Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd to pay £50m release clause as Liverpool and Chelsea on alert

Chelsea transfer target Pedro Lima has confirmed that a deal taking him to Stamford Bridge is “almost completed”.

The Brazilian wonderkid is set to join Chelsea via sister club Strasbourg, having impressed in his homeland with Sport Recife as a 17-year-old.

“Yes, it’s almost done deal,” Lima told Globo when asked about his proposed move to Chelsea. “It’s almost completed.”

Chris Waddle has informed Jack Grealish that if he were to leave Manchester City this summer then he has two viable options, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Grealish missed out on England’s Euro 2024 squad after falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola, and Waddle thinks that a central role would benefit the £100million man.

“He doesn’t give the ball away and doesn’t take a lot of risks, gives the side balance,” Waddle told Betway. “But I think I’d be looking at his old club Aston Villa, I’d be looking to play him in that three in the middle of the park.

“I’m not sure about Newcastle, they play a high tempo and press. I think he has to go to a side where they are looking to play him as a midfield player.

“Chelsea could be an outside bet with (Conor) Gallagher possibly going, you could see him playing that midfield role. He’d be more effective there. He’s got vision, he can see things, he’s good at give and go. But he’s stuck on that wing, you’re thinking there is surely more in his locker.”

Napoli have hit back and claimed that “Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not on the market” in a furious statement.

The Georgian’s agent said in an interview yesterday that his client was planning to leave the Serie A giants after Euro 2024, putting the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea on red-alert as admirers.

But Napoli have since responded by writing: “In reference to the statements of Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, and his father Badri, Calcio Napoli reiterate that the player has a contract for another three years with the club.

“Kvaratskhelia is not on the market. It’s not agents or fathers who decide on the future of a player under contract with Napoli, but the Calcio Napoli club!!! End of story.”

Chelsea are set to decide on whether they want to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran in the very near future, with the Villains’ hand forced due to Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Fabrizio Romano claims that a decision is expected shortly after extensive talks were held between the two clubs.

Duran could move as part of a swap deal, with Conor Gallagher interesting Unai Emery’s outfit, while the Colombian forward has already agreed personal terms on a potential transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool target Federico Chiesa is set to meet with Juventus after Euro 2024 for discussions over his future.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that the two parties will sit down after the summer tournament, with no new contract extension currently on the table.

It remains to be seen whether new Juventus boss Thiago Motta has Chiesa in his plans, with Liverpool lurking as a long-time admirer of the Italian winger.

Lille’s wonderkid defender Leny Yoro could be ready to turn down both Manchester United and Liverpool if Real Madrid come calling.

The Ligue 1 side have already turned down offers from unnamed Premier League clubs and Express Sport has learned that Yoro would prefer to head to Madrid rather than England this summer.

However, Real Madrid are yet to agree a fee with Lille having spent a considerable amount of their budget luring Kylian Mbappe to Spain already this summer.

The agent of Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has claimed that his client wants to leave the Serie A club this summer, once Euro 2024 finishes.

The Georgian has been of interest to a host of Premier League giants previously, including Liverpool and Chelsea, who now have an opportunity to sign the 24-year-old.

Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli told Sport Imedzi: “We want to leave Napoli, but now we’re all waiting for the Euro 2024.

“With (Antonio) Conte, Napoli have big plans. I’m sure they will qualify to the Champions League again next season and fight for the Scudetto. But that doesn’t mean that Kvaratskhelia wants to stay there, I don’t mean it.

“I didn’t talk with Khvicha about this issue, the most important thing for him is (the) national team.

“Our goal is the team that plays in the Champions League. The worst thing is that if he stays here, Khvicha will lose one year because of that… we are worried.”

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £50million bid for Sporting centre-back Goncalo Ignacio that matches the release clause in his contract.

Portuguese outlet A Bola claim that Sporting are putting plans in place to replace the defender currently away at Euro 2024, with the expectation that United’s offer is set to arrive.

United had been trying to reach an agreement with Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite, but are unwilling to match their £75m valuation.

Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s live transfer window coverage, where we will be bringing you all the latest updates from the Premier League and across the globe.