Kroos to Juventus, Chelsea ‘AGREE Kounde deal’, Lukaku not for sale, Messi new contract – latest transfer news

ARTETA ON WHITE

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Ben White and revealed that he was a top target.

Arteta told the Gunners’ official website: “Ben was a top target for us and it’s great that we’ve completed his signing.

“Ben has been educated with two very good clubs, Brighton and Leeds, in recent seasons.

“He has benefited well from two very good coaching set-ups and has shown with both Brighton and on loan with Leeds what a strong talent he is.

“Ben is an intelligent defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and his style fits perfectly with us.

“And of course, he is still young, so his age and profile fits with what we are building here.

“We are all looking forward to Ben being central to our future long-term plans”

RONALDO SITUATION

Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with an exit from Juventus during the summer transfer window.

According to Sky Sports, however, Juve want Ronaldo to stay and are not keen on selling him even though his contract runs out next year.

The Manchester United legend rejoined the Bianconeri for pre-season training on Wednesday.

However, the star forward and the rest of his team-mates have been forced into isolation after one of them tested positive for coronavirus

DONE DEAL

Arsenal have officially landed Ben White from Brighton.

According to Sky Sports, White joined the Gunners after a £50million deal with the Seagulls.

The centre-back put pen to paper on a five-year deal with an option of a further one.

Here’s the announcement:

GREEK WONDERKID

Norwich have been linked with Greek wonderkid Christos Tzolis, who was previously touted as a Manchester United target.

According to Sport24, the Canaries are Tzolis’ club PAOK close to €11million (£9m).

The highly-rated winger could be awarded a four-year contract worth €1.5m (£1.3m) per year by the Premier League club!

The Greece international has amassed a total of 16 goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions last season

MESSI DEAL

Lionel Messi is back in Spain after agreeing to extend his stay at Barcelona.

According to SPORT, Messi is going to put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with Barca by next week.

The legendary forward has agreed to take a 50 per cent pay cut, which means he will be receiving £250,000 per week.

But the Blaugrana will have to make some cuts to balance the books and meet LaLiga’s strict salary cap

LOCATELLI RECAP

Sassuolo ace Manuel Locatelli wants to join Juventus but he has also received two offers from England.

One is from Arsenal and the other one is from another Premier League club.

That is according to Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali, who stated that no star players will be sold after August 8.

More below:

KOUNDE RECAP

Chelsea are locked in negotiations with Sevilla for star defender Jules Kounde.

Kounde has been viewed as one of the most talented young centre-backs of his era having performed consistently at a high level in Spain and in European competitions.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham were in the hunt for the 22-year-old’s signature but now it is the Blues who are keen to bring him to Stamford Brdige.

The only problem is Sevilla’s high asking price of €70million (£59.5m).

According to the Athletic, however, the west Londoners are willing to not only throw Kurt Zouma in the deal but also forgotten man Emerson Palmieri

VAR VA VOOM

Varane thanked Real Madrid on Instagram.

He said: “These last few days have been charged with many emotions, feelings that I now want to share with all of you.

“After 10 incredible and wonderful years at Real Madrid, a club that I will always carry in my heart, the day has come to say goodbye.

“Since I arrived in 2011, together we have exceeded all expectations and achieved things that I could never have dreamed of.

“I would like to thank all the coaches and all the people who work or have worked at the club for everything they have done for me.

“Many thanks also to all the Madridistas who always gave me a lot of affection and with their great demand they pushed me to give my best and fight for every success.

“I have had the honor of sharing a dressing room with the best players in the world.

“Countless victories that I will never forget, especially ‘La Décima’.

“I realize that it has been a great privilege to have been able to experience such special moments.

“Finally, I want to thank all Spaniards and especially to the city of Madrid, where my two children were born. This country will always be special to me.

“It has been an incredible journey in every way. I leave with the feeling of having given everything and I will not change a single thing in this story of ours.

“A new chapter begins …”

NO DEAL

Barcelona have NOT received any bid from West Ham for striker Martin Braithwaite.

According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers have not bid for Braithwaite “as of today”.

DREAM TEAM

The Premier League season is nearly upon us, don’t forget to make your very own Dream Team!

RAPHA’S READY

French international Raphael Varane has took to social media to respectfully thank Real Madrid for his incredible years at the club.

However he is now ready for a new chapter under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.

This is some team the Norwegian is building.

EL LINEKAR

This is arguably the biggest transfer of the summer. After 32 years, Gary Linekar makes his return to La Liga!

2 FOR 1

2x Champions League winners Chelsea are locked in negotiations with Spanish outfit Sevilla for their talisman Jules Kounde.

The Frenchman has been viewed as one of the most talented young centre-backs of his era having performed consistently at a high level in Spain and in European competitions.

Manchester United, Manchester City and most recently Spurs were in the hunt for Kounde’s signature but now it is Thomas Tuchel who is keen to bring the 22-year-old to Stamford Brdige.

The only problem is Sevilla’s high asking price of 70 million Euros (£59.5m) however according to the Athletic, Chelsea are willing to not only throw Kurt Zouma in the deal but they are offering forgotten man Emerson too.

Below are Jules Kounde’s stats from last campaign with Sevilla. Is that price worth it?

SAY CHEESE

Despite all the speculation surrounding Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United this summer, something that will bode well with the Red Devil supporters is the Frenchman being picture in the away kit ahead of it’s official release.

PSG are said to be hot on the pursuit to bring Pogba to the capital of his home country and reports suggest that the 28-year-old is unwilling to renew his contract.

