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…
GUNNERS ON THE BERGE
Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Sheffield United ace Sander Berge with a view to bolstering their midfield ranks ahead of Granit Xhaka’s possible departure.
But the Gunners are facing a transfer tug-of-war for the Blades ace with Napoli, Lazio and Liverpool reportedly after his signature.
The Sheffield Star claims the Norway international midfielder is among the names on the club’s ‘for sale’ list following the arrival of new manager Slaviska Jankovic.
Bramall Lane chiefs are thought to be eager to boost funds following the club’s drop from the Premier League. And Berge, 23, who is reportedly unenthusiastic about the prospect of playing in the Championship, is believed to have a £35million release clause in his contract.
Arsenal, who finished eighth last term, are looking to strengthen their midfield options with wantaway star Xhaka heavily linked with a move to Roma.
Earlier this month it was reported the North London giants had a £17.2m bid for Berge rejected by Bramall Lane officials. However, the Star claims a concrete bid for the Norwegian is yet to be put forward.
DOUBEL TROUBLE
David De Gea and Dean Henderson’s futures are in doubt now Manchester United have secured the services of four goalkeepers.
The club have signed Tom Heaton on a three-year deal and extended Lee Grant’s stay by a year meaning the club are now overloaded in that department.
It is clearly a move in preparation for the departure of one of their first-team keepers who shared goalkeeping duties between them last season. Neither De Gea, 30, or Henderson, 24, want to play second fiddle to the other next season.
Now the Red Devils will wait to see if there are offers for either. De Gea lost his Premier League first team place for a time towards the end of last season.
Henderson did not fully grasp his opportunity with De Gea returning at the end and taking his place in the Europa League Final.
But he was poor as United drew 1-1 with Villarreal and lost on penalties with De Gea not getting nearing one of the 11 spot-kicks he faced and then crucially missed his own.
WHAT A BAUM-MER
Manchester United look set to miss out on target Christoph Baumgartner after he pledged his future to Hoffenheim.
The Red Devils have been keeping tabs on the Austrian since January as they look to bolster their midfield ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
But their pursuit of the 21-year-old will have to put on hold until at least next season, according to Buli News. The youngster’s contract expires in 2025 and he has no plans of changing that in the coming years.
Baumgartner reckons staying put at the Rhian-Neckar Arena is the best thing for his career right now. When asked about his future, he said: “My clear plan is to play for Hoffenheim next season.
“I definitely extended my contract in March with the intention to play here next season.
“I believe I have the biggest opportunity to develop further here. For me, that means playing consistently at a high level with more room for improvement.”
BEFRIEND IT LIKE BECKHAM
Victoria Beckham has been crowned England’s ultimate Wag ahead of the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 quarter-final clash with Ukraine.
Manchester United legend David’s wife has topped the list of the most popular partner just ahead of Coleen Rooney and Abbey Clancey.
England’s current Wags were allowed to roar on Gareth Southgate’s men during their 2-0 win over Germany at Wembley.
They included Harry Kane’s missus Katie Goodland, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison and Harry Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins.
Yet according to a survey by bettingexpert.com of over 1000 Brits ahead of the game, the partners of former players were more popular.
And it was England’s most famous Wag – Victoria – who remains the biggest fan-favourite with over half the vote.
Credit: Getty – Contributor TAKE A BOU FOXES
Brendan Rodgers has made his second signing of the week by landing French Under-21 midfielder Boubakary Soumare from French champions Lille.
The Foxes boss snapped up the highly-rated 22-year-old for a bargain £17million as Soumare entered the final year of his Lille contract.
Leicester beat off competition from Manchester United, Aston Villa, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle, Wolves and Italian giants AC Milan to secure one of the hottest young midfielders in Europe on a five-year-contract.
Soumare, who has made over a century of appearances for Lille, says he can’t wait to make his debut for the FA Cup winners.
He told LCFC.com: “I’m really proud to come to the Premier League and a big club like Leicester. It’s going to really help me to develop my game and progress as a player, so I feel it is the right step for me.
“Leicester is a very ambitious Club. When they spoke to me about their plans and what they wanted from me, I knew straight away I wanted to come. I really am so proud and honoured to be here and I will give my all for the team and Club to make everyone happy.”
HE THINKS IT’S AL OVER
Former Manchester United target Toby Alderweireld has reportedly told Tottenham he wants to quit the club this summer.
The Belgian centre-half joined Spurs in 2015 from Atletico Madrid after impressing before that on loan at Southampton. He has played nearly 200 appearances for the North London side and helped them reach the Champions League final in 2019.
Now The Athletic claims his time with Spurs may soon be over and that he is searching for a new side. Harry Kane’s future still remains unclear and this latest development will not help new boss Nuno Espirito Santo with his pre-season plans.
Tottenham have been in the market for a new centre-half and reportedly had a £15.5million offer for Takehiro Tomiyasu rejected by Bologna.
SunSport exclusively revealed last week that Spurs are confident they will land the Japanese defender this summer.
The North London club felt their initial bid of £12.9m plus an extra £2.6m in add-ons would be enough to clinch the 22-year-old. But Bologna are holding out for an extra £1.5m for Tomiyasu, taking the price to £17.2m.
Credit: Getty HAALAND BOOST
Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland is likely to join Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Sport Bild’s head of football, Christian Falk, who insists the Blues have a ‘big chance’ of landing Haaland.
The west Londoners are looking for a top centre-forward ahead of next season and the Norway international poses as their top target.
But the 20-year-old has also been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid
GETTY IMAGES HEATON REACTS
Tom Heaton is excited to have returned to Manchester United, the same club where he spent his youth days.
Heaton told United’s official website: “For me to have the opportunity to come back after spending 13 great years here as a kid, it’s an incredible feeling and I’m really, really excited to get started.
