Transfer news LIVE: Four Chelsea deals, Liverpool eye Arsenal hijack, Manuel Ugarte offer

Brendan Rodgers is keen to make Alvyn Sanches Celtic’s own Cole Palmer, and the left-footed midfielder would be keen on a move to Scotland this summer.

The Hoops have been following Sanches’ progress for the last 18 months and club scouts are convinced he has the potential to be a top player.

Celtic are expected to pursue at least one new midfielder before this month’s deadline – particularly if Matt O’Riley signs for Brighton – and Sanches is high on their list of candidates.

Rodgers feels that the youngster could play in a creative midfield role akin to the one Palmer has assumed at Chelsea.

Express Sport understands that Lausanne-Sport have dropped their asking price from just over £4million down to £3m, though they are under no pressure to sell during the current window, and would be happy to keep hold of the midfielder for another season.

Personal terms would not be an issue if Celtic make a formal approach as the reigning league champions have convinced Sanches that the Scottish Premiership would be an ideal next step in his promising career.

Rival interest comes from Championship sides Leeds United and Burnley, Belgian outfits Anderlecht and Gent, as well as Udinese and Feyenoord.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.

The Blues turned their attention to Felix after a move for his former team-mate, Samu Omorodion, fell through.

Felix scored four goals in 16 Premier League games during a loan spell at Chelsea in the second part of the 2022/23 season, and club chiefs were said to be impressed with the Portuguese.

The deal is believed to have netted Atletico £44.5million and paved the way for Conor Gallagher to head in the opposite direction.

Mikel Merino is in his ‘last hours’ as a Real Sociedad player as he prepares to join Arsenal, according to Marca.

Merino did not train with his Sociedad team-mates today (Wednesday) partly due to lower back pain, and partly because his return to the Premier League is reportedly being finalised.

The Gunners are believed to have seen a £30million bid rejected for the Euro 2024 winner but talks are ongoing and an agreement could be reached soon.

Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a fee for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

The Athletic say talks between the two clubs are progressing with the view to the 25-year-old leaving the Gunners after nine years at the club.

Nketiah is the top target for Forest as they improve their frontline, with the Englishman eyed to offer competition for Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Arsenal have already rejected a £25million bid as they seek nearer to £30m or £35m.

Chelsea are expected to unveil Joao Felix as their latest summer signing today.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a plan is in place for the Portuguese attacker, 24, to be announced this afternoon.

He will join from Atletico Madrid for around £45.5million.

Conor Gallagher’s move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid has finally been officially confirmed after several delays.

The England international signs a five-year contract to join Diego Simeone’s team and has been spotted training with them already.

Gallagher heads to Spain for £36million with every penny of that going down as pure profit in the Blues’ books because he is an academy graduate.

The 24-year-old’s contract had been due to expire at the end of the season.

He leaves Chelsea having made 95 first-team appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists in that time.

Manchester City have agreed a one-year deal with Ilkay Gundogan and the German midfielder is all set to re-sign on a free transfer from Barcelona, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The fast-moving saga has effectively come to an end as Gundogan prepares to reunite with Pep Guardiola after only one year away.

City are also looking to replace Julian Alvarez, and The Athletic claim they have held talks with Celtic over the signing of forward Kyogo Furuhashi.

Kyogo would reportedly be keen on the move but City are yet to decide between the Japanese and another candidate.

Crystal Palace have submitted their opening bid for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Eagles’ offer equates to an initial £10.3million, plus £1.7m in add-ons.

The 24-year-old Frenchman only has one year left on his contract and would be open to leaving Wolfsburg.

Lacroix could arrive at Selhurst Park as a direct replacement for Fulham-bound Joachim Andersen, while fellow centre-back Marc Guehi’s future is also uncertain.

Manchester United chiefs were at the headquarters of Atalanta this week, according to reports in Italy.

The main purpose of the visit was talks about Rasmus Hojlund’s move between the clubs last summer.

But United are also believed to have asked for information about Atalanta’s Brazilian star, Ederson.

United are in the market for a new midfielder and their top target, Manuel Ugarte, has been slapped with a £51million price tag by Paris Saint-Germain.

Ederson could be a viable alternative.

Newcastle United are looking at Edmond Tapsoba and Axel Disasi as alternatives to Marc Guehi, according to The Athletic.

The Magpies have seen a total package worth £65million rejected by Crystal Palace as they dig their heels in over Guehi’s future.

And Newcastle are reluctant to up the stakes further.

Palace are on the verge of selling their other starting centre-back, Joachim Andersen, to Fulham, reducing the likelihood of Guehi being allowed to leave in the same window.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba and Chelsea’s Disasi are next on Newcastle’s list.

Paris Saint-Germain have offered Manchester United the chance to sign Manuel Ugarte on loan with an obligation to buy him for £51million at the end of the season, according to The Daily Mail.

PSG are desperate to recoup the same fee they paid Sporting for the Uruguayan last summer.

But United are hoping the transfer fee can be lowered to around £42m.

Ugarte is now Erik ten Hag’s top midfield target as a number of other stars on his wish list have recently completed moves elsewhere.

Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Joan Garcia but they are unable to proceed until Aaron Ramsdale departs.

That leaves them susceptible to a late transfer hijack, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool are among the rival teams monitoring the Espanyol goalkeeper.

La Liga outfit Girona have also submitted an offer this window for the 23-year-old stopper, who would come in as back-up for David Raya at Arsenal or Alisson Becker at Liverpool.

It’s all coming to a head at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are expected to announce the signing of Joao Felix today after agreeing a £44.5million permenant deal with Atletico Madrid.

That will pave the way for Conor Gallagher to finally complete his switch in the opposite direction, having flown back to London last week after completing his medical in Spain.

Armando Broja joining Ipswich Town is almost a done deal too, with the newly-promoted side set to fork out £30m for a permanent arrangement after a season-long loan if they avoid relegation.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, focus will then switch to Romelu Lukaku joining Napoli, which ‘all parties feel will happen’.

Hello and welcome to Express Sport‘s Transfer news LIVE!

It’s all happening with just over a week left in the summer transfer window, so strap yourself in for a busy day ahead.