CHELSEA have reportedly agreed a five-year deal for Seville star Jules Kounde.
The Blues look to have moved ahead of Man Utd in the race for the Frenchman, with Kurt Zouma heading the other way.
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…
LAP IT UP
Aymeric Laporte wants to leave Manchester City this summer, according to reports.
The Spain international fell behind John Stones and Ruben Dias in the pecking order at the Etihad last season.
And according to Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast, he is now ‘unhappy’ at the club.
He also revealed that Barcelona have shown an interest, but would struggle to afford a deal this summer.
And that Laporte is ‘pushing’ City to facilitate his exit.
Castles then added that the defender is ‘kicking up enough of a fuss’ to ‘pressure the club into finding a solution’.
Aymeric Laporte is reportedly unhappy with his role at Man City SE YOU LATER
Arsenal outcast Sead Kolasinac is reportedly in negotiations to terminate his deal with the club.
The Bosnian left-back, 28, is deemed to be surplus to requirements at the Emirates, after the signing of Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares.
And that’s led to both parties discussing the possibility of tearing up Kolasinac’s £100,000-per-week contract, according to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur.
If that can be agreed, Konur believes it’s likely he will sign for Fenerbahce on a free transfer.
Moving to the Turkish giants would mean Kolasiniac is reunited with pal Mesut Ozil.
The international full-back was sent on loan to Schalke for the second half of last season.
DONE DEAL
Aston Villa have reached a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Leon Bailey.
Bailey is set to discuss personal terms with Villa and undergo a medical with the Premier League club.
This could work as a boost for Manchester City, who are looking to sign Jack Grealish.
Reports suggest the Villans are set to accept City’s £100million bid for Grealish
SPURS HIJACK
Tottenham are reportedly set to hijack Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez, who has been linked with Arsenal.
According to Metro, the north London rivals are keeping tabs on Lautaro, who is open to leaving Inter this summer.
But the Gunners may remain in the drivers’ seat if they raise the necessary funds from a probable sale of Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka.
But Spurs could make a higher profit if they sell wantaway star striker Harry Kane, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City and Chelsea
GETTY IMAGES RAPH RIDE
Incoming Manchester United signing Raphael Varane hopes to travel to Manchester this weekend to complete his move at the Red Devils.
According to Manchester Evening News, Varane may fly to Manchester today but he first needs to obtain a visa before he can travel to England.
The France international will have to quarantine following his landing and will then undergo a medical to complete his £43million move.
The star defender bade farewell to former Real Madrid team-mates and staff on Friday
AC-IM’S FUTURE
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech is still being linked with a move to AC Milan.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ziyech is Milan’s top priority in the summer transfer window.
However, landing the winger won’t be easy for the Rossoneri, who are still looking for a playmaker.
The Morocco international’s current salary will be a stumbling block as he is being paid €5million (£4m) per season
KOUNDE ASKING PRICE
Sevilla star Jules Kounde will cost Chelsea €80million (£68m) to sign him.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim a swap deal is unlikely.
That is because Kurt Zouma is not willing to go the other way and thus the Blues will have to meet Kounde’s release clause.
The west Londoners appear to have the necessary funds but would prefer a compromise
KOUNDE HOPE
Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims Kounde is now the Blues’ top priority.
The west Londoners have offered Kurt Zouma in a potential swap deal.
But the reigning European champions will insist even if the Andalusians are not keen on Zouma
NU COACH
Tottenham are looking to hire a new first team strength and conditioning coach.
According to Football London, new Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo needs someone to help work on the players’ fitness and health.
This comes as no surprise as Nuno was known to have a very large backroom staff at Wolves.
The Portuguese manager is known for his teams’ high level of fitness and the double sessions he puts on most days throughout pre-season
MORE FROM WHITE
Ben White is determined to help Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League.
White said: “Arsenal speaks for itself and I spoke to the gaffer a number of times during the summer.
“I got good vibes and the way the gaffer wants to play.
“I think I can produce quality in this team and hopefully get Arsenal back.”
VARANE FAREWELL
Raphael Varane has confirmed he is leaving the Spanish capital ahead of his imminent transfer to Manchester United with the following farewell message to Real Madrid fans.
