Live Coverage: Transfer Talk - July 16

Good morning everyone! Another day, another round of transfer gossip to sink your teeth into. Manchester United and Manchester City have been particularly busy in the last few days, but who will dominate the headlines today? Let's not forget that deadline day is over six weeks away, so there's plenty of time for some big-money deals to go through.

Christian Benteke is one player whose future is in the balance. The Aston Villa striker has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but now arch rivals Manchester United are reportedly considering a bid of their own. During Liverpool's tour of the Far East and Australia, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was asked about his club's pursuit of his Belgium teammate, but he wasn't giving much away. Read what the shot-stopper had to say here.

To catch up with all of the stories that emerged overnight, have a look through our latest update, which can be found here. David de Gea, Arturo Vidal and Gonzalo Higuain are among the names featured.

Stoke City are currently focusing on pre-season in Singapore, but forward Jonathan Walters seems to have contracts on his mind. The 31-year-old has been quoted by The Sentinel as saying that he is yet to agree a new deal, but insists that he wants to stay at the Britannia. Walters has entered the final year of his contract.

Manchester United have had many new faces arriving at the club in the last few days, but what about departures? We know that Robin van Persie has been shown the exit door, but Javier Hernandez's future remains uncertain. The Mexican forward spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, and he has been linked with West Ham United and Orlando City this summer. However, during a press conference in Seattle today, manager Louis van Gaal suggested that Hernandez will be given a chance to fight for a place in the team.

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In case you missed it overnight, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal had plenty to say in his latest press-conference over in Seattle yesterday. The Dutchman revealed that Victor Valdes will be sold this summer, while the futures of both David de Gea and Angel di Maria still remain unclear at this stage.

Victor Valdes has taken to Twitter this morning to hit back at Louis van Gaal's suggestions that he refused to play for the reserves last season. Make of this what you like:

.....? #respect pic.twitter.com/LSnwz1HfDB — Victor Valdes (@1victorvaldes) July 16, 2015

We have seen plenty of developments at Manchester United over the past week or so, but one move that still appears to be up in the air is that surrounding Sergio Ramos. According to reports in Spain, the Red Devils are refusing to give up on the Real Madrid star and could now make a fresh bid.

Ex-Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester City forward Robinho has linked up with former Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari at Guangzhou Evergrande. The Chinese champions have already recruited Paulinho in recent weeks, while rivals Shanghai Shenhua have brought in Senegalese international Demba Ba. Read more.

Some big news from the Championship this morning, as Middlesbrough agree a fee to sign Espanyol forward Christian Stuani. The Uruguay international has recently returned from Copa America duty, and will now undergo a medical on Teesside prior to making a switch worth around £2.8m.

Watford full-back Juanfran will return to Deportivo La Coruna on a second season-long loan spell, it has been revealed. The Madrid-born defender impressed at Riazor last term, making 34 appearances in the Spanish top flight, and he will now link-up with Depor this evening.

Manchester City made their first signing of the summer with the big-money capture of Raheem Sterling earlier this week, but one of their players doesn't think that Kevin de Bruyne should join them. More here.

Manchester United were linked with Benteke last night, but now it looks like Liverpool are ready to compete with their rivals for the Belgian's signature.

Christian Benteke wants a move to Anfield Road. His former club Racing Genk will get 15% on any profit Villa make above £8m. #LFC #AVFC — Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) July 16, 2015

Click here for more on the news that Liverpool have seemingly taken the lead in the race to sign Benteke.

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Rangers have already signed one player from Wigan Athletic this summer in Rob Kiernan and it sounds like they are keen on another Latic. Find out who here.

It looks like Younes Kaboul is surplus to requirements at Tottenham Hotspur this summer as the defender is reportedly undergoing a medical on Wearside with Sunderland.

After leaving Fulham, young defender Josh Passley has joined Dagenham & Redbridge. He's signed a one-year deal with the Daggers.

Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal claims that he will join Bayern Munich from Juventus this summer. The Bavarian side have a habit of making fantastic signings and this one would likely be another.

