Premier League transfer news: Dries Mertens, Anthony Martial, Gianluigi Buffon

Premier League transfer news and rumours

Sarri targets move for Mertens

Sky Sports reports that the agent of former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is in London to finalise a deal for the Italian to become the next manager of Chelsea.

Despite leaving his role at Napoli at the end of the season, Sarri is still under contract at the Serie A club and it’s claimed that Chelsea will need to pay a £4.4m release fee to appoint him.

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Antonio Conte remains manager of Chelsea but Sarri is already looking at players to bring in at Stamford Bridge. One of those is Belgium forward Dries Mertens, one of Sarri’s former players at Napoli.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Conte has twice failed to sign Mertens, who scored a superb goal for his country against Panama at the World Cup on Monday. But Sarri “wants to succeed where Conte failed” by signing the 31-year-old.

Meanwhile, The Sun adds that Blues legend Gianfranco Zola has admitted he is in talks over a return to Stamford Bridge as part of Sarri’s coaching staff.

United value Martial at £100m

Manchester United are desperate to keep Anthony Martial and have placed a £100m price tag on the forward. The 22-year-old’s agent revealed last week that the Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford. Martial has been linked with a move to Tottenham. (The Sun)

Wilshere to leave Arsenal

Jack Wilshere has confirmed that he will leave Arsenal when his contract expires on 1 July. The 26-year-old midfielder has spent 17 years at the Gunners but after talks with new boss Unai Emery he was not going to be guaranteed a starting place in the team. Wilshere said: “Following a number of extensive conversations with those at the club, and in particular a recent meeting with the new manager Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.” (Sky Sports)

Leno completes Arsenal transfer

While Jack Wilshere is set to leave Arsenal, German goalkeeper Bernd Leno has completed his move from Bayer Leverkusen. Signed for a reported £20m, the 26-year-old stopper says he is excited to join the Gunners. (Metro)

Ever Banega: Sevilla to Arsenal

Unai Emery’s third signing at Arsenal could be Sevilla and Argentina international Ever Banega. After completing deals for defender Stephan Lichtsteiner and goalkeeper Bernd Leno, it’s reported that Arsenal will hold talks with the Spanish club this week about a deal for 29-year-old midfielder Banega. (Daily Mirror)

Palace offer Zaha ‘bumper new deal’

Wilfried Zaha has been offered a new £120,000-a-week contract to stay at Crystal Palace. The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move to Tottenham while Chelsea, Manchester City, ­Arsenal and Liverpool have “also expressed interest” in the forward. (Daily Mirror)

Can to have Juve medical

German midfielder Emre Can is set to have a medical at Italian club Juventus this week. The 24-year-old will leave Liverpool this summer when his contract expires. (Daily Mail)

Buffon set for PSG move

He had been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United but it appears that Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will sign for Paris Saint-Germain. The 40-year-old left Juventus in May after 17 seasons in Turin. (Sky Sports)