Transfer news LATEST: Neymar close to PSG deal as he says Barcelona goodbyes, Riyad Mahrez eyes top six move and more from Premier League and Europe

Thanks for joining me during the course of what proved to be a busy day featuring a certain Brazilian superstar.

Make sure you join us tomorrow for all the latest dealings - including Neymar's move to Paris.

Enjoy your evening.

Mario Pasalic has become the 25th Chelsea player to be loaned out this summer.

The Croatian midfielder signed a new four-year deal before heading to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow on loan for the 2017-18 campaign.

Pasalic, who played against Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia, will be able to experience Champions League football as Russian champions Spartak Moscow have qualified for the group stage.

The 22-year-old, who has been capped twice by Croatia, is yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea.

He has been loaned out to Elche, Monaco and AC Milan since joining the Blues from Hajduk Split for £3million in July 2014.

Pasalic joins a host of players currently out on loan from Stamford Bridge with the likes of Kurt Zouma, Michael Hector and Marco van Ginkel plying their trade away from their parent club this season.

Barcelona supporters have already shown their disgust at seeing Neymar leave for PSG by labelling the 25-year-old attacker 'a traitor'. 

A fan has put up a wanted poster with the words 'Wanted: traitor and mercenary' on it.

Swansea boss Paul Clement has revealed Gylfi Sigurdsson could become an Everton player in the 'next couple of days'.

Everton have made two attempts to prise the Iceland international away from the Liverty Stadium without success.

However it could be third time lucky for the Toffees as the clubs are close to agreeing terms on a £50million deal.

Clement said of a potential transfer: 'He [Sigurdsson] will not play [the friendly] against Sampdoria on Saturday.

'Talks are still going on and hopefully we are going to get some news in the next couple of days. The deal needs to be the best for all parties involved, we have got a very, very important season coming up.'

PSG will fork out £198m on Neymar but here is who the French side could have signed with the staggering transfer fee based on this summer's completed deal.

Graphic supplied by Sporting Index

Neymar appears on the verge of becoming the most expensive player in football history after informing Barcelona of his desire to leave amid talk of a 222million euros (£199million) move to Paris St Germain.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the previous players to have broken the record in the last two decades.

Alan Shearer - 1996: £15million (Blackburn to Newcastle)
Having won the Premier League at Blackburn in 1995, all-time Premier League record goalscorer Shearer returned to his hometown club a hero.

Ronaldo - 1997: £19.5million (Barcelona to Inter Milan)
The Brazil striker moved on to break the record for the second time in a year but, despite a great scoring ratio, he only won the UEFA Cup during his spell at the San Siro.

Denilson - 1998: £21.5million (Sao Paulo to Real Betis)
A precocious talent in Brazil, Denilson never made the desired impact after his record move and struggled to hold down a place at Betis before moving on.

Christian Vieri - 1999: £32million (Lazio to Inter Milan)
Eight clubs in as many seasons eventually led Vieri to Inter, where they broke the transfer record once again and he would form a formidable partnership with Ronaldo.

Hernan Crespo - 2000: £35.5million (Parma to Lazio)
A year later, Lazio replaced Vieri with Crespo and he ended his first season with the club as Serie A's top goalscorer.

Luis Figo - 2000: £37million (Barcelona to Real Madrid)
The era of the Galacticos truly began with the acrimonious transfer of Portugal winger Figo between the Clasico rivals.

Zinedine Zidane - 2001: £46.6million (Juventus to Real Madrid)
Madrid continued to build their team of superstars by adding France international Zidane from Juventus - and he went on to become coach at the Bernabeu.

Kaka - 2009: £56million (AC Milan to Real Madrid)
Breaking their own record once again, Kaka's move from Italy was not as successful as Madrid would have hoped but he still lifted a LaLiga title before returning to Milan in 2013.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 2009: £80million (Manchester United to Real Madrid)
Having coveted Ronaldo for a couple of years, Madrid upped their record significantly to land the 2008 Ballon d'Or winner - and the Portuguese went from strength to strength in Spain.

Gareth Bale - 2013: £86million (Tottenham to Real Madrid)
A fifth-straight record broken by Madrid as they returned to England to poach the Premier League's hottest talent - this time taking Wales international Bale to Spain, where he would flourish.

Paul Pogba - 2016: £89million (Juventus to Manchester United)
Having left Old Trafford four years earlier for a nominal amount, France midfielder Pogba returned as the new world-record signing.
ends

Lionel Messi has pretty much confirmed Neymar's exit by sending the Brazilian a farewell message on Instagram. 

The Argentine wrote: 'An enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you. I wish you luck in this new stage of your life.'