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident that the club can still attract big players to Anfield. We'll have to see about that if Liverpool have to compete with Manchester United for the signature of Christian Benteke. Read what Rodgers has been saying here.

Everton youngster Chris Long spent part of last season with Brentford in the Championship and there was talk that Blackburn Rovers might be keen on him this season. However, the latest is that Rovers aren't interested. More here.

Back in the Premier League, it seems that Charlie Austin is closing in on a move to Newcastle United:

We've also suspended betting on #QPR striker Charlie Austin, after he was heavily backed to join #NUFC today. pic.twitter.com/AudenTMdDW — Sky Bet (@SkyBet) July 16, 2015

Someone that will not be moving this summer, though, is Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. His agent has insisted that the Italian has no plans to leave the French capital.

DONE DEAL! Back in England and down in League Two, Dagenham have completed their second signing of the day. Joining the Daggers on a two-year contract is former Wycombe Wanderers striker Matt McClure.

BOUND FOR THE MLS? David Beckham has tried it, while Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are living it. But, could Wayne Rooney also be tempted to play in the MLS at some stage? Find out here what the Manchester United skipper had to say when he was asked that very question during the club's pre-season tour of the USA.

DONE DEAL! Lewis McGugan has joined Sheffield Wednesday permanently from Watford after spending some time on loan at Hillsborough last season.

DONE DEAL! Lewis McGugan joins Owls on three-year contract.. Full story at http://t.co/Ofdb166N9k #swfcpreseason pic.twitter.com/tWnSxTkvkQ — Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 16, 2015

For the full story on McGugan's move to Hillsborough you should click right here.

French outfit Lorient have insisted that Jordan Ayew has not joined a top Bundesliga outfit. More here.

The move hasn't been confirmed yet, but Stewart Downing has already been speaking to The Gazette up in Middlesbrough about his return to Teesside. "I had opportunities to join clubs in the Premier League but, in fairness, they weren't offering me anything different in terms of a challenge to West Ham," said the England international.

He added: "At Boro there's a chance to achieve something really special. This is probably the last move I'll make in football so I want to try something I've never done before. It's a great opportunity to help get the club back into the Premier League where they belong. Boro were very close to promotion last season and I thought if they need a few more experienced players to help them get over the line I could help."

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7PM UPDATE! Time to round up the day's news and gossip with our handy headline compilation.

Here's the full story on those quotes from Downing about his impending move back to Middlesbrough, six years after he left to join Aston Villa.

Everton have a habit of signing players with Manchester United history - Tom Cleverley, Darron Gibson, Phil Neville, Tim Howard - and it looks like Jonny Evans could be their next target. More here.

Arturo Vidal earlier said that he was joining Bayern Munich, but Karl-Heinz Rummenige has inssited that a deal is not yet done.

Reports emerged earlier today claiming that Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul was set to undergo a medical at Sunderland... well he is said to have now passed that medical, with a £3m switch to be completed at some stage tonight.

We have seen a couple of transfers go through over the past hour or so, both of which have been on the cards for a while now. Younes Kaboul has completed his switch to Sunderland, while Stewart Downing has dropped down a level to join former club Middlesbrough. More to follow.

DONE DEAL! Here's a little more on that transfer news we brought you a little earlier from the Championship, as Middlesbrough complete the signing of Stewart Downing on a four-year deal.

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DONE DEAL! "I'm delighted to be a Sunderland player and it's an honour to join this club" - the words of Younes Kaboul, who has this evening completed a switch to the Stadium of Light from Tottenham Hotspur on a four-year deal.

Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis has found life in the Premier League a little tough going so far. According to one report, the Brazilian defender could be close to completing a move to return back to La Liga with former club Atletico Madrid.

We've got one more story before we head off for day. It is being suggested by a few reports in the press this evening that Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin is close to agreeing a new long-term deal with the Gunners. More on that story here.

That is going to be all from us this evening. Please do join us again for more coverage from across the world of transfers tomorrow!