Waching daily Jun 28 2017

Transfer News LIVE updates: Morata to Man Utd; Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton latest

TRANSFER NEWS is hotting up with the summer window officially opening on Saturday - here Express Sport brings you all the latest. Transfer News LIVE: Updates from Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and more.

18:00: United and Real Madrid remain in talks over a fee for Alvaro Morata. Real president Florentino Perez tried to deny the two clubs were discussing a deal for the Spanish striker last night.

He said: "I believe we are not negotiating with Manchester United, which does not mean that there are not people around him who are talking, which is normal.

I have read that we have reached an agreement for I dont know how many million Euros, but it is not true.

But sources close to the player insist the move is still moving - albeit slowly, according to the Manchester Evening News. 17:53: Chelsea may regret selling midfielder Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, says former Blues defender Mario Melchiot.

Matic is understood to be on the verge of switching Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford this summer in a £40million deal. And former Chelsea defender Melchiot believes Chelsea will regret selling the 28-year-old midfielder to a domestic rival.

He was very crucial in some games Chelsea played last season and I think he did extremely well, even if he wasn't starting every game, he told talkSPORT.

There was a good balance in the midfield, sometimes with him or Fabregas next to Kante. You don't want to make your rivals stronger, especially in the midfield where Jose Mourinho is always focused on having a strong midfield.

If he [Antonio Conte] makes the choice to let him go to Man United, he better have good backing because, if not, it might come back and bite you later.

17:38: Manchester United have signed France Under-16 midfielder Aliou Badara Traore, it has been claimed. Goal report a deal has been done for the 16-year-old to move to Old Trafford his summer.

They claim the move was completed last week with United seeing off interest from Juventus and fierce rivals City to complete the signing. Traore has agreed a four-year pro deal with the first 12 months spent in the youth team.

17:35: Manchester United are ready to sell goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to Middlesbrough in a £2. 5 million deal, The Sun claim.

Boro are reportedly in talks to agree a fee and wages for the shot-stopper with Garry Monk eager to find a new No1 for next season. United will not stand in his way if he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer.

17:00 Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon has put pen to paper on a new contract at Craven Cottage despite interest from the Premier League.

Sessegnon bagged seven goal and provided four assists in his 30 appearances for Fulham last season, which saw him attract interest from Liverpool this summer.

But after a stunning breakthrough campaign, the Cottagers have rewarded the 17-year-old with a new contract until at least 2020.

Speaking to Fulhams official website, Sessegnon said: "I'm excited to see what's in front of me at this club, hopefully we can all push on now.

Last year I got a lot of opportunities from the gaffer, and I just want to continue that. 16:55: Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Real Madrid, according to former Bernabeu star - and namesake - Ronaldo.

Cristiano, 32, has threatened to quit the club after feeling disillusioned over a perceived lack of support over his tax scandal. But the Brazilian Ronaldo is adamant that the former Manchester United star is going nowhere.

Im almost certain that Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid, he told Gazzetta dello Sport. 16:29: AC Milan the new shock favourites with Ladbrokes to sign Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

Tottenham had long been in pole position to strike a summer deal for the England ace but the Italian giants now head the market at 3/1.

Spurs are just behind Milan in the betting at 4/1, with Chelsea considered 7/1 shots for his signature. 16:20: Atletico Madrid left-back Theo Hernandez has revealed he has always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid ahead of his prospective move.

Im excited, thrilled to play alongside the best players in the world, Hernandez told Spanish outlet Marca while on holiday. It is a dream come true ever since I was a little boy.

Hernandez will become the first player to immediately leave Atletico for Real since 2000, when Santiago Solari switched clubs after Atleticos relegation from Spains top flight.

15:35: Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is set to join Brighton on a season-long loan, according to the Mirror. Gomez made just three FA Cup appearances last season for the Reds after being sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury for over a year.

But Chris Hughton is willing to give him a chance to prove himself with regular football next term that will see Gomez develop his game on the south coast.

