CHELSEA failed to bring in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde before the transfer window slammed shut but will be looking to make moves for a defender in January.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe also failed to get his dream move to Real Madrid, with the Spanish club set to sign him on a free in a pre-contract agreement in the new year.
Real reportedly offered PSG close to £170m for the French forward’s signature, but the Parisian club failed to budge.
And clubs all over Europe will now cast their minds onto Erling Haaland, who looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund next summer.
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NOT FOR ME, THANKS
Man City reportedly rejected the chance to sign Saul Niguez in a deadline day swap deal which would have seen Bernardo Silva going the other way.
The Portuguese attacker was linked with a move to Madrid for most of the summer, but as City’s asking price was not met, he will remain at the Etihad this season.
They could also not be enticed to let him go by the prospect of receiving Saul in return, who instead joined Chelsea in a loan move on deadline day.
MISSED THEIR MAN
Chelsea were unable to secure the signing of France defender Jules Kounde after failing to agree a fee with Sevilla before the transfer window slammed shut last week.
Chelsea had initially offered a fee of around £50m plus now West Ham defender Kurt Zouma, but this was rejected by Sevilla, who demanded a fee closer to £70m.
The 22-year-old will spent at least another season in LaLiga, but there’s no doubt that if he can replicate the form that made him so in demand this summer, clubs will be back in for him again before long.
PAST MEETS PRESENT
Ex-Man United striker Romelu Lukaku has responded to comparisons between himself and Ronaldo in humble fashion by stating: “Don’t ever compare me to Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is, for me, in the top three best players in the history of football.
“I’m not going to rank him from first to third but he’s in there.”
The two Premier League new boys battled it out in Serie A last season for Inter Milan and Juventus respectively, with Ronaldo winning the golden boot but Lukaku’s Inter winning the Scudetto.
Both have returned to the Premier League this summer in two of the most high profile transfers of recent years and both of their new clubs will surely be able to bank on them scoring a fair few goals.
It will be fascinating to watch the two battle it out again for both Chelsea and Man United and see who comes out on top in the Prem.
OFF ON HOLIDAY
James Rodriguez has yet to make a single appearance for Everton this season, after a mixed first campaign at Goodison Park last time out.
The 30-year-old made 23 Premier League appearances for the Toffees last season under Carlo Ancelotti, but new boss Rafa Benitez has shown no sign that the Colombian is part of his plans.
After failing to offload the World Cup 2014’s top scorer in the summer, Everton may look to use Rodriguez’s obvious talents before he can be sold in January, but it certainly like his days on Merseyside are numbered.
BETWEEN THE STICKS
QPR keeper Seny Dieng is reportedly being pursued by Sheffield United, who had a cash influx following the sale of Aaron Ramsdale for around £24.5m to Arsenal.
Dieng made 42 appearances in the Championship for QPR last season and the 26 year-old Swiss-born Senegal international could command a fee as high as £12m.
QPR are reluctant to sell to a Championship rival, however, and the move may hinge on the performance of former Everton keeper Robin Olsen, who Sheffield United signed on loan from Roma.
MANCHESTER VIA FRANCE
Man United’s French contingent already includes the likes of Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
But fans are now clamouring for the signing of Monaco’s exciting young midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who impressed for France in his international debut against Ukraine alongside Paul Pogba.
The wonderkid was a vital part of the Monaco team that finished third in Ligue 1 last season, making 36 league appearances.
The 21-year-old has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, but the London club has since signed Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul on loan with an option to buy, effectively putting them out of the race.
With Real Madrid also signing Tchouaméni’s international teammate Eduardo Camavinga, United could be in pole position for his signature, should they choose to pursue him in the summer.
CASH FOR CHIESA
Federico Chiesa scored a sensational solo goal for Italy against Bulgaria on Thursday, living up to the incredibly high standard of performance he set himself at Euro 2020.
The young Juventus winger drew plaudits from all over the world for his stellar performances for the Azzurri, leading Chelsea to immediately make an offer for the player, which was vehemently rejected.
The Blues were willing to pay up to as much as £85m for the 23-year-old wide man, but the Old Lady deem him ‘untouchable’ and were not even prepared to entertain an offer.
