Real Madrid eye Calvert-Lewin EXCLUSIVE, Hakimi to Chelsea LATEST, Benitez to Everton, Grealish transfer UPDATES

EXCLUSIVE BY DAN KING

Crystal Palace are the subject of a £220million takeover bid — by a pioneer in hologram technology.

American investor John Textor is understood to be leading a consortium that is attempting to take control of the club.

He is best known for leading the company that created holograms of deceased rapper Tupac Shakur for the Coachella Music Festival in 2012 and of the late Michael Jackson for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. 

But his name is mud in Hollywood because he was the chief executive who oversaw the slide into administration of renowned visual effects firm Digital Domain in 2012.

GREAL DEAL

Man City are reportedly eyeing a Premier League transfer record move for Jack Grealish.

The Telegraph claims Pep Guardiola wants to raid Aston Villa for their talismanic captain.

And he is ready to shatter the £89million fee Man United paid for Paul Pogba in 2016.

Grealish has been linked with United too, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal.

EXCLUSIVE BY KEN LAWRENCE

Carlo Ancelotti has put Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his wish-list as he prepares to rebuild Real Madrid.

The Italian stunned Everton owner Farhad Moshiri by walking out on a £1million-a-month deal to return to the Bernabeu.

Now he could add insult to injury by going for DCL, who he has already described as the “complete striker”.

And with the Toffees under growing financial pressure, Moshiri may feel forced to accept a cut-price £50m bid for the 24-year-old.

EXCLUSIVE BY ALAN NIXON

Fulham have put Steve Cooper on the top of their wanted list to be Scott Parker’s replacement as boss.

The relegated outfit think Swansea chief Cooper would be ideal as he plays good football with young teams, as they aim for a quick return to the top flight.

And Fulham would pay the compensation figure for Cooper and his team, which is only £3.5million for a Championship club — £1m less than if a Premier League side took him.

Swansea will demand every penny for Cooper and his staff, including highly-rated right-hand man Mike Marsh.

ZLAT’S THAT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had keyhole surgery on his left knee and could be out for two months.

The AC Milan star is missing the Euros after suffering an ACL injury in May.

And former Man United ace Ibra has now gone under the knife as he attempts to be fit in time for the new Serie A season.

FAB EXPERIENCE

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that drawing with Tottenham in the Battle of the Bridge was like winning a trophy.

He told the Telegraph: “Winning a derby can feel close to winning a trophy and it was like this when I won the Battle of the Bridge with Chelsea.

“Even though we had not won the game, drawing and stopping Tottenham winning the title felt similar to a trophy and I remember I went out to celebrate after the game, like I would have if we had just won the league or a cup. 

“It was just one of those moments you wanted to enjoy.”

THIA-NO GO

Thiago Alcantara has revealed he hates modern football and believes the game has lost its magic.

The Liverpool star told the Guardian: “It’s taken up a different pace, rhythm: more accelerated, more physical.

“The figure of the No10 has almost disappeared. We see less magic, less fantasy.

“You lose that player who’s different, who ‘breathes’ – the playmaker who was slower even if he had sublime technique doesn’t get the opportunity to turn.

“I have that ‘hate modern football’ mentality, I’m more classic in attitude.”

DIE ANOTHER DAY

Wolves are reportedly plotting a sensational swoop to bring former Chelsea striker Diego Costa back to England.

The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after he was released by Atletico Madrid back in January.

Brazilian news outlet UOL reports Wolves are ‘studying’ the possibility of offering the striker a contract.

However, Turkish side Besiktas are thought to be leading the race after offering Costa £40,000-a-week on a one-year deal.

DZEK-GO

Roma star Edin Dzeko is on the verge of completing a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, according to reports.

The 35-year-old has one year remaining on his existing contract with the Serie A club and is not believed to be in new manager Jose Mourinho’s plans.

According to journalist Sercan Hamzaoglu, Fenerbahce are ‘very close’ to completing a deal for the former Manchester City striker.

IN THE DEP END

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Netherlands star Memphis Depay.

The Dutch forward joins on a free transfer after his Lyon contract expired.

Ex-Man Utd flop Depay is Barca’s second freebie of the summer after they snapped up Man City legend Sergio Aguero.

NEY BOTHER

Man United and Scotland star Scott McTominay has shed light on his on-field row with PSG’s Neymar.

He told The Athletic: “He ended up grabbing me. You could see his head was gone for a moment in the way he was so aggressive.

“There was a lot of talking going on — words that your mum or dad might not like to hear.

“But that is part of the enjoyment of football, of competition. He’s trying to beat me, and I’m trying to stop him.

“If you have to say certain things to people to take their eye off the game, then fair enough — that is the way it’s going to be.”

PUT A SOC IN IT

Real Sociedad are negotiating with Borussia Dortmund to remove a £26m buy-back clause for Arsenal target Alexander Isak.

