LIONEL MESSI helped Argentina reach the semi-finals of the Copa America – but is still a free agent as his Barcelona contract situation drags on.
Elsewhere, Toby Alderweireld is set to leave Tottenham while we’ve an important update on Sergio Ramos.
And Erling Haaland remains a summer transfer target for Chelsea.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
SANCH-NO DISTRACTIONS
Jadon Sancho insists he is fully focused on England – despite his £73million transfer to Manchester United.
The winger, 21, was handed a shock start as the Three Lions crushed Ukraine 4-0 to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 barely 48 hours after his Old Trafford switch was announced.
Sancho was one of the stars of the show with a strong performance, despite only featuring for six minutes in the tournament prior to his Rome display.
And speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live afterwards, he confirmed his sole attention is on all matters Three Lions with a semi-final against Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday.
The ex-Manchester City youngster said: “To be fair, I don’t want to talk about Manchester United.
“Right now I just want to focus on England.
“I’ve just been focusing on myself while I’ve been at England. I’ve always been ready if I needed to come on.”
NEW TARGETS
Exclusive: Newcastle look like they will move out Swedish right-back Emil Krafth because his first-team chances will probably be limited.
Krafth, 26, had the chance to go in the January window but wanted to stay on.
However, he could drop even further down the list as boss Steve Bruce looks for new faces.
Newcastle have been wading through their target list after a couple of relatively quiet years in the market.
And a remarkable 44 names were discussed at a recent scouts meeting.
The Toon will also look to free up some more space from their books by releasing forgotten man Henri Saivet.
UNDER SIGNS
Marseille have completed the loan signing of Roma winger Cengiz Under.
The Turkey international spent last season on loan at FA Cup winners Leicester City.
But failed to impress.
POG TOP
Man Utd want to tie midfielder Paul Pogba down to a new deal.
The France international is entering the final year of his contract and will be able to make pre-agreements with clubs from January.
But if Pogba does sign a new deal keeping him at Old Trafford, he would most likely become the top earner at the club – leapfrogging De Gea.
The wages of Manchester United’s current players QUITE FRANK
Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt have made a bi for AC Milan talent Jens Petter Hauge.
The bid is believed to be in the region of 7m/8m Euros, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However, AC Milan want more money for the player.
Frankfurt have also completed all of the relevant paperwork to sign Rafael Santos Borre, who will join as a free agent.
NOT SO BAD
Brighton’s Mat Ryan is close to joining Spanish side Real Sociedad, according to Sky Sports.
The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Premier League big boys Arsenal.
But failed to impress enough to earn himself a permanent transfer to north London.
Personal terms have been agreed, and a medical is due to be completed next week.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES OPTION TO BUY
Marseille will have an option to buy in William Saliba’s loan deal, according to reports.
The Arsenal defender is set to move back to France after failing to make a single first team appearance.
And with the Gunners planning on bringing in Brighton’s Ben White for a rumoured £50m, Saliba’s minutes in north London look limited.
According to L’Equipe, Marseille, will have an option to buy for the young defender.
And Marseille could pick Saliba up for less than £10m if they choose to make the deal permanent.
BREAKING: PALACE ANNOUNCE VIEIRA
Crystal Palace have announced Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira as their new manager.
The Frenchman has signed a contract keeping him at the club until 2024.
LOAN RANGER
Old Trafford outcast Donny van de Beek could have a pivotal role in Manchester United’s bid to land Raphael Varane, writes PHIL THOMAS.
United have held initial talks with Real Madrid about signing the French centre-back, who would cost around £50million.
But Real are also keen on taking Van de Beek, 24, to the Bernabeu on a year-long loan, with a commitment to buy 12 months down the line.
And United believe that gives them a key bargaining tool in their pursuit of Varane, who tops their list of centre-back targets.
Varane, 28, has one more season left on his deal and can sign a pre-contract agreement in January.
As much as the Spanish giants would love to keep him, they also do not want to lose him on a free — especially as they are in such a cash-strapped state at the moment.
So United are more likely to play ball over Van de Beek, if it gives them a little wriggle room in signing Varane, who is also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar.
PAT’S BACK
Patrick Vieira will be the new Crystal Palace manager, agreeing to a three-year deal.
