CHELSEA legend John Terry is on the verge of agreeing a deal to manage Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabbab, SunSport can exclusively reveal. The former England defender has had stints as an assistant coach with Aston Villa and Leicester, but now he’s set to be Saudi’s latest managerial recruit, following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been offered a staggering £215million for winger Mohammed Salah.
Al-Ittihad made the eye-watering bid just hours after the Reds rejected £150m, and the Saudi Pro League window is still open until Thursday.
Elsewhere, Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is reportedly wanted by Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the world of transfer news as the window slams shut.
Demarai Gray deal details
Demarai Gray has joined Al-Ettifaq after a turbulent exit from Everton.
Gray moved to the Middle East following in an £8million deal between the two clubs.
The 27-year-old penned a four-year deal with Steven Gerrard’s side earlier this week after falling out with the Toffees’ manager Sean Dyche.
The winger hit out at Dyche last week on social media after falling out of favour at Goodison Park with the following post:
Everton fans have always been great with me. But it’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a personDemarai Gray
Rooney linked with Birmingham
DC United manager Wayne Rooney could be set for a shock return to English football as Birmingham are keeping tabs.
Rooney, 37, cast doubt over his future with the MLS club earlier this week with his contract set to expire in December.
And now the Manchester United legend could be given a way out as the Championship side emerge as a possible destination.
The Blues, part-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, made a strong start to the season under John Eustace – who has a contract until 2025.
SunSport understands the club is preparing for the eventuality of Eustace leaving the club.
There is no indication he will be sacked but he has been mooted as a possible successor to Michael Beale at Rangers should the Scottish giants seek a replacement.
Terry to Al-Shabab
Chelsea legend John Terry has verbally agreed to become the head coach of Al-Shabab.
According to Sky Sports, Terry is set for his first ever role as a manager.
The 42-year-old was approached by the Saudi club’s chiefs around a month ago and has been offered a contract of at least two years and up to four if it is rubber stamped as expected.
The former England international is currently working on a one-year deal as a consultant in the Blues’ academy.
The West Londoners have already said they will not stand in his way as a mark of respect to his service to them over almost two decades.
That is despite the fact a departure will be a big blow to their youth team losing such a figurehead from their camp.
Gerrard eyes Sancho
Al-Ettifaq are keeping tabs on Manchester United ace Jadon Sancho before the Saudi Arabian summer transfer window slams shut tonight.
According to CBS, Steven Gerrard’s side is set to make a dramatic last-minute loan move for Sancho,.
The winger appears to have no future at Old Trafford having fallen out with manager Erik Ten Hag after lashing out on social media against him.
The England international’s options are obviously limited but Saudi Arabia and Turkey represent potential options.
And it appears the 23-year-old could be following Demarai Gray over to Al-Ettifaq to ply his trade under manager Gerrard.
Mohamed Salah – What we know
Al-Ittihad are determined to sign Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah today before the Saudi transfer window slams shut at 10pm BST.
The Reds have been adamant they are unwilling to sell Salah and their resolve has truly been put to the test.
As per SunSport’s Steve Brenner, the Saudi champions offered a world record £215million for the star forward.
The Egypt international has been offered a staggering £2.45m a week to quit Anfield with extra incentives.
The 31-year-old has been tempted with a large percentage of shirt sales, a £55,000 win bonus as well as ambassadorial roles for at least three major Saudi companies for the duration of his contract.
That could be worth an extra £18m with each firm willing to pay the ex-Roma star £6m each.
Al-Ettifaq troll Liverpool and rivals
Al-Ettifaq have trolled rivals Al-Ittihad in their announcement video for Demarai Gray.
The video used a retro-arcade style and showed the team browsing players to buy from the Premier League.
The team picked Liverpol and attempted to pick to choose Salah before an image of an angry Jurgen Klopp popped up saying “NO!”
The ‘player’ then scrolls across to sign Gray.
The extraordinary clip alludes to Al-Ittihad’s transfer pursuit of Salah and the side may try one last time before the Saudi deadline tonight.
Lyon want to appoint Julen Lopetgui
Lyon have made former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui their primary target for their vacant managerial role.
The club sacked Laurent Blanc following a poor start to the season and had attempted to appoint Graham Potter earlier today.
Potter though, did not feel the timing was right on the move.
