LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Chelsea sign Lavia, Endo joins Liverpool
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Friday, August 18.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events:
Chelsea confirm Romeo Lavia signing from SouthamptonWataru Endo joins Liverpool from StuttgartNewcastle United agree £28m Lewis Hall dealManchester City's move for West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta stallsReal Madrid offered Chelsea's Romelu LukakuBayern Munich end David de Gea interestNottingham Forest make verbal bid for Monaco's Youssouf Fofana
20m ago DONE DEAL
Lewis Richards leaves Wolves for Bradford City on permanent deal
"I am really excited to be here and cannot wait to get going," Richards told the official Bradford City website.
"I could not say no to this opportunity, and am grateful to be spending at least the next two years here. It is a massive club, and a soon as I heard of the interest here I wanted to come.
"I like to link up play and defend as well. I will get up and down and put crosses in, and just want to do well for the team.
"I know the ambitions of the club and want to get promoted. I want to be a part of a team full of winners. I am going to get my head down in training and hopefully be successful at this club. I am looking forward to what lies ahead."
23m ago DONE DEAL
Nacer Chadli returns to Westerlo on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir
24m ago DONE DEAL
Eupen sign experienced Icelandic striker Alfred Finnbogason
Inzaghi confirms Inter interest in Man United-linked Pavard
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi has confirmed that his club are interested in signing Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard before the end of the transfer window.
The France international's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Manchester United thought to be exploring the possibility of purchasing him this month.
However, a potential move to Old Trafford has been heavily complicated by the news that Harry Maguire is now likely to remain with the Red Devils following the breakdown of a switch to West Ham United.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on Thursday that Inter had launched an official bid of €25m (£21.4m) for Pavard in the hope of winning the race for his signature.
Click here to read the full story.
Fiorentina director says club are yet to receive Amrabat bid
Fiorentina director Daniele Prade has said that the club are yet to receive an offer for Sofyan Amrabat despite the ongoing speculation surrounding the midfielder's future.
Manchester United continue to be heavily linked with the Morocco international, while a recent report claimed that Liverpool had been in touch to discuss a possible move before the end of the transfer window.
Prade has revealed that Amrabat is keen to leave the Purples this summer, but the club are yet to receive an offer for his services.
"The situation is clear," Prade told the club's official YouTube channel. "He wants to join a top club and we want to satisfy him, but if we receive no offers, he will stay with us. We don't have a player like him in the team."
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1h ago DONE DEAL
Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson joins Cardiff City on loan
"I'm very happy to get the deal over the line. It took some time, but I'm pleased to be here. The Club made contact with my agent and said that they wanted to sign me, I know it's a big club and it sparked my interest right away," Runarsson told cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
"I spoke to Gunnars [Aron Gunnarsson] before signing and the first thing he said was 'go' and that he loved it here. The manager also spoke to me about the playing style, what he wants from me, what he wants from the team and how he sees my role within the team. He saw me play in Turkey when I was on loan there, so it's good that I'm coming to play for a manager that knows me and knows my qualities.
"I'm really excited to play in front of the fans. Seeing the stadium, I can feel the atmosphere in the air, so I'm looking forward to playing in front of fans. When I signed for Arsenal, it was during Covid, so I didn't get to experience British football with the fans, so I'm excited to play in that atmosphere."
1h ago DONE DEAL
Burton Albion sign Watford's Kwadwo Baah on loan
1h ago NEW CONTRACT
Huddersfield Town's Kyle Hudlin signs new Terriers deal
1h ago NEW CONTRACT
Matt Grimes extends Swansea City contract until 2027
Erik ten Hag "happy" to have Harry Maguire at Man United
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is "happy" to have Harry Maguire at the club, with a proposed move to West Ham United seemingly breaking down.
Maguire had looked certain to leave the Red Devils when it was revealed that West Ham had been successful in a recent £30m offer for the England international.
However, the 30-year-old will allegedly no longer be moving to the London Stadium, with Man United expecting him to remain at Old Trafford past the transfer deadline.
Maguire only started eight Premier League matches last season and is likely to again struggle for regular action this term, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Ten Hag says Man United are ready to "strike" in transfer market
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that his squad "is covered" but has refused to rule out the possibility of more new signings arriving before the end of the transfer window.
The Red Devils have brought Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford this summer, while the club are in talks with free agent Jonny Evans over a potential deal.
