CRISTIANO RONALDO has taken to Instagram to furiously deny rumours that he will join Real Madrid.
Meanwhile Harry Kane will miss Tottenham’s Europa Conference League tie vs Pacos de Ferreira, with Man City yet to meet Daniel Levy’s asking price.
Kane has held talks with new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo over breakfast at Tottenham’s training ground, though the Portuguese does not yet have a return date in place for the captain.
And Tammy Abraham has been praised by Jose Mourinho after completing his transfer to Roma.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
RUBE AWAKENING
SunSport Exclusive by Daniel Cutts
Manchester City are in talks with Ruben Dias over a bumper new contract — just a year after he joined.
The defender had a stunning first season with the club, winning the Premier League Player of the Year award.
The Portugal star, 24, helped Pep Guardiola’s side to another title and Champions League final before playing at Euro 2020.
And SunSport understands discussions have already begun over improving his £90,000-a-week wages.
The Premier League champions would also look to add an extra year on his deal.
That would take him to the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
DEAL ME OUT
Kenedy has joined Michy Batshuayi and Emerson Palmieri in signing a new Chelsea contract – even though the first two are being loaned out for a FIFTH time.
The Blues are keeping up the fringe trio’s transfer value by extending their deals.
But Brazilian winger Kenedy, 25, is off for a season with home country champions Flamengo.
And Belgium striker Batshuayi, 27, who had two temporary spells with Crystal Palace, will spend the campaign with Turkish giants Besitkas.
It’s thought Chelsea are looking to offload Emerson, also, 27.
COMMON KURT-ESY
Tottenham are interested in signing Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, according to reports.
The Frenchman has largely been out of the Blues’ starting XI since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in January.
Spurs and Chelsea have had a fractious relationship in recent years.
But according to Bild’s Christian Falk, the Blues would be willing to flog the centre-back to their rivals.
A-MAD DECISION
Man United starlet Amad Diallo is set to go out on loan, according to reports.
The Ivorian starlet impressed at times last term, but the Red Devils want him to gain another season of experience before giving him more game time.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on his Here We Go podcast: “Amad will go on loan, it is confirmed.
“He has a proposal from Basel but also from Premier League clubs – Crystal Palace, Sheffield United. Many clubs are interested in Amad but he’s not decided yet.
“He wants Premier League football so let’s see what happens.”
AU GO ON THEN
Manchester United are interested in AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reports.
The French side are said to value the 21-year-old at around £34m.
Transfer expert Duncan Castles said: “Manchester United, [Tchouameni] very much falls within their scouting remit.
“The targeting of that kind of younger cadre of players who can develop into top stars has been more of a focus in recent years.
“He is an obvious fit for Manchester United if the change in midfield happens that we’ve been talking about for so long, which is that Paul Pogba doesn’t sign a new contract at Man United or is sold this summer.
“Again, most likely avenue for that to happen is Paris Saint-Germain at present.
“Then you bring in Tchouameni who would certainly be much lower maintenance than Pogba, should be more consistent in his performance.
“If they have that space in their squad created by Pogba, then Tchouameni is one of the options to replace.
“He would be cheaper than options like Declan Rice, who has been mentioned as an option for them. I’m told Monaco value him at around €40m.”
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams is set to join Norwich City on loan, according to reports.
The youngster burst onto the scene at Old Trafford during the 2019-20 campaign.
But opportunities were at a premium last term, following the arrival of Alex Telles.
On Williams’ situation, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell confirmed that a loan deal with Norwich is set to be sanctioned after this weekend’s clash with Southampton.
LOC AND LOADED
Juventus have officially announced the signing of Italy star Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo.
The midfielder, 23, was linked with Arsenal earlier in the window.
But the Euro 2020 star only wanted to go to Juve, and has penned a five-year deal.
RAM RAID
Arsenal are on the verge of signing Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to reports.
The Blades were initially after £40million for the stopper.
But according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Gunners have settled on a fee of £24m, plus £6m in potential add-ons.
Ornstein adds that these add-ons are likely to only come into play if Ramsdale becomes Arsenal’s first choice.
The 23-year-old has been offered a four-year deal with an option for a fifth.
FANNING THE FLAM
Andreas Pereira is set to join Brazilian side Flamengo, according to reports.
The midfielder is rather a forgotten man at Man United, having spent last season on loan at Lazio.
