LIONEL MESSI is now a FREE agent, with today being the day his contract at Barcelona has expired.
On the managerial front, Nuno Espirito Santo has been named the new manager of Tottenham, while Rafa Benitez has taken over at Everton.
And Sergio Ramos is set to be announced as a PSG player in a few days after reportedly agreeing a two-year deal.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
BENI IN FOR BEN – EXCLUSIVE
Everton have told Brighton they will pay £50million for Ben White – on the instruction of new boss Rafa Benitez.
Arsenal have been trying to persuade the Seagulls into selling them the England defender but have had trouble coming up with the money to match their valuation.
So Everton have moved straight in to tell Brighton that they will pay the guaranteed money they are looking for, and are now attempting to put together bonus packages to try to get the deal secured.
New boss Benitez highlighted signing a new central defender as one of the key areas to strengthen when he was in negotiations to take charge.
And he made it clear White, 23, is his number one choice and the Merseysiders would rather not mess around so told the Seagulls board they will match the £50m they are looking for.
In contrast, Arsenal have only gone as far as offering £42million guaranteed with a further £6m in add-ons, a bid that was quickly dismissed.
FOOTING THE BILL
Norwich have landed Chelsea whizkid Billy Gilmour on a season-long loan.
The 20-year-old midfielder will sign for the Norfolk outfit when he completes his ten-day isolation period after testing positive for coronavirus at the Euros.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke has leaned on his good friend and Blues manager Thomas Tuchel to swing the deal in the Canaries’ favour after they worked together at Borussia Dortmund.
And with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic all ahead of the youngster at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel has given the green light for Gilmour to earn some first team experience.
Wolves had been linked with a loan move for Gilmour after the youngster played just five Premier League games during the 2020-21 season.
Norwich have also managed to tie down Ben Gibson and Dimitris Giannoulis on permanent deals after successful loan spells.
NU SIGNINGS
Tottenham could make a splash in the transfer market with just over five weeks until the start of the new Premier League campaign.
Spurs ended their lengthy search for a new managerial appointment by hiring Nuno Espirito Santo, who is actively looking to bolster his squad.
Here, SunSport take a look at the THREE most likely arrivals in North London, according to odds supplied by bookmakers Betfair.
Conor Coady – 11/4
Danny Ings – 7/2
Anthony Martial – 7/1
WALKER AWAY TO IRONS
Claudia Walker has sealed a move to Women’s Super League side West Ham becoming the club’s third summer signing.
The former Birmingham frontwoman follows Australia midfielder Tameka Yallop and ex-Glasgow City ace in joining the East London outfit.
And her departure comes days after Birmingham – who finished one place above the WSL’s drop zone – revealed the exit of three first-team players.
Sarah Mayling, 24, Mollie Green, 23, and England goalkeeper starlet Hannah Hampton, 20, have all left the club who ended last term in eleventh place in the league.
Walker, 25, netted five goals 21 top-flight appearances for Carla Ward’s former side helping them to avoid relegation to the Women’s Championship last term.
REDS’ COUTI-NO
Philippe Coutinho dreams of rejoining Liverpool – but Jurgen Klopp is showing little interest and Leicester are his main Premier League suitors.
The Barcelona misfit, 29, is currently recovering from knee surgery and is still admired by Nou Camp boss Ronald Koeman.
But reports in Spain suggest the Brazil playmaker would love to recreate his peak period at Anfield, although Reds’ boss Klopp is not thought to be considering a bid.
Instead, a season’s loan elsewhere is tipped as a major option.
Inter Milan and the Foxes have been mentioned.
But it’s thought Koeman hopes Coutinho can be fit enough to fight for a regular starting spot at the Nou Camp.
Credit: AFP or licensors NEAR AND VAR
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Real Madrid star Raphael Varane.
ESPN claim the Red Devils have received encouragement over a transfer for the France World Cup winner following a deal for Jadon Sancho.
The report adds that Varane is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top defensive target and Madrid are prepared to negotiate a realistic fee for the 28-year-old.
United are already said to have held ‘some discussions’ for the centre-back – whose contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire in June 2022.
And the club’s efforts to sign Varane have stepped up following France’s surprise round-of-16 exit at Euro 2020 against Switzerland.
United are allegedly confident that a deal can be done for around £43m – a sharp decrease from Madrid’s initial £60m valuation.
Credit: Getty MARC IT UP
Marco Silva is back in English football after taking over as Fulham boss.
The Cottagers moved quickly for the Portuguese following Scott Parker’s long-awaited exit on Monday.
Silva has signed a three-year deal with the West Londoners, who were relegated back to the Championship last season.
The former Everton boss, 43, said: “I’m really pleased and proud to be appointed Head Coach of such a historic football club.
“I want to thank the owner, Mr (Shahid) Khan, (director of football) Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us.
“I’m excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season.”
JA PAY TO PLAY
Jadon Sancho is set to become Manchester United’s second-highest earner after sealing a £73million move from Borussia Dortmund.
SunSport revealed last month that the England star had already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils, worth £350,000-a-week.
That will see his wages more than trebled from the £100,000-per-week deal he is on at Dortmund.
And it will also see Sancho – who will pen a five-year deal – among the very best-paid players in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
David De Gea continues to top the list, raking in £375,000 per week – totalling £19.5million a year.
But Sancho would slide in ahead of Paul Pogba, with the Frenchman earning £290,000 per week.
GUEN, NOT IF
Arsenal have reportedly reduced their asking price for bad-boy Matteo Guendouzi.
And Marseille are edging closer to agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder, according to French journalist Alexis Bernard.
The Gunners initially wanted £17million but the Ligue 1 side did not want to pay more than £10m.
However, the North Londoners are said to have reduced their valuation and talks are ongoing.
GUEN, NOT IF
Arsenal have reportedly reduced their asking price for bad-boy Matteo Guendouzi.
And Marseille are edging closer to agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder, according to French journalist Alexis Bernard.
The Gunners initially wanted £17million but the Ligue 1 side did not want to pay more than £10m.
However, the North Londoners are said to have reduced their valuation and talks are ongoing.
GET YOUR NEYM ON IT
Sergio Ramos is reportedly on the verge of signing for Paris Saint-Germain.
After 16 years at Real Madrid, the veteran defender became a free agent on Thursday and already has his eye on his next destination.
Manchester City and United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG were all said to have been monitoring the Spaniard as his exit from Los Blancos became clear.
But it is Les Parisiens who have pulled ahead in the race for his signature, according to ESPN. Sporting director Leonardo is said to have accelerated talks in the middle of June and progress has been made this week.
It is claimed that a final decision on his future will be made in the coming days.
Former Clasico rival Neymar, described as a friend of Ramos, has also reportedly urged the player to make the switch to PSG.
Credit: Rex CAULKER OF A MOVE
Steven Caulker confirmed his switch to Turkish giants Fenerbahce following a two-year spell with Super Lig rivals Antalyaspor.
And the former Three Lions star expressed delight at joining Turkey’s ‘biggest club’ whose squad includes ex-Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil.
The free transfer follows an impressive stint for Caulker with Antalyaspor.
The centre-back, who rose through Tottenham’s ranks, helped the team to reach the 2020-21 Europa League qualifying rounds before their elimination by Rosenburg.
And Caulker’s move marks a remarkable turnaround for the former Tottenham and QPR ace who spoke to the BBC of his battles with gambling and drinking in the past.
The ex-England player shared the news of his switch with 21,0000 of his followers on Twitter describing his transfer as ‘a new chapter’ in a tweet caption.
NAL AND VOID
Juventus insist Cristiano Ronaldo has not asked to leave this summer, dealing a blow to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronaldo, 36, has been strongly linked with a Turin exit three years after joining from Real Madrid.
Former club Man Utd have been linked and French outfit PSG are also thought to be interested as they look to reclaim their Ligue 1 crown from Lille.
And it’s believed Ronaldo is available for just £25m should there be any serious bids. However, Juventus chief Federico Cherubini claims he is ‘happy’ with Ronnie’s presence at the club.
Cherubini said: “We’ve currently received no signal from Ronaldo to leave the club this summer.
“Same from our side. We’re happy to have Cristiano back with us once the new season will start.”
RAM RAID
Arsenal are reportedly set to launch their bid to sign Aaron Ramsdale after his involvement in Euro 2020.
The Sheffield United keeper was called up into the England squad after the 1-0 win over Croatia as a replacement for injured Dean Henderson.
