Football rumours from the media

Liverpool are on the verge of signing Roma goalkeeper Allison on a world-record £66.8million transfer, according to reports. The Brazilian, 25, was heading to England on Wednesday for a medical after agreeing a six-year deal, the Daily Mirror says. According to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea had shown interest, although as of Wednesday only Liverpool’s bid had been accepted. According to the Liverpool Echo an initial bid of £62million was rejected by Roma. The agreed sum has smashed the previous £34.7million record spent on Ederson by Manchester City for his move from Benfica in 2017.

Wilfried Zaha is top pick on Marco Silva’s target list that also features Danny Welbeck and Richarlison, the Daily Mirror reports. Everton’s new manager is said to be keeping close watch of Crystal Palace’s Ivorian winger as he seeks to enhance his forward options. However, according to the paper, Palace could demand £60million for Zaha, 25, putting him out of Everton’s price range. Arsenal’s England striker Welbeck, 27, and forward Richarilson, 21, who Silva signed for Watford last season, are also said to be on a list of transfer candidates.

Maurizio Sarri could launch a raid on Juventus after his departure from Napoli was apparently on condition he did not poach his old players, the Evening Standard reports. The new Chelsea boss’s transfer terms are said to have included a non-aggression pact between the Blues and Napoli, preventing Sarri from taking his favourite players with him. Juve defender Daniele Rugani and striker Gonzalo Higuain have been tipped as targets. Former Napoli star Jorginho’s transfer to Chelsea was announced on the same day as Sarri’s arrival.

Tottenham are in talks with Aston Villa over buying Jack Grealish – with the winger valued at between £30million and £40million, Sky Sports News reports. Ongoing financial challenges at Villa mean they are looking to raise cash, Steve Bruce told the broadcaster. The manager said he did not want the England Under-21 international to leave Villa Park, although negotiations are said to be under way. Spurs are yet to make a signing and could wait until deadline day to make an offer for Grealish, 22.

Manchester United and Chelsea are chasing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, The Sun reports. The 29-year-old Poland international is said to be unhappy at the Bundesliga champions. Lewandowski is said to have recently joined forces with veteran agent Pini Zahavi, who was linked to Neymar’s £200million move to Paris St Germain.

Thibaut Courtois: The Chelsea goalkeeper has been approached by Real Madrid, according to Belgian news outlet Het Laatste Nieuws.

Aleksandar Mitrovic: Fulham are near to confirming a deal worth almost £20million for the 23-year-old Newcastle striker, the London Evening Standard reports.

Adama Diakhaby: Huddersfield boss David Wagner is said to be plotting an £8million swoop for the Monaco striker, 22, The Sun reports.