The 20-time English champions continue to be linked with Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, with Ten Hag believed to be determined to sign a defensive midfielder before the September deadline.
Man United are not believed to have submitted an offer for Amrabat, though, with the club allegedly needing to make more sales before further boosting their squad.
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Ten Hag confirms he wants Evans to remain at Man United
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that the club are in discussions with Jonny Evans over a new contract which could see the defender stay for the 2023-24 campaign.
Following his release from Leicester City at the end of June, the Northern Ireland international began pre-season training at Man United, and he then signed a short-term deal with the Red Devils in order to feature in their friendlies against Lyon and Wrexham.
Evans was kept on after the Wrexham game in the United States, with the 35-year-old featuring against Borussia Dortmund in the final match of the club's pre-season tour, before playing against Athletic Bilbao in the team's last friendly of the summer.
Harry Maguire is now set to stay at Man United, with the Englishman one of four senior centre-backs at the club alongside Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
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Man City's pursuit of Paqueta 'in danger of collapsing'
Manchester City's pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been placed on hold and is in danger of collapsing, according to a report.
The Citizens have stepped up their interest in the 25-year-old over the last few weeks after completing deals to recruit Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.
Pep Guardiola is in the market for a new midfielder following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and the long-term hamstring injury suffered by Kevin De Bruyne, who is facing up to four months on the sidelines.
Paqueta was on Man City's radar last summer before he eventually joined West Ham from Lyon for a club-record £51m, penning a contract until June 2027.
Click here to read the full story.
Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool will have a lot of fun with Wataru Endo'
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes that his side will have "a lot of fun" with new recruit Wataru Endo following his arrival from Stuttgart.
The Reds confirmed the signing of the Japan international for approximately £16.3m on Friday lunchtime, and he has signed a four-year contract at Anfield.
Endo arrives to fill the vacant number six role previously occupied by Fabinho, whose number three jersey has also been handed to the 30-year-old.
Endo follows fellow midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to Anfield for the 2023-24 season, although he was not the number one target on Liverpool's wishlist.
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Monaco plotting move for Tottenham's Davinson Sanchez?
Monaco are showing an interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez, according to a report.
The Colombia international failed to nail down a regular starting role under Antonio Conte last season, and his fortunes did not improve with Cristian Stellini or Ryan Mason at the helm.
During a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth in April, Sanchez - who had come off the bench - was booed by the home crowd before being hastily withdrawn, in an episode which was expected to mark the end of his Spurs career.
The 27-year-old's deal now has fewer than 12 months left to run, although he was included in the matchday squad for last weekend's 2-2 draw with Brentford over Eric Dier.
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4h ago NEW CONTRACT
Odel Offiah extends Brighton contract, joins Hearts on loan
"Odel has been around the first team picture for a while now, but we want him to get regular minutes," technical director David Weir told the Brighton & Hove Albion website.
"It was great for us to have another academy graduate get their first taste of Premier League football last season, something Odel had earned and we're looking forward to seeing how he adapts to this new challenge in Scotland. We wish him the best of luck for the season."
Liverpool announce Wataru Endo signing
Liverpool have announced the signing of Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart.
The 30-year-old joins for a reported fee of £16.2m and becomes Jurgen Klopp's third signing of the summer after Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Endo is believed to have signed a four-year deal with the Reds until 2027, and the Japan international will wear the number three shirt during his time on Merseyside.
"I'm very happy right now and I'm so excited to join a big club in Liverpool," Endo told liverpoolfc.com after completing his medical and signing his contract.
Click here to read the full story.
Napoli 'beat Chelsea, Liverpool, PSG to Gabri Veiga signing'
Napoli have reportedly won the race to sign in-demand Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga.
The Spain Under-21 international has been the subject of an intense transfer tussle this summer after enjoying a breakthrough La Liga campaign in the 2022-23 season.
Veiga came up with 11 goals and four assists in 36 top-flight matches, and his form also earned him a place in Spain's Under-21 European Championships squad, where his nation lost to England in the final.
The 6ft 1in midfielder remains contracted to Celta Vigo for another three seasons, but Rafael Benitez's side will be powerless to prevent him moving on to pastures new for the right price.
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Newcastle 'reach agreement with Chelsea to sign Lewis Hall'
Newcastle United have reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign teenager Lewis Hall.