He resurfaced in pre-season, scoring a wondergoal against Brentford before being named on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s 5-1 rout of Leeds.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, his time at Old Trafford is set to come to an end for good.
HOUSS LAUGHING NOW
Tottenham are reportedly set to swoop for Houssem Aouar, after Arsenal secured the permanent signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.
The Gunners have long been linked with Lyon midfielder Aouar.
But With Arsenal having moved for Odegaard instead, the Mirror claim that the path is now clear for Spurs to sign 23-year-old Aouar.
The France international has been transfer listed by Lyon supremo Juninho, and previously excelled alongside Tanguy Ndombele in Ligue 1.
CANDY KANE
Manchester City target Harry Kane has been pictured training for the first time at Tottenham this season.
The striker shared an image of himself putting in the hard work on Wednesday afternoon.
Kane’s snap came after he was left out of Spurs’ squad for tomorrow’s Europa Conference League qualifier in Portugal.
He wrote: “Another session in the bank.”
TREASURE HUNT
Arsenal are continuing to revamp their transfer department with the addition of three new scouts.
An overhaul was kicked off last year when ten talent spotters were axed by technical director Edu.
Head of recruitment Francis Cagigao, France scout Ty Gooden and head of youth scouting Steve Morrow were all let go in the space of a few months.
Last month, a trio of new scouts began working for the Gunners with the aim of bringing in hidden gems.
Former Manchester United employee Romain Poirot will look after Arsenal’s French network.
Now in charge of Arsenal’s Spanish scouting system is former Andorra international Toni Lima.
And James Ellis has also joined Arsenal to help scout the domestic market, with all three starting their work for the club in July.
LIKE IKE
Marseille have entered the race to sign Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo, according to reports.
Belgian side Genk were thought to be in the driving seat for the 22-year-old.
But according to Football Mercato, Ugbo has been offered to Marseille after scoring 16 goals on loan at Cercle Brugge last season.
SOD’S LAU
Inter Milan have today held contract talks with Lautaro Martinez’s agent.
The Argentine has been linked with a move away from San Siro, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Spurs and Atletico Madrid have had bids rejected.
But the Italian reports that Martinez’s extension is edging closer, and is likely to be completed in the weeks ahead.
EMER DEAL
Chelsea have EXTENDED Emerson Palmieri’s contract despite desperately trying to offload the defender, according to reports.
The Italian left-back, 27, is currently third choice behind Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel is eager to offload Emerson this summer, with Napoli and Lyon keen.
But in a desperate bid to avoid losing the Euro 2020 winner for nothing, Chelsea have extended his contract, say Foot Mercato.
Emerson is out of contract at the end of this season, with the Italy ace able to quit on a free on July 1, 2022.
But Chelsea are still hoping to recoup the £17million they spent to sign him from Roma in 2018.
Tuchel and Co will continue to look for a new home for Emerson, with Lyon and Napoli in hot pursuit.
PHIL HIS BOOTS
Philippe Coutinho has reportedly been offered Lionel Messi’s No 10 shirt at Barcelona after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Coutinho’s own future at Barca is still up in the air with Arsenal linked with the Brazilian.
According to Mundo Deportivo, former Liverpool star Coutinho – who currently has 14 on his back – has been offered Messi’s prized shirt number at Barca.
The Spanish giants are still reeling after being unable to hold on to Messi due to their crippling debt.
Messi made an emotional exit as he signed a huge deal with PSG after the end of his Barca career.
And Coutinho could now take on his shirt as Barca bid to rebuild after losing the legendary superstar.
S-MART MOVE
Martin Odegaard’s move to join Arsenal from Real Madrid is reportedly a ‘done deal’.
The Gunners are known to be huge admirers of the Norwegian ace following his loan spell last term.
And now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that Odegaard will join Arsenal on a five-year deal.
He tweeted: “Martin Odegaard to Arsenal, here we go and deal confirmed! Permanent move – bit less than €40m [£34m] to Real Madrid.
“Personal terms already agreed on five years contract.
“Edu and Arteta wanted Odegaard as only priority since June, strategy was correct… and now, done deal.”
OLD PALS ACT
Yannick Bolasie appears to have helped old pal Neil Warnock secure the services of Sporting Lisbon striker Andraz Sporar for Middlesbrough.
