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Barcelona want Coutinho by week's end, Man City eyeing Busquets and all of today's transfer gossip

Plus Chelsea step up their interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain and Inter join Roma in hunt for Riyad Mahrez.

HERE ARE THE good, the bad, and the unlikely football moves being talked about today… 

Barcelona sent a delegation to Merseyside this week to negotiate a deal for Philippe Coutinho, report the Mirror.

Bayern Munich v Liverpool - 2017 Audi Cup - Allianz Arena Barcelona have already had a £72 million bid for Coutinho rejected. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

The Catalans are flushed with cash following the €222 million sale of Neymar to PSG and are looking to sign a replacement immediately.

Despite Liverpool already rejecting a £72 million bid for the playmaker, the La Liga club want to wrap up a £120 million deal by the end of this week.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Arsenal future remains uncertain, with champions Chelsea joining a host of clubs looking for the wing-back’s signature.

Arsenal v Chelsea - Community Shield - Wembley Oxlade-Chamberlain looks to be on his way out of Arsenal. Barrington Coombs Barrington Coombs

The Daily Mail claim claim that the 23-year-old is a target of Antonio Conte’s and that the Blues have made a £25 million offer.

With just one year remaining on his contract Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could be forced to let his player join a rival, or face letting him leave for free in 12 months’ time.

The Mirror also claim that Inter Milan are giving Roma stiff competition for Riyad Mahrez, who Leicester have priced at £50 million.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City - Pre-Season - Molineux Mahrez won the PFAI player of the Year award in 2016 and is now wanted by both Roma and Inter. Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

The Serie A side have already had a £32 million bid rejected and with the future of Ivan Perisic uncertain, the Algerian could also act as a suitable replacement for Inter should the Croatian winger depart San Siro.

Gareth Bale will definitely be playing his football at the Bernabéu next season, according to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Real Madrid v Manchester United - UEFA Super Cup - Philip II Arena Gareth Bale featured as Real Madrid beat Manchester United 2-1 in the Uefa Super Cup last night. Nick Potts Nick Potts

In a statement released this week Perez reaffirmed that the Champions League holders had no intention of selling the Welsh winger, despite persistent speculation linking the forward with a move to Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho has expressed a keen interest in the player all summer and with the possibility of Kylian Mbappé landing at Madrid, Bale may have looked for an exit from the Spanish capital.

Perez, however, said no deal would be done. “Bale? I don’t plan on selling him,” he said speaking after yesterday’s Uefa Super Cup win over United.

Finally, the Manchester Evening News report that Pep Guardiola is considering re-uniting with Sergio Busquets at the Etihad.

The pair won 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues, together at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Group H - Barcelona v Viktoria Plzen - Camp Nou Guardiola and Busquets won a remarkable 14 trophies during their time at Barcelona together. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Following the sale of Fernando to Galatasaray the Blues are a man down in midfield and are considering a shock move for the Spanish international, who has been at Barcelona since 2007.

However with the sale of Neymar to PSG last week the Catalans are unlikely to sell another prized asset, with City also linked with 25-year-old team-mate Sergi Roberto.

Retro Deal of the Day: James McClean to Derry City

On this day in 2011 James McClean joined Sunderland from Derry City.

The tricky winger had established himself playing in the Brandywell for three years, having made his debut for the League of Ireland club in August 2008, aged 19.

James McClean with Dave Webster McClean spent three years at Derry City before being sold to Sunderland for £350,000 in 2011. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

McClean joined the newly established Derry side along with Shane and Patrick McEleney, scoring 18 goals in 78 appearances.

McClean had a brief stay at Lincoln before returning home to the Candystripes due to homesickness, with Everton boss David Moyes also keen on the young player before he was snatched up by Sunderland.

He joined for a fee of £350,000 in August 2011, making his competitive debut for the Black Cats under current Ireland boss Martin O’Neill in a 2-1 win over Blackburn.

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