Earlier this summer, the 18-year-old looked set to sign a new six-year contract with the West Londoners before moving to Crystal Palace on loan.
However, Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Hall over the last week and now appear to have hijacked Palace's proposed deal to recruit the versatile wideman.
According to Sky Sports News, the Magpies have agreed to sign Hall from Chelsea on an initial season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer.
Click here to read the full story.
5h ago DONE DEAL
Olympiacos sign Nottingham Forest's Gustavo Scarpa on loan
6h ago DONE DEAL
Manilos Siopis joins Cardiff City on three-year deal
"I know Erol Bulut very well. We worked together, and he wants to win every time. I also work like this all of my career," Siopis told the official Cardiff City website.
"I also know Dimi [Goutas] very well, too - he is my good friend. We have spoken, but not too much. He is a very good player, and I hope we can help the team to achieve our targets.
"I have seen the stadium, and I cannot wait to play with our supporters. They will see what I can do on the field."
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut added: "Normally, a player like Manolis, when you try to take him, you can't take him. It's really difficult to get a player like this.
"I brought him to Alanyaspor and he took a really big step to Trabzonspor. When we saw that he became available, we contacted him and we have a really good relationship.
"He's a fighter, who will work hard for the team. The fans will like him and in the last few years, he has increased his technical skills with the ball."
6h ago DONE DEAL
Rotherham complete signing of midfielder Christ Tiehi
6h ago DONE DEAL
Fulham defender Luciano D'Auria-Henry joins Cheltenham Town on loan
Chelsea confirm signing of Romeo Lavia
Chelsea have confirmed that they have signed Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia on a long-term contract.
With a wide array of midfielders departing Stamford Bridge throughout the summer transfer window, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been eager to bolster his options.
Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher impressed as a partnership against Liverpool last weekend, yet Chelsea's business over the past week suggests that it will be a short-lived combination.
Just days after Moises Caicedo left Brighton & Hove Albion for the Blues in a British-record transfer deal, Chelsea have announced that Lavia is the latest arrival in West London.
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7h ago NEW CONTRACT
Stephen Welsh signs new four-year Celtic contract
Lavia confirms Southampton exit ahead of Chelsea transfer
Chelsea are seemingly on the brink of signing Romeo Lavia after the midfielder confirmed his exit from Southampton on social media.
Last summer, the Saints pulled off a deal for the Manchester City youngster, the assumption being that he would be provided with time to bed into life at St Mary's.
Instead, the 19-year-old became one of the club's most important players, making 26 starts and three substitute outings in his debut Premier League campaign.
His performances inevitably led to interest from elsewhere, while Southampton were conscious of Man City activating a buy-back clause in 2024 for less money than they could receive this summer.
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Liverpool considering offer for Wolves midfielder Lemina?
Liverpool have reportedly identified Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina as a potential transfer target.
The Merseyside giants have witnessed as many as five players for the centre of the pitch move on to pastures new this summer, with the sales of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson having initially not been anticipated.
As a result, Jurgen Klopp has been left short of options with only Alexis Mac Allister having been signed from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Recently, Liverpool have tried and failed to beat Chelsea in the races for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia respectively, with Klopp now left scrambling for fresh faces before the end of August.
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7h ago DONE DEAL
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Patrick Pentz loaned to Brondby
Real Madrid offered chance to sign Chelsea forward Lukaku?
Real Madrid have reportedly been provided with the chance to sign Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.
In the two months since Inter Milan lost the Champions League final to Manchester City, Lukaku has been heavily linked with a number of different clubs.
Most notably, the runners-up of the European showpiece - his former permanent and loan employers - pulled out of the race after it emerged that the Belgium international was interested in signing for rivals Juventus.
However, their fellow Serie A outfit have failed to get a deal over the line, Chelsea not having sufficient interest in a part-exchange proposal involving Dusan Vlahovic.
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Transfer rumours: Kudus to West Ham, Zaniolo to Villa, Brownhill to Wolves
West Ham United have reportedly made significant progress on a potential deal for Ajax's Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghana international's future has been the subject of much speculation this summer, with a number of clubs believed to have expressed an interest in signing him.
Manchester United and Arsenal are both believed to be admirers, while Brighton & Hove Albion have also been heavily linked with his services during the transfer window.
However, recent reports have claimed that West Ham are in the driving seat for the attacker.
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9h ago