Sociedad bought Isak from Dortmund back in 2019, with the Bundesliga giants including a £26m buy-back clause.

According to Sport1, the two clubs are now in negotiations to remove the clause.

Isak, 21, has three years remaining on his deal in Spain, with Sociedad hoping to reward his form with a new contract.

The Basque side are expected to pay around £5m to remove Dortmund’s clause.

PAU WOW

Man Utd are willing to launch a transfer bid for Pau Torres, according to reports.

But they face competition from Real Madrid for the defender’s signature.

According to AS, the Red Devils may make an official bid in the coming weeks.

Torres was in the Villarreal side which beat United in the Europa League final.

And he is currently starting for Spain alongside Aymeric Laporte at the Euros.

RAM RAID

Manchester United have reportedly been given a clear path to sign Sergio Ramos after Paris Saint-Germain dropped out of the race, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.

RMC claims Mauricio Pochettino is keen on signing the former Real Madrid captain, whose shock Bernabeu departure was confirmed this week.

However, Ramos is demanding a two-year contract on wages worth £200,000-a-week.

And PSG are refusing to enter talks unless Ramos, 35, has a change of heart and drops his demands.

That means United could now be frontrunners for the veteran defender after he also refused to entertain an offer from former side Sevilla.

Ramos is seen as an ideal partner for Red Devils captain Harry Maguire.

AOU ABOUT THAT?

Arsenal are ready to launch another attempt to sign Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, writes JORDAN DAVIES.

The Gunners were priced out of a move for the 22-year-old Frenchman last summer – with Lyon demanding up to £55m.

However, the Ligue 1 club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League means Aouar will cost as little as £20m – a figure well within the North London club’s price range.

And SunSport understands that Arsenal are readying a contract worth £100k-a-week to lure the midfielder to the Emirates at the second time of asking.

IMPROVED BID

According to Sky Sports, Man Utd have made an improved bid for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

An offer believed to be in the region of £75m has reportedly been submitted to the German club.

Dortmund are believed to be looking to to get a sum of £80m, but there is a willingness to sort the situation out.

BARCA BOUND

Memphis Depay will be a Barcelona player this season, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

An announcement is expected this weekend if all the correct paperwork has been sorted out.

MEDLEY TO LEAVE

Arsenal defender Zech Medley will join Belgian side K.V. Oostende on a permanent transfer, according to football.london.

The 20-year-old will end his five-year stay at the North London club and will head to Belgium in the coming days.

The report states that Arsenal will add a sell-on clause into the deal just incase he makes good progress.

Boss Mikel Arteta was keen on keeping Medley, but the player wants to play first team football.

OLISE LINKED

Reading superstar Michael Olise has attracted attention from a host of top clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds.

And the teenage sensation is being urged to make his transfer decision – to stay or to seek a move elsewhere.

The 19-year-old had a productive season in the Championship scoring seven goals as well as providing 12 assists.

HAK IT

Chelsea are set to lose out on Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi with Paris Saint-Germain leading the race, according to reports in France.

Chelsea have already had a bid worth £51.5m rejected by the Italian champions.

PSG have also seen a bid worth a similar amount turned down.

But according to RMC Sport, PSG are hopeful that an improved bid of £60.1m will seal the deal.

VARANE DEAL

Man Utd are still keen on signing Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, despite his £80m price tag.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd made a £50m move but it was swiftly turned down.

The report states that despite club captain Sergio Ramos leaving, they are prepared to sell Varane this summer with free agent David Alaba arriving.

Real Madrid are trying to tie Varane down to a new deal, but if things don’t work out they wan’t a sizeable transfer fee.

Worst case, Man Utd wait until next summer to sign the Frenchman for FREE.

SANCHO CLOSER THAN EVER

According to Si Lloyd, Man Utd are closer than ever to signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

LIVERPOOL EYE BERARDI

Liverpool are interested in signing Sassuolo winger Domenico Berardi this summer, according to the Daily Express.

The 26-year-old has attracted some attention after his fine performances for Italy at Euro 2020.

Italy have won both of their two fixtures by three-goal margins.

CORR BLIMEY

Arsenal are keen on signing Lazio forward Joaquin Correa, according to reports.

Sky Italy are saying that Arsenal have requested information on the Argentine.

In the report, it states that Lazio have interest in one of Arsenal’s players, Lucas Torreira.

And the Uruguayan midfielder could help sweeten the deal to tempt the Rome-based club.

TRIPP’S IT

Manchester United are willing to sell left-back Alex Telles to fund a move for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier, according to reports.

The Mirror are reporting that Man Utd are still keen on Trippier and a reported bid of £10m was turned down not long ago.

And Atletico boss Diego Simeone doesn’t want Trippier to leave for anything less than what they value him at, £40m.

Trippier’s ability to play at both right and left-back provides cover if Telles is sold.