THE new season is finally here – but there's still plenty of time left for Premier League clubs to wheel and deal in the transfer window.
And one team making the running is Tottenham, with top targets Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon reported to have passed medicals.
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Follow all the latest transfer gossip and news below…
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DONE DEAL?
Gareth Bale has COMPLETED an emotional return to Tottenham, reports say.
According to The Mail, the Welshman has agreed a year-long deal worth more than £13million – part of which Real Madrid will contribute to as they want him off their wage bill.
It is claimed the move is done, but it is not yet clear when the signing will officially be announced.
Jose Mourinho is also said to have driven the deal.
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BALE IN
Gareth Bale has COMPLETED his loan move to Tottenham, according to reports.
The Mail state that the winger has agreed a one-year loan from Real Madrid worth £13m.
It is not known whether Spurs will announce the deal before or after their trip to Lokomotiv Plovdiv tomorrow.
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LOAN-ERS
Real Madrid pair Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon have reportedly both passed medicals ahead of moves to Tottenham.
Bale is in talks to return to Spurs – where he left for Madrid in 2013 – on loan.
And left-back Reguilon is close to signing on a £27m permeant deal.
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HOUSSE SALE
Houssem Aouar is subject to another bid from Arsenal.
According to Téléfoot Chaine, the Gunners will make an “imminent” £36.5million bid for the midfielder.
Manchester City and Juventus were also said to be big admirers of the Under-21 international earlier this summer.
But Arsenal are now clear front-runners.
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ON THE PAUL
Edwin van der Sar has likened Donny van de Beek to club legend Paul Scholes.
The 23-year-old joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side at the start of the month in a £39million switch from Ajax.
Van der Sar said: “He can play in different positions in midfield.
“He can be a six or an eight or a 10, he has a great eye for goal. His technique is brilliant, he can go box to box.
“I'd compare him a little bit to Scholesy, although Scholesy had a cracker of a shot from 30/40 yards out and that's not Donny's strength, but he likes to come into the box and chip in with goals.
“Maybe it's unfair to compare him to Scholesy actually, but he;'s a good lad and I'm sure he'll be a great addition to the team that Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] is creating for United.
“I presume he's had a talk with Ole and they've talked about different positions [he can play].
“He's multi-functional, he can play a little bit deeper which I think is his preferred role.”
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EXCLUSIVE
Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is being lined up to replace Emiliano Martinez in a £1.5million deal.
The 25-year-old Iceland stopper is understood to have had a medical in place ahead of signing a five-year deal.
He will become their new No2 behind Bernd Leno and is expected to play in cup competitions and the Europa League.
The Gunners saw Runarsson as a cheap option, with Matt Macey set to stay as third-choice goalkeeper.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will then use the £20m from Martinez’s move to Aston Villa in other areas.
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BACKS TO THE WAL
Everton will look to sell the likes of former Arsenal stars Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott before the October transfer deadline, according to reports.
Having shelled out big money to recruit the three star names, the Toffees could do with shifting some high-earning players in order to balance the books.
And according to the Mirror, these outgoings could include two of director of football Marcel Brands' signings from just 12 months ago.
Iwobi, 24, has similarly struggled to make an impact at Goodison following his £40m switch from Arsenal, and Everton will listen to offers for the Nigerian international – who didn't even make the bench in the 1-0 win at Spurs.
Meanwhile Theo Walcott, who was signed by Sam Allardyce in January 2018, is another that could face the chop.
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SPUR OF THE MOMENT
Olivier Giroud has admitted that he was so desperate to leave Chelsea in January that he nearly joined Tottenham.
The Frenchman told So Foot: “During the last three days of the transfer window, I was in the coach's office to find a solution.
“I was hoping Chelsea would find a replacement for me.
“For my part, it was not the solutions that were lacking. I almost signed for Lazio, Inter.
“I was even so determined to leave that I even almost signed for Tottenham.”
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OLE TRAFFORD
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly spoken to Jadon Sancho to assure him that a deal is close to being agreed.
Borussia Dortmund have been adamant they will not be selling the 20-year-old, who they have slapped a £108million asking price on.
Personal terms are already said to have been agreed with Sancho, but as of yet, the Red Devils have been reluctant to fork out the huge sum of money.
This has led to the club to fear missing out on him next year, with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona known to be interested.
But according to Norwegian news outlet Dagbladet via the Metro, Solskjaer has been in constant contact with Sancho this summer.
They state that the ex-Cardiff gaffer recently told the England international that he will be a United player by the end of the window.
And it has even been claimed that Solskjaer said to Sancho that despite difficult negotiations with BVB, a deal will soon be concluded.
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HOLD NOT SOLD ON HAMMERS
West Ham face more disappointment in their search for a new defender with Rob Holding ready to snub the chance of a loan move from Arsenal.
