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LIVE Transfer Talk: Barcelona, PSG to battle for Paul Pogba, Franck Kessie in midfielder search

The summer transfer window is closed for the top leagues in Europe! After a summer full of international football, countless clubs waited until the last minute to pull off their transfers. See all the major deals here and check out how we graded the biggest signings. But just because the window is shut until January, that doesn't mean the rumours won't keep coming.

TOP STORY: Barca, PSG to battle for Pogba, Kessie

Barcelona are interested in a possible move for AC Milan's Franck Kessie or Manchester United's Paul Pogba, but Paris Saint-Germain are keen on both players as well.

That's according to Mundo Deportivo, which reports that the LaLiga and Ligue 1 outfits could be set to battle it out in order to land a midfielder of their choice in the summer, both of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.

Pogba, 28, is said to be in discussions over a new contract with United, but agent Mino Raiola has not denied a move away from Old Trafford could be on the horizon at the end of the season, with Juventus and Real Madrid also following him.

As for Kessie, Milan are hoping to keep a hold of the 24-year-old, but a move away from the Scudetto challengers looks more likely, with reports constantly linking him with a transfer to some of Europe's biggest clubs including Tottenham, Real Madrid and Juventus.

A battle between Barcelona and PSG for a midfielder wouldn't be something new as the two clubs clashed in a free transfer move for Georginio Wijnaldum in the most recent summer window. Barcelona were said to be close to agreeing terms for the Netherlands international before late interest from the French club.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino managed to land his man from under Barca's noses and a similar clash could be in store in the coming months for the services of Kessie and Pogba.

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LIVE BLOG

21.16 BST: The last post of today's Transfer Talk concerns AC Milan, who are keeping a keen eye on the situation of Nantes striker Randal Kolo Muani.

Calciomercato reports the 22-year-old, who has impressed this term with two goals and two assists in five games, has a contract that expires next summer. He is demanding a €1m signing bonus as well as €1.3m-per-year in salary. If his wishes are not met, the Rossoneri are ready to sign him on a free. 

20.32 BST: Chelsea are hoping to renew the contracts of five key players, reports The Mirror, with Andreas Christensen coming close to agreeing a £120,000-per-week deal.

The European champions are also focusing on a renewal with Antonio Rudiger, whose current deal ends in the summer of 2022, and hope to take N'Golo Kante and Jorginho's contracts past the two years they have remaining. Finally, Mason Mount is set to be rewarded after establishing himself as a key player. 

19.55 BST: After Dani Alves terminated his contract with Sao Paulo, there have been a rush of clubs aiming to sign the 38-year-old ahead of Friday's deadline for Brasileirao sides to enter squads, reports Globo Esporte.

Flamengo, Fluminense, Atletico Mineiro and Palmeiras are the main sides showing interest in the former Barcelona right-back, who has his focus set on earning a place in Brazil's World Cup 2022 squad.

19.19 BST: Robert Lewandowski said he is "100% focused on Bayern Munich" during a speech to accept the Golden Shoe award, as relayed by Sky Sports Deutschland.

The Poland international, who had previously been linked with giants such as Real Madrid and Manchester City, insisted: "I don't have to prove myself in another league. In the Champions League I can compete with the best in other leagues." 

18.47 BST: Speaking to ESPN Netherlands, Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has distanced himself from the Barcelona job, stating: "We are busy with Ajax."

His fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman is under pressure and Ten Hag has been linked with a move to Camp Nou in the past. However, he had no interest in associating himself with the Catalan giants.

17.56 BST: Internazionale remain in pole position to sign Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana as a Samir Handanovic replacement, despite facing new competition, reports Calciomercato.

The scudetto winners were first  to make a serious move for the Cameroon international, who will be a free agent in 2022. Napoli, though, are now showing interest, as they look to prepare for David Ospina's exit, while Barcelona are toying with the idea of re-signing Onana, who came through the club's La Masia academy. 

17.01 BST: Pop this one alongside all the other terrible decisions that Barcelona have made recently...

El Nacional reports that ex-Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu turned down the chance to sign Mo Salah when he was at Roma for as little as €40m.

