CRAIG HOPE: Newcastle United have announced the appointment of Steve McClaren as manager on a three-year-deal.

In an article on the club’s website, it has been revealed that the initial deal could be extended to a lengthy eight years.

Click HERE for the full story.

Earlier on, we brought you the news that David Gold had made a slight error while announcing West Ham’s new signing Pedro Obiang, instead posting a picture of Juventus’ Angelo Ogbonna

Click HERE to read the full story…

Leyton Orient’s Chris Dagnall has left the club to join Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

The 29-year-old striker finished as Orient’s top scorer in League One last season, but could not stop the side from relegation, and has now opted to move abroad.

He joins a Kerala Blasters side coached by former England goalkeeper David James. 

One potential big mover this summer is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has already collected a huge £90million in wages during the course of his career.

AC and Inter Milan are both interested… Click HERE for the full story on what’s next for the Swedish striker.

JOHN DOWNES: Joey Barton has been working with a strength and conditioning coach at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, gathering training data on his fitness.

The 32-year-old, who recently gained three million followers on Twitter, has been trying to prove his fitness on social media – ostensibly to attract clubs to his availability given that he is currently a free agent.

Barton was among six players released by QPR following their relegation from Premier League.

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Owner David Gold has sadly got him confused with Obiang…

JACK BEZANTS: Sami Khedira is relishing the latest chapter in his career after signing for Juventus on a free transfer from Real Madrid but admitted it was not a straightforward decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Germany midfielder joined the club in 2010 after an impressive World Cup and was a regular in the team under Jose Mourinho when they won La Liga in 2012.

But after a serious knee injury in 2013, he was used sparingly under Carlo Ancelotti.

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Gareth Bale could turn Manchester United back into Premier League champions if he decides to quit Real Madrid for Old Trafford this summer, according to Harry Redknapp.

The Wales international has been linked with a move away from Real after enduring a difficult second season in Spain.

Bale, 25, was jeered on occasion by Real Madrid supporters who felt he was not contributing as well as he had in his debut season at the Bernabeu – when he scored in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals.

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An emotional Dani Alves has revealed how discussions with Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi convinced him to stay at the Nou Camp.

Alves was reportedly set to leave Barcelona this summer after failing to agree terms with the club, however the 32-year-old made a dramatic U-turn on Tuesday when he put pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

And the Brazil international, who was linked with moves to Manchester United and AC Milan, has revealed he could have ended his seven-year association with Barcelona if it wasn’t for Messi.

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Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox has confirmed Christian Benteke will be offered a new contract this summer to try to stave off interested clubs.

Benteke’s current contract has two years left to run and Villa manager Tim Sherwood has revealed the terms contain a buyout clause thought to be £32.5million.

The striker signed that deal in July 2013 to end speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham and Villa now hope to pull off a similar manoeuvre this summer.

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As you can see simply naming every Premier League player set to be released would have been too much for one post, but luckily Simeon Gholam has done it for us and you can view the retained list from all 20 of the top flight clubs from last season by clicking here.

Sadio Mane enjoyed a whirlwind debut season with Southampton but his first Premier League campaign at St Mary’s might be his only one, according to reports in Germany.

Mane scored 10 goals on the south coast after arriving as a £10million deadline-day signing for Ronald Koeman’s side last year from Red Bull Salzburg.

His haul included the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history when Southampton ran out 6-1 winners against Aston Villa in May.

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Danny Ings’ move from Burnley to Liverpool is all but confirmed but it appears the clubs have failed to agree on a deal, with the Clarets due compensation over the move.

The transfer now looks set to go down to a tribunal, but the Clarets may not get what they were hoping for.

Simon Jones has more on that situation with his brilliant transfer column which has the latest on Real Madrid, Tottenham plus many more.

The Premier League have revealed a list of all the players retained by last season’s top flight clubs and there are some big names being released with Arsenal showing the exit door to injury prone Abou Diaby.

Liverpool are also set to release Glen Johnson, while Micah Richards will leave Manchester City.