The Hammers had been hoping to take the centre-back to the London Stadium having failed in their bids to sign James Tarkowski from Burnley.
Arsenal had reservations about the inquiry from their London rivals with boss Mikel Arteta already short of other defenders through injury.
But SunSport understands even if the Gunners were to accept the £5million for the season proposal, a move to West Ham is unlikely for the 24-year-old.
It means boss David Moyes will have to find another player he feels can shore up his leaky defence after a summer of frustration in his attempts to sign anyone.
Brighton's Shane Duffy rejected a move to the club in favour of joining Celtic, before repeated bids for England defender Tarkowski were knocked back by Burnley.
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ON THE REG
Sergio Reguilon is closing in on signing for Spurs with the Real Madrid defender reportedly at the club's training ground.
They look to have beaten Manchester United in the race to prise the left-back away from the Bernabeu, having agreed a deal to bring him to North London.
And, according to the Evening Standard, Reguilon is already at Hotspur Way having arrived at the complex on Wednesday.
They claim that he is set to have his medical on Thursday ahead of finalising his switch from Spain.
It has been suggested that the club could announce his signing on Thursday ahead of their Europa League second qualifying round clash against Bulgarian outfit Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
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BALE OUT
Spurs are leading the race to sign winger Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid.
And a deal is nearing completion, amid rival interest from Manchester United.
Bale's agent admitted there are still details to be ironed out but remained optimistic a move could be done.
He told Sky Sports News: “Gareth has spoken to Jose and explained how Spurs have a special place in his heart.
“There's a long way to go on some issues, but without doubt Gareth is closer to leaving Madrid than at any time in last seven years.
“The deal is complicated, but there's reason to believe a deal is close and things could move very quickly if discussions continue to go well.”
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'HE'LL FIND IT HARD'
Jose Mourinhohas held talks with Gareth Bale about a move to Tottenham but has reportedly been warned the Welshman may stuggle.
Spurs are leading the race to sign the winger on loan from Real Madrid.
And a deal is nearing completion, amid rival interest from Manchester United.
And his former colleagues at Real Madrid have warned him against signing the 31-year-old, according to ESPN.
The Spurs boss was reportedly told Bale would struggle to meet the demands of the Premier League.
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AMAD MADE IN HEAVEN
Atalanta winger Amad Traore is being eyed as a shock alternative to Jadon Sancho by Manchester United, reports claim.
A deal for the Dortmund winger has stalled and has left the Premier League club looking elsewhere.
18-year-old Traore is seen as a big prospect and was a part of the Champions League squad for Atalanta's quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Manchester Evening News report that the Red Devils have contacted the Italians as other clubs become interested in the teen.
But MEN suggest he is not seen by club sources as an immediate Sancho substitute.
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SAM PLAN
Sami Khedira could land join United on a free transfer, according to reports.
The midfielder, 33, is set to have his contract terminated at Juventus a year early.
According to Goal, he is not part of new boss Andrea Pirlo's plans at the Allianz Stadium this season.
Khedira endured an injury-hit season last term with knee surgery in December and a torn abductor later on.
That limited him to just 18 appearances across all competitions.
United have been linked in the past and did make a deadline-day attempt to land him during his Bernabeu days before Carlo Ancelotti convinced the German to stay.
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KOL ME MAYBE
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly interested in bringing Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac back to the Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old has lost his place in the starting XI under Mikel Arteta with Kieran Tierney and Ainsley Maitland-Niles preferred instead.
With the Gunners looking to offload players in order to raise funds to sign Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar, Kolasinac has been put up for sale by the club.
West Ham have been linked with a move for the ex-Schalke defender, but Leverkusen are said to be leading the race to secure his services.
According to Sport Bild via Sport Witness, the German outfit are 'seriously' thinking about signing the Bosnia international.
They claim that the club are looking to spend the cash they received from selling Kai Havertz to Chelsea, and want to bring in a top defender.
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NO WAY JOSE
Manchester City are considering Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez as an alternative to Kalidou Koulibaly, according to The Guardian.
Tim Vickery told Sky Sports: “I’ve heard that if Man City haven’t made a bid, they’re certainly contemplating one.
“It’s going to cost a lot of money with the Uruguayan press speculating it will be in the region of €80m (£73m) to get this centre-back from Atletico to City but it’s an area of the team that really does need strengthening.
“It’s been the Achilles heel for Manchester City that they should’ve reinforced already. Gimenez is one of the best young centre-backs around. He’s a baby-faced assassin. He’s only 25 but looks younger, but he’s already played in two World Cups. He’s as hard as nails and he can play as well.
“He’s perhaps never operated in a team that is as attack-minded as City both with Uruguay and at Atletico, he has played at more reactive teams so this will be a challenge for him but there aren’t many better young centre-backs in the world.
