The Times report that Crystal Palace and Everton are in talks over a swap deal involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil.

McNeil had been poised to join Palace in January but the move broke down at the last minute. He is valued at around £20m.

Johnston has struggled at Palace since moving from Tottenham for £35m in January - and the Eagles would want a return on that investment.

A swap deal is said to be complicated, therefore.

Cristian Romero could be an option for Barcelona following Ronald Araujo’s proposed loan move to Liverpool, as per Mundo Deportivo in Spain.

Romero wants to leave Tottenham this summer with a move to Atletico Madrid on the cards, but Liverpool’s move for Araujo could bring Barca into the picture.

He has also been linked with a shock move to Arsenal.

Aston Villa are are set to sign Atletico Madrid left back Matteo Ruggeri, according to the Athletic.

The 24-year-old is considered to be the replacement for Lucas Digne, who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Ruggeri joined Atletico last summer from Atalanta and Villa moved for him after their pursuit of Pervis Estupinan broke down.

Ronald Araujo is set to undergo a medical today ahead of his loan move to Liverpool. The Barcelona centre-back is set to become Liverpool’s second signing of the summer and strengthen their defensive options.

Araujo, primarily a central defender but who can also play right-back, will help give Iraola more strength in depth in both positions.

Liverpool are short of fit defenders with right-back Conor Bradley probably out until November and the versatile Joe Gomez being injured in their first match of pre-season.

Fellow centre-back Giovanni Leoni has not played since suffering a cruciate ligament injury on his debut against Southampton last September, while new signing Jeremy Jacquet was left out of matches on the pre-season tour of the United States because of concerns about his fitness.

Coventry have agreed a deal with Sheffield United to re-sign midfielder Gus Hamer in a deal worth £6m plus add-ons, according to the Press Association.

The 29-year-old left the club for Bramall Lane in 2023 for £15m and has been linked with a move back to the Sky Blues following their promotion to the Premier League.

Blades boss Chris Wilder previously admitted that a deal for Hamer was likely to be agreed with just one year left on his contract in Sheffield.

Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United’s squad for their friendly against Leeds, Michael Carrick has confirmed.

Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona and has not played for United since December 2024, following another loan spell at Aston Villa.

He was granted time off following the World Cup but is now set to return alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha for the Leeds friendly.

Nottingham Forest are set to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande for £34.3m, per The Athletic.

Diomande is expected to undergo a medical ahead of signing a proposed five-year contract at Forest.

Arsenal intend to “hold their nerve” in the transfer market as they turn to alternative options to Vinicius Jr after he signed a new contract at Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is admired, particularly by Mikel Arteta, but the forward is likely to remain in Spain this summer - whether at Atletico, or Barcelona.

Bradley Barcola is another attractive option, although Liverpool are thought to be further down the line in terms of negotiations over personal terms.

A third option, which Arsenal have considered, could be Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, who was strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League club earlier this summer.

Barcelona are set to return with an improved offer for Rodri.

Manchester City rejected an opening bid of €45m (£38.7m) for their Ballon d’Or winner.

The 30-year-old is out of contract next summer and Real Madrid are also interested.

Sport in Spain report that Barca are set to up their bid to £51.4m.

City have already spent £116m on a midfielder this summer, paying a record sum for a British player to buy Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

They are also interested in Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi but Lens could seek a package of around €100m for the teenager.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is interested in joining Arsenal, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The centre-back would face a furious backlash if he gets his way, but Tottenham have no interest in selling to their north London rivals.

Arsenal are in need of a centre-back after the injury to William Saliba while Romero has been in talks with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

William Gallas was the last player to make the switch between the rivals, while the shockwaves Sol Campbell’s infamous move from Tottenham to Arsenal still linger.