CHELSEA have reportedly opened talks with Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
The Blues look to have moved ahead of Man Utd in the race for the Frenchman, who has three years left on his current deal.
We’ve also got an update on Romelu Lukaku, with Inter Milan chief Beppe Marotta saying he is staying at the club.
Lionel Messi’s new Barcelona contract is set to be revealed within the next week, while Cristiano Ronaldo is set to stay at Juventus.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
EXCITED
Paul Pogba may delay making a decision on his Manchester United future until 2022, KEALAN HUGHES reports.
The midfielder, 28, has been linked with a move away with Paris Saint-Germain one club said to be interested.
The Frenchman is said to be excited by the moves for Jadon Sancho, 21, and Raphel Varane, 28, with the latter edging closer to an Old Trafford switch after United and Real Madrid agreed a fee.
As such, a transfer to PSG may now seem less desirable for Pogba.
FULL STORY
PLAN OF ACTION
Reports suggest that Arsenal Technical Director Edu is considering a player-plus-cash deal to secure the services of Lautaro Martinez.
Football.london are reporting that Edu is keen to use Inter’s interest in Hector Bellerin as well as a lump sum to bring the £60million rated striker to the Emirates.
With the future of Alexandre Lacazette up in the air Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his forward line, and with just two years remaining on Martinez’s contract the Nerazzurri may be forced to cash in before it’s too late.
PERSONAL TERMS AGREED
This is a big one.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Chelsea have AGREED personal terms with 22-year-old defender Jules Kounde.
The club have agreed a contract with the Frenchman that runs until 2026 and are in advanced talks with Sevilla regarding a transfer fee.
That one has progressed quickly!
DONE DEAL
Another done deal to report.
Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace centre-back has joined Montpellier after leaving Crystal Palace as a free agent.
According to L’Equipe the 31-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the French side after an eight year spell in the Premier League.
DONE DEAL
Sheffield Wednesday have announced the loan signing of Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The 24-year-old joins up with the recently relegated Owls on a one-year loan deal in a bid to further his development.
Peacock-Farrell acted as back-up to Nick Pope last season but a campaign in League One should see him feature regularly and pick up some much needed game time.
RUNARSSON DEAL OFF
It’s been reported in recent days that Runar Alex Runarsson was on the verge of a loan move to Turkish side Altay Spor.
Runarsson has failed to impress at the Emirates since joining the club from Dijon last summer with the club eager to send the Icelandic international out on loan.
A move to Turkey was all but done two days ago but now football.london are reporting that the deal has been cancelled.
Disagreements over a loan fee are said to be the reason, with a deal for the 26-year-old now looking increasingly unlikely.
ANOTHER ARSENAL ENQUIRY
Following an enquiry for James Maddison the Gunners have also reportedly made an enquiry for Inter Milan striker Lauro Martinez.
Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that the Argentinian international has been made available for around £60million, with Mikel Arteta eager to add attacking reinforcements.
The 23-year-old scored 27 goals in 38 Serie A games last season, helping to fire the Nerazzurri to a first Serie A title in ten years.
However with Ben White set to arrive from Brighton for a reported £50million, outgoings are likely to be needed before Mikel Arteta makes more moves in the transfer market.
SALES NEEDED
Manchester United will need to sell players in order to make any more additions, KEALAN HUGHES reports.
United signed Jadon Sancho last week in a deal that will cost the club around £73million.
And after agreeing a £40m fee with Real Madrid for Varane the Red Devils are committed to spending £113m this summer.
According to The Telegraph United are targeting an overall net spend between £75m and £100m.
That means players will have to be sold, particularly if United are to land Kieran Trippier.
FULL STORY
AU REVOIR ANTONEE?
Relegated Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson could be on his way out of West London.
The 23-year-old American international is attracting interest from abroad, with French outfit Bordeaux said to be interested in a loan move for Robinson.
Robinson was previously on the verge of a move to AC Milan last year, but the move was cancelled at the last minute as an irregular heartbeat was detected on Robinson.
Manchester City and Wolves are also reportedly keen on Robinson, but Bordeaux are favourites to sign him at this moment in time, according to RMC Sport.
ARSENAL ENQUIRY
The Gunners have reportedly made an enquiry for Leicester City star man James Maddison.
Mikel Arteta is thought to be a keen admirer of the 24-year-old England international, who has been linked with a move to North London for a number of months.
And now football.london are reporting the Gunners have enquired regarding Maddison’s availability but have been put off by the Foxes £60million asking price.
With Ben White set to arrive from Brighton for a reported £50million, outgoings are likely to be needed before Mikel Arteta makes more moves in the transfer market.
HAALAND QUOTES
Chelsea target Erling Haaland has been questioned by Sky Germany regarding the Borussia Dortmund striker being linked with the Blues.
Haaland seemed to quiet down rumours though, telling the German outlet:
“Before yesterday I haven’t talked to my agent in a month… you to tell me.
“But I hope they are just rumours, as €175 million would be a lot of money for one person.”
BREAKING NEWS
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has declared that Jules Kounde is a top target for Chelsea.
Last season’s Champions League winners have opened negotiations with Sevilla for the transfer of the highly rated 22-year-old Frenchman.
Kounde is reportedly open to a move due to the prospect of playing Champions League football.
He’s also been linked with a move to Manchester United but that would be some signing for Thomas Tuchel.
BERGE BACK IN TRAINING
Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge is back in training for the Blades, cooling speculation of a potential transfer.
The 23-year-old has a £35million release clause in his contract, with Arsenal and Napoli both reportedly interested in signing the Norwegian international.
Yorkshire Live are reporting that no official bid has been made for the Norwegian who missed the Blades pre-season tour to Spain, sparking rumours of a move to North London.