Chiesa is currently halfway through a two-year loan spell at Juve from Fiorentina, who have an obligation to buy him in a deal that could rise to £50m, including the loan fee and add-ons.
If he continues his fine form into the current season, there is no doubt that clubs will come back in for him next summer and it will be up to Juve whether they choose to cash in on one of their most valuable assets.
NKETI-OUT
After failing to sell Eddie Nketiah this summer, Arsenal could be set to make a huge loss on the young striker, whose deal expires at the end of this season.
As such, he’s free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January and could end up leaving the Emirates on a free if Arsenal are unable to tie him down to a new deal.
The Gunners has tried to offload him for around £20m this summer, but with nobody prepared to match their asking price, they retained the young striker.
Crystal Palace registered serious interest in the player, but after failing to negotiate a deal with Arsenal they instead secured the services of Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard for around £15m.
It remains to be seen whether Nketiah will be able to force his way into contention at Arsenal, particularly with the emergence of Folarin Balogun in the same position.
If he can be convinced that he is part of Mikel Arteta’s plans going forward, he may become open to penning a new deal, but as it stands the forward looks set for pastures new and could potentially leave for free.
RED VERSUS BLUE
With Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku, Robert Lewandowski staying at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid targeting Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona in financial disarray, there are only two clubs left in the running for Erling Haaland.
But the two Manchester clubs will have to deal with Haaland’s agent and fierce negotiator Mino Raiola, who will demand colossal wages for his client, who has scored 63 goals in 64 competitive games for Dortmund.
Man City’s pursuit of Harry Kane ended in disappointment after they failed to match Tottenham’s asking price of around £150m, meaning that they’ll be in prime position to challenge Man Utd for Haaland next summer.
The Norweigan will reportedly be available for just £64m, with a release clause getting activated in his contract with Dortmund at the end of the current season.
But this does not mean the player will come cheap, with the player’s wages set to be the major stumbling block in their attempts to secure his services.
BETTER CALL SAUL
Chelsea’s new boy Saul could make his debut at Stamford Bridge this Saturday as the Blues take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The loan man from Atletico Madrid will wear the number 17 shirt, which has previously been worn by Eden Hazard, Pedro, Davide Zappacosta and Mateo Kovacic, among others.
The 26-year-old made 340 competitive appearances for the LaLiga champions having come through their academy, before making the switch to west London.
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana has rejected a new contract offer from Ajax and will leave for free next summer, reports say.
And reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are in advanced talks over a potential four-year deal.
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free.
The keeper – who has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs including Arsenal – has rejected a contract extension.
And cash-strapped Inter have decided to make the first move for the goalkeeper, offering the Cameroonian international a four-year contract.
Wolves are set to offer Adama Traore a £25million golden carrot to sign a new four-year-deal worth a hefty £120,000 a week.
Credit: AFP After more than a year of contract wrangling, the long-standing deal Wolves offered Traore last October remains unsigned as the Spaniard stubbornly refuses to commit his long-term future to the club.
Now, after rejecting two deadline-day bids from Tottenham – including a £30 million bid to re-unite Traore with his former boss Nuno EspIrito Santo – Wolves are set to dramatically raise the stakes.
Barcelona are set to meet with RB Leipzig over the possible return of Dani Olmo to the Nou Camp.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants want the 23-year-old to return, seven years after his departure for Dinamo Zagreb.
Barca are happy to wait until next summer to recapture their man.
Real Madrid remain the standout favourites to sign Kylian Mbappe.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve priced Carlo Ancelotti’s side at 1/5 to clinch his signature.
BLUES GO BIG
Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5million return to Chelsea was a club record transfer.
RAM’S THE MAN
Arsenal sporting director Edu has praised summer signing Aaron Ramsdale.
The 23-year-old England international joined for £30million this summer.
Edu said: “You see the strategy.
“For every single name I can explain to you the reasons.
“Aaron Ramsdale, for example, he is a very good football player and has the potential to be a big part of the team in the future.”
MO MONEY
Mo Salah wants £500k a week to extend his stay at Liverpool, according to reports.
The Egyptian, 29, only has two years remaining on his current deal.
And with reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp is said to be anxious about keeping his star, report The Mirror.