The Slovenia striker, 27, is on Teesside to undergo a medical ahead of completing a loan move that will be turned permanent if the veteran boss secures a record ninth promotion.
Bolasie, who previously played under Warnock at Crystal Palace, reunited with him last term to spend the second half of the season at Boro.
And even though that has yet to turn into a longer-term contract, the 32-year-old appears to have put in a good word with his former Sporting teammate about life at the Riverside.
Speaking to Boropolis podcast, Bolasie said: “He messaged me a few days ago… great striker who’s movement is top notch, quality finisher in the box.
“[Boro are] Getting a genuine European pedigree striker in, he just needs the service.”
CITY BREAK
EXCLUSIVE – Harry Kane expects a breakthrough before the weekend in his bid to join Manchester City.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is playing hardball over the deal but club sources are now resigned to Kane leaving.
City are understood to be readying a second offer of £120million for the England captain after failing with a £100m bid earlier in the summer.
Levy is still adamant his star striker is worth closer to £160m.
But deteriorating relations between the player’s camp and the chairman have hardened the Euro 2020 star’s resolve to go.
Kane trained with his Spurs team-mates for the first time on Tuesday after doing individual sessions since coming out of Covid isolation on Friday
MICH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Chelsea have announced striker Michy Batshuayi has signed a new deal before joining Besiktas on a season-long loan.
The Belgian striker was due to become a free agent next year, but he is now tied down at Stamford Bridge until 2023.
It is his fifth loan moved away from the Blues having enjoyed two separate spells at Crystal Palace.
And he has also spent time with Borussia Dortmund as well as Valencia.
WAT’S THE PRICE
Watford reportedly want to make Torino star Lyanco their tenth signing this summer.
The Hornets have been in contact with the Serie A side about the Brazilian’s availability, according to Tribal Football.
And the Premier League new boys are edging closer to completing a £7.5million transfer with Torino for the defender, TF reported.
They also claim that Lyanco, whose contract ends in 2024, could be up for a switch to the Prem as he’s fallen down the pecking order under Torino’s new boss Ivan Juric.
The 24-year-old’s been at the club since 2017 and has made 53 appearances during that time.
UMTOTI
Tottenham are interested in signing Barcelona star Samuel Umtiti, according to reports.
The Premier League side are said to have identified the defender as an alternative to Pau Torres, who has reportedly snubbed their advances.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Spurs chief Fabio Paratici is considering a move for Umtiti, 27, after missing out on Torres.
The Villarreal ace, 24, is believed to have rejected the chance to ply his trade in North London after Tottenham agreed a fee with his employers.
Torres reportedly wants to play in the Champions League, an accolade Villarreal can offer him this term after winning the Europa League.
Tottenham are thought to want another centre-back this summer to partner new signing Cristian Romero, signed from Atalanta for £47million
AOUAR OF NEED
Arsenal target Houssem Aouar has reportedly been put up for sale by Lyon.
That is according to French news outlet RMC Sport who have declared that multiple players have been put on the transfer list.
They state that the Ligue 1 side are looking to offload any players with attitude issues.
And of those players in the list is Aouar, with the Gunners already in contact with his agent.
Mikel Arteta is known to be a huge fan of the midfielder with the Spaniard failing to bring him to the Emirates last summer.
CHERRY PICKED
Villarreal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma.
The 24-year-old banged in 17 goals in 37 games last term for the Championship outfit, while also providing seven assists.
And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that he is now set to head to Spain on a five-year deal.
He tweeted: “Arnaut Danjuma to Villarreal, done deal and here we go! Total agreement for £20m to Bournemouth. Contract also agreed until June 2026.
“Danjuma will fly to Spain with his agent in the next hours in order to complete his medical and sign the deal.”
REAL TRANSFORMATION
Gareth Bale is ‘loving life’ at Real Madrid again under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Wales star is back in favour at the club and looks set to play a major role in their challenge for silverware this season.
Marca’s front page shows a smiling Bale and highlights the dramatic turnaround for the attacker.
Bale’s career at Real Madrid appeared to be over under Zinedine Zidane as he was completely out of favour.
But the departure of Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid has provided a new lease of life for 32-year-old Bale at the club.
Bale started Real Madrid’s opening 4-1 win at Alaves on Saturday and appears to have the confidence and backing of Ancelotti.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk