Leicester close in on Ayew, Southampton eye Feyenoord keeper, Liverpool sell Van den Berg

Leicester City are accelerating an initial £5 million move for Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew and want to sign two more attackers before next week’s transfer deadline.

Ayew was undergoing a medical on Thursday afternoon and could be registered in time for this weekend’s Premier League match at Fulham.

Leicester are paying a total deal which includes £3 million in further instalments for the Ghana international, who has been made available for sale.

Ayew, who turns 33 next month, was on the bench for Palace’s defeat at Brentford on Sunday and his versatility appeals to Leicester as he can play in a number of attacking positions. The former Aston Villa forward also has vast Premier League experience, and Leicester are hopeful of closing a deal before Saturday’s game at Craven Cottage.

Leicester are understood to have targeted Chelsea’s Armando Broja but the forward is signing for Ipswich Town. After Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Monday night, Cooper admitted that “a few [signings] are in process”.

He said: “We are definitely intending to and we want to sign some more attacking players. We hope we are close to [doing so].

“We just hope we can have a bit more luck and fortune to get some more over the line before Fulham, if not before the window closes. We need to do that as well. I’ve been really clear about where the team needs strengthening and when the window closes we hope to be stronger with strength in depth.”

Leicester announced the £25 million signing of midfielder Oliver Skipp from Tottenham on Monday.

Southampton in talks over Bijlow deal

By Mike McGrath

Southampton are advancing in talks over a deal for Holland goalkeeper Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord.

Russell Martin is looking for a keeper following Gavin Bazunu’s serious Achilles injury, with Bijlow high on the list looked at by the club.

It is understood that further discussions have taken place in the last 24 hours with hope that a deal can be struck for the 26-year-old, who has won eight caps for his country and came through the Feyenoord academy system.

Alex McCarthy, 34, started in goal against Newcastle last weekend and was guilty of a kicking error for the winner in the opening-weekend defeat. Joe Lumley was on the bench for Martin and it is thought that adding a keeper was among his priorities in the market to add competition.

Feyenoord have started this season with German keeper Timon Wellenreuther in goal, with Bijlow on the bench in the first matches since Brian Priske took charge following Arne Slot’s departure to Liverpool.

Bijlow was No1 for Slot but last season sustained two injuries, to his wrist and calf, that saw him sidelined for periods of the campaign, with Wellenreuther deputising on those occasions.

He has been linked with the Premier League before but has always remained at the Eredivisie club, where he has won two titles - one under Slot - and two KNVB Cups. His Netherlands caps also came under slot and he was picked for the last World Cup and Euros although did not make an appearance in the finals.

McCarthy, meanwhile, came back into the team at the back end of last season and played an important role in securing promotion through the play-offs by beating Leeds United at Wembley.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes had their loans turned into permanent deals, while Adam Lallana was re-signed, with Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz added to the attack, but a goalkeeper was not added before the season started.

Liverpool’s summer sale of fringe players banks £60m profit

By Chris Bascombe

Liverpool have taken their profits from summer sales of fringe players above £60 million after selling centre-back Sepp van den Berg to Brentford.

Dutch youngster Van den Berg moves to London for an initial £20 million, with a potential £5 million to follow in add-ons. As with their recent sale of teenager Bobby Clark to RB Salzburg, Liverpool have also secured a 17.5 percent sell-on clause.

In addition to the sale of Fabio Carvalho, also to Brentford in a package worth up to £27 million, new sporting director Richard Hughes has recouped some eye-catching fees for Anfield’s back-up options.

Van den Berg, 22, has spent most of his Liverpool career on loan, first at Preston North End and then Bundesliga sides Schalke and Mainz. It was thought he would be given a chance to force his way into Arne Slot’s plans, but he made it clear he wanted to move on and having initially claimed Liverpool were asking too much with their £25 million price tag, he has now left for that valuation.

The inevitable question now is how and when Liverpool will start to invest in new recruits of their own having so far been thwarted in efforts to sign a midfielder, centre-back and possibly a left back.