14:58 Arsenal look to be edging closer to landing Monaco ace Thomas Lemar with French newspaper l'Equipe claiming the Gunners have made a new offer for the attacker. Click here to view our Arsenal XI with Lemar among the ranks.

14:42: Manchester United fans vented their fury at the club's official Twitter account today.

The official @ManUtd account tweeted a picture of £89m man Paul Pogba on board a boat this morning and wrote: "Pogboat? Check out how our #MUFC stars have been spending their summer break.

But the pun went down badly with United's followers, who are desperately waiting for a transfer announcement. One responded "PogDELETETHISNOW" while another wrote "sign a boat at least".

It was a common theme with hundreds of others adding their weight behind the transfer cause. Another fan said "stop tweeting unless it's a transfer announcement" while a fellow follower replied "pognounce Fabinho and Morata".

Desperation for Radja Naingollan, Fabinho and Alvaro Morata to sign led to one fan writing: "Pogggolan. Pogbinho. Pograta.". 14:30: Arsenal have made a new bid for Monaco wide man Thomas Lemar.

French newspaper LEquipe say the Gunners have made an offer larger than the £26m bid by Atletico Madrid last year. It is claimed Arsene Wenger will do whatever it takes not to miss out on the player.

14:15: James Rodriguez has been placed odds-on at 5/6 to join Manchester United this summer, after AC Milan pulled out of the running.

BetStars director of trading Ian Marmion said: "Manchester United have made James Rodriguez their number one priority after AC Milan pulled out of the running to sign the Real Madrid star.

"The Red Devils' odds of signing the Colombian have dropped from 6/5 to 5/6 after they ramped up their interest.

The 25-year-old was forced to sit on the sidelines last season and now lies behind Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Isco in the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

"Chelsea, United's closest rival to sign Rodriguez, have seen their price drop but are still 9/2 to sign the Real number 10. 13:52: Alvaro Morata has spoken with Jose Mourinho and told him he is keen to join Manchester United.

Morata is Jose Mourinho's top target to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer after missing out on Atletico Madrid ace Antoine Griezmann. And The Telegraph say Morata has indicated his eagerness to move to Old Trafford to Mourinho, despite interest from Chelsea.

Both player and manager want the deal done in time for Morata to join his new United team-mates before their pre-season tour of the US starts on July 9.

13:16: Worrying news for Chelsea fans… Thibaut Courtois' agent has been in talks with Real Madrid. "Of course Thibaut is of interest to the big clubs, including the latest Champions League winner," Christophe Henrotay told Sport Foot.

"He's someone who helps you win games, titles. I meet regularly those in charge at Real Madrid, and Thibaut's case has come up. My role is to keep him updated on the situation.".

12:40: Hector Bellerin has refused to discuss his Arsenal future amid reports Barcelona had set a deadline to sign him. My future is not important now," Bellerin told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

What is important is to help the national team and win this tournament. Now we have to focus on getting the job done. Im here with the U21 side and that is all Im thinking about.

12:25: Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has dismissed claims hes told Jose Mourinho he wants to leave the club. Martial tweeted: The rumours are false.

12:08: Wilfried Bony is determined to prove his worth at Manchester City. The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Stoke, where he scored a mere two goals in 10 games for the club.

But Bony insists he wants to be a part of Pep Guardiola's plans when he returns to City. I love the club, the fans, he told Sky Sports News.

I want to show that Wilfried Bony is still the same player. Ive been through a difficult time. 11:40: The Irish FA have confirmed Manchester United have signed Ethan Galbraith.

News of a move for the 16-year-old, who captains Northern Irelands Under-17s and has already made his debut at U18 level for his country, was announced on the Irish FAs official site this morning.

Thats despite Manchester United as yet issuing no confirmation on the deal. Galbraith has agreed a three-year deal with United and will sign a contract at Old Trafford this weekend. The deal includes an initial one-year scholarship before a two-year pro deal.

10:52: Arsenal are closing in on £30m-rated Monaco striker Thomas Lemar. Arsene Wenger is keen to boost his attacking options this summer ahead of his side's Europa League campaign.