SIMON JONES: Middlesbrough midfielder Gaston Ramirez is discussing a move to Sampdoria.

The Italians, who are due to play Manchester United in Dublin tonight, have made an £8million offer for the Uruguay international who saw a move to Real Betis collapse last week.

Ramirez was the subject of an £18m offer from Leicester City in January but they have not revived their interest.

Sampdoria are also willing to give Middlesbrough an extra £1.5m in add-ons and hope to conclude a deal by tomorrow.

The 26-year-old previously played for Bologna in Italy.

Blackburn have announced the signing of Jayson Leutwiler from Shrewsbury Town.

The Canadian international, who previously played under Tony Mowbray at Middlesbrough, has joined Blackburn on a two-year deal with the option of an extra 23 months.

Soon to be Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is reportedly flying to London to 'clear his head' after telling his Barcelona team-mates he is on his way out.

The forward is set to complete a world record £198m move to the French giants.

And Marca are reporting that the Brazilian will travel to London to 'disconnect' as he awaits his move to Paris.

PETE JENSON: Monaco are in danger of pricing Kylian Mbappe out of a move this summer after bumping his asking price up to £178million (€200m).

The Ligue One champions have made the move because they hope Barcelona will join the race to sign Mbappe once they have their £196m (€222m) windfall from the sale of Neymar.

The summer saga of the Brazilian’s move to Paris Saint Germain could be concluded as early as Tuesday and that could have a direct impact on the future of Monaco's 18-year-old forward.

SIMON JONES: Manchester United have poured cold water over claims they want to sign Paris Saint-Germain right back Serge Aurier.

Super agent Mino Raiola is hoping to find Aurier a new club - despite not being the Ivorian's official representative - and that move has created false Manchester United links.

Inter Milan are weighing up a move for the Ivory Coast international.

SIMON JONES: Nottingham Forest are set to sign highly-rated Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell on a season-long loan on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old made his Everton debut in 2014 and has impressed during pre-season.

He was a member of England's U20 World Cup-winning squad.

Barcelona say Neymar's £198million release clause must be paid in full if the Brazil forward wants to leave.

The Catalan giants have revealed Neymar and his father met with club officials on Wednesday to say he wanted to leave, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain seemingly imminent.

The club says that it 'referred them to the release clause in his current contract, which as of July 1 is 222 million euros (£198m), which must be paid in full'.

If PSG pay the clause, it would shatter the previous world record transfer of £89m that Manchester United paid for France midfielder Paul Pogba last year.

Reports overnight suggest Manchester United are closing in on their fourth summer signing with Serge Aurier set to join the Red Devils in a £27million deal. 

United are reportedly waiting for Aurier to be cleared to fly to England as he has an assault charge hanging over him. 

Jose Mourinho's first choice right back is Antonio Valencia and the former Wigan man has impressed under his stewardship. 

However it seems the Portuguese wants to rotate Valencia and Aurier during the course of next season.

SAMI MOKBEL: Newcastle striker Ivan Toney is set to join Wigan on a season-long loan deal.

The forward is due to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours ahead of completing his switch.

Toney, 21, has made four senior appearances for the Magpies since joining from Northampton in 2015.

But he has spent the majority time away from St James' Park with loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury and Scunthorpe.

Neymar has officially told Barcelona he wants to leave the Nou Camp this summer. 

Barcelona have released the following statement: 'The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the Club in a meeting held at the Club’s offices.

'Faced with this position, the Club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222 million euros which will have to be deposited in its entirety.

'Furthermore, in reply to the claim for the contract extension bonus, the Club has once again made it clear that the amount remains deposited with a notary until the case is resolved.

'The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.' 

Our man in Spain - PETE JENSON - has given our readers the lowdown on how Barcelona have lost an element of their 'we are the best club' status. 

They are losing their second biggest superstar - behind Lionel Messi - to a European rival which makes the Catalans look slightly weak despite receiving a staggering £196million fee. 

Here's what PETE JENSON has to say on the deal: 

Barcelona pride themselves on being ‘more than a club’. It’s written into the seats of their stadium. 

But this summer the Neymar circus has shone an unflattering light on them and revealed a once proud institution as weak, directionless and suddenly very unconvincing on the world stage.

No matter how things finish up with Neymar, and nothing can be ruled out in this pantomime played out across three continents, it is clear that they have been given the runaround by a 25 year-old kid and his agent father.

CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL COLUMN ON NEYMAR'S MOVE

JAMES DUTTON: Barcelona will step up their chase for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho by making a new bid of €120million – over £100million – with the departure of Neymar moving ever closer.