Lyon have now turned their efforts towards appointing Lopetegui who left Wolves this summer due to a dispute over transfers.
Credit: PA
Al-Ettifaq to make offer for Sancho
Al-Ettifaq are set to make a dramatic last-minute loan move for Jadon Sancho, according to CBS.
The winger appears to have no future at the club having fallen out with manager Erik Ten Hag.
His options are obviously limited by the European transfer being closed but Saudi Arabia and Turkey represent potential options.
And it appears he could be following Demarai Gray over to Al-Ettifaq to ply his trade under manager Steven Gerrard.
Demarai Gray presented as an Al-Ettifaq player
Demarai Gray has officially been unveiled as an Al-Ettifaq player after penning a four year deal with the club.
The winger will link up with former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson as well as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who is the Dammam side’s manager.
Everton will receive £8million for his signature – a significant profit on the £1.8m they paid to sign him in 2021.
Manchester City sold Cole Palmer after he placed demands on Guardiola
FourFourTwo report that Manchester City sold Cole Palmer after he asked Pep Guardiola for increased playing time this season.
Having made 40 appearances in three seasons since making the step up to senior football, the 21-year-old wanted to become a more regular member of the starting XI and believed the departure of Mahrez opened that door for him.
However, Pep could not guarantee that Palmer would be given minutes going forward this season.
So when Chelsea made their £45million offer, all sides welcomed the potential exit.
Lingard to play for West Ham today
Jesse Lingard will play for West Ham today in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
The club are weighing up giving Lingard a cotract after his release by Nottingham Forest.
He has been training with the club over the summer and Moyes still thinks fondly of his time with West Ham on a short term loan in 2021.
Lingard did however reject The Hammers last summer to join Forest, which has led to some reluctance on the club’s side to give him a playing contract just yet.
Details on Gravenberch transfer
The Athletic report that Liverpool had held talks regarding the signing of Ryan Gravenberch all the way back in April as they looked to reinforce their midfield.
The signing had been presented as an opportunistic one in some sections of the media – with United also reportedly being in for the midfielder on loan.
But it turns out Liverpool had been in regular contact with the player and his father from April onwards, with Gravenberch growing frustrated over his role at Bayern.
Thomas Tuchel had limited the player’s game time as he prefers to operate with two out and out 6’s rather than a player like Gravenberch who is much more box to box.
Gravenberch’s £35million transfer was confirmed in the closing days of the window with Bayern finally realising they were better off cashing in rather than keeping a player that was unhappy at his lack of game time.
Demarai Gray signs for Al-Ettifaq
Demarai Gray has signed for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
The winger joins the club on a four year deal, with Everton receiving £8million for his services.
Gray made his desire to leave Everton clear last week, posting on his Instagram story: “[It’s] difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”
Everton have made a healthy profit on Gray, having signed him for just £1.8million in 2021.
John Terry to become Al-Shabbab head coach
John Terry has verbally agreed to become the head coach of Al-Shabbab, according to Sky Sports.
The role will be John Terry’s first as a manager.
Terry, 42, was approached by bosses at Al-Shabab around a month ago and has been offered a contract of at least two years and up to four if it is rubber stamped as expected.
He is currently working on a one year deal as a consultant in the Chelsea academy.
Chelsea have already said they will not stand in his way as a mark of respect to his service to them over almost two decades – even though it will be a big blow to their youth team losing such a figurehead from their camp.
Eric Dier holds talks with Levy
The Telegraph report that Eric Dier held talks with Daniel Levy this week after being frozen out by new manager Ange Postecoglou.
The talks were apparently cordial, with no suggestion that there has been a row or a fall out between Dier and Postecoglou.
The details of the meeting were kept private but it is likely that Dier wanted clarity on his position within the squad after falling down the pecking order behind 19-year-old centre-back Ashley Phillips.
There is some interest in Dier from clubs in Saudi Arabia so that will be one to keep an eye on today.
Although it is more likely Dier will see out the remaining year of his Spurs contract before moving to a European club on a free next summer.
Credit: Getty
Tebas regrets Messi decision
LaLiga boss Javier Tebas has told Fabrizio Romano that he regrets that Lionel Messi will not finish his career at Barcelona.
Messi held talks with the club over the summer about a return to the Nou Camp but ultimately opted to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Tebas said on the matter: “Leo Messi didn’t finish his career at Barcelona because they couldn’t find an agreement.
