Transfer news LIVE: Man United battle Chelsea for Frenkie de Jong and Blues in for Man City target Marc Cucurella

Manchester United are fighting Chelsea for Frenkie de Jong’s signature, according to reports on Monday, as both clubs look to pick the Dutch midfielder from Barcelona. United are ready to offer De Jong an enormous £450,000 per week salary and pay off the £17m he is owed by Barcelona in deferred wages during the pandemic, according to Sport in Spain. However, Chelsea are also now in the running and are ready to make an offer if De Jong decides to leave the Nou Camp, Sport writes, with Barca then ready to buy Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva as a replacement.

The Blues suffered a blow as Barcelona confirmed they had agreed a deal to sign a major target for Thomas Tuchel’s side, Jules Kounde, with latest rumours suggesting they will look to land either Josko Gvardiol, Presnel Kimpembe or Wesley Fofana. Arsenal, meanwhile, are trying to both offload players and potentially bring in a midfield addition, with Youri Tielemans reportedly the subject of their attentions. Nuno Tavares and William Saliba are both wanted by Marseille, while the futures of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin are yet to be clarified, too.

And Lionel Messi is ready to make a sensational return to Barcelona, according to Catalunya Radio, which reports he is keen to depart Paris Saint-Germain after an underwhelming first season in the French capital.

Follow all the latest transfer rumours, news and done deals below.

Transfer news LIVE

• Man United battling Chelsea for Frenkie de Jong’s signature

• Xavi wants ‘more reinforcements’ as Barcelona linked to Bernardo Silva

• Chelsea in talks over deal for Man City target Cucurella

Chelsea in talks to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton

14:44 , Karl Matchett

He was expected to be heading to Man City - but instead it appears Marc Cucurella is set for a summer switch to Chelsea.

The Athletic report the two clubs are already holding talks over the deal and despite the wing-back handing in a transfer request, it’s still a £50m price tag which the Blues will have to pay.

The Evening Standard further report that Levi Colwill could be used as a makeweight in the transfer, for up to £20m.

There’s no new movement on a deal for Denzel Dumfries, meanwhile, that same report states.

Bournemouth want to sign at least three more players

14:28 , Lawrence Ostlere

Scott Parker is unhappy with the depth available to him at Bournemouth and TalkSport say at least three players will come in.

Jonas Lossl and Alex Smithies are on trial as the Cherries seek a backup goalkeeper, while three options at centre-back are Nat Phillips from Liverpool, Kortney Hause from Aston Villa and Axel Tuanzebe from Man United.

Regarding the latter, the Telegraph report that Erik ten Hag wants to sell two and keep one out of Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly.

Chelsea set to turn down bids for Broja and Colwill

14:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

Are Chelsea set to turn to youth? Thomas Tuchel has opted to reject all offers for Armando Broja and Levi Colwill, reports TalkSport, as they seek to keep depth and quality in the squad which has not yet seen too many new arrivals this summer.

West Ham wanted striker Broja and offered up to £30m, while Colwill has been chased by a number of clubs on a loan basis.

They could both now remain in place at Stamford Bridge however, and fight for minutes as support players for Tuchel’s senior stars.

Hugo Ekitike explains turning down Newcastle for PSG

14:02 , Lawrence Ostlere

Newcastle United had tried to sign Hugo Ekitike this summer, before he instead switched to PSG late on.

Now he has explained his reasoning, saying he came close to joining the Magpies. “I had an appointment with Luis (Campos, PSG’s football advisor) which meant a lot to me,” he said. “It was not so long ago. We talked a lot, he is someone I value a lot. I wanted to come to PSG before this exchange, but he convinced me even more.

“I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for me to come. If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there. But when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”

Newcastle haven’t yet added another forward to their ranks this summer, while Dwight Gayle has departed.

Ronaldo’s future remains up in the air despite United return

13:48 , Lawrence Ostlere

Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford early after playing the first half of Manchester United’s friendly with Rayo Vallecano.

Ronaldo failed to score during his first 45 minutes of preseason and was later pictured outside the stadium heading home before the game had finished.

There has been intense speculation over his future as the Portuguese reportedly seeks a move to a Champions League club.

Amad Diallo scored United’s only goal of the game.

‘He’s a Brighton player’: Pep Guardiola coy on Marc Cucurella transfer talk

13:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to comment on reports linking the Premier League champions with Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella.

City have been linked with the Spanish defender throughout the summer and there have been reports that he has now handed in a transfer request at the Amex Stadium.

Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday’s Community Shield against Liverpool, said: “He’s a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else.”

Messi scores during Trophee des Champions

13:20 , Lawrence Ostlere

Messi looked sharp last night for PSG vs Nantes in French curtain-raiser:

Messi considering Barcelona return

13:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lionel Messi is ready to make a sensational return to Barcelona, according to Catalunya Radio, which reports he is keen to depart Paris Saint-Germain after an underwhelming first season in the French capital.

Newcastle enquire about Harvey Barnes

13:08 , Lawrence Ostlere

Newcastle want to sign Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes and have made enquiries about the 24-year-old England international, writes the Mail.

The Magpies have already had a bid turned down for James Maddison and are now targeting another Foxes midfielder in an effort to bolster their creativity and attacking output.

Chelsea try to off-load Timo Werner

12:42 , Lawrence Ostlere

Chelsea have offered Timo Werner to Real Madrid, according to Marca.

Werner joined from RB Leipzig two summers ago but has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, despite scoring relentlessly for the Bundesliga side.

The forward now has serious competition for his place from Raheem Sterling, who joined Chelsea this summer from Manchester City. Sterling has tended to operate in an inside-left position for England and sometimes for City too, and that has typically been Werner’s role in the Chelsea side, when he has started games.

Thomas Tuchel could now look to off-load Werner and Real Madrid is thought to be a possible destination for the 26-year-old.

Roberto Firmino: ‘I love this city'

12:16 , Lawrence Ostlere

Roberto Firmino is determined to stay at Anfield despite interest from Juventus, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Firmino has been the subject of firm interest from the Italian giants, it has been reported in recent days, after the signing Darwin Nunez added competition to his starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s XI.

But the Brazilian forward started the Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Saturday and hopes to stay and continue playing at Anfield, with his contract until the end of the season.

“I love this team, this city and the fans. I’m here. I want to stay of course.”

Man United and Chelsea fight over Frenkie de Jong

11:57 , Lawrence Ostlere

Manchester United are fighting Chelsea for Frenkie de Jong’s signature, according to reports on Monday, as both clubs look to pick the Dutch midfielder from Barcelona. United are ready to offer De Jong an enormous £450,000 per week salary and pay off the £17m he is owed by Barcelona in deferred wages during the pandemic, according to Sport in Spain.

However, Chelsea are also now in the running and are ready to make an offer if De Jong decides to leave the Nou Camp, Sport writes, with Barca then ready to buy Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva as a replacement.

Xavi wants more new signings at Barcelona

11:56 , Lawrence Ostlere

Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, has hinted that reports on their interest in Bernardo Silva may be correct.

Asked if Barca are interested in signing the Manchester City midfielder, Laporta said the club must first register their new signings and sell players Xavi no longer wants, before making any more transfers, but added: ‘The coach wants more reinforcements.’

transfer news LIVE

11:50 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and done deals as the transfer window enters its final weeks.