PSG are sitting on a £145million offer for Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid.
The French giants are determined to keep hold of the World Cup winner so they can go on and win the Champions League with Lionel Messi, but the star forward can walk away for nothing next summer.
Meanwhile Juventus are said to have already got to work on replacing Cristiano Ronaldo, with moves for Moise Kean and Eden Hazard mooted.
And the transfer of Jules Kounde to Chelsea has edged closer with the Frenchman out of Sevilla’s squad this weekend, while the Blues have sold Kurt Zouma to West Ham.
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READY FOR A TRIP
Manchester United have rekindled their interest in Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier, who was previously linked with Arsenal.
That is according to The Athletic, who claim that United may not be done yet after signing Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo during a very busy summer transfer window.
However, it seems like the Red Devils will only make a move if right-back Diogo Dalot exits before deadline day.
Dalot has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund but it seems like he will still be at Old Trafford at August 31, when the transfer window slams shut
SPECIAL RON
Roma manager, and former Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho had little to say about Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
Mourinho worked with Ronaldo for three years after the Portuguese coach took over at Real Madrid in 2010.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager said: “What I can say is basic, it’s logical.
“If Juventus are happy, if Ronaldo is happy and Man Utd are happy, then it’s a perfect deal – he has written history for the last 20 years.
“I have nothing more to comment”
KLOPP ON ELLIOTT
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained he started Harvey Elliott in midfield due to tactical reasons ahead of the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Klopp said: “We had to change a little bit and wanted to change a little bit but then it’s about stability as well.
“It’s that period, before the international break, where there is no need for too many changes really.
“Hopefully the boys come back really fit and healthy and then we have games every three days; that’s different.
“But at the moment, the shorter pre-season, that’s how it is, Oxlade played, so it’s just like this, Hendo [Jordan Henderson] is back in the team… so it’s stability and of course football as well.
“Thiago had a short pre-season. We don’t just say thank-you to Kostas [Tsimikas], Naby and Diogo [Jota]. There will be plenty of times when we need them all”
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FIRMINO UPDATE
Liverpool star Roberto Firmino hobbled off the pitch on 43 minutes after picking up a hamstring injury against Chelsea.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes it’s “not too serious” but Firmino will undergo a scan to discover the extent of the damage.
Klopp said: “Serious? I don’t know. Serious enough to take him off? Yes.
“Bobby felt his hamstring, came over and told us and we had to prepare the change.
“Bobby is nobody who raises the hand when he doesn’t feel anything.
“It doesn’t look too serious but you never know before you have a scan and we will know tomorrow”
TUCHEL ON KANTE
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that N’Golo Kante injured his ankle once more against Liverpool and that is why he took him off.
Tuchel said during the post-match press-conference: “He is injured.
“He missed the Arsenal game because of pain in his ankle and inflammation.
“The opponent fell in his ankle, twisted it again, and he had the same pain as before the Arsenal game.
“He was lacking force to accelerate and we had to take him off”
TUCHEL ON JAMES
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel described Reece James’ dismissal against Liverpool as a “double punishment”.
Tuchel said: “A double punishment is super hard and it’s a bit of a spoiler for the game. If the referee says he denies a clear chance, then it’s a red card.
“It’s a spoiler of the game, nobody wants to say that for 45 minutes. I’ve not solution now for it and no better idea. In general, it’s a spoiler.
“I can understand the decision and I’m not saying it’s wrong. I didn’t like the way the referee checked it because he was only shown the image. The image only shown the clear contact.
“I’d have liked a longer consideration. Maybe the decision stays the same. But I have to live with it. Some decisions stay with the responsibility in the moment”
ZOUM CALL
West Ham have confirmed the signing of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea.
Zouma has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Hammers after a successful medical in Paris.
This opens the way for the Blues to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde ahead of transfer deadline day.
The west Londoners are expected to use the profit from Zouma’s transfer to meet Kounde’s release clause
TUCHEL REACTS
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel doubted the referee’s decision to send Reece James off with a straight red card after he handled the ball in the area.
Tuchel told Sky Sports: “The red card – I’m not even sure any more if it’s the rules or not the rules.
“You have to accept the decision. He maybe would have changed his mind with moving pictures.
“With pure will, resilience and team effort at its very best. Never lose the shape, try to close the half spaces.
“We decided to stay active in the back five because of all the runs in half spaces, the fluid runs from Liverpool and their high full-backs.”
FERDINAND PRAISE
Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has praised the club’s hierarchy for moving fast to hijack Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester City.
Ferdinand told FIVE : “One thing I have to say is that the Man United hierarchy, when they needed to move there was no looking back. They performed, I must say, perfectly at every step, every point.
“There was no looking over their shoulder, there was no hesitancy about it.
“You have to understand that when someone like Ronaldo comes on the scene and there is an opportunity for him to come to a football club and continue his legacy and continue his history at this football club, if Man United had let that slip through their fingers, and for him to have gone across the city to the other side, you would have had to have had security 24/7 around the clock at the stadium, let alone the houses of some of the people involved in that.
“Listen, there has been a lot of criticism that has been pointed at different people in the hierarchy at Manchester United at whatever period of time it is”
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RONALDO DEBUT
Cristiano Ronaldo is on his way back to Manchester United for a stunning homecoming.
Ronaldo will obviously play no part tomorrow against Wolves at Molineux, which means United fans will have to wait until after the international break to see the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back in action.
Therefore, the Portugal international is most likely to debut on September 11 against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
It will take a while, but the wait will be worth it
FT: LIVERPOOL 1-1 CHELSEA
Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield in a rather dramatic encounter.
The Blues opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a sensational header by Kai Havertz.