It doesn’t confirm that the midfield maestro is staying at the club but it does restore some hope on many who may have believed that his career at Old Trafford is up for a second time.

KYLIAN’S NOT KEEN

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, talented superstar Kylian Mbappe’s stance has not changed on his situation with current club Paris Saint-Germain.

It has been widely reported that PSG are hoping to entice the World Cup Winner to signing a new deal but Mbappe is “not willing to renew and will likely leave for free next summer”.

At this stage, it is not clear where the PSG striker could end up but Mbappe has mentioned his willingness to play for Real Madrid in the past and with Cristiano Ronaldo being his idol, there would be no surprises to see him end up there.

This one could get interesting.

ARE YOU MADD?

James Maddison is odds-on with Sky Bet to join Arsenal.

They have the England man at 2/5, with Chelsea next in at a huge 16/1.

It’s no secret the Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield options.

And Maddison, who has fallen out of favour for the national side, is likely to be someone they go for.

LOOK BACK IN ANGER

Newcastle and Crystal Palace have joined the race for Angers star Angelo Fulgini.

The Ligue 1 side are braced for a wave of bids as they look to cash in.

The Ivory Coast-born France youth international was the second most-fouled player in Europa last season.

And the Mail claim both clubs join Monaco in registering interest.

OD PRICE

By Joshua Mbu

Real Madrid have set their asking price at £42.5million for playmaker Martin Odegaard, according to reports.

And Arsenal – where Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan – remain interested in signing the 22-year-old.

According to ESPN, Real believe Odegaard does have a future at the club, but won’t rule out sanctioning a sale if the player asks to leave and an offer worth £42.5m is put on the table.

The LaLiga giants are hopeful that Odegaard decides to stay at Real, despite reports that the player is unsettled.

An ongoing debate inside Real is whether Odegaard is ready to step up and stamp down a first team place, succeeding an ageing Luka Modric.

IL BUILD YOUR BANK BALANCE

Man City are set to add another £6.8million to their summer transfer kitty by selling Serbian midfielder Ivan Ilic to Hellas Verona.

The 20-year-old has been on the books of the City Football Group for four years but has never played a game for Pep Guardiola’s side.

And if the deal is completed, it will be another significant boost to their funds as they look to land Harry Kane and Jack Grealish this summer.

Ilic has had loan deals with former club Red Star Belgrade and NAC Breda – before spending last season in Italy with Verona.

DECISION PENDING

Jack Grealish’s future will be decided in the next few days, Fabrizio Romano says.

The journalist says Man City are in direct contact with Aston Villa, who hope to keep their man with a new contract.

Grealish was recently spotted in Dubrovnik with his childhood sweetheart.

DOUBLE RAID

Tottenham are reportedly plotting swoops for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic and Crotone forward Simy to bolster their attacks.

The Telegraph claim Serbian international Vlahovic is Spurs’ priority as they look to Italy for attacking support for star man Harry Kane.

The report adds that Daniel Levy is determined to keep England captain Kane at the club despite strong interest from Manchester City.

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo would play a striker with the 28-year-old rather than as his replacement and £40million-rated Vlahovic is the target.

Fiorentina would ask for £50m for the 21-year-old – who enjoyed a breakthrough season as he netted 21 times in all competitions.

Vlahovic is highly rated by Fabio Paratici, Tottenham’s new managing director – who has already signed Pierluigi Gollini from Serie A.

SUNSPORT EXCLUSIVE

Chelsea are preparing to slash their asking price for Tammy Abraham, Duncan Wright reports.

That’s after struggling to find any clubs willing to pay £40million for the England star.

Arsenal, West Ham and Aston Villa have all shown an interest in snapping up the 23-year-old.

But they have made it clear they do not have the budget to meet the current valuation.

And the Blues are so keen to move Abraham on to help finance a bid for their own striker this summer they are now reluctantly having to consider reducing their demands by at least £5m.

PARROTT MIMICS DELE

Tottenham striker Troy Parrott is on his way to MK Dons on loan – after an on-pitch chat with boss Russell Martin on Wednesday.

Parrott, 19, will join the League One club for the year having seen his 12 months at Millwall last season hampered by injury.

The Republic of Ireland international figured as a substitute for Spurs in their 3-1 friendly win at the MK Stadium on Wednesday night.

And after the match finished he was sought out by MK boss Martin for a chat, leading to the two clubs finalising a deal today.

And boss Martin is keen to give the teenager a chance to establish himself.

KEEPING TABS

Watford, Crystal Palace and Brentford are keeping tabs on New Zealand hotshot Matthew Garbett.

The 19-year-old striker played alongside Burnley’s Chris Wood in their nation’s Olympic football 0-0 draw with Romania in Tokyo on Wednesday.

And scouts of the Premier League trio were impressed with London-born Garbett’s display as New Zealand clinched an historic first quarter-final spot against hosts Japan on Saturday morning.

Garbett is one of the most sought-after teenagers in Europe after joining Swedish second-tier club Falkenbergs in January 2020.

That switch from NZ Central Premier League followed his stand-out displays in the 2019 Under-17s World Cup.

MORE HERE

VINICIUS ON THE MOVE?

Gareth Bale’s change in status due to Brexit could force a string of transfers, reports say.

Real Madrid are only allowed three non-EU players to be registered in their squads for the new season.

With Brexit, Bale joins Rodryo, Eder Militao and Vinicius Jr in that regard.

Should Bale stay, it could mean Vinicius Jr has to look for a new club.

He has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with reports claiming he had been offered to Manchester United in the Raphael Varane negotiations.