Chelsea have opened talks with Real Madrid over signing Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, although it’s unclear whether the proposed deal is for a season-long loan or permanent switch. Kovacic has wanted a move away from the Bernabéu to earn regular first-team football having made just 10 La Liga starts last season but given he’s 24, Madrid are reluctant to let him leave long-term, with considerations for him to                                                                                               eventually take over from Luka Modric.

Straight to the south coast, where Jefferson Lerma, donning ripped washout jeans, is in the building at Bournemouth. The Colombia midfielder, who can also operate at right-back, is in town to wrap a club-record £25m deal, which could rise north of that in add-ons. Lerma featured four times at the World Cup, that last-16 defeat to England.