Transfer round-up: Barca buy defender, Klopp debunks rumours
Barcelona have signed Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu for 20 million euros ($30.3m).
Described on the Catalonian side's official website as a "physically imposing defender", the Frenchman nominally operates at left-back but has seen himself deployed in the middle in recent times.
The 30-year-old's signing on a four-year deal will help Barca plug the hole left by club legend Carles Puyol, who retired at the end of last season due to injury.
Liverpool are set to clinch a two-season loan deal for Atletico Madrid's Javier Manquillo, according to reports in Spain which have been taken up by the British media.
The Reds have reportedly beaten Arsenal to the right-back's signature and has the option of making the deal a permanent agreement.
Should the deal go through, it will represent Brendan Rodgers' first defensive signing of the summer after securing the services of Rickie Lambert, Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has poured cold water over speculation about Manchester United and Liverpool's hopes of signing Mats Hummels and Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund.
The two Germany stars have been strongly linked with a move to England in recent weeks, with a report from Spain suggesting that United had agreed a 20-million euro deal for World Cup star Hummels.
However, the Dortmund manager has rubbished the rumours emphatically, saying: "I can assure everyone that there are no signs that those two players want to leave. Marco and Mats will play for us next season.
"What are we talking about today? Mats to Manchester United? For how much? 20 million euros? With those kind of sums can you forget that straight away. When papers mention such numbers you know it is garbage.
"If that's not a bulls**t story, I'll eat a broomstick."
Sources: AFP, Barcelona official website, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph
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