Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in the Premier League on Wednesday, August 19.
Wednesday morning's Premier League transfer talk news roundup:
Manchester United 'line up Barcelona raid for four players'
© Reuters
Manchester United are reportedly hoping to take full advantage of Barcelona's expected summer overhaul and have identified four players they would be interested in signing from the Catalan giants.
Barcelona's 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich last week has sparked huge speculation regarding a number of roles at the club from president Josep Maria Bartomeu to captain and talisman Lionel Messi.
Manager Quique Setien has already been sacked after only 25 games in charge, and rumoured replacement Ronald Koeman is set to embark on a summer clearout with Barcelona also needing to trim their wage bill.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claims that United could be one of the main beneficiaries of the firesale and are interested in Ousmane Dembele, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti.
The report goes on to add that United have already enquired about Umtiti and Dembele, the latter of whom they are considering as a possible alternative to number one target Jadon Sancho.
The quartet are all thought to be available for transfer this summer and would fit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's desire to bring in a new central defender, midfielder and winger.
How Arsenal could line up with Gabriel Magalhaes
With William Saliba having already arrived at the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season, you would be forgiven for thinking that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would now focus his attention on other areas of the pitch.
However, if reports are to be believed, the Spaniard is eager to complete a deal for Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes in the coming weeks.
While only making 52 appearances during his two seasons at the French outfit, the Brazilian has helped the club establish themselves in the top four of the Ligue 1 standings.
Lille have already acknowledged that the 22-year-old will move to another club during the summer transfer window, with Everton and Napoli among the teams known to be in the running.
Nevertheless, it appears increasingly likely that Arsenal will win the race to sign Gabriel for a fee in the region of £27m.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at where the player could feature in Arteta's starting lineup.
With Arsenal likely to go into the new campaign with at least six players who can play in the middle of the backline, it suggests that Arteta has plans to stick with a 3-4-3 formation.
Providing that David Luiz remains in North London, the veteran Brazilian is expected to retain his place in the centre, potentially with William Saliba being used to the right of him.
That would leave Gabriel to slot in on the opposite side, something which would allow Kieran Tierney to revert to familiar territory at wing-back.
Should Arsenal take the decision to part ways with Luiz, Gabriel would be a contender to take his spot, leaving Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi or Rob Holding to be brought into the first XI.
Although there will likely be occasions when Arteta prefers to go with a back four, it would come as a surprise if Gabriel was the player to drop out of the team.
On the assumption that Arteta would be against a youthful two-man partnership with Saliba, Gabriel would likely line up with the more experienced Luiz or Mustafi.
More transfer news from Premier League:
Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly have no interest in agreeing to a swap deal involving Raul Jimenez and Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain. Read more.
Manchester United reportedly regard Bournemouth winger David Brooks as an alternative option to Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho. Read more.
Barcelona 'make contact with free agent Malang Sarr'
Barcelona reportedly make contact with the representatives of defender Malang Sarr, who is a free agent after his exit from Nice. Read more.
Napoli offer Manchester City £60m Kalidou Koulibaly deal?
Napoli are willing to accept a fee of £60m for Kalidou Koulibaly from Manchester City in order to aid their pursuit of Lille's Gabriel Magalhaes. Read more.
Ronald Koeman 'wants Donny van de Beek as first Barcelona signing'
Prospective new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman reportedly identifies Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek as his preferred first signing if he takes over at the club. Read more.
Chelsea 'given August 28 Kai Havertz deadline'
Bayer Leverkusen tell Chelsea to wrap up a deal for Kai Havertz by August 28, according to a report. Read more.
Gonzalo Higuain warns Barcelona's Lionel Messi over Premier League move
Gonzalo Higuain warns Barcelona forward Lionel Messi about the physicality of the Premier League amid speculation regarding a potential switch to England. Read more.
Napoli to hijack Arsenal move for Lille's Gabriel Magalhaes?
Napoli reportedly offer Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes a lucrative contract as they try to persuade the 22-year-old to snub Arsenal in favour of Serie A. Read more.
Willian 'had no intention of leaving Chelsea'
Willian allegedly had no plans to leave Chelsea this summer until it became clear that club officials were happy to hand him a free transfer. Read more.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City 'battling for David Alaba'
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all interested in signing Bayern Munich defender David Alaba this summer, according to a report. Read more.
Arsenal submit opening offer for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes
The 22-year-old's services have been sought after since the transfer window opened. Read more.
Lazio planning move for Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri?
Lazio are allegedly considering an approach for Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri after missing out on former Manchester City playmaker David Silva. Read more.
Arsenal to sign former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Jonathan Dinzeyi?
Arsenal are reportedly on the brink of signing former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Dinzeyi on a free transfer. Read more.
Chelsea place £20m price tag on Leeds United target Michy Batshuayi?
Chelsea will reportedly demand £20m for Michy Batshuayi should any interested clubs move for the Belgium international this summer. Read more.
Shirt numbers available to Gabriel Magalhaes at Arsenal
Amid reports linking Gabriel Magalhaes with a move to Arsenal, Sports Mole looks at the shirt numbers that could be available to the defender. Read more.
Liverpool plotting to hijack Manchester United deal for Jadon Sancho next summer?
A report claims that Manchester United may face competition from bitter rivals Liverpool for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho next year. Read more.
Arsenal 'drawing up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang paperwork'
Arsenal are reportedly going through the process of finalising the paperwork for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new three-year contract. Read more.
Brighton & Hove Albion 'deny Chelsea bid for Lewis Dunk'
Centre-back Lewis Dunk will not be joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, according to a report. Read more.
Manchester United 'to offer Dean Henderson new £100,000-a-week deal'
Dean Henderson is reportedly in line for a bumper new contract at Manchester United after returning to the club following a two-year spell on loan with Sheffield United. Read more.
Joe Hart pens two-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur
Joe Hart has agreed a two-year deal at Tottenham. Read more.
Lazio chief Igli Tare has 'no respect' for David Silva
The former Manchester City midfielder had been on the verge of a free transfer to the Serie A club before opting to join Real Sociedad on Monday. Read more.
Josep Maria Bartomeu rules out exits for Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann
Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann will not be sold by Barcelona this summer as part of the club's overhaul, according to president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Read more.