“It would be a costly piece of business for Manchester City but it would be a very good one.”
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CHU ARE YA?
Former Arsenal starlet Chuba Akpom is reportedly set to return to England to join Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough.
The 24-year-old has been in impressive form since joining Greek giants PAOK from the Gunners in 2018.
Former England Under-21s forward Akpom starred last night as his side defeated Benfica in the Champions League qualifying stages.
But despite just needing to overcome Russian club Krasnodar to seal a place in the group stages, PAOK are believed to be willing to let him go.
And reports in Greece claim a deal has already been agreed between them and the Championship side.
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ROAD TO RICO-VERY
SunSport's Duncan Wright has revealed that Aston Villa are tracking Rico Henry as boss Dean Smith weighs up whether to make a late bid to sign the Brentford defender.
Henry, 23, emerged as one of the best full-backs outside of the top flight last season with a series of impressive displays before Brentford ultimately fell just short of promotion from the Championship.
A number of Premier League clubs have shown interest in the left-back over the summer but found the Bees reluctant to do a deal for the player.
But Smith, who worked with Henry while he was Walsall manager, is considering making an attempt to persuade Brentford to sell the defender before the window closes next month.
West Ham had also been tracking the player as they search for a new left-back but have been forced to put their interest on hold while they try to prioritise bringing a new centre-back in with finances tight.
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TOTT QUALITY
Gareth Bale's move back to Tottenham has been described as “close” – with bookies suspending betting on the stunning switch.
The Welshman is in talks with his old side over a loan move that would see him link up with Jose Mourinho.
Jonathan Barnett, the player's agent, insists there are vital details still to be hammered out in talks between the three parties.
But a deal is nearing completion, amid rival interest from Manchester United.
Barnett told AFP: “It's close but not done.
“It's a complicated deal.”
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NO LUK
Ronald Koeman wanted Romelu Lukaku to be Barcelona's new No9 but the club reportedly blocked the move.
Mundo Deportivo reports the Catalan giants' new boss fancied reuniting with the 27-year-old after a spell at Everton together.
But the Barca hierarchy pulled the plug on a move for the Inter Milan striker due to a lack of funds.
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DEPAY DELAY
Ronald Koeman has confirmed that no deal for Memphis Depay has been agreed – and that he expects skint Barcelona to start the season with no more transfers.
The coach told Fox Sports Netherlands: “We're working towards the new season and I think we will go into it with the same group of players that we have now for pre-season.”
On the bright side for Barcelona, Ronald Koeman has said Lionel Messi has settled back in just fine after his public attempt to leave did not materialise.
He added: “That all went over my head. That was a dispute between Messi and the club.
“I have spoken to Messi since then and we are back to normal and continue to work with each other.”
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SUAR SUBJECT
Barcelona are willing to pay off part of Luis Suarez's contract to get him out of the door, according to reports.
Suarez, 33, has one year left on his current deal at the Nou Camp but is not wanted by new boss Ronald Koeman.
The club are keen to get him out to free up space – and cash – for the likes of Memphis Depay to come in.
Suarez is reportedly demanding to be paid the full £15million he is due to earn this season in order to be bought out of the contract.
Barcelona were initially unwilling and wanted Juventus to buy him out instead but the Old Lady were also not keen.
Now, though, according to Sport in Spain, Barca have relaxed their stance and would be open to stumping up part of the £15m – with Juventus paying what they want and the Spaniards making up the rest.
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WAITING GAME
SunSport's Duncan Wright has revealed that Tottenham fans are unlikely to see Gareth Bale in their shirt for a month – even if he completes a move back to the club in the next 48 hours.
There are complicated issues to thrash out in a contract that would see Real stump up a large chunk of his £650,000-a-week salary just to get him off their wage bill.
Until they are ironed out, Bale will remain in Madrid reporting for pre-season training with Zinedine Zidane’s squad.
Even if they are sorted by the weekend and Bale returns to the UK, he would then have to go into quarantine for 14 days under government rules to control Covid-19.
That would leave him unable to link up with Jose Mourinho’s squad until October 2, with Spurs facing a trip to Manchester United the following day.
It seems impossible for him to be considered for the match at Old Trafford, and then the Premier League season goes on the back burners for another international break.
Given his involvement with Wales, it would mean Bale would not be able to take part in full training with Mourinho and Spurs until the couple of days leading up to the home game against the Hammers on October 17.
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NEED MOUR
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Bas Dost is reportedly being eyed up by Tottenham.
Boss Jose Mourinho complained about his side’s laziness during their opening day defeat to Everton.
He is desperate to bring in extra competition for the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
And The Mail claims Dost is the man who has been identified by Mourinho.
Frankfurt only bought the forward from Sporting Lisbon 12 months ago for £6.5m.
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