And the Mail Online say Arsenal are growing increasingly confident of landing Lemar as their second signing after moving for Sead Kolasinac. 10:24: Romelu Lukaku has looked to distance himself from a move to Chelsea in his latest Instagram post.

The Belgium international recently caused a stir when he was spotted playing five-a-side football at a Chelsea-branded pitch in Los Angeles.

However, on his return to LA, the striker has made a point of playing in unbranded facilities - playing down a move to Stamford Bridge.

You see Im here again, playing football in LA. No banners so you are happy, thank you very much, have a good day, Lukaku said in a video posted to Instagram.

10:10: Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez says he is unable to guarantee Kylian Mbappe a place in the starting XI, which could hand the transfer initiative to Arsenal. Mbappe is a very good player, he told Spanish radio station esRadio.

This situation reminds me of last year when they told us to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus. The summer is long. Zidane has been close to him for several years.

Not many players play for Real Madrid at 18 years old. We must be patient. Zidane has him in mind.

Its not enough to say we can bring players in and then have them sitting on the bench. We are thinking about Mbappe, but his age makes it difficult to find a place..

09:30: Tottenham are ready to offer Toby Alderweireld a new deal to ward off interest from Inter Milan. The Daily Mirror say Spurs want to hand him a pay rise on his £50,000-a-week wages.

The 28-year-old's current contract has two years left to run but Tottenham have an option to extend that by a third to 2020 and have no intention of selling.

09:00: Chelsea face competition for Juventus defender Alex Sandro from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports in Italy. Gianluca Di Marzio claim the French club are keen to sign the left-back and have a good working relationship with the Serie A champions.

The report says contact between the two clubs is still ongoing regarding a deal for PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi, boding well for a swoop for Sandro.

And the French clubs sporting director Antero Henrique is also said to be forging ahead with a move for the 26-year-old who he knows from his days with Porto.

07:25: Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed Alexandre Lacazette will not leave the French club this summer and didn't want to talk about Olivier Giroud.

Arsene Wenger is keen on hitman Lacazette as a replacement for Giroud, who could go the other way as part of a swap deal. But Aulus told French outlet Canal Plus: "I do not think that Alexandre Lacazette will leave this summer.

"I do not have anything to say about Olivier Giroud. 06:15: Romelu Lukaku is chilling out on holiday in the United States as Chelsea try to sign the Everton striker.

Express Sport understand Chelsea have offered £70m for Lukaku - with Everton holding out for £80m. But any deal for Lukaku won't happen until July 1 when Chelsea's kit sponsor changes from Adidas to Nike then.

03:45: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims the Spanish club are not negotiating with Manchester United for Alvaro Morata.

I don't think we're in negotiations with Manchester United, which is not to say that there are people around him who are talking, which is normal, he told esRadios El Primer Palo show.

I have read that we have reached an agreement, I do not know how many million times, but it is not true. Real Madrid have ramped up Alvaro Moratas asking price to £79. 5m, with United's initial offer of £60m being rejected.

But the Spain international has taken a break from his honeymoon with new wife Alice Campello in Ibiza to return to Madrid in a bid to speed up his transfer to Old Trafford.

03:30: Manchester United will snap up Northern Ireland youngster Ethan Galbraith on a three-year deal this weekend, according to reports. That is according to The Irish Mirror, who claim he will sign a one-year scholarship followed by a two-year professional contract.

He signed a pre-contract with the club in January after impressing during two trial periods. The player will join up with Kieran McKennas Under-18 set-up for pre-season training once his deal has been finalised.

00:35: Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will be handed 20 per cent pay rises if they help Arsenal secure a return to the Champions League, according to reports.

The Gunners duo are yet to sign fresh terms at the Emirates despite having just 12 months remaining on their current deals.

But The Daily Mail claim Arsene Wenger has promised them a pay rise if they help the club finish in the top four next season and regain Champions League football.

Ozil and Sanchez rejected a £250,000-a-week proposals from Wenger and are holding out for new £300,000-a-week deals.