PSG are closing in on a world record £196million move for Neymar, who left Barcelona's training ground just 43 minutes after arriving on Wednesday morning.

And the Spanish giants want to make his fellow Brazilian Coutinho their big-name capture of the summer.

Nemanja Matic, who finalised his move to Manchester United on Monday, could make his Red Devils debut later today. 

He has travelled with his new team-mates to Dublin where they play Sampdoria in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

GLEN WILLIAMS: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reiterated to Barcelona that his star player Philippe Coutinho is not for sale this summer.

The Catalan giants have earmarked Coutinho as one of their top transfer targets, but the Reds boss has insisted he will be at Anfield next season.

'I can understand that Coutinho is so highly rated, but they can save their energy,' Klopp said.

Neymar's representative Wagner Ribeiro has said the Barcelona star was once 'close to a move to Manchester United'.

It has yet to be confirmed if he is alluding to this summer or if he means during previous years.

Neymar has been continually linked with a move to Old Trafford but it seems PSG have won the race to land the Brazilian superstar.

JAMES DUTTON: RB Leipzig have ruled out selling Scottish youngster Oliver Burke this summer as they continue to play hardball over their own talent.

Liverpool were forced to call off their pursuit of Naby Keita last week as the Bundesliga club refused to do business, while striker Emil Forsberg is also likely to stay.

After Burke caught the eye in the Emirates Cup win over Benfica on Sunday, Ragnick told Bild: 'I talked to Oliver once again in London and told him that we don't want to let him go.'

Neymar reportedly met with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Qatar on Tuesday.

Al-Khelaifi was giving nothing away during an interview with Moroccan broadcaster Medi 1 TV over the weekend.

In quotes reported by various European news outlets on Tuesday, Al-Khelaifi said: 'Right now, Neymar is a Barcelona player and we'll see what happens with him.

'We respect all contracts signed with other clubs and players.

'To be honest, I'd rather not to talk about this matter now. I hope to do it at another time.'

BEN NAGLE: Atletico Madrid have fuelled rumours about a return for Diego Costa, after their chief executive insisted the club will sign one more player before the window shuts.

The La Liga side are currently under a transfer embargo, meaning any players who sign won't be able to feature for six months, but that hasn't stopped them from doing deals. 

They have signed Vitolo from Sevilla and loaned him out to Las Palmas, and a similar situation could arise with Chelsea striker Costa this summer.

Speaking to the Spanish club's website this week, Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin explained the situation. 

'The ban of registering players this summer market affects us in that the two players that we wanted to hire, because there were only two, will have to join us with five months of delay,' he said.

'I always said that the decision to hire Diego (Simeone) and his decision to accept has been a great success for both sides.

'It is a clear example of successful synergy, where both parts have grown equally. I am sure that we have ahead several more years of joint work, where we can all continue growing.'

SAMI MOKBEL: Alexis Sanchez left his Arsenal team-mates convinced he wants to leave the club as he returned to training on Tuesday.

The Chile international reported for pre-season on Tuesday amid fears he may not show up after complaining of illness towards the end of last week.

The forward was due back at London Colney on Sunday but was permitted an extra two days off.

However, Sportsmail understands the South American left his colleagues under no illusion of his preference to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer as he arrived back to their Hertforshire HQ on Tuesday.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

An update from Italy, Inter Milan have signed Uruguay international Matias Vecino from Fioretina.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been capped 13 times by Uruguay.

SIMON JONES: Birmingham City have asked to take Ravel Morrison on loan from Lazio.

The Italian club turned down Birmingham's initial request to take the 24-year-old but their stance has changed in recent days.

Morrison has been training with Birmingham in recent weeks and figured in friendlies against Oxford United and Kidderminster Harriers.

JAMES DUTTON: Antoine Griezmann's future is at Atletico Madrid, team-mate Juanfran has claimed.

The French star became the latest player to be linked with a move to Barcelona this week, with reports in the Spanish press suggesting he was the No 1 target to replace Paris Saint-Germain-bound Neymar.

Griezmann's club team-mate Juanfran told AS: 'We are open to the market. It is getting a little crazy and any operation can affect you.

'Griezmann is happy at the Atleti and we want to give everything for the Atleti.'

CNN suggest Neymar has already said his goodbyes to his Barcelona team-mates as he prepares to jet over to France to complete his move.

'Neymar confirmed to his team-mates at practice today that he wishes to leave the club,' a source told CNN. 'He said goodbye to them.

'Due to the situation the manager has given Neymar permission to resolve his situation. Neymar did not practice today.'

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport suggest Julian Draxler could be on the way to Italy when Neymar's PSG move is finalised. 