James Chester insists he is good enough to play in the Premier League next season but says he would be happy to stay at relegated Hull City.

Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Brom are believed to be interested in making a move for the 26-year-old defender, whose contract runs out next summer.

Chester is currently on Wales duty and does not think playing in the Championship would affect his international status.

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Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will continue to work ‘every day’ to fulfil his ‘personal ambition’ of playing in the Champions League.

France international Lloris was one of the stand-out performers for Spurs last season, who rallied to end the campaign in fifth place and so qualify again for the Europa League.

However, with David de Gea appearing set to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, the 28-year-old Spurs skipper has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford for next season.

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RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Swansea sources have indicated to me that the Ayew signing could be completed as early as today.

SAM CUNNINGHAM: West Ham are close to finalising a deal for Sampdoria’s Pedro Obiang.

The midfielder will become the first signing of new manager Slaven Bilic’s reign.

The club are understood to have agreed a £5million deal with the Italian club and are putting the finishing touches to the paperwork.

Obiang, 23, has featured extensively for Spain at youth level but is yet to break into the first team.

However, his performances in Serie A attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
The transfer is expected to be be announced today.

MIKE KEEGAN: Manchester City are willing to listen to offers for Edin Dzeko – but the Bosnian international will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

Sportsmail understands that last year’s champions are prepared to let the 29-year-old depart the Etihad Stadium but are in no rush to sell – and a fee of £20m is expected to be sought for a man the club see as a proven Premier League goalscorer.

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RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: ‘Encouraging news for Swansea fans – Andre Ayew has agreed personal terms and is understood to be having his medical in south Wales at this moment. What a good signing that would be.’

SIMON JONES: Southampton are ready to rival Stoke City for Sporting Lisbon defender Cedric Soares.

Ronald Koeman wanted cover at right-back but Liverpool’s ongoing interest in Nathaniel Clyne has accelerated his need to line up someone who could go straight into the first team.

Stoke have offered £3.5million for Portugal international Soares as they look to improve on their highest ever Premier League points tally.

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That’s just one of quite a few transfer reports brewing up in mainland Europe this morning, as Adam Shergold’s looks at the latest transfer news from the European papers.

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PETE JENSON: Villarreal are favourites to take Real Madrid’s teen wonder Martin Odegaard on loan this summer as the Spanish club send him out to gain first team experience.

The 16-year-old was in action for Norway again this week, outshining Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a fine 90 minute display against Sweden, but new Real coach Rafa Benitez wants him loaned out next season because of the competition at Real with Isco and James Rodriguez among those blocking his path to the first team.

Villarreal, Betis, Malaga and Rayo Vallecano are the likely destinations with Villarreal favourites after previously taking another talented Real Madrid youngster, winger Denis Cheryshev.

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Manchester United have been offered Mario Mandzukic from Atletico Madrid.

The fiery Croatian is leaving Atletico this summer and has interest from clubs across Europe but is keen to play in the Premier League.

Mandzukic was a target for previous United manager David Moyes while playing for Bayern Munich and has pondered a return to the Bundesliga where Wolfsburg have also courted him.

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ADAM SMITH: West Ham will announce the signing of midfielder Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria for £4.4million on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Upton Park for the past few months but it appears the Hammers have finally got their man.

The deal is West Ham’s second bit of business this summer and got fans excited when the club tweeted about a ‘major new signing’.

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SIMON JONES: Swansea hope to finalise the signing of Andre Ayew from Marseille after he turned down the chance to sign for West Ham.

The 25-year-old Ghana international captain travelled with his agent Mark McKay for talks and further meetings are planned today ahead of a possible medical.

Ayew, a boyhood Liverpool fan who also had interest from Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen, told Sportsmail: ‘All is going well. It would be nice to link up with Bafetimbi Gomis who was a strong player in France. We will see how things go tomorrow but I feel good.’

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Managerial appointments, transfers, U-turns – we really have seen it all this week, and it’s only Wednesday!

So stick with Sportsmail throughout the day as we bring you all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip as it happens. Coming up is the latest on which Premier League club looks set to have won the race to sign Andrew Ayew…