Express Sport brings you all the latest transfer news as Premier League sides look to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. Manchester United are apparently close to announcing Raphael Varane, while Chelsea are hot on the pursuit of Erling Haaland. Chelsea and Liverpool are also battling for Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar.

Aston Villa want Leon Bailey

10.45pm: Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

Dean Smith has already splashed the cash to capture Emi Buendia from newly-promoted Premier League side Norwich.

Bailey, 23, has attracted interest from many of Europe’s top clubs over recent years, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton.

However, Leverkusen were previously demanding a fee of around £40million.

Arsenal willing to strike Leicester swap deal

9pm: Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Leicester in the hope of tempting them to part ways with James Maddison.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to add a creative midfielder to his ranks after failing to land Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar last summer.

Emile Smith Rowe did step up to the mark last term but the Gunners are hunting someone with more experience at the highest level.

And top of their wishlist is Maddison, according to the Daily Mirror. The 24-year-old could cost around £50m.

Tottenham deal close

7.10pm Tottenham are reportedly close to signing Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio claims the 26-year-old will undergo a medical today before flying to north London tomorrow.

Spurs have agreed to take the shot-stopper on loan but the transfer will become permanent for £12.9million if Gollini makes 20 appearances.

Chelsea make contact with Lewandowski’s agent

6.15pm: Chelsea have reportedly reached out to Robert Lewandowski’s agent Pini Zahavi as their hopes of signing Erling Haaland dwindle.

The Bayern Munich forward still has two year remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena.

But German publication Bild claim Chelsea have tested the water to see if they can tempt the Pole to move this summer.

Tammy Abraham is expected to leave Stamford Bridge which will leave Thomas Tuchel with just one senior striker – Timo Werner.

Man City rival Chelsea

5.15pm: Manchester City have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race for Euro 2020 star Federico Chiesa.

The Italian, who plies his trade for Serie A side Fiorentina, is thought to be high on Thomas Tuchel’s wishlist, especially with Erling Haaland talks proving difficult.

Calcio Mercato claim Pep Guardiola is in the market for a striker to replace Sergio Aguero and Chiesa could be the man.

Liverpool confirm departure

4pm: Liverpool youngster Taiwo Awoniyi has completed a permanent move to German side Union Berlin.

The striker spend last season on loan with Berlin and helped them finish seven in the Bundesliga table.

He has also had spells with FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron (twice), KAA Gent, FSV Mainz 05.

Liverpool have raised £6.5million through selling Awoniyi, which adds to the £10.5m made from selling Marko Grujic to Porto.

Donny van de Beek’s transfer decision

2.40pm: Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek has been heavily linked with a move away from the club this summer.

The midfielder has failed to find his feet in Manchester since moving from Ajax in a £40.5million deal last year. 

However, despite speculation linking him with a move to Juventus, he has decided to stay put and fight for his place.

The youngster is viewed as a long-term option in the middle of the park, and United looking for a new defensive midfielder has led to speculation linking him with a move away.

Arsenal leading the way for Neves

1.45pm: Arsenal have leapfrogged Manchester United in the race to sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, reports suggest.

The Gunners are eager to sign a new creative midfielder this summer, and seem to have identified the Portuguese star as a possible target.

United had been considered leading contenders for the £35m man, but Arsenal are now determined to pip them to his signature. 

Neves will apparently be available for just £35m to any interested teams this summer.

Arsenal line up shock Ramsdale bid

12.30pm: Arsenal are plotting a £30million move for Aaron Ramsdale, reports suggest.

The Gunners are eager to bring in a new goalkeeper after selling Emiliano Martinez last summer, and had been looking at Sam Johnstone earlier in the window.

However, it now seems they are set to turn their attentions towards Ramsdale.

The England international is expected to leave Sheffield United this summer after the Blades’ relegation to the Championship.

Liverpool receive Malen boost

11am: Along with Bowen, Liverpool are apparently eager on PSV’s Donyell Malen. 

The forward has been heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund, who need to replace Jadon Sancho.

The winger is set to be announced a a Manchester United player within days, and Dortmund will need to find a replacement before long.

However, Malen is represented by Mino Raiola, and the superagent is apparently demanding a hefty commission in order to sanction the move, leaving the door open to Liverpool.

Liverpool eye Bowen

10am: West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen has emerged as a shock transfer target for Liverpool, reports suggest.

The Reds are eager to bolster their squad depth and options up front this summer, but have to move players on first.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi are both expected to make way, and if Liverpool are successful in offloading the pair then they are apparently set to go after Bowen.

The Athletic claims Bowen is being looked at on a list of potential targets by Reds decision-makers. 

Man Utd make Goretzka approach

9am: Manchester United have approached Leon Goreztka about potentially joining on a free transfer next summer, reports suggest.

The Red Devils are eager to bolster their central midfield options, with moves for Declan Rice and Eduardo Camavinga rumoured.

However, it now seems they are eager to get a cheaper option in, with reports on Wednesday claiming they have already approached the Bayern star’s agent about a move next year.

Goretzka is out of contract in the summer of 2022, and could sign a pre-contract agreement with United in January if he doesn’t sign a new deal.

Varane signing could fall through

8am: It’s been claimed that Manchester United are on the verge of signing Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, but fresh reports suggest the deal could be scrapped.

United have been going back and forth over a transfer fee for the French centre-back, with Madrid demanding £50million.

Old Trafford chiefs are eager to get that price down, but it now seems that the deal will be cancelled if they don’t stump up the cash.

Varane has told Madrid he wants to leave the club this summer, but the Spanish giants will reportedly refuse to sell if they don’t get their asking price. 

Chelsea ‘aware’ of Arsenal’s Tammy Abraham interest

7.30am: Arsenal are eager to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea this summer as they hunt for a new long-term replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners are said to be in advanced talks with the English striker over a move, but are yet to make a formal bid.

That could all change soon, however, with Chelsea eager to sell Abraham in order to fund a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.

Chelsea have previously been asking for £40million for their centre-forward, who isn’t in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next season.

Man Utd ‘hours away’ from signing

7am: Manchester United are reportedly just hours away from striking a deal with Real Madrid for Raphael Varane.

The two clubs are negotiating over the fee for the centre-back, with personal terms thought to have already been agreed.

United are desperate for a new defender to partner Euro 2020 finalist Harry Maguire.

The Red Devils have had a longstanding interest in Varane and the French World Cup winner is now finally ready to wave goodbye to the Bernabeu.

Madrid magazine MadridistaReal claims an agreement between United and Real is ‘hours away’.

Liverpool and Arsenal battle

6.30am: Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly battling for Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar.

The French side have apparently slashed their asking price having denied Aouar the chance of moving to Arsenal last summer.

The 23-year-old is attracting interest from many Premier League clubs, including Tottenham.

But Le10sport claims that Liverpool are in pole position ahead of Arsenal for Aouar’s signature.

Borussia Dortmund could sell Haaland

6am: Former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft has offered Chelsea belief that they could sign Erling Haaland this summer.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Fjortoft said: “You can only imagine how much money Dortmund have lost (due to the pandemic).

“They got some of the money back by selling Jadon Sancho.

“I still think there is a chance this could happen. If you see it from the point of view of Chelsea and the management of Chelsea, [they] have Tammy Abraham, Hakim Ziyech, [Callum] Hudson Odoi – these players could get half of the Haaland fee from some other desperate clubs at the end of the transfer window.

“Chelsea have players to sell as well. I think it could be a good business case for them.

“We haven’t even started to mention how much they could earn if they compete for the Premier League or even win the Premier League.

“So I think this is the perfect striker for them.”