NOT GUNNER RETURN
It looks like Martin Odegaard will not return to the Emirates next season.
But the Real Madrid winger expressed his gratitude to Arsenal on Instagram.
He captioned a post of him playing for the Gunners; “Arsenal , thank you so much for these 6 months.
“My time with the Arsenal family will always hold a special place in my heart.
“I wanna thank everyone in and around the club for the way you made me feel like a part of the family since the first day.
“Special thanks to the fans, even without you guys at the stadium for the majority of the season, I felt you with me at all times.
“A huge thank you to the boss and his staff for everything I’ve learned during my stay.
“Thank you also to all my teammates for such a great time on and off the pitch. Will miss you all.
“Thank you, gunners family. Always in my heart.”
BRIGHTON EYE JAMES
Brighton are exploring the possibility of signing Dan James from Man Utd.
James had a tough season for the Red Devils, struggling to break into the first team.
And with game time limited, James could be temped to move down south.
According to SunSport’s Alan Nixon, Brighton boss Graham Potter wants to nab James – who he’s managed before – and Joe Rodon from Tottenham.
THAT DOES THE TRICK
Wolves have pulled off the signing of Francisco Trincao from Barcelona.
The highly rated Portuguese winger will join the Premier League outfit on loan for the 2021-22 season.
What a signing.
SAM’S THE MAN
Arsenal have identified West Brom and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as a transfer target.
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal have been put off by Sheffield United’s high valuation of Aaron Ramsdale.
And the Gunners have now switched their attention to Johnstone who could be available for less than £20m
The Blades were demanding upwards of £35m to sign Ramsdale, putting off any interest.
Ramsdale (left) and Johnstone (right)Credit: GETTY IMAGES ‘ONE OF THE PLAYERS’ OF EURO 2020
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has praised potential Arsenal target Raheem Sterling as “one of the players” of Euro 2020.
Sterling has scored three goals for England and set up Harry Kane’s opener yesterday night.
Wright said: “Raheem Sterling is one of the players of the tournament.
“He finds Harry Kane with a brilliant pass (for the opening goal).
“He comes inside. We need players who can run with the ball, progress the ball, into Harry Kane who can take our half-chances. That’s a half-chance.”
GUNNERS FAN
West Ham will have to move fast to sign Antonin Barak from Hellas Verona.
The attacking midfielder is a life-long Arsenal fan, and that could be problematic.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport in 2017: “I was and still am an Arsenal fan.
“I know that I need to develop, and it doesn’t bother me where I end up, we’ll see.
“In Europe, Arsenal and Barcelona appeal to me.”
EXCLUSIVE: TOBY OR NOT TO BE
Tottenham are ready to grant Toby Alderweireld a dream move back to the Low Countries – but not for a low fee, writes PAUL JIGGINS.
The Belgium defender, 32, wants to quit Spurs for either his homeland or Holland.
He is believed to have told the North Londoners this before they appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as boss this week.
The club are ready to listen to offers for Alderweireld as new boss Nuno and recently appointed recruitment guru Fabio Paratici plan to kick off the new era in N17 with a defensive shake-up.
The former Ajax and Atletico ace has two years remaining on his current £100,000-a-week contract.
SUMMER SIGNINGS
Neymar is the biggest transfer of all time, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be topped!
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
SunSport’s Alan Nixon has revealed that Graham Potter aims to nab his former players Dan James and Joe Rodon.
The Brighton manager hopes to get the nod to land speedy winger James this summer.
The Welsh midfielder, 23, has seen his chances of a game at Manchester United hit hard by the £73million arrival of Jadon Sancho.
As well as James, Potter is on alert for his fellow Welshman, Rodon.
The Tottenham centre-half, also 23, could be available with the North Londoners closing in on Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
James came to prominence at Swansea under Potter, who used his blistering pace to lethal effect.
The winger would be given the games he needs at this stage of his career on the south coast.
Meanwhile, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reports that Old Trafford outcast Donny van de Beek could have a pivotal role in Manchester United’s bid to land Raphael Varane.
United have held initial talks with Real Madrid about signing the French centre-back, who would cost around £50million.
But Real are also keen on taking Van de Beek, 24, to the Bernabeu on a year-long loan, with a commitment to buy 12 months down the line.
