The football world's gossip mill is in full swing, and Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.

Costa's Atletico insistence a setback for Blues?

Chelsea striker Diego Costa made his position clear after the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal -- he is interested in leaving only if Atletico Madrid is the destination.

The Independent reports that Atleti's interest in bringing Costa back remains strong, but that would make life tricky for Chelsea.

That's because Atleti would sign him only "for a price they consider reasonable" -- thought to be around £20 million -- while Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjin had been ready to spend more than £75m.

The Independent adds that, with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez among Chelsea's targets, the plan had been "to sell Costa to help fund such deals."

Meanwhile, the Telegraph says Chelsea will now hold talks with the 28-year-old to try to "avoid another summer saga," with "all eventualities currently said to be open."

Those talks will form part of a frenetic few weeks, with Michy Batshuayi, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas among the players whose Stamford Bridge futures are uncertain.

Chelsea, though, are confident of keeping Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois despite interest from Real Madrid, and in addition to Lukaku and Sanchez, they are interested in Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, "at least one new wing-back, a backup goalkeeper and possibly a wide player as part of a £200m spend."

Cost -- or Chelsea -- may unhinge Perisic's United move

So, Ivan Perisic to Manchester United?

Reports suggested Jose Mourinho had "personally intervened" to ensure United beat Paris Saint-Germain to the signing of Perisic, but stumbling blocks lie ahead.

The Mirror reports that although United have "a verbal agreement" with the Croatia international winger, a deal "could be scuppered due to Inter's asking price."

That price stands at €50m, and the Mirror, citing reports in Italy, says United consider that to be "exorbitant" and are willing to pay closer to only €35m.

The situation may be of interest to Chelsea, with Sky Sport Italia reporting that they could make a bid as Inter look to generate funds to help land targets including Federico Bernardeschi of Fiorentina and Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi.

Ederson to the Etihad?

For a while now, reports have suggested Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will prioritise a new goalkeeper -- and that keeper could be Benfica's Ederson, according to the Mirror.

It says City "are considering a move for the £35m-rated player as Guardiola overhauls his goalkeepers."

Ederson, 23, helped Benfica to a league and cup Double and said the Portuguese Cup Final against Guimaraes was "probably" his final game for the club.

Tap-ins

- Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was reportedly so impressed by Ipswich's on-loan Leicester midfielder Tom Lawrence that he wants to bring him to St James' Park, says the Leicester Mercury.

Lawrence scored 11 times for Ipswich, winning their Player of the Season award, with Newcastle reported to have considered making an offer for him in January.

- Championship side Bristol City are set to bid for Swindon midfielder Yaser Kasim, the Bristol Evening Post reports -- but they face competition from an unnamed club in Spain.

Iraq international Kasim has also been offered a new deal by Swindon despite their relegation to League Two.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by CHRIS BORG

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]