But the Reds equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time with Mohamed Salah’s penalty kick shortly before half-time.
The Merseysiders earned the spot-kick after Reece James was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area and was penalised with a straight red card.
But a spirited 10-man Chelsea managed to hold on for a point at Anfield
CR7 AGAIN
Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has hinted that Edinson Cavani may have given up his No7 shirt for the returning Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is set to return to United where he donned the iconic jersey number during his first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube show, Ferdinand said: “Just to think Cavani could be the back-up for Ronaldo, it’s unbelievable.
“Cavani, I have to say, what a man! He saw who was coming to town and gave up the No7 shirt”
KOUNDE BOOST
Chelsea have been handed a transfer boost in their bid to sign Jules Kounde, who has told Sevilla of his desire to leave.
That is because the Rojiblancos have not taken Kounde to Elche for Saturday’s LaLiga encounter.
Should the deal fall through, the Blues may pull the plug on Kurt Zouma’s switch to West Ham.
SunSport revealed that a medical has already taken place in Paris for Zouma’s move to the Hammers.
But the west Londoners may not allow the £26million transfer to take place if Kounde does not arrive to replace his fellow Frenchman
GETTY IMAGES KOU D’ETAT
Sevilla are reportedly demanding that Chelsea increase their transfer offer for Jules Kounde if they want to sign the star defender.
Kounde remains the Blues’ top target ahead of transfer deadline day.
A deal worth around £43million is said to have been agreed between the two clubs but the Andalusians could now press for a further £25m.
The centre-back’s release clause is set at £68.5m and Sevilla are hoping to earn close to that figure if the France international leaves in the final week of the window, according to Sky Sports.
HT: LIVERPOOL 1-1 CHELSEA
Liverpool equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time when disaster struck for Chelsea.
Blues star Reece James was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area following a brief check by VAR.
That led to a straight red card for James and a penalty kick that Mohamed Salah converted.
The west Londoners were livid after the decision with players from both sides arguing and yellow cards flying all over the place
PEP TALK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola broke his silence after the reigning Premier League champions missed out on Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola told BT Sport: “I don’t think frustrated is the right word.
“We have an exceptional squad and we have improved to have the best possible team to compete.
“It’s good that a player like Cristiano Ronaldo is back in England for the Premier League and it’s good news”
LIVERPOOL 0-1 CHELSEA
Chelsea have opened the scoring at Anfield with Kai Havertz!
Reece James whipped in a corner-kick that was met by a brilliant header from Havertz on 21 minutes.
Liverpool goalkeeper Allison could do nothing to prevent the Blues’ opener.
Advantage Chelsea!
LIVERPOOL 0-0 CHELSEA
Liverpool and Chelsea are underway at Anfield in what poses as the biggest Premier League match of the week.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp opted for the following XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Whereas Blues manager Thomas Tuchel chose the following line-up: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.
This game promises immense action!
HAALAND REMINDER
Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland to replace Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid are reportedly on the verge of agreeing a staggering £154million deal with PSG for Mbappe, whose contract runs out next year and he has refused to extend his stay in Paris.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Ligue 1 giants are believed to have contacted Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola over the possibility of a move before August 31, when the transfer window slams shut.
But a deal will be difficult to complete at this late stage and negotiations between PSG and Dortmund have yet to begin
GETTY IMAGES KOUNDE REPLACEMENT BEING SOUGHT
Sevilla are in talks with Lille over a deal for Sven Botman.
The Dutchman is their preferred replacement for Jules Kounde if he is to join Chelsea.
Wolves have had a bid rejected for Botman as they try to bring him to Molineux; they remain interested but whether they will make another offer remains to be seen.
PEP’S SATISFIED
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted he was satisfied with his squad, despite missing out on signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
After City beat Arsenal he said: “We are the same that we have done the last two or three years in the past, maybe people forget everything that we have done.
“Always the club has to have the intention to get better, to improve, because the players change and this is normal, the manager changes, but the club has to get better, we cannot forget.
“The team was magnificent last season and is the same and with these players we are still going to go.”
When asked about the prospect of adding a striker this transfer window, Guardiola said: “No, I don’t think so.”
NO DEAL
Tottenham’s interest in Adama Traore is up in the air after Wolves told them he is not for sale.
An initial loan deal with an option to buy was suggested but swiftly dismissed by the West Midlands club.
Spurs were subsequently told to forget the idea of signing Traore – but it remains to be seen whether they come back with a more concrete bid.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month that he was high on their list of targets before the deadline, with boss Nuno Santo keen to work with him again.
AMAD RUSH
Feyenoord are now joining the race with many clubs approaching Manchester United for Amad Diallo loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Talks are ongoing and Feyenoord are pushing but Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are still in.
The player’s camp will reportedly make a decision in the next few hours about where Diallo’s immediate future lies.
JUVE MOVE
Juventus are reportedly eyeing Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic as options to fill the huge hole left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man United return.
And the Italian giants look set to re-sign Moise Kean on a two-year loan with an option to buy the Everton forward for £17million.
Spanish outlet AS claims the Turin side are keen on Real Madrid striker Jovic, 23, who netted four goals in 23 appearances on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt last term.
Meanwhile, Marca reports the Italian outfit are also keeping an eye on Jovic’s Madrid team-mate Hazard with both having struggled for game time at the Bernabeu.
MOR INTEREST
Tottenham have been told to pay £17million if they want to sign Barcelona talent Ilaix Moriba.
The teenage ace has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Premier League club.
Moriba only has one year remaining on his current contract and has turned down the chance to sign a new deal.
The Guinea talent has been sidelined by Barca since rejecting a new four-year contract.
His future increasingly looks to lie away from the club and Spurs are leading the race to sign him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