Salah reportedly earns £200,000 a week but is said to be demanding a huge raise, one which would see him earn more than double Virgil van Dijk, the Reds’ current highest earner.
The centre-back is paid £220,000 a week according to Sportrac, with Thiago also earning the same as Salah.
The Mirror add that there have been no signs of a forthcoming extension for Salah, despite Liverpool tying down a number of stars to new deals in recent weeks.
‘MENTAL RELEASE’
Ben Davies has said his loan move to Sheffield United away from Liverpool has been a ‘mental release’.
The 26-year-old joined the Reds in February from Preston North End, but hasn’t played a game.
And he found himself fifth or sixth in the pecking order.
On the move away, he said: “I was becoming aware that I was the fifth or sixth choice to play in the centre of the defence for Liverpool.
“When I joined Sheffield United, with the promise of playing games, it felt like I had finally been mentally released.
“I feel that just being around top players has improved me. I feel I’ve grown up.
“It’s helped me settle in quickly at Sheffield United and hopefully that has shown in the games I’ve played.”
OLMO RETURN
Barcelona are set to meet with RB Leipzig over the possible return of Dani Olmo to the Nou Camp.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants want the 23-year-old to return, seven years after his departure for Dinamo Zagreb.
Barca are happy to wait until next summer to recapture their man.
NA YOU’RE TALKING
Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana has rejected a new contract offer from Ajax and will leave for free next summer, reports say.
And reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are in advanced talks over a potential four-year deal.
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free.
The keeper – who has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs including Arsenal – has rejected a contract extension.
And cash-strapped Inter have decided to make the first move for the goalkeeper, offering the Cameroonian international a four-year contract.
Onana, however, hasn’t played a competitive game or trained with Ajax or Cameroon since the start of the year due to being banned for a doping violation.
MAN TO MAN
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a touching message from Brazil legend Pele after his return to Old Trafford, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
Ronaldo sealed a blockbuster comeback at United on transfer deadline day following a £21million move from Juventus and looks set to make his debut against Newcastle on September 11.
Pele was very moved by Ronaldo’s homecoming statement as he knows a lot about home, having spent almost his entire career in Brazil with Santos before rolling credits at New York Cosmos in 1977.
Although the Portugal international broke the 80-year-old’s record for most goals in official matches back in March, the two men still share a strong friendship.
Pele said: “There is no better feeling than conquering the world and returning home. Always be happy, Cristiano.”
EL TIGRE
Radamel Falcao will return to LaLiga with Rayo Vallecano, joining on a free transfer after leaving Galatasaray.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Cristiano Ronaldo outscored Romelu Lukaku in the Serie A last season.
The 36-year-old managed to find the back of the net 29 times in just 33 games.
Lukaku, on the other hand, scored 24 in 36 games.
The pair will be in the running to win the golden boot in the Premier League this season with Man Utd and Chelsea respectively.
NET SPEND
Arsenal’s chiefs backed manager Mikel Arteta this summer.
PAST IT
Former Roma midfielder Javier Pastore has joined Elche for free.
Pastore’s contract was terminated at the Rome-based club in the summer.
The 32-year-old Argentine joins Elche, who sit 15th in LaLiga.
EDU DEFENDS SPENDING
Arsenal’s technical director Edu has defended the spending this summer, highlighting the age of the players bought.
The Gunners are trying to build a team for the future, and bought six players aged 23 or under this summer.
He told Sky Sports: “We have to see the wider context than just to see the money around it.
“We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning.
“It’s a lot, almost a revolution. But how are you going to fill those 21 holes? You need time, you cannot come in and do it straight away.
“They (new recruits) are young but we have five senior players in the squad and in the first 11… Around those five we have very, very good, talented players which we believe in.”
BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD
The Premier League’s most valuable squad is Man City’s, which is worth £934.47m.
City rivals Man Utd are in second on £843.54m.
RON EFFECT
Man Utd fans spent a whopping £32.5million on Cristiano Ronaldo shirts in the firstr 12 hours, according to Lovethesales.
Fans have been rushing to get their hands on the No7 jersey ahead of his highly anticipated second debut against Newcastle new weekend.
There were large queues outside Man Utd’s club shop.
United only get seven per cent of the shirt sales, though.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