“I’m just seeing it as a fantastic opportunity as I still feel I’ve got an awful lot to give and I’ve got the bit between my teeth.
“I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running. I feel in great shape and I’m looking forward to coming in to compete with the other goalkeepers”
LEW-KING OUT
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has told club director Marina Granovskaia to add Calvert-Lewin to the team’s wish list.
Tuchel is prioritising the signing of a centre-forward with Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland still posing as his top target.
However, the German coach is keeping his options open and is ‘keen’ on the England international
RAMOS SNUB
Sergio Ramos snubbed Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
Real legend Ramos is set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal as a free agent.
According to the Daily Star, however, the 36-year-old defender held talks with United about a possible switch to Old Trafford before sealing his move to PSG.
The Red Devils were willing to hand over a £200,000-a-week deal, with the option of a second season, whereas PSG offered a two-year deal but with reduced wages
HAYES STAYS
Emma Hayes has signed a brand new contract with Chelsea, the club announced.
Hayes poses as the most successful manager in WSL history as she’s led the Blues to 10 major trophies.
The 44-year-old has won four FA Women’s Super League titles, two Women’s FA Cups, two Continental League Cups, the FA WSL Spring Series, and the Women’s FA Community Shield – the most by any club in the professional era.
She also led Chelsea to their first ever UEFA Women’s Champions League final
LOAN WOLF
Chelsea have announced that Billy Gilmour has joined Norwich on loan.
Gilmour is going to spend the season with the Canaries where he is expected to get more opportunities at first-team football.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said: “We are really happy to have brought Billy in. We must say a big thank you to Chelsea and all those involved for making this deal happen.
“I think it helped that in the past we have shown that young players with potential are in good hands here at Norwich City.
“We are delighted to bring Billy in because we’ve lost some players in that area. We’re looking to improve our options, particularly in the centre of the park, and for that we’re happy to bring Billy in.
“We got the feeling that he can help us a lot with his ability to link the play, his technical qualities and also his work against the ball. From the football point of view, but also from his character he is the perfect fit to our squad.
“He will help us to achieve our targets. We still have to keep in mind that he is an unbelievably young guy and that he hasn’t played regularly on this level. We have to give him some time and space to improve and find his rhythm.
“All in all, we got the feeling that he can help us achieve our targets and he’s a perfect fit for us”
HEAT-ING UP
Manchester United have announced the signing of former Burnley and Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Heaton has put pen to paper on a contract until June 2023, with the option for a further year.
The 35-year-old spent 13 years at United as a youngster without ever making a senior appearance.
The England international is set to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s third-choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea and Dean Henderson
WHITE SITUATION
Brighton star defender Ben White is very close to joining Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Football London, who claim that an agreement for White to join the Gunners is all but complete.
It is also expected that the highly-rated centre-back will link up with the north Londoners after Euro 2020.
That is despite reports linking the England international with Manchester City and Everton
GETTY IMAGES POGBA FUTURE
Manchester United ace Paul Pogba is set to enter the final 12 months of his Old Trafford deal.
According to the Daily Express, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could try and sign a midfielder if Pogba’s contract saga continues.
That is why the Red Devils have been linked with the likes of West Ham player Declan Rice and Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka.
The Manchester giants will start focusing on other targets once Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund is completed
VAR REVIEW
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.
That is according to ESPN, who report United have received encouragement over a transfer for Varane following a deal with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho.
The report adds that the centre-back is manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top defensive target and Real are prepared to negotiate a realistic fee for the 28-year-old star defender.
The Red Devils are said to have held ‘some discussions’ for the France international, whose contract at Los Blancos is due to expire in June 2022.
The Manchester giants’ efforts to land Varane have stepped up following France’s shock round-of-16 exit at Euro 2020 against Switzerland.
United are confident that a deal can be reached for around £43million – a sharp decrease from Madrid’s initial £60m valuation
LOC & LOAD
Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has revealed that Arsenal have submitted an official offer for Italy star Manuel Locatelli.
But he warned that Juventus are also keeping tabs on Locatelli…
Carnevali told Sky Italy: “Arsenal have made an official bid for Locatelli.
“They’re pushing hard to sign Manuel and it’s an important bid… we will see.
“Also Juventus want Locatelli and we’ve a special relationship with them. We’ve a new meeting scheduled with Juve”
HAALAND LINK
Chelsea are reportedly preparing an offer for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim the Blues are close to landing Haaland.
The report suggests the star striker expects a move to the Blues this summer after another successful season in Germany.
However, the west Londoners are still facing a fierce bidding war with Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
RAMOS UPDATE
Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain in the next few days.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims Ramos will undergo a medical with PSG very soon.
The star centre-back left Real last month after 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
More below:
NO MESSI-ING ABOUT
Lionel Messi is officially a free agent and available for nothing after his contract expired at Barcelona.
Barca president Joan Laporta, though, is confident that Messi will sign a fresh deal with the Catalan giants.
Laporta told El Transistor: “We want him to stay and Leo wants to stay, everything is on the right track, what’s left to sort out is the issue of fair play and we are in the process of finding the best solution for both parties.
“I’d like to be able to announce that he is staying but at the moment I cannot do that, because we are in the process of looking for the best solution for both parties.”
Messi was linked with a reunion with former Barca manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City last summer but ended up staying on another year at the club he spent his entire career at
MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund announced yesterday a deal has been agreed to take Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford after Euro 2020.
United will pay the Germans £73million for the England winger who will join when he is released from Three Lions duty.
Sancho is to become United’s second-highest earner.
He will pen a five-year deal at Old Trafford worth £91million – or £350,000 per week.
That will see his wages more than treble from the £100,000-per-week deal he is on at Dortmund.
Elsewhere, 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.
Staying at Goodison, 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.
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