Varane posted the following on his Instagram: “These last few days have been charged with many emotions, feelings that I now want to share with all of you.
“After 10 incredible and wonderful years at Real Madrid, a club that I will always carry in my heart, the day has come to say goodbye.
“Since I arrived in 2011, together we have exceeded all expectations and achieved things that I could never have dreamed of. I would like to thank all the coaches and all the people who work or have worked at the club for everything they have done for me.
“Many thanks also to all the Madridistas who always gave me a lot of affection and with their great demand they pushed me to give my best and fight for every success.
“I have had the honour of sharing a dressing room with the best players in the world. Countless victories that I will never forget, especially ‘La Décima’. I realise that it has been a great privilege to have been able to experience such special moments.
“Finally, I want to thank all Spaniards and especially to the city of Madrid, where my two children were born. This country will always be special to me. It has been an incredible journey in every way. I leave with the feeling of having given everything and I will not change a single thing in this story of ours.
“A new chapter begins…”
POGBA BOOST
Recent reports have stated that Paul Pogba rejected a new deal from Manchester United.
But Sky Sports suggest that Pogba can see a long-term future at United after all.
The midfielder is reportedly excited with the direction the club is going in, following Jadon Sancho’s arrival and Raphael Varane’s imminent transfer.
But the France international understands his next contract could be the last big one of his career
LAUTARO SITUATION
Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez will be available for a transfer ONLY if Inter Milan receive his release clause of £77million, according to transfer expert Peter O’Rourke.
O’Rourke told The Football Terrace: “It seems really serious interest from Arsenal in the Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
“Arsenal really seem to be trying to push for this deal to see if there’s any way to make it happen.
“His price tag is pretty steep. You’re talking around £77m that Inter would want to sell the South American.
“That hasn’t really deterred Arsenal so far, they’re just trying to come up with inventive ways they could come to an agreement with Inter Milan and they think the ace up their sleeve is Hector Bellerin”
GREAL BOOST
Aston Villa are expected to accept Manchester City’s £100million bid for Jack Grealish.
According to Sky Sports, Villa have yet to formally respond to City’s offer, which was made on Friday, but are set to give the green light.
It means Grealish could become the biggest transfer in English football history after Paul Pogba’s £89m move to Manchester United in 2016.
Villa did offer the forward a new and improved contract earlier this summer, despite him only signing a five-year deal last September
WHITE REACTION
Arsenal signing Ben White revealed he had to keep his deal with the Gunners under wraps.
White said: “Obviously I’ve known for quite a while and it’s taken longer than I thought it would, but I’m buzzing to be here.
“It’s been hard to not tell anyone to be fair. I told my family to keep it quiet.
“Even when I was on holiday I was getting asked whether I am or not. It was tough but I managed to keep it”
TRIPPIER UPDATE
Atletico Madrid are not keen on letting Kieran Trippier go and thus won’t be doing Manchester United any favours regarding his asking price.
That is according to Sport, who claim Atletico are determined to hold on to Trippier.
But the England international’s ‘enthusiasm’ to return to the Premier League could ‘tip the balance’ and persuade the La Liga champions to sell him.
Nevertheless, if the full-back does indeed move he won’t be joining the Red Devils until the closing stages of the transfer window
GETTY IMAGES LUK OUT
Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta has said that Romelu Lukaku is not for sale this summer.
However, that hasn’t stopped Chelsea in their bid to re-sign their former striker.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, though, Lukaku has snubbed a move back to the Blues.
The Belgium international is not keen on leaving Inter, who are also determined to hold on to him despite the need to raise funds after the coronavirus pandemic’s financial impact
MESSI DEAL
Lionel Messi is back in Spain after agreeing to extend his stay at Barcelona.
According to SPORT, Messi is going to put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with Barca by next week.
The legendary forward has agreed to take a 50 per cent pay cut, which means he will be receiving £250,000 per week.
But the Blaugrana will have to make some cuts to balance their books and meet LaLiga’s strict salary cap
KOUNDE RECAP
Chelsea are locked in negotiations with Sevilla for star defender Jules Kounde.
