Hakimi to Chelsea LATEST, Benitez to Everton, Grealish transfer UPDATES, Varane’s next move

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.

SILVA LINING

According to respected journalist Duncan Castle, Arsenal are ready to move for Frankfurt striker Andre Silva.

Speaking on his podcast, Transfer Window Podcast this week, he said: “Frankfurt are asking for £34.35m for the player. 

“There is an expectation that that won’t be achieved, and that they will be forced to sell him for less money. 

“Leipzig certainly don’t want to pay that. Arsenal have expressed their interest and have done a lot of propriety work on this deal.

“They have told Andre Silva that they need to sell before they can bring him in. But they want to do that deal. 

“And the player they have targeted sell is Alexandre Lacazette.”

GIFT WRAPPED

 Barcelona are closing in on Lionel Messi’s contract extension and could announce it on his 34th birthday, according to reports. 

The Argentine’s future has been plunged in doubt ever since he demanded to leave the club last summer.

An expired clause in his contract forced him to stay for another year although he is currently free to leave from July 1. 

But following the return of club president Joan Laporta in March, the club legend has been expected to sign on the dotted line.

GET IT ‘DON

Manchester United have submitted an opening bid for Jadon Sancho, according to reports.

As revealed by SunSport this month, £350,000-a-week personal terms have already been agreed between the player and the Old Trafford club.

And German newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten state a formal offer has been lodged for United’s No1 summer transfer target.

It is unclear how much the bid was but United are thought to want Sancho for just £60million.

However, the report states Borussia Dortmund are demanding £82m plus bonuses – with the fee described as ‘non-negotiable’. 

That figure is £26m less than the £108m the Bundesliga side wanted last summer when a deal could not be agreed.

TOP TIER

Kieran Tierney is close to signing a new deal at Arsenal, according to Sky Sports.

The defender joined the club back in August 2019, and has impressed.

Tierney is also a key player for Scotland, and he contributed to the team’s big result at Wembley last night against England.

BIG BUYS

Paul Pogba remains the most expensive buy in the Premier League to date.

GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS

The Jadon Sancho saga continues to dominate headlines, with reports claiming talks have advanced between Manchester United and the player’s current side Borussia Dortmund.

The Red Devils’ transfer budget may be limited this summer, though, as the club have posted a £21.7million loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One player who will definitely be on the move in the coming weeks is Sergio Ramos following his departure from Real Madrid.

The Spanish defender’s former manager Jose Mourinho has backed him to be a success in England, telling talkSPORT: “I have no doubt he can play with the intensity and the demands of the Premier League.”

SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Arsenal are ready to launch another bid for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, who is available for £20m.

Reports claim Gunners owner Stan Kroenke will invest £250m in the squad this summer to help propel Mikel Arteta’s side back into Europe’s elite.

Some of that cash will be spent on Kieran Tierney as he’s set to sign a new five-year deal after the Euros, according to reports.

Another player set to agree a new contract is Barcelona star Lionel Messi, with rumours hinting it could be signed before his 34th birthday on June 24.

And Leicester City are hoping Youri Tielemans will agree a new contract at the club and quash speculation of a move to Prem rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

NEV’S MAGUIRE FEAR

Gary Neville fears for Harry Maguire’s recall chances at Euro 2020 as the Manchester United skipper sat out England’s clean sheets against Croatia and Scotland.

Maguire hoped to return against the Scots tonight but Gareth Southgate retained John Stones’ central-defensive partnership with Tyrone Mings.

In one sense, the United centre-back might be glad to have missed the shocking 0-0 draw with Scotland, following the more solid 1-0 group win over Croatia.

But Old Trafford legend Neville told ITV: “I think he would have started if he was fit.

“He mustn’t be fit and that must be a concern as the tournament goes on.

“If Gareth doesn’t think he can play against Scotland then that would cast a shadow on him across the rest of the tournament for me, as it gets to the point where you can’t bring him into a knockout game mid-way through the competition.”

KANE WAS SOU DISAPPOINTING

Graeme Souness has slammed England captain Harry Kane after his anonymous showing against Scotland saying: “Football isn’t coming home with this squad.”

The England captain, 27, went missing yet again as Gareth Southgate’s team were booed off the pitch after deservedly being held 0-0 against Scotland.

Kane struggled against Croatia on Sunday and barely had a sniff against the Scots either.

England now sit second in Group D behind Czech Republic on goal difference and will need to win their final game to win the group.

And ex-Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Souness took particular aim at Kane for his lacklustre showing in front of goal.

Speaking on ITV, Souness said: “The centre-backs had an easy night again him.

“Harry Kane looks a shadow of the player we know he is. In two games, he looks leggy, lacking enthusiasm…”

But Kane added: “A centre-forward is 90 per cent relying on the passes he’s getting and he’s not getting a great deal from that midfield.

“I don’t care what anyone says; that ain’t working.”

UTD ‘£20m SHORT FOR JADON’

Manchester United could be up to £20million short of Borussia Dortmund’s £80m valuation of Jadon Sancho.

United are thought to have agreed personal terms with The England wideman, 21.

But the Mirror claim there is still A BIG difference between Old Trafford chiefs and the Bundesliga giants over the total fee – AND how it will be paid.

EVERTON FANS RAGE AGAINST BENITEZ

Everton fans hung anti-Rafael Benitez banners at Goodison Park after the Spaniard appeared to be lined up for the hotseat.

The ex-Liverpool manager, who won the Champions League in 2005 during his six years in charge, is worshipped at Anfield.

His connection to the Reds means Toffees supporters have been left fuming at the prospect of the coach, 61, taking charge.

On Thursday night, banners were seen outside Goodison amid the bitter fan backlash.

One read: “F*** off Benitez you fat Kopite c***”, while another stated: “Benitez not welcome.”

Benitez has held talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and is set to inherit the mega £1million-a-month salary given to predecessor and Real Madrid-bound Carlo Ancelotti.

The Spaniard remains a favourite to take over but is joined by seven other candidates.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who has left Wolves, is also among the front runners for the job.

WE’VE SCOTT OUR EYE ON YOU

Middlesbrough are eyeing up a move for Norwich talent-spotter Kieran Scott.

Canaries head of recruitment Scott played a key role in the Norfolk side’s signings of Teemu Pukki and Emi Buendia, who joined Aston Villa for £33million earlier this month.

SunSport understands Championship side Boro are mulling over offering him a role as sporting director.

Scott has spoken before of his desire to take such a position at a club in the future.

Though that role could possibly be available in a year at his own club Norwich, with current incumbent Stuart Webber previously hinting he could vacate his role when his contract ends in 2022.

Meanwhile, the newly-promoted Canaries are set to announce Lotus as their new shirt sponsors for the season.