Ramsdale then emerged as a surprise name on Arsenal’s summer wanted list with the future of Bernd Leno unclear.
Yet according to the Star, any deal for the 23-year-old would have proved difficult while he was away with Gareth Southgate’s squad.
But the report adds that Arsenal are understood to have told the Blades to expect an offer for Ramsdale once the Euros are over.
The Gunners’ opening bid is said to likely fall short of United’s £40million price tag but will prove the club are serious about a deal.
Credit: Getty JAY’S PAY DAY
JadonSancho is to become Manchester United’s second-highest earner.
The England winger, 21, has agreed a mega transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
The two clubs are have agreed the £73million transfer fee but, as revealed by SunSport, personal terms are already sorted.
Sancho will pen a five-year deal at Old Trafford worth £91million – or £350,000 per week.
That will see his wages more than trebled from the £100,000-per-week deal he is on at Dortmund.
And it will also see him among the very best-paid players in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
Credit: Getty
CALL FOR CAL
Manchester United want to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new striker as a long-term No9 replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
And they have identified the Everton front man as the ideal candidate.
Calvert-Lewin, 24, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2020-21 with 21 goals in 39 appearances to be the Toffees’ crowned player of the year.
That goal return tied him level with his England team-mate Marcus Rashford and four more than Edinson Cavani.
Mason Greenwood grabbed 12 while Anthony Martial managed seven in a difficult campaign but Bruno Fernandes top scored with 28.
BREAKING: MAN UTD ANNOUNCE SANCHO
Man Utd have announced that they have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund for England international Jadon Sancho.
The deal will be completed once the player has returned from international duty with England at Euro 2020.
TAVARES MEDICAL
Nuno Tavares is travelling to London today to complete his medical ahead of a proposed move to Arsenal.
According to Portuguese journalist Goncalo Lopes, Tavares will have his medical today.
The fee for the left-back is reportedly under 8m Euros.
Tavares could be the first of many signings this summer for the Gunners.
JAD ENOUGH
Erling Haaland’s dad has posted a tongue-in-cheek X-rated tweet after finding out about Jadon Sancho’s £73million move to Manchester United, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
Alf-Inge, 48, watched his son Erling link up brilliantly with Sancho over the last 18 months.
But the duo will be broken up, at least for now, with Sancho set to light it up Old Trafford.
Replying to Fabrizio Romano’s confirmation of the deal being done, Alf-Inge replied: “F***. 🐝 But all the best @Sanchooo10.
“You will be missed.”
SAB THAT
Arsenal could be tempted into making a move for Austria and RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer.
According to Bild, Leipzig are willing to part ways with their versatile captain for just under £15m.
Sabitzer would add some much needed depth and quality in the middle of the part.
And offers both strong offensive and defensive attributes.
The Gunners are expecting a big summer, with moves for Anderlecht midfielder Lokonga and Benfica’s Tavares expected to be completed soon.
Ben White is also a top target and a deal worth £50m is on the cards.
HERE WE GO
Brazilian Gerson will join French side Marseille, returning to Europe after a failed spell in Italy with Roma.
The tricky winger will sign a five-year deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.
And Marseille have confirmed that the deal is happening by replying to Romano with his infamous catchphrase “here we go”.
SHAW’S FUTURE ASSURED
Man Utd left-back Luke Shaw will be given a new contract, after his performances last season.
Shaw has also played a key role in England’s successful Euros campaign, setting up Raheem Sterling’s opener against Germany on Tuesday.
Fabrizio Romano replied to Jan Aage Fjortoft saying: “New contract will be offered… and he deserved it!”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES BERT BATTLE
Leicester City have agreed a deal to sign Arsenal transfer target Ryan Bertrand.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the former Saints left-back has signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year.
Bertrand will be announced as a Leicester player in the coming days.
SANCHO DEAL CONFIRMED
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that a deal has been agreed with Man Utd for winger Jadon Sancho!
NEW DEAL
Arsenal have offered academy product Reiss Nelson a new contract.
According to reputable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have offered Nelson a three-year deal.
The winger currently has one year left on his current deal, and is yet to accept.
Nelson is weighing up other options, with three English clubs interested in signing him, as well as Olympiacos.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