“I wish he could have finished his career in LaLiga. It would have been the best for him, for me, and for Barcelona.”
Potter rejects Lyon
Graham Potter has turned down the chance to take over as Lyon boss, according to reports.
Potter was the club’s number one target after they parted ways with Laurent Blanc following a difficult start to the season.
But according to Sky, Potter has turned down the move.
He reportedly felt as though now was not the right time to take on the job, despite being intrigued by the project.
Potter has been out of a job since being sacked by Chelsea in April this year.
Credit: PA
John Terry set for Saudi move
John Terry is set to begin his managerial career in the Saudi league as manager of Al-Shabbab.
Terry, 42, was approached by bosses at Al-Shabab around a month ago and has been offered a contract of at least two years and up to four if it is rubber stamped as expected.
He is currently working on a one year deal as a consultant in the Chelsea academy.
Chelsea have already said they will not stand in his way as a mark of respect to his service to them over almost two decades – even though it will be a big blow to their youth team losing such a figurehead from their camp.
Saudi deadline day
Today marks the last day that Saudi clubs can make transfers before the window re-opens in January.
It could be a busy day with many Premier League sides still seeing the league as an ideal place to shift their deadwood for a good price.
But the window also represents a threat for some clubs, particularly Liverpool.
Al-Ittihad are desperate to complete a move for Mo Salah and could test Liverpool’s resolve one last time with a bid north of £200million.
Man Utd could move for Palhinha
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The Portuguese star looked set to move to Bayern Munich this summer, but saw a deadline day move collapse after the cottagers couldn’t find a suitable replacement.
And The Athletic are now reporting that United could move for the 28-year-old in January.
They would face competition still from Bayern who are said to remain interested in re-entering the race for Palhinha’s signature by The Evening Standard.
Mbappe not ruling out Prem switch
Kylian Mbappe is reportedly open to a move to the Premier League next summer.
The PSG star has just one year remaining on his current deal before he becomes a free agent next year.
And according to L’Equipe, Liverpool is still a potential destination for the French superstar.
However it has been widely reported that Mbappe is keen on a move to Real Madrid with PSG officials convinced a deal has already been agreed.
It is most likely that the World Cup winner will head to Los Blancos next season.
Credit: Alamy
Pepe heading for Trabzonspor
Nicolas Pepe is reportedly edging closer to a move to Trabzonspor.
According to Foot Mercarto, the Turkish outfit are advancing talks with Pepe over a deal.
The move would see the Ivorian join Trabzonspor on a one-year contract if all goes to plan.
The Gunners winger has also been linked with a move to Besiktas and also to Saudi Arabia, but it looks as if they could be off.
Pepe joined Arsenal in 2019 for £72million, but has failed to live up to his price tag.
Salah saga ‘over’
Mohamed Salah’s transfer saga with Al-Ittihad is reportedly over.
The Liverpool forward has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian outfit with the club said to be willing to pay The Reds up to £200m for his services.
But it looks like the saga could have finally come to an end before Saudi’s transfer deadline day.
According to Foot Mercato, Salah will now stay at Liverpool and won’t be making a move to the Middle East this summer.
The news will come as music to the ears of Jurgen Klopp who has been desperate to keep hold of his star man.
Credit: PA
Palace include new Olise release clause
Crystal Palace have reportedly allowed for another release clause in Michael Olise’s new contract with the club.
Olise almost left the Eagles to join Chelsea this summer after The Blues activated the Frenchman’s £35m release clause.
But instead Olise signed a new deal at Selhurst Park that will see him stay in South London until 2027.
However The Evening Standard, have reported that the 21-year-old’s new deal also contains a release clause.
It is said that the clause doesn’t become active until next summer’s transfer window and it is not yet known what kind of fee would trigger it.
West Ham face competition for Lingard
West Ham are reportedly in a battle to sign Jesse Lingard as the free agent assess his options.
Lingard, whose deal with Nottingham Forest expired this summer, has been training with The Hammers at the start to the campaign.
It is said that he has impressed David Moyes and the East London outfit are reportedly keen to offer him a short-term deal.
But it won’t be easy with Football Insider now suggesting that Turkish duo Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are both interested in the 30-year-old.
Any deal can be completed outside of the transfer window as a result of Lingard’s free agent status.
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