Real Madrid to unveil superstar signing before Sunday, Barcelona plan Dembele-Ramsey swap deal and more: Transfer round-up, July 31, 2018

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Hello people! Welcome to Sportskeeda’s latest transfer news and rumours roundup. With the World Cup now behind us, the focus will rightly shift towards the all-important summer transfer period.

And as always, there are stories which will have huge repercussions on the transfer market. After scorching through papers and sources from all over Europe, we have managed to find transfer stories that made headlines on July 31, 2018:

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Premier League

FC Barcelona eyeing Ousmane Dembele – Aaron Ramsey swap deal

A wide player is on the radar of Arsenal boss Unai Emery. The Gunners have already made five signings this summer but due to a shortage of funds, a loan move is being reported for a winger. The target that is on Emery’s mind is FC Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.

The Catalans are ready to let the underfiring winger leave but have a condition of their own. The Sun has claimed that Barcelona have demanded Aaron Ramsey in return for Dembele’s season-long loan move. Arsenal value Ramsey at £30 million and Barcelona are ready to cover that amount in the form of Dembele’s loan fee + remaining amount.

Ramsey is currently in a contractual standoff with Arsenal and has just 10 months remaining on his current deal. The Gunners will be looking not to repeat the Jack Wilshere episode and may get tempted to cash in on the 27-year-old. Chelsea are also interested in Ramsey.

Burnley target Fraser Forster

With Tom Heaton and Nick Pope out with long-term injuries, Burnley have turned their focus towards Southampton’s Fraser Forster. The Express can reveal that Burnley have enquired about the towering custodian for a potential loan deal.




Pope suffered a shoulder injury in preseason training and might be out for a long duration. Forster, meanwhile, lost his starting place with the Saints to Alex McCarthy last season and with the latest signing of Angus Gunn, he has fallen further down the pecking order.

Serie A

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to stay put at Lazio

Lazio faithful can take a sigh of relief as star midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has admitted that he will stay with the capital side this season. He has been linked with a move away from Serie A with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid interested in the €100 million-rated Serbian, reports Goal.

The midfielder arrived a day late for preseason training which allayed fears over his future. But upon arriving at the club’s training facility, Milinkovic-Savic told the fans waiting outside, “Of course I’m staying, do you not see that I’m here?”

Chelsea open talks for Matias Vecino

Maurizio Sarri is eyeing another Serie A midfielder and this time, he has set his sights on Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino. Sky Sports have revealed that Chelsea have initiated talks with Inter over a potential move.

Inter are demanding £32 million for Vecino who played a starring role for Uruguay at the World Cup. Vecino, just like Jorginho, has played under Sarri at Empoli.

Bundesliga

Chelsea eyeing Robert Lewandowski

With top target Gonzalo Higuain closing in on a move to AC Milan, Chelsea have now made Robert Lewandowski their prime target. According to the Daily Star, Chelsea believe they can lure Bayern Munich into selling their prized asset.

The Bayern hierarchy and manager Niko Kovac have so far been firm in their stance of not letting Lewandowski go. But the striker is looking for a fresh challenge in his career and has also been on Real Madrid’s radar.

The Eagles are said to be close in landing free agent Max Meyer, understands Sky Sports. Meyer left Schalke last month after an intense row with sporting director Christian Heidel led him to run down his contract with the Bundesliga side. It is also believed that Meyer recently rejected a move to Arsenal due to disagreement over personal terms.

La Liga

Real Madrid to unveil Thibaut Courtois before Sunday

According to Don Balon, Real Madrid have set a deadline on Sunday to complete the signing of Thibaut Courtois. Florentino Perez is keen on wrapping up the negotiations for the goalkeeper before August 5.

It is reported that personal terms have already been agreed upon as Courtois prepares for a return to Madrid. Real Madrid are currently offering €30 million for the custodian whereas Chelsea value him at €40 million. Madrid are confident of reaching a consensus in the next five days.

With Sime Vrsaljko landing a move to Inter Milan, Diego Simeone’s side have been quick to sign his replacement. Marca reports that Atletico Madrid are close to announcing the arrival of PSV Eindhoven right-back Santiago Arias. The fullback played for Colombia in the World Cup and was also the Eredivisie player of the year last season.

Rest of the world

Adrien Rabiot set to sign an extension with PSG

Despite constantly linked with FC Barcelona, Adrien Rabiot is ready to commit his future with Paris Saint Germain. ESPN understands that after captaining PSG in all the three International Champions Cup games, Rabiot has been convinced by Thomas Tuchel over his future at the club.

Rabiot and his mother/agent Veronique are now ready to meet PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi for signing a new deal. Barcelona were ready to pay around €50 million for the Frenchman.

Anderson joins Adana Demirspor

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson has completed a move to Adana Demirspor – a second division club in Turkey. Anderson spent the last three seasons in Brazil, playing for Internacional along with a loan spell for Coritiba.

The 30-year-old, after eight seasons with Manchester United, will now represent Adana Demirspor who have been in the second division since 2012.