TRANSFER Deadline Day is here – with clubs against the clock to finalise their summer business with just hours remaining!
And Chelsea have been given a major boost in their hopes of signing Victor Osminhen from Napoli before the window slams shut tonight at 11pm.
While the Blues have also made a dramatic bid for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho on loan with an obligation to buy, according to David Ornstein.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are reportedly set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
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Cardiff to splash out for Salzburg striker
RB Salzburg striker Roko Simic is reportedly poised to join Cardiff – despite interest from Championship leaders Sunderland.
The 20-year-old will cost around £1.7milion, plus about £400,000 in add-ons.
The Milan-born ace has notched eight goals in 17 games for Croatia Under-21s.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano say Cardiff have “agreed a deal” for Simic.
But Romano believes the starlet will then get a “direct loan to Kortrijk” – in Belgium.
‘Sterling unlikely to be part of Sancho deal’
Raheem Sterling is not expected to join Manchester United in any exchange deal for Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea are in talks over recruiting Red Devils’ winger Sancho, initially on loan.
But it appears Sterling switching in the opposite direction is not one of the likeliest options.
Other Prem clubs like Arsenal and Crystal Palace have been linked with Sterling.
Real midfielder ‘snubs Championship’ for Brazil
Real Madrid midfielder Reinier is heading for Brazil – not the Championship.
The Brazilian, 22, will join Granada on loan for the season.
Norwich were among the English clubs reportedly interested in the former Flamengo starlet.
The Under-23 international cost Real £25million in 2020 on a six-year deal.
But he failed to earn a first-team spot, instead being loaned to Borussia Dortmund, Girona and Frosinone.
Prem clubs back on red alert over Osimhen
Prem clubs like Chelsea hunting Victor Osimhen could be boosted by Al-Ahli reacting angrily to a price hike hike from Napoli.
The Saudi Pro League outfit agreed a deal worth around £67million to sign the Nigerian striker, 25.
But Sky Sports say Napoli raised their asking price – with Al-Ahli chiefs refusing to budge.
The Saudi outfit are also working on a deal for Brentford’s Ivan Toney and cannot sign both.
That would clear the way for Chelsea to try and land Osimhen.
The hotshot’s staggering £500,000-a-week demands are likely to prove a huge stumbling block, however.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has introduced a wage structure, relying on long-term deals with smaller salaries to tempt stars into moves.
Fans say Utd are ‘finished’ as Sofyan joins Mourinho
Manchester United fans claim the club is “finished” after Sofyan Amrabat joined Fenerbahce – managed by ex-Old Trafford chief Jose Mourinho
The former Red Devil loanee midfielder, 28, moves to the Turkish giants in another temporary move.
Amrabat, 28, is in the final year of his deal in Italy and will now link up with a number of ex-Man United players.
One fan said of a snap of Amrabat looking happy in a Fenerbahce top: “That smile is like ‘I’ll see you soon Manchester United’. We’re finished.”
A second wrote: “Mourinho will develop him very well.”
Wolves pounce for Ajax ace
Wolves are poised to replace Pedro Neto with a young Portuguese pretender.
Chelsea swooped for £54million winger Neto, 24, earlier this month.
Now Sky Sports say Molineux chiefs have agreed a deal with Ajax for his fellow countryman Carlos Forbs.
The 20-year-old will reportedly arrive on loan with an option to sign him permanently in the summer for around £11.3m.
Forbs has won three Under-21 caps.
Credit: Rex Chelsea locked in talks with Utd over Sancho
Chelsea’s approach for Jadon Sancho is the big story around Old Trafford – with less than seven hours remaining of the transfer window.
It’s understood the Blues have asked the Red Devils about a loan move.
And if Sancho then met certain conditions – likely to include appearances – then Chelsea would have an obligation to buy.
It’s thought the two Prem giants are currently in negotiations over the 24-year-old.
Credit: Getty Halid switches from Everton to Serie B
Everton midfielder Halid Djankpata has joined Spezia.
The Italy Under-19 star arrived at the Toffees five years ago after a trial with Manchester City’s academy.
The Togo-born 19-year-old is now off to Serie B for an undisclosed fee.
Gunners bag Neto
Arsenal have landed Bournemouth keeper Neto.
The once-capped Brazilian, 35, arrives after Aaron Ramsdale’s departure to Southampton.
The Gunners had been linked with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
But instead they’ve landed an experienced Prem stopper.
Neto joined Bournemouth from Barcelona in 2022.
He previously played for Valencia, Juventus and Fiorentina
Cherries’ stopper Neto has switched to the EmiratesCredit: PA
Emery ‘happy with Villa business’
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery appears content with his summer transfer dealings.
Everton’s defensive midfielder Amadou Onana and Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen were the main recruits for the new Champions League entrants.
