Transfer News LIVE As Man United Chase Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Arsenal Go For Jamie Vardy

The Gunners activated Vardy's release clause on Friday, while the Red Devils appear to be closing in on their first summer signing

The transfer window took a turn for the exciting on Friday, with two top Premier League clubs edging closer to significant new signings.

First, it emerged that Arsenal had activated Jamie Vardy's release clause at Leicester, meaning they are free to speak with the England striker about a possible move to London.

That got Gunners fans fairly excited and they were joined on cloud nine soon after by supporters of Manchester United.

The Red Devils are reportedly closing in on the signing of Swedish maverick Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while there have even been whispers of a swoop for Lionel Messi.

We'll bring you all the latest on those stories, plus plenty more besides, throughout Saturday. Don't touch that dial.

Arsenal linked with Hoffenheim striker

Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Hoffenheim striker Antonio Colak.

The 22-year-old his seven goals in 25 appearances last season during a loan spell with second-tier outfit FC Kaiserslautern.

Website Soccerisma say personal terms have been agreed and the Gunners have been tracking the player for some time.

A fee has not yet been agreed between the two clubs, however.

Pjanic on the streets of Manchester?

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

That is according to the Manchester Evening News, who say Jose Mourinho wants to take the 26-year-old to Old Trafford.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who can play as a playmaker or in a deep-lying role, made his mark against United in a 2014 friendly in Denver when he lobbed goalkeeper Ben Amos from the halfway line in Roma’s 3-2 defeat.

Pjanic would also be able to report for pre-season duty at Carrington on July 4, since the Eastern Europeans did not qualify for the Euro 2016 finals.

Liverpool trumped in Vardy chase

Liverpool could miss out to Arsenal for Leicester striker Jamie Vardy after the Reds were unable to trigger the England star’s release clause.

The Gunners are in talks to sign the Premier League champions’ leading scorer after they submitted a £20million bid which activated a release clause in his current Foxes deal.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are also interested in signing the 29-year-old and have offered him a bumper £140,000-a-week, but the release clause is only available to Champions League clubs.

Sunderland bid for West Ham star Sakho

Sunderland have submitted an £11million bid for West Ham forward Diafra Sakho.

Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce is eyeing a reunion with the striker he signed from Metz for £3.5million two years ago when he was in charge at Upton Park.

The Senegal international finished his first season in east London as the Hammers’ top scorer, but injuries restricted him to just four Premier League goals last term.

Sunderland again successfully beat the drop last season after Allaryce arrived at the Stadium of Light halfway through the campaign, but he has now vowed to take the side into mid-table safety and has targeted a number of areas he wants to strengthen.

Sakho is thought to be keen on the move as the 26-year-old eyes first-team football. West Ham have been linked with a number of strikers already this summer.

Liverpool to stand firm over Coutinho

Liverpool will reportedly reject any approach for Philippe Coutinho this summer.

Jurgen Klopp sees the Brazilian as a key part of his bid to return the Reds to the Champions League, and the Daily Express report Paris Saint-Germain are one of three clubs lining up a move for the midfielder.

However, Liverpool will apparently snub any bid for the £45million-rated playmaker.

Coutinho arrived on Merseyside for £8.5million from Inter Milan in January 2013 and penned a new five-year deal in February last year.

Swansea and Middlesbrough set for Pritchard battle

Swansea and Premier League new boys Middlesbrough are leading the chase for Tottenham youngster Alex Pritchard.

With interest mounting in attacking midfielder, Spurs have told Pritchard’s suitors it will take an offer of £8m to persuade them to sell.

Swansea have shown interest along with Boro, who are looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of their Premier League return. They agreed a deal worth around £4m for Ajax’s Danish winger Viktor Fischer last week.

A number of Championship clubs are also chasing Pritchard, who shone during a spell in the second tier on loan at Brentford in 2014/15. But with two Premier League sides already registering their interest, Pritchard is likely to secure the chance to stay in the top flight after spending the second half of last season on loan at West Brom.

More details on Arsenal's Vardy raid

Mirror Sport understands Arsenal were sounded out last month about Jamie Vardy and told about the 29-year-old’s potential availability and that he wanted a four-year deal worth around £120,000-a-week.

They were cautious at that stage as they were concerned whether his season was a one-off and also about his age and the size of the contract.

But they have clearly decided to go for it, knowing that there is a clause in the Leicester contract which he only signed last season.

The Foxes have made it clear they do not want to sell any of their title winning heroes.

They may make Vardy a new offer and try to buy-out the escape clause, but they know it will be a battle now Arsenal have moved in.

Man United linked with Messi swoop

Manchester United are reportedly exploring the possibility of a sensational move for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Daily Mail report the Argentine has seeked assurances over his future at the Nou Camp and United have made two separate approaches in the last three weeks to gauge the possibility of a big-money switch.

Any move would likely take place next summer and be dependent on Jose Mourinho steering the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

The move would smash the £85.3million world record transfer fee paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.

Arsenal trigger Vardy's release clause

Arsenal are in talks to sign Jamie Vardy after triggering his £20million release clause.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to do the deal after his Londoners and several other Premier League clubs were sounded out by England striker Vardy’s representatives.

Liverpool offered the player £140,000 a week, but Arsenal are in pole position because the clause is only available to Champions League clubs.

New champions Leicester will fight to keep their 24-goal top scorer but it is believed the Gunners are closing in on a player currently being paid £60,000-a-week.

Wenger was at England’s friendly with Portugal on Thursday, when Vardy started up front.

It is understood the date of June 3 is significant to the release clause, which would mean Arsenal need to rush to get it done in the next few days. They are hopeful of getting a deal sorted over the weekend.

England boss Roy Hodgson has made it clear he does not want players underdoing medicals or being involved in transfer talks after they depart to France on Monday for the Euros.

Man United close to sealing Zlatan deal?

Manchester United are poised to confirm the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal.

Sky Sports are reporting that the Swedish superstar will become Jose Mourinho’s first signing when the move is officially confirmed in the coming days.

Ibrahimovic is reportedly set to sign his new mega-money deal before the start of the European Championship, meaning that United fans could see him in the club’s colours sooner rather than later.

The experienced striker is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Ibrahimovic has remained coy over questions about his future during the build-up to the Euros.

The 34-year-old has been linked with moves to a host of Premier League clubs, while offers from China have also been taken into consideration.

However, during a recent press conference, Ibrahimovic kept his cards close to his chest.

He said: “I want you to still write a lot of stories, so I get excited when I see them, because I want to see who is making up the best story.

“When I’m tired of it, I’ll let you know where I will go.”

We’ll be bringing you the latest on Ibrahimovic, plus plenty of other transfer news, throughout Saturday. Stay tuned.

CREDIT:Mirror