The French outfit will try to balance the books by selling some of their stars and Draxler is said to be at risk of being sold this summer. 

Inter are said to be interested in the 23-year-old Germany international who only moved to Paris at the start of January. 

Draxler netted four league goals in 17 games since joining the club from Wolfsburg.

As well as reporting on Neymar's move to PSG, Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo have revealed who the Catalan giants are looking to sign during the summer window. 

With £196million likely to be transferred to their bank account, Barcelona are reportedly hoping to sign Ousmane Dembele, Angel di Maria or Kylian Mbappe. 

Barca will have to fight off competition from rivals Real Madrid if they are to sign Monaco teenager Mbappe.

LAURIE WHITWELL: Craig Shakespeare has reaffirmed Riyad Mahrez wants to play for a top six side but says Leicester are yet to receive any bids from England’s biggest clubs.

Arsenal are interested and may make a move as Monaco continue to resist attempts to sign Thomas Lemar, while Chelsea are also monitoring the situation.

Despite issuing a statement of his intent to leave at the start of the summer, Mahrez has been Leicester's best player in pre-season and was a creative presence for an hour of the 2-1 friendly defeat at Burton Albion.

'He wants to play for a top six club,' said the Leicester manager. 'If we don’t get an offer from a top six club, he stays. If that offer comes in and it's not enough, he stays. It is quite clear for me at the moment, he has made that statement but he is our player.'

SIMON JONES: Former Blackburn Rovers striker Anthony Stokes is returning to Hibernian.

The 29-year old is due for a medical today after turning down prospective moves to Turkey and Sweden.

Stokes, who had a successful spell with Celtic, is joining the Edinburgh club for the third time in his career.

SIMON JONES: Brighton manager Chris Hughton is considering a move for Adam Forshaw at Middlesbrough.

Hughton is eager to strengthen his midfield options ahead of the new season after seeing a deal for Gent's Renato Neto fall through and allowing Oliver Norwood to join Fulham.

Forshaw, formerly with Everton and Brentford, was one of the few plus points for Middlesbrough last season and was even touted for a possible England call-up when watched by Gareth Southgate.

The 25-year-old cost Boro £2m plus add ons when they signed him from Wigan in 2015.

Sportsmail's transfer guru SIMON JONES will be providing updates throughout the day. Here's his first...

SIMON JONES: West Brom are showing interest in Leicester City's Matty James.

The 26-year old has impressed in pre-season for Leicester and Albion manager Tony Pulis is weighing up a move for the midfielder.

James, a former Manchester United academy graduate, had a strong spell on loan at Barnsley last season after battling back from a knee injury.

Leicester also have interest from Chelsea in Danny Drinkwater and have rejected a bid worth up to £7m from Derby for Tom Lawrence.

Leicester will complete the £25m signing of Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City following his medical on Tuesday. City have inserted a £50m buy back option in the deal.

GLEN WILLIAMS: Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt is hoping Jose Mourinho hands him a contract at Manchester United after he hangs up his running spikes.

The Jamaican sprint icon is a lifelong fan of United and has made no attempt to keep quiet his desire to walk out at the Theatre of Dreams — even suggesting in the past that the club should take him on trial.

'Everyone knows I'm always talking about (playing) football, I'm waiting on a call from Mourinho,' Bolt said.

'I think he's waiting until the last day (of the transfer window).'

BEN NAGLE: Neymar looks to be edging ever closer to a world-record £196million move to Paris Saint-Germain after an abrupt visit to Barcelona's training ground on Wednesday.

The Brazilian drove into the Joan Gamper facilities with two friends half an hour before training, but stayed just 43 minutes before leaving again.

Barcelona have confirmed that he was given permission to skip the session by coaches, but he now looks closer than ever to quitting the Catalan club.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON NEYMAR'S PROPOSED MOVE

Neymar's former agent and close friend Wagner Ribeiro has suggested the move has been given the green light by revealing his love for Paris.

Ribeiro, who has close connections with Brazilian stars, said on Twitter: 'Paris wonderful, the Eiffel Tower, wine, gastronomy and football.'

Initial reports suggested Neymar's move was going through today and it looks like they could be right. 

Barcelona have confirmed the Brazilian has been given permission to leave training so it would appear he has moved a step closer to sealing a move to Paris. 

Stay tuned for all the latest updates...

Morning and welcome to our live blog on the latest transfers in the world of football.

Neymar is dominating the headlines with Paris Saint-Germain closing in on a staggering world record £196million move for the Brazilian superstar.

Join me for all the latest updates regarding Neymar's proposed move and more during the day.

Let's hope it's action packed with managers looking to add numbers to their squad ahead of the new season.