City close to £75m Mahrez deal as Jorginho price soars

JUVENTUS are hopeful of agreeing the £11.5million purchase of Matteo Darmian from Manchester United.

The Italian champions have released 34-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner, who is poised to join Arsenal.

United have held talks with three potential rightback additions, Sime Vrsaljko of Atletico Madrid, Joao Cancelo of Valencia and Djibril Sidibe at Monaco.

They also retain an interest in Fabinho, Marko Arnautovic and Mario Mandzukic.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND have held further discussions with Chelsea over a permanent signing of loanee Michy Batshuayi.

Chelsea want around £50million for the 24-yearold and may take Christian Pulisic in an exchange deal.

MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on the £75million transfer of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City.

Talks are ongoing but all parties are hopeful of reaching a positive conclusion over the next week.

Leicester want to sign Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts in separate negotiations.

Sportsmail reported this month how City had focused their attention on Mahrez (above) and Napoli midfielder Jorginho, however the asking price for both has escalated.

City have offered £40m for Italy international Jorginho but Napoli want closer to £60m while City midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has also been discussed as a possible makeweight in the deal.

MEXICO striker Javier Hernandez (above) has refused to commit to West Ham. The £16m signing is considering a move home to Chivas, while clubs in the MLS and China are interested.

ARSENE WENGER is considering a return to Japan to resume his managerial career.

The 68-year-old, whose place at Arsenal has been taken by Unai Emery, worked in the Far East for one season during 1995-96.

He won the Emperor’s Cup and the Japanese Super Cup with Nagoya Grampus Eight, and learned Japanese, before beginning his 22-year tenure in north London.