BID MADE
Aston Villa have made an opening bid for Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.
According to Sky Germany Villa have submitted a £25million bid for the 23-year-old Jamaica international.
Bailey has two years left on his contract so reports suggest Villa’s opening bid will be rejected but Leverkusen are willing to listen to further offers.
Bailey has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United in the past so a move to Villa Park would be a major coup for Dean Smith and Co.
NOT DONE YET
With the transfer of Raphael Varane almost inevitable, Manchester United are already turning their attention to other targets.
The Manchester Evening news are reporting that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to bring in a central midfielder amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Paul Pogba.
Saul Niguez, Eduardo Camavinga and Declan Rice are all names that have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
But with £70million being spent on Jadon Sancho and around £40million on Raphael Varane Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may need to move some players on to free up funds for further transfers.
AU REVOIR AMINE
Arsenal target Amine Adli is unlikely to renew his contract with French side Toulouse.
The 21-year-old forward was named French Ligue 2 player of the year last season after bagging eight goals as well as eight assists.
Mikel Arteta is thought to be an admirer of the youngster, with Brendan Rodgers and Leicester also keen on him.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Toulouse president Damien Comolli said:
“Is there a possibility that he will renew [his contract]? No. I haven’t believed it for a long time.
“We’ve had a dozen discussions and at a certain point, when the player doesn’t want to, he doesn’t want to.
“For me, he will leave. He doesn’t want to stay.”
WAITING GAME
Granit Xhaka is reportedly eager for Arsenal and Roma to tie up a deal for the transfer of the midfielder.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a switch to Rome since before the Euros with a deal being seemingly inevitable.
But in recent days negotiations seem to have stalled with Arsenal holding out for £17million, a fee which Roma aren’t keen on paying.
And now Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport are reporting that Xhaka is so keen for a move he is willing to give up part of his outgoing payment from Arsenal in a bit to force a move through to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
ERIC’S UNSURE
Reports emerging from Old Trafford are stating that the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane may also signal the end of Eric Bailly’s United career.
According to ESPN Eric Bailly is eager to seek clarification of his future at the club when he returns from representing Ivory Coast at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 27-year-old only signed a new contract with the club in April after assurances regarding his playing time, but the arrival of Raphael Varane may change that.
Watch this space.
TOBY TALKS
Spurs have this morning confirmed the transfer of centre-back Toby Alderweireld to Qatari club Al-Duhail SC.
In a video posted on Spurs’ Twitter account, the Belgian said:
“Hi guys, I want to thank you for everything in the last six years.
“It’s been an unbelievable road for me, it’s been an honour to play for Spurs and from the moment I arrived I felt [at] home, I felt welcomed.
“And it was a pleasure to play for this club, [and] for the badge.
“I wish you all the best for the future and I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
PHIL STEAM AHEAD
West Ham boss David Moyes is eager for a reunion with Manchester United defender Phil Jones, according to reports.
With the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid the Red Devils are open to the departure of Jones, who has made just eight appearances in the last two years.
Hammers boss David Moyes worked with Jones during his spell as United boss and is keen to bring the 29-year-old to East London.
Jones still has two years left on his contract but some reports are suggesting United would be willing to let him leave on a free transfer.
MARTIN RUMOUR STARTIN’
Martin Odegaard is feeling ‘disconnected’ at Real Madrid and ‘considering’ Arsenal return.
The Norwegian said playing for Los Blancos was his dream earlier this month as the Gunners plotted a move to get him back.
He joined Arsenal in January and thrived in the latter part of last season but returned to pre-season with Madrid and played in the defeat to Rangers on Sunday.
Now, Cadena SER claim the distance from his teammates is affecting him as he now ponders a move back to Arteta’s side.
WANT OUT
Thomas Tuchel has admitted some of his Chelsea stars will want out the club this summer.
The European champions are looking to challenge for league success to add to last season’s Champions League.
With the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley returning from loans, Tuchel admits some are angling for a summer departure.
Some of them want to look absolutely for the chance to stay, some of them want to maybe leave.
They’re humans, they’re not robots and that’s why we have to accept it’s not the easiest situation also for them.
But what I’ve experienced every day is the complete opposite – it’s a very positive group, hardworking, full of desire to learn, hungry in every training session and ready to go.
It’s such a good mix with the five or six guys who were with us here in the last half-a-year. I’m absolutely happy because it’s so much easier than I thought, it’s so easy and so nice to be the coach of these guys.
Thomas Tuchel
NOT FOR LAC OF TRYING
Atletico Madrid are set to renew their interest in Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, reports claim.
ESPN report that Diego Simeone wants more competition up front having relied heavily on veteran Luis Suarez to win LaLiga last season.
Atleti now see Lacazette as a solution to their striking conundrum, with Simeone a long-term admirer of the Frenchman.
They were heavily linked with a move for the Gunners forward last summer and had even tried to sign him when he was at Lyon in 2017.
SunSport revealed Lacazette is now available after the Emirates side made the decision to not offer their No9. a new contract.
EVERTON ARE INTER HIM
Everton are interested in signing defender Stefan de Vrij, according to reports.
The Inter defender has emerged as a Toffees target, though no bid has yet been lodged.
Simone Inzaghi is the new Inter boss and has already coached De Vrij and reportedly doesn’t want him to leave this summer.
And Tuttosport say Everton have made contact with his agent, Mino Raiola.
BAT OFF
Michy Batshuayi is being chased by Turkish side Trabzonspor.
The Chelsea striker is back at Cobham after a loan spell at Crystal Palace.
And outlet Milliyet claim the Turks are in for the Belgian forward.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
