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    Cristiano Ronaldo tells Juventus he will STAY this season and snub transfer away as Allegri hails Portugal superstar

    CRISTIANO Ronaldo will spend another season in Turin with Juventus, manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed.The 36-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Old Lady this summer, but Juve boss Allegri has put those rumours to bed.
    Ronaldo in Juve training ahead of the start of the Serie A seasonCredit: Getty
    Super fit Ronaldo being put through his pacesCredit: Getty
    Speaking to the Italian media ahead of Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese, Allegri said: “He [Ronaldo] told me he stays here.
    “And tomorrow he will be available. 
    “It is an added value that guarantees an important number of goals.”
    Allegri is aiming to bring the Serie A title back to Turin after Inter Milan’s scudetto triumph last season.
    The Nerazzurri won their first title since 2010 under Antonio Conte earlier this year, ending Juve’s run of NINE consecutive Serie A victories.
    And they will have Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line for them once again this season.

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    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is out of contract at the end of the campaign, but he is set to see out his contract at the Allianz Stadium.
    As well as Allegri putting transfer rumours to bed, Ronaldo himself took to social media on Wednesday to address the reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid.
    In an Instagram post that has been liked over 12.5million times, the end of Ronaldo’s statement read: “There have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth.
    “I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name.
    “I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face. Everything else? Everything else is just talk.”
    Juventus kick off their Serie A campaign away at Udinese on Sunday evening before a home clash against Empoli.
    Mouthwatering clashes against Napoli and AC Milan follow those fixtures.
    And Juve boss Allegri said: “The first [game] of the championship is always difficult, we find a physically strong team that last year conceded very few chances and did not concede a corner goal.
    “To win you need a solid and technical performance, you need great patience.”

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    Man City ready to let Aymeric Laporte leave if £60m transfer fee is met as Real Madrid and Juventus eye defender

    MANCHESTER CITY are ready to let Aymeric Laporte leave but only if their £60million valuation is met, according to reports The defender has seen his game time slashed after the signing of Ruben Dias last summer and the emergence of John Stones.
    Man City will let Aymeric Laporte leave if their £60m valuation is met, reports sayCredit: Getty
    And according to The Mail, the Premier League champions have agreed not to prevent Laporte from leaving.
    But they will demand £3m more than the £57m they paid Athletic Bilbao in 2018 when they signed the centre-back.
    It is claimed Real Madrid and Juvenuts are among the clubs interested in signing him.
    The centre-half spent six years in Bilbao, which qualified him to play for Spain as he switched international allegiances from France.
    The 27-year-old played in all six of Spain’s European Championship matches this summer.
    But they were knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Italy in the semi-finals.

    Heading into the delayed tournament, Laporte had played only 16 league games as manager Pep Guardiola opted to partner Dias and Stones.
    Stones’ turnaround in form was so impressive, and it earned him a bumper new five-year deal worth a reported £250,000-per-week.
    But the defender, who played in all of England’s Euros matches, has missed City’s opening two matches this season.
    The Premier League champions lost the season curtain raiser against Leicester in the Community Shield.
    And they were then beaten by Tottenham in their first game of the domestic season and play recently promoted Norwich today.
    Guardiola claims he’ll be ‘more than happy’ if Kane fails to seal Man City transfer More

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    Juventus agree to sign Manuel Locatelli in £30m transfer after beating Arsenal to Sassuolo’s Euro 2020 star

    JUVENTUS have finally reached an agreement for Manuel Locatelli after beating Arsenal in the chase for the Sassuolo star.The Premier League side have been linked with the Italian international throughout the summer window.
    Italy’s Euro 2020 star Manuel Locatelli is finally about to complete his move to JuventusCredit: Getty
    Arsenal have missed out on the Sassuolo star asfter he arrived in Turin for a medicalCredit: Getty
    However, we reported that the Gunners had given up on signing the 23-year-old midfielder.
    Locatelli’s preferred destination has always been the Bianconeri instead of Arsenal’s more lucrative offer and now his dream switch is set to be completed.
    Several reports in Europe have confirmed that Juventus have agreed to pay Sassuolo £30m for the star.
    Juve have also agreed to initially make it a two-year loan with the obligation to buy for £30m including other potential bonuses.
    That obligation will be activated as soon as Juventus get their first Serie A point of the 2022-23 season.
    Locatelli has now arrived in Turin to undergo his medical and finalise the transfer.

    The move will cap an epic summer for the ace after he helped his country beat England at Wembley to win Euro 2020.
    Last term he made 34 Serie A appearances for Sassuolo – his third season with the Italian side.
    Locatelli started his career at AC Milan, featuring 63 times in all competitions before joining Sassuolo in the summer of 2018.
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    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
    Barella throws bandage at Locatelli on Azzurri bench during Italy vs Wales match More

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    Roma announce £34m Tammy Abraham transfer from Chelsea as England striker teams up with Jose Mourinho

    TAMMY ABRAHAM’S £34million move from Chelsea to Roma has been confirmed.And the England striker linked up with new boss Jose Mourinho straight away.
    Roma have signed Tammy Abraham from Chelsea for £34mCredit: Getty
    And the England striker has already met up with new boss Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty
    Mourinho personally called Abraham to convince him to make the moveCredit: Getty
    Abraham, 23, had been at Chelsea since he was seven.
    And although he played frequently under Frank Lampard, it soon became apparent Thomas Tuchel was not a fan as his game time plummeted.
    But the forward is looking forward to making an impact in Italy at a club that ‘really wants’ him.
    He said: “You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately. Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies.
    “I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
    “It’s a massive honour to be the number nine at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team.”
    Mourinho embraced his new star when he arrivedCredit: Getty
    Abraham underwent medical tests on Tuesday morningCredit: Getty
    And he got involved in his first Roma training session later on TuesdayCredit: Getty
    He was pictured laughing as he took to the training fieldCredit: Getty
    He was pictured in running and shooting drillsCredit: Getty

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    The Blues said: “Tammy Abraham has today left Chelsea to join AS Roma in a permanent transfer, ending his long association with the Blues after coming through the ranks in our academy to represent our men’s first team.
    “In total, Abraham scored 30 goals in 82 appearances for the club at senior level, primarily over the last two seasons, and was part of the squad which triumphed in the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup this year.
    “Everyone at Chelsea thanks Tammy for his contribution at Stamford Bridge and wishes him the very best for the future.”
    Abraham will wear the No 9 shirt in Rome.
    He flew into Rome to finalise the deal on Saturday.
    The England international is believed to have signed a five-year contract worth £80,000-a-week – the same as he was on at Chelsea.
    ‘ONE OF OUR OWN’
    And it is understood Chelsea have inserted a £68m buy-back clause into the deal – which can be triggered in two years time.
    Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own.
    “We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level.
    “His many goals in a Chelsea shirt and, of course, his part in our Champions League triumph last season will never be forgotten.
    “I’m sure all Chelsea supporters will join me in wishing Tammy a long and successful career.”
    As they have done in the past, the Serie A side used Abraham’s announcement video to promote a missing persons charity.

    They tweeted: “Welcome to #ASRoma, @tammyabraham!
    “