Mkhitaryan's move to Man Utd gathers pace after BVB approach Bellarabi

Gab Marcotti says there is still a chance Henrikh Mkhitaryan stays at Dortmund instead of moving to the Premier League.

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TOP STORY: Mkhitaryan on brink of United move?

Are Borussia Dortmund bracing themselves for the imminent loss of Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester United?
The Mirror thinks they could be because they are readying themselves to make another move for Bayer Leverkusen's Karim Bellarabi.
Last week, reports in Germany suggested that Dortmund were open to selling attacking midfielder Mkhitaryan, who registered 23 goals and 32 assists in all competitions last term, if a club offered at least £32 million. Now ESPN FC's German football expert Raphael Honigstein reports that a BVB official has travelled to Manchester, with the move almost wrapped up.
With 27-year-old Mkhitaryan set to enter the final year of his Dortmund contract, his agent, Mino Raiola, has said he wants to move to his "dream club" -- and that's United. Although Dortmund have said the Armenia international must see out his contract, officials at Old Trafford "remain convinced" that they can get their man, the Mirror said.
Dortmund have had a bid for Germany international Bellarabi rejected, with Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller saying, "He is not for sale."
But they are ready to try again, with Inter Milan and unnamed English clubs also reported to be interested.

Partey time for the Saints

Southampton could make a loan move for Thomas Partey as they look to fill the gap left by the departure of Victor Wanyama to Tottenham, according to the Mirror.
Atletico Madrid's Partey, a substitute in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month, has been out on loan in La Liga twice. The Ghana international has found it difficult to secure regular first-team football.
Southampton, who have already signed winger Nathan Redmond from Norwich, despite not currently having a manager, want to make him their second arrival of the summer.

Rodgers eyeing Toure transfer

Old colleagues reunited? It seems that could be the case at Celtic, with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and ex-Reds defender Kolo Toure set to link up once more.
The Sun reported that Rodgers wants to bring Toure, a free agent after he was allowed to leave Anfield when his contract expired, to the Scottish champions.
The Ivory Coast international is reported to be considering offers from clubs throughout Europe but would rather remain in British football. That would give Rodgers a head start, with the manager who took Liverpool so close to the 2013-14 Premier League title having brought Toure to Liverpool at the start of that season.
The manager is also looking to sign Scott Sinclair from relegated Aston Villa.
The Sun said Celtic have made a £2 million offer for the winger, but Villa want closer to £6 million for him.

Magpies crank it up to Gayle force

Talking of that 2013-14 Liverpool season, who could forget the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park?
Striker Dwight Gayle, who scored twice as Palace came back from 3-0 down, certainly won't, and now Newcastle want him to spearhead their bid to get back into the Premier League.
The Sun said the Magpies "are keen to lure the striker to the Northeast and will pay £10 million to get him."
Gayle is reportedly open to a move after starting just eight Palace games under the management of Alan Pardew.

Stoke prepared to wait for Witsel

A few years ago, when people talked about Stoke playing the long game, it tended to be a reference to their tactics.
Not now. The Mirror said they are going to be patient in their attempts to bring Belgium international Axel Witsel to the Britannia Stadium.
The paper reported that Witsel, 27, "is lukewarm on the prospect of leaving Zenit St. Petersburg to go to the Britannia."
That won't throw Stoke, it said, because they experienced a similar situation before succeeding in their efforts to sign Xherdan Shaqiri.
If a Witsel transfer saga is just beginning, another one is ending, the Mirror added. Saido Berahino will wrap up a move from West Brom in the next seven days.
The clubs have "reached agreement over a transfer fee" for the 22-year-old, with that fee thought likely to be in the region of £15 million.

Barca operating in Liga their own

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the club will make two signings from La Liga during the summer window, Sport reported.
The Spanish publication said Bartomeu spoke to two executives from football club SD Formentera while in the Balearic Islands. He told one that Barcelona were "tracking the domestic market to try and make a couple of signings."

Tap-ins

- Premier League champions Leicester are keeping an eye on Norwich's Republic of Ireland midfielder Robbie Brady and could soon make a move, according to the Leicester Mercury.
The paper said the Foxes have spoken to 24-year-old Brady's representatives, with the player having impressed at Euro 2016, including scoring a dramatic, late winner against Italy and a penalty in the round of 16 defeat to France.
- Ajax defender Mike van der Hoorn is moving closer to joining Swansea City after the two clubs agreed on a fee of £1.5 million, Sky Sports said.
It quoted the player as describing the Swans as "a great club" and said he will hold talks over personal terms.