Salah, 29, has scored 130 goals in 209 appearances for Liverpool since arriving for €42m in 2017 and is now one of the best players in the world.

Barca spent €105m to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele instead and that hasn't turned out very well for them.

16.14 BST: Record says that Liverpool are interested in FC Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.

Vieira, 21, has a contract which expires next summer and Porto are keen to get him to sign extended terms with a release clause of €50m.

All of which is to say that if Jurgen Klopp wants to land the Portugal U21 international then he's going to have to move fast or risk paying a much higher price.

15.33 BST: Sevilla have sacked defender Joris Gnagnon after long-term concerns over the player's professionalism and physical condition, sources have told ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.

The club paid €13.5m to sign the highly rated centre-back from Rennes in 2018 but he made just seven LaLiga appearances in three years.

The former France under-21 international had a contract with Sevilla until June 2023 but was not registered in their squad for the 2021-22 LaLiga season, and his deal has now been terminated.

Sources told ESPN the club had been unhappy with Gnagnon's weight. On more than one occasion he had weighed in at over 100kg (220.5lb) in training, significantly above his target weight.

Sevilla had also been worried about the defender's off-the-pitch lifestyle and attitude, and the player had clashed with coach Julen Lopetegui.

15.00 BST: Barcelona are in trouble in so many ways, writes Graham Hunter.

14.39 BST: Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic was linked with a host of English clubs and Atletico Madrid last summer but opted to stay put.

Vlahovic, 21, scored 21 goals in 40 games last season and has five from five so far this campaign. The Serbia international was tipped to make a €70m move to a major club but revealed why he chose to remain in Serie A for now.

"My best friends are [Nikola] Milenkovic and [Edin] Terzic, who joined the national team," Vlahovic told DAZN. "A wonderful group has been created. I'm doing great in Florence, I arrived when I was very young, it's my second home.

"I always speak sincerely, I think that those who came from the Balkans are doing things more with the heart than the brain. I felt like staying, I think I can grow further here. I will score many goals and assists, the rest will come when it comes."

Vlahovic also revealed his idol is AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"My family first, then if we talk about players, I certainly liked Ibra more for his character and the desire to never give up," Vlahovic continued. "He never allowed anyone to command him, then the monstrous plays.... Let's leave it. When we lost 3-2 in Florence, I took the advantage of the fact that he might not be very angry and asked him for the shirt.

"He signed it for me, we took a photo and wrote the dedication in our language. He told me to continue and never give up. I'm not very good at speaking when I meet an idol."

13.38 BST: Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 clash at Metz and is in doubt for next Tuesday's Champions League game against Manchester City after sustaining a left knee injury.

Messi was substituted on his home debut in PSG's victory over Lyon on Sunday and the club has announced he is set to undergo scans after suffering a knock.

A club statement on Tuesday read: "Lionel Messi, following the knock received on his left knee, has undergone an MRI this morning which confirms the signs of bone contusion, a new assessment will be made in 48 hours."

Messi, who joined the French giants from Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, has failed to contribute an assist or goal in his first four matches for his new club.

13.00 BST: ICYMI - James Rodriguez is discussing a move to Qatari club Al Rayyan after Everton gave the Colombia international permission to negotiate a move away from Goodison Park, sources have told ESPN's Mark Ogden.

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder has not appeared for Everton this season after being told he has no future at Goodison by manager Rafael Benitez.

Sources have told ESPN that Everton are keen to seal a permanent deal for the 30-year-old in order to move his £10 million-a-year salary off the club's wage bill, although a loan with an agreement to sign Rodriguez permanently is also a possibility.

12.05 BST: Man City boss Pep Guardiola shouldn't be picking a battle with the club's fans right now.

11.16 BST: RMC Sport suggests that Chelsea considered making a €100m offer to sign PSG defender Marquinhos this summer.

Sources have told ESPN's James Olley that Chelsea are set to revive their interest in Jules Kounde during the January transfer window if Sevilla lower their asking price back to around €50m, where the two clubs almost found an agreement this summer.

But RMC claims Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel wanted to recreate Marquinhos' partnership with Thiago Silva in the Premier League and was ready to go big to land the Brazil international.

However neither PSG nor the defender wanted to talk about a deal.

