Football Gossip & Transfer News For July 6, 2016

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Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward has held face-to-face talks with Paul Pogba’s representatives, as new manager Jose Mourinho seeks to make the 23-year-old his fourth major signing. (Guardian)

Arsene Wenger is prepared to pay £34.2m to trigger France and Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette’s release clause. West Ham have already had several bids rejected for the 25-year-old. (Daily Telegraph)

Valencia have rejected a £40m move from Chelsea for 22-year-old midfielder Andre Gomes. (Daily Mirror)

And Chelsea will face competition for Gomes’ signature from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who will also go head-to-head to secure Palmeiras’ 19-year-old forward Gabriel Jesus. (Marca)

Blaise Matuidi has been given time off from France’s Euro 2016 campaign to secure a move to Manchester United. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder would follow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford from Paris St-Germain. (Independent)

Tottenham are set to complete the £16m signing of AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen, 22. Spurs had an £11m bid turned down in June.(Sun)

And Mauricio Pochettino will turn his attention to a £17m bid for Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum once Janssen’s signature is secured. (Daily Telegraph)

Arsenal are ready to compete with Chelsea to sign Spain forward Alvaro Morata, 23, from Real Madrid – but the European champions must lower their £57m asking price. (London Evening Standard)

Everton are exploring the possibility of signing Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 29, and are confident of tying up a £28m deal for 27-year-old Belgium and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel. (Daily Mail)

Napoli were also keen on Witsel and have now turned their attentions to Udinese midfielder Piotr Zielinski, 22. Liverpool are also interested in the Poland international. (Talksport)

Juventus are keen on Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, 27. It is thought the Serb is keen to leave Stamford Bridge but the Blues would want £18m. (Talksport via Sportitalia)

West Ham striker Enner Valencia, 26, is wanted by Lazio. The Serie A side want the Colombian on a season-long loan with a view to a £10m transfer but the Hammers are keen to recoup the £12m they paid for the player. (Daily Mail)

Watford are considering a £20m bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 22. (Daily Telegraph)

The proposed deal for Berahino may include Odion Ighalo, 27, as a makeweight. The Nigerian scored 15 Premier League goals last season. (Daily Mail)

The Hornets are also hopeful of signing Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, 19, for a fee of £6m. (Daily Mirror)

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is in pole position to sign Egyptian striker Ramadan Sobhi. The 19-year-old will cost £3.5m from Al Ahly. (Sun)

Premier League champions Leicester City are interested in Fiorentina striker Nicola Kalinic, 28. (Daily Express)

Serie A side Sampdoria are interested in Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, 25. President Massimo Ferrero said that he has “tried to tell” the player to join the club. (Liverpool Echo)

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has called new Celtic signing Moussa Dembele, 19, an “exciting player” and believes Bayern Munich, Monaco and Juventus were all interested in the forward.(Daily Record)

Aston Villa are closing in a £4.1m deal for Hellas Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, 21.(Birmingham Mail)

Bolton captain Darren Pratley, 30, has been given clearance to start talks with QPR over a possible move.(Bolton News)

QPR winger Matty Phillips, 25, has had a medical at West Brom after the clubs agreed a £5.5m fee.(Daily Mail)

Iceland international Johann Berg Gudmundsson could become Burnley’s first summer signing after Charlton accepted a £2.5m offer for the 25-year-old winger. (South London Press)

Wales forward Gareth Bale is ready for his country’s biggest international match, against Portugal in Wednesday’s Euro 2016 semi-final. The Real Madrid forward posted this picture of him and his team-mates:

Wales
Wales face Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-final on Wednesday

Bale’s Real Madrid colleague Cristiano Ronaldo has been taking his mind off Wednesday’s big game by dedicating a bit of time to improving his darts:

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo tweeted this picture of him and Ricardo Quaresma with the caption ‘Happy moments’

Rangers midfielder Joey Barton tweeted his thanks to the Burnley fans who have sent him appreciative letters since he left the club in the summer.

A Wales fan has started a petition to have midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s ban for Wednesday’s Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal overturned. (Sun)

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