And United believe that gives them a key bargaining tool in their pursuit of Varane, who tops their list of centre-back targets.
Varane, 28, has one more season left on his deal and can sign a pre-contract agreement in January.
As much as the Spanish giants would love to keep him, they also do not want to lose him on a free — especially as they are in such a cash-strapped state at the moment.
So United are more likely to play ball over Van de Beek, if it gives them a little wriggle room in signing Varane, who is also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar.
Ironically the Red Devils pipped Real to sign the Dutch midfielder in a £35m move from Ajax last summer.
And finally, Leeds United are close to completing a deal for Junior Firpo but the move is being held up, according to reports.
A deal has been agreed with Barcelona for his transfer but Covid protocols have halted progress after he travelled to England.
Firpo is currently in quarantine ahead of undergoing a medical at Thorp Arch.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Leeds have not specified when the medical will take place.
And since that is the next stage in the transfer proceeding, there has been a delay in wrapping up a deal for the defender.
The Whites have reportedly had a bid worth £13m accepted for the 24-year-old, who will sign a four-year deal.
POTT’S STARS
Exclusive by Alan Nixon: Graham Potter aims to nab his former players Dan James and Joe Rodon.
The Brighton manager hopes to get the nod to land speedy winger James this summer.
The Welsh midfielder, 23, has seen his chances of a game at Manchester United hit hard by the £73million arrival of Jadon Sancho.
As well as James, Potter is on alert for his fellow Welshman, Rodon.
The Tottenham centre-half, also 23, could be available with the North Londoners closing in on Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
James came to prominence at Swansea under Potter, who used his blistering pace to lethal effect.
The winger would be given the games he needs at this stage of his career on the south coast.
CASE FOR DEFENCE
Raphael Varane will fix ‘top-heavy’ Manchester United and solve their defensive woes.
That’s according to Andros Townsend, who is back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to pull off a major transfer coup by signing Varane from Real Madrid.
Townsend told TalkSport: “If you look at United’s team, they are very top-heavy.
“They have a lot of forward options and Sancho will give them another.
“But Varane, if he does come in, will solidify the back four.
“He will give them extra strength, extra pace, and somebody of his calibre is more suited to the Premier League.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick and I definitely think Varane takes them closer to where they want to be.”
REAL DEAL
Manchester United are considering a major swap deal involving Paul Pogba and Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, reports suggest.
United are on the verge of completing Jadon Sancho’s move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund and will then focus on signing a new centre-back.
Varane appears to be the Red Devils’ top target as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to sign a highly-rated defender to link up with Harry Maguire at the back.
According to AS, however, the Manchester giants are believed to have splashed almost €100million (£86m) for Sancho already.
That means they are only willing to spend a maximum of €45m (£39m), plus add-ons.
This is a sum far short of the €70m (£60m) that Real are looking to recoup for the France international, even though his contract runs out next year.
CECH’S MATE
Chelsea are targeting Werder Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka, according to reports.
And Blues legend and technical adviser Petr Cech is central to a potential move.
Pavlenka, 29, has been central to the Czech Republic’s impressive performance at Euro 2020.
And Cech is believed to be a fan of his fellow countryman.
So much so, that Deichstube claim that he is ‘campaigning’ for Chelsea to sign him.
They also reckon that Cech’s word ‘carries a lot of weight’ among the Blues’ hierarchy.
TONI TIME
Toni Kroos has revealed wants to end his illustrious playing career at Real Madrid.
He said: “I believe that the year 2023 is appropriate [to retire], I will be 33 years old.
“I will decide whether I will renew for a season or two, that is still open for discussion, but I am completely sure that I will retire at Real Madrid.”
PO POSITION
Leeds United are close to completing a deal for Junior Firpo but the move is being held up, according to reports.
A deal has been agreed with Barcelona for his transfer but Covid protocols have halted progress after he travelled to England.
Firpo is currently in quarantine ahead of undergoing a medical at Thorp Arch.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Leeds have not specified when the medical will take place.
And since that is the next stage in the transfer proceeding, there has been a delay in wrapping up a deal for the defender.
The Whites have reportedly had a bid worth £13million accepted for the 24-year-old, who will sign a four-year deal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