10.14 BST: Arsenal have struggled to keep hold of their best players in recent years and Calciomercato claims they may have a similar issue soon.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are reportedly keeping an eye on winger Bukayo Saka.

The 20-year-old is one of England's best young players and recently signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.

09.33 BST: Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman is expected to remain in charge for Thursday's trip to Cadiz but the club are already exploring options to replace him, sources have told ESPN.

Koeman's position was further weakened by Monday's 1-1 draw at Camp Nou against Granada, which followed last week's 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Sources said that president Joan Laporta held an hour-long emergency meeting with his board of directors after the Granada game as the doubts regarding Koeman's suitability multiply. However, the lack of alternatives currently available are preventing Laporta from making a rash decision before Barca travel to Cadiz, where they lost in the league last season.

The president doesn't want an interim option, someone to come in for a few months or until the end of the season, and would like to appoint someone capable of building a long-term project at the club.

Jordi Cruyff, who returned to Barca in an advisory capacity this summer, has championed Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, while former midfielder Xavi Hernandez, currently coaching Al-Sadd in Qatar, is another option. Sources say another candidate is someone who has a history with the club.

Barca vice president Eduard Romeu said last week that money would not be a problem in terms of paying off Koeman, as had previously been suggested due to the club's financial problems, with gross debt standing at around €1.35 billion.

Barca remain unbeaten in LaLiga this season, with eight points from their four games following the draw with Granada.

Sources explain, though, that performances as much as results have increased the pressure on Koeman, who ended Monday's game with a makeshift front two of Luuk de Jong and defender Gerard Pique. Barca made 54 crosses in the match, their highest tally in a LaLiga game since they made 55 against Malaga in 2016 and their second highest since the 2005-06 season.

"There wasn't space to play inside," Koeman reasoned after the game. "There was more space out wide and we had to fight for the second ball in the box. It's true we changed our style, but it's what the game required.

"It depends on what we have available. How are we going to play tiki taki [sic] if there is no space? Look at the squad. We did what we have to do. Today's Barcelona is not the Barca of eight years ago."

09.00 BST: Spanish forward Rafa Mir has revealed he held talks with former club Valencia this summer before deciding to join Sevilla instead.

Mir, 24, joined Sevilla on a permanent transfer from Wolverhampton last month.

"It's true that I had conversations with Valencia because I have a good rapport with the club executives," he said. "But in the end, I had to take a decision and among all the offers that I had, Sevilla was the best one to continue to grow as a footballer.

"Sevilla showed a lot of confidence in me and were very eager to have me here. For me that was very important when it came to taking that decision. Sevilla is one of the top clubs in Europe and in the world and I decided to take a step forward in my career."

PAPER GOSSIP (by Luke Thrower)

- Real Madrid view winger Vinicius Junior as "untouchable and a key player" amid links to a move away from the Bernabeu this summer. Fabrizio Romano reports that Carlo Ancelotti's side have no intention of the 21-year-old moving on as they look to build for the future. The Brazil international has four years left on his deal and has started the season in scintillating form, scoring five and assisting on two in five appearances so far, including a goal and an assist in Real's fightback win over Valencia on Sunday.

- Leeds United are eyeing a move for promising Club Brugge forward Noa Lang, according to Football Insider. The 22-year-old has already scored three goals and assisted four in just eight league matches so far this season, with many of Europe's big clubs monitoring the Netherlands Under-21 international.

- David Neres could be set to leave Ajax as his role at the club is diminishing, reports AS. The 24-year-old winger only has two years left on his deal and has a reported valuation of €27m by the Dutch club. Atletico Madrid and Sevilla had interest in the Brazil international in the summer, but a move never materialised.

- Matias Vecino's agent is set to request a new contract for his client at Internazionale, writes Calciomercato. The midfielder's deal has less than a year left running on it, with the agent hoping to extend it by three more years.

- AC Milan are eyeing William Carvalho as a successor for Kessie in January should the latter leave the club, according to Calciomercato. The Real Betis midfielder's deal runs until 2023 and the club will be looking to move him on rather than lose him on a free. It's believed a loan-to-buy deal could be enough to land the Portugal international.

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