Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd striker bid this week, Arsenal medical in 48 hours, Liverpool

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip

Monday, July 29

• Manchester United will accelerate their pursuit of Moussa Dembele this week

• Arsenal have completed the signing of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe for £72m

• Leicester defender Harry Maguire missed training on Monday

• Barcelona are still in negotiations with PSG to sign Neymar

18:45 UPDATE: Harry Maguire discussions

Manchester United spoke to Leicester on Monday after Foxes defender Harry Maguire missed training as he sets his sights on a move to Old Trafford.

Express Sport understands discussions have been ongoing for some time as Ed Woodward and co. attempt to bring down the 26-year-old England star’s price tag.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has broken news of several high-profile deals, claimed United pounced on the opportunity to speak to Leicester regarding Maguire.

“Man Utd are in talks with Leicester for Maguire mate, also today they had contacts,” Romano wrote on Twitter, in response to a United fan’s question. “But not agreed yet. Maguire is pushing, let’s see!”

18:30 UPDATE: Done deal – Cherries sign Billing

Bournemouth have signed Danish midfielder Philip Billing from Huddersfield Town on a long-term contract.

Bournemouth did not reveal details of the transfer fee but reports claim the south-coast club had paid £15million for the 23-year-old who signed a five-year contract.

Billing, who made 27 league appearances last season when Huddersfield were relegated to the Championship, was voted the players’ player of the year and players’ young player of the year in the club’s annual awards.

“I’m delighted to become an AFC Bournemouth player,” said. “As soon as I heard of the club’s interest, there was never any doubt in my mind.”

18:00 UPDATE: James Rodriguez staying put

James Rodriguez has been told he’s stating at the Bernabeu.

The Colombia international was expected to leave Real Madrid with rivals Atletico favourites to snap up his signature.

However, club president Florentino Perez wants him to stay for the 2019/2020 campaign.

It’s said the lengthy injury to Marco Asensio has prompted Perez to go against the wishes of Zinedine Zidane, who was prepared to sell.

17:45 UPDATE: Marcos Rojo latest

Marcos Rojo is considering leaving Manchester United.

The Argentine defender is struggling to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans with six centre-backs to compete with.

And ESPN claim the potential addition of Harry Maguire could see Rojo seek regular first-team action elsewhere.

The 29-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in August 2014 and is contracted at the club until June 2021.

17:30 UPDATE: Bruno could leave

Sporting Lisbon boss Marcel Keizer admits Bruno Fernandes could leave the club this summer.

Fernandes, 24, has been tipped to join Manchester United all summer with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eager to bolster his midfield ranks.

The Sporting captain was in tears after yesterday’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Valencia – suggesting he’s played his last game for the Portuguese outfit.

Quizzed about Fernandes, Keizer said: “We’ll see if we can keep our players and then we’ll see what we do,” he told reporters after the game.

“I hope he [Fernandes] stays, of course, like everyone else at Sporting, but we don’t know.”

17:15 UPDATE: New deal for Masuaku

West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku has signed a contract extension.

The 25-year-old, whose current contract still had three years to run, has put pen to paper on a deal that will now keep him with the Hammers until 2024.

“I am very happy and very proud. For me it was an easy decision,” Masuaku said. “The club wanted me to stay and so I didn’t even need to think about it – it was just a matter of time.

“Now I am looking forward to the Premier League season and giving my all for this club I love.”

17:00 UPDATE: Malcom to Zenit?

Malcolm could soon be leaving Barcelona.

The Brazilian winger has failed to impress manager Ernesto Valverde since arriving from Bordeaux for £36.5million.

And with Barcelona looking to generate £136m in player sales to put towards Neymar’s return – Malcom will be offloaded.

Everton and Tottenham had been linked – but Marca claim Zenit Saint Petersburg have opened talks with the Catalan giants.

16:40 UPDATE: Medical passed

Idrissa Gueye has passed his PSG medical.

The Everton midfielder arrived in the French capital yesterday to put the finishing touches to his £28million transfer.

French publication Le Parisien claim he’s now passed medical tests and will sign a four-year deal with the option of an extra year.

16:20 UPDATE: Medical this week…

Nicolas Pepe will undergo a medical with Arsenal this week, Sky Sports news claim.

The Gunners are believed to have struck a £72million deal with Lille for their attacking sensation, who scored 23 goals in 41 appearances last season.

The Ivory Cost international’s agent held talks with Napoli last week, who were unable to meet his wage demands.

And although reports elsewhere claim Carlo Ancelotti’s side aren’t done pursuing Pepe yet – Arsenal look set to secure his services.

16:15 UPDATE: City come knocking

Manchester City are looking to sign Barcelona full-back Nelson Semedo.

That’s according to Spanish newspaper Sport, who claim Pep Guardiola’s side have made contact with the Spanish champions.

The Premier League champions had wanted to sign Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo.

But with Juventus unwilling to discuss a deal – City have their sights on the Portugal international.

16:00 UPDATE: Blaise Matuidi

Manchester United remain interested in Blaise Matuidi.

Matuidi, 32, has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Italian champions.

And Juventus may decide to cash in now rather than lose him for free next summer.

Corriere di Torino claim United have shown interest and they’ve been joined by his former club PSG.

15:45 UPDATE: Moussa Dembele chase

Manchester United will accelerate their pursuit of Moussa Dembele this week.

That’s according to French newspaper L’Equipe, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side want him to replace Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford.

It’s though the player could be snapped up for £40million – double what Lyon paid Celtic in August 2018.

However, it’s said the player has no intention of leaving.

15:30 UPDATE: Nicolas Pepe deal complete

Arsenal have completed the signing of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe for £72million.

That’s according to journalist Nicolo Schira, who claims Pepe will sign a five-year deal with the Gunners.

Schira claims Pepe’s £104k per week contract will run until June 2024.

He tweeted: “Done deal! #Arsenal have closed for Nicolas #Pepe. #Gunners will pay him €80M to #Lille. Pepe will sign a contract until 2024 by €6M a year.”

15:15 UPDATE: Harry Maguire absent

Manchester United’s pursuit to sign Harry Maguire has taken another twist after he missed Leicester training on Monday.

The Red Devils are still confident of sealing a deal to bring Harry Maguire to Old Trafford despite transfer deadline day approaching.

Leicester are only willing to sell the England international for an estimated fee of £80million, which would make him the most expensive defender of all time.

Maguire is said to be unhappy with his current club and the fee they have requested for his services, with the latest update being that he missed training on Monday.

Sky Sports have reported that the 26-year-old was absent as Brendan Rodgers took his side out for further pre-season preparations.

15:00 UPDATE: Neymar talks

Barcelona are still in negotiations with PSG to sign Neymar.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo journalist Francesc Aguilar, who claims the two parties still haven’t reached a financial agreement.

The French champions have accepted Neymar’s wish to leave this summer – but Barcelona are struggling to meet their £200m valuation.

“The Neymar theme remains the same. A lot of smoke on both sides,” Aguilar tweeted. “Barca continues to work, without rest, to sign him and the PSG to transfer him. But they don’t find the agreement. The economic issue is what separates them.”