GUNNERS CHASE £30M DEAL FOR AJAX’S MARTINEZ
■ ARSENAL are pressing to sign Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez in a £30million deal. Initial talks have taken place with Arsenal willing to offer around £25m for the Argentina international (right), but Ajax have dismissed that figure as they know they have other clubs willing to bid. Martinez, 24, can play at centre back, left back and centre midfield. Barcelona are admirers but they have other priorities. Striker Eddie Nketiah, 23, has signed a new contract at Arsenal until June 2027. The Gunners remain in talks with Manchester City over a deal for £50m-rated Gabriel Jesus. An initial bid of around £35m plus add-ons was rejected.
÷ CHELSEA have asked about Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar as talks continue over Romelu Lukaku’s loan move. Chelsea are keen to take players in return as well as a loan fee. Paris Saint-Germain offered Inter £43m for Skriniar, 27, and enquired about right back Denzel Dumfries and striker Lautaro Martinez.
■ MANCHESTER CITY defender Ko Itakura is closing on a move to Borussia Monchengladbach. The Japan defender, 25, is set to agree a four-year contract once a fee of around £5m plus a sell-on clause is finalised. Enzo Maresca could replace City coach Juanma Lillo who is joining Al-Sadd.
÷ BRIGHTON have signed Paraguay international Julio Enciso from Club Libertad in a deal worth around £9.5m. The 18-year-old forward has agreed a four-year contract. Brighton are also close to reaching an agreement with Napoli to sell defender Leo Ostigard.
■ NOTTINGHAM FOREST are close to an agreement with Mainz to sign defender Moussa Niakhate, 26. The centre back is set to sign a four-year deal once the clubs agree a fee of around £10m plus add-ons. Forest remain in talks with Manchester United over a loan move for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
÷ ASTON VILLA winger Trezeguet is wanted by Turkish side Trabzonspor. The 27-year-old has one year left on his deal and Villa want to cash in. Trezeguet’s Villa team-mate Bertrand Traore has interest from Fenerbahce.
■ SOUTHAMPTON have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, 20, on a fiveyear contract and goalkeeper Mateusz Lis on a free. Lis, 25, also joins on a five-year deal, having made 35 appearances in the Turkish top flight last season, but is set to be sent out on loan. Southampton have shown interest in City youngsters James McAtee and Romeo Lavia and are keen to appoint City’s head of academy recruitment Joe Shields to a first-team recruitment role.
÷ WATFORD’S Emmanuel Dennis is on Everton’s list of targets if Richarlison leaves the club. The Nigeria forward, 24, is valued at about £20m. WEST HAM are also monitoring developments with Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, 24.
■ BLACKPOOL have re-hired ex-Lincoln and Oxford manager Michael Appleton, 46, as their boss on a four-year contract. Appleton spent just 65 days in charge during the 2012-13 season and returns after Derby coach Liam Rosenior rejected the role.