And asked if he was satisfied with his business, Emery replied: “Yes very happy.
“We did the things we were planning at the beginning. The squad we have now with some very important player like Mings, Cameron, Emi Buendia, they are coming back progressively.
“They are getting better and feeling better.
“The players we have added this year into the squad I am very happy.”
String of clubs aiming for Cannon
Leicester City’s Tom Cannon is reportedly the loan target for a host of Championship teams.
The one-cap Republic of Ireland striker, 21, has notched three goals in 16 games for the Foxes since arriving from Everton in September 2023.
The BBC reckon Stoke are amongst the clubs considering a temporary move for the ex-Preston loanee.
Pompey swoop for Fulham defender
Fulham centre-back Ibane Bowat has joined Championship side Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.
The Londoner, 21, joined the Cottagers in 2018 from Chelsea.
He’s won five Scotland Under-21 caps.
Sky Sports say Bowat has penned a three-year deal with the option for an other 12 months.
United on brink of sealing Ugarte deal
PSG anchorman Manuel Ugarte is expected to become Manchester United’s last big signing of the summer.
The Uruguayan, 23, would be the fifth recruit of the Ineos regime.
But Red Devils’ fans are still waiting for an official announcement.
Everton keeper steps down to L2
Everton goalkeeper is off on loan to League Two Accrington Stanley for the rest of the season.
The former Fleetwood star, 24, moved to Goodison Park two years ago.
He’s a former England Under-20 star.
Arsenal could ditch wideman bid
Arsenal are tipped NOT not pursue a new winger in the last few hours of the transfer window.
That could dampen talk of a swoop for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling.
And speculation over Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Conan could also ease now.
Boro win Doak race
Middlesbrough have won the race to sign Ben Doak from Liverpool.
The 18-year-old forward is set to undergo a medical with Boro ahead of a season-long loan.
Palace eye Chalobah
Crystal Palace are considering a late move for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The centre-back would join Palace on loan, according to Sky Sports, following an injury to Chadi Riad.
A formal approach has been made as the hours tick away on deadline day.
City ‘risk’
Pep Guardiola has admitted it is a “risk” not to have replaced Julian Alvarez this summer.
The forward left Manchester City for Atletico Madrid earlier in the window.
Guardiola told reporters: “I’m happy with the squad. We didn’t expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened.
“We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem, but in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back (from injury) and Phil (Foden) is in that position, McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo…
“They are different players to Erling of course. Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know, but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play the performance of the teams is always better.
“I know the group and how serious and professional they are and their commitment in every single game. We are pretty sure it is better to wait.”
Chelsea clearout
Paddy Power have poked fun at Chelsea’s summer transfer business with a brutal billboard outside Stamford Bridge.
As many as 13 players were exiled from the first-team this month in a bid to force through transfers away from the club.
The bookmaker has now placed a “clearance sale” sign outside the Blues’ home telling clubs “21 players must go” for “low prices”.
It also reads: “Chelsea clearance. Offer ends 11pm August 30th. Enquire now (ask for Todd).”
Credit: x / @paddypower Southampton business
Southampton are working on a pair of deals ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Saints are in advanced talks with New England Revolution for England youth international Noel Buck.
Meanwhile, they are also pushing to bring Ryan Fraser back to St. Mary’s.
The winger is currently a free agent after leaving Newcastle and spent last season on loan at Southampton.
Osimhen update
Chelsea are hopeful they can still sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli.
According to The Athletic, the Blues are awaiting the green light from the forward before moving forward with talks between the clubs.
Osimhen has agreed to join Al-Ahli but the Saudi club are favouring the signing of Ivan Toney.
Al-Ahli do not have enough foreign player registration slots to sign both Osimhen and Toney.
Credit: Rex
Coman rejects offer
Arsenal target Kingsley Coman has rejected an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The Bayern Munich winger is also understood to have turned down approaches from Europe on deadline day.
He is now expected to stay at Bayern, despite interest from the Gunners.
Antony staying put
Antony will not be leaving Manchester United before the transfer deadline.
The winger had been linked with a loan move to Spanish side Real Betis.
However, he wants to stay at United and is now set to remain at Old Trafford.
BREAKING: Sancho bid
Chelsea have submitted a bid for Jadon Sancho, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues have launched a loan proposal for the winger, thought to be similar to the offer made by Juventus.
Sancho is open to the move and keen to join Chelsea, with the transfer now up to the two clubs.
Credit: Alamy United explore deal
Manchester United are reportedly exploring a deal for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
According to Sky Sports, it is a separate transfer to Jadon Sancho’s potential move to Stamford Bridge.
Chukwuemeka is one of several Chelsea players who could leave on deadline day.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
