nicolas Pepe’s arrival last week to offer the pair new deals that would pin Aubameyang to 2022 and Lacazette until 2023.
Solskjaer speaks on Pogba
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared himself confident that Paul Pogba will be an influential factor in the club’s upcoming season.
The Times states that last week Real Madrid made a “derisory” offer for Pogba of £27.4m with the Colombian forward James Rodriguez thrown in, a bid that was instantly rejected by the Red Devils.
And according to talkSPORT Solskjaer is sure the Frenchman is staying put. “I’ve no doubts at all,” when he was asked if Pogba would be at United this season.
Asked why the playmaker had missed Saturday’s pre-season loosener against AC Milan, the Norwegian said he felt a twinge at training last week: “It’s not an injury, he just felt some pain. We didn’t want to risk anything this weekend and he should be OK for Chelsea. I hope so.”
United pull out of Dybala move - but Lukaku could still leave
Paul Pogba’s former Juventus team-mate Paulo Dybala will not be moving to Old Trafford. Sky Sports says United have ended their interest in the Argentine forward “due to his wage demands, excessive requests from his agent and a general sense the player would be coming to Old Trafford for the wrong reasons”.
However, the breakdown of the Dybala deal is not likely to have any effect on Romelu Lukaku’s potential move to Juventus. United and Juve will continue talks over a deal for the Belgian.
Maguire signs
Manchester United have completed the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City. The England centre-back has joined the Red Devils for a reported £80m - a world-record fee for a defender.
He said: “I am delighted to have signed for this great club. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club and the fans for their fantastic support over the past two seasons. However, when Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that the club could not afford the fee for Maguire. Guardiola said: “Maguire is an excellent, top-class player. We were interested, but we could not afford it. United afford it. He’s an excellent player, national team too, he had an incredible World Cup.”
Cancelo in, Danilo out
Manchester City are set to sign Joao Cancelo from Juventus with Danilo moving to the Italian club. Sky in Italy says the Premier League champions will pay around £27.5m for Cancelo in addition to the swap with Danilo.
Kean a Toffee
Everton have confirmed the signing of Moise Kean from Juventus. The 19-year-old striker has penned a five-year deal and the Italian told the club’s official website: “I was convinced to sign because Everton is a club looking to the future and so am I. I know about the size of the club. It has big ambition and I will work very hard to help us fulfil what we want to achieve.”
Premier League fixtures: matchday one
Friday 9 August
- Liverpool vs. Norwich City (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 10 August (3pm unless stated)
- West Ham United vs. Manchester City (12.30pm, live on BT Sport)
- Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United
- Burnley vs. Southampton
- Crystal Palace vs. Everton
- Watford vs. Brighton and Hove Albion
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa (5.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 11 August
- Leicester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2pm)
- Newcastle United vs. Arsenal (2pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Manchester United vs. Chelsea (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)