Kounde has been viewed as one of the most talented young centre-backs of his era having performed consistently at a high level in Spain and in European competitions.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham were in the hunt for the 22-year-old’s signature but now it is the Blues who are keen to bring him to Stamford Brdige.
The only problem is Sevilla’s high asking price of €70million (£59.5m).
According to the Athletic, however, the west Londoners are willing to not only throw Kurt Zouma in the deal but also forgotten man Emerson Palmieri
LAUTARO ENQUIRY
Arsenal have enquired about Inter Milan star striker Lautaro Martinez while speaking to the Italian champions regarding Hector Bellerin.
Bellerin has been linked with a move away from the Emirates and Inter see him as a probable replacement for Achraf Hakimi.
According to The Athletic, the Gunners also mentioned Alexandre Lacazette but the Serie A giants need cash in order to help them maintain Romelu Lukaku.
More below:
NO KROOS-ING
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos will not be going to Juventus.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims there is “no chance” of Kroos joining Juve.
Meanwhile, former Bianconeri star Miralem Pjanic is leaving Barcelona.
However, Juventus are only focused on sighing Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli.
Unlike Pjanic, Sergino Dest will stay at Barca, who have yet to receive an offer from West Ham for Martin Braithwaite
GALLAGHER JOY AT PALACE LOAN MOVE
Conor Gallagher has joined Crystal Palace on loan.
The Chelsea midfielder, 21, signed on the dotted line on Friday amid interest from Leeds and Newcastle.
SunSport understands he rejected the rival interest to head to Selhurst Park as he wanted to be part of Patrick Vieira’s revolution.
It continues the rejuvenation of the Eagles squad under the new boss this summer with older stars such as Andros Townsend and Scott Dann departing and replaced by younger players.
Palace have already boosted their ranks with the signings of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and back-up keeper Remi Matthews.
Gallagher is a further boost to add some much-needed energy in midfield.
He said: “I’m buzzing to be here. I can’t wait to get started, I’m happy to get the deal over the line.
“I spoke to the manager, I liked what he said, I liked how he wants to play, how he wants me to play and how he wants the team to play.
“I feel like I can learn from him and the players around me.”
RASHFORD COULD BE OUT FOR 3 MONTHS
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford faces shoulder surgery next week after persuading boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer an operation would be the best solution.
Credit: Getty The England star, 23, could then be out until the end of October.
Rashford, 23, decided after the Euros he wanted an op to to go as his shoulder problem has persisted since November.
It’s thought boss Solskjaer was keen to see if rest would resolve the problem.
A United statement said: “Following consultation between Marcus, the manager, club medical staff and specialists, Marcus will undergo surgery imminently to resolve his shoulder injury.
“He will now focus on his rehabilitation in order to return as soon as possible.”
GERRO TIPPED FOR JUST ONE MORE GERS SEASON
Alan Brazil believes this season will be Steven Gerrard’s last at Rangers.
Scotland legend Brazil reckons defending the title will be enough for the Gers gaffer and he will be off at the end of this campaign.
The talkSPORT host riled Jamie O’Hara too by saying the only thing Celtic have to play for this year is getting CLOSER to Gers.
O’Hara hinted that the Hoops now had nothing to play for this year after Tuesday’s Champions League dumping and not being able to challenge the Light Blues.
Brazil agreed with Gerrard’s former England team-mate Michael Dawson that success at Ibrox will bring interest from other clubs.
And he reckons that will tempt him away next summer.
CELTIC IN FOR HART
Tottenham have reportedly told Celtic that they can land Joe Hart for £1million.
The Hoops are locked in talks with the Premier League side over a deal for the former England No1.
Parkhead chiefs hoped to land the 34-year-old on a free transfer but the Daily Record reports that Spurs have told them that’s a non-starter.
Instead, Celts will have to fork out a seven figure sum for a player they could have signed for nothing last summer – but opted to splash out £5m on Greek flop Vasilis Barkas.
Man City legend Hart is understood to be earning around £50,000-a-week at Tottenham, despite slipping to third-choice keeper.
He would have to accept a significant pay cut if a deal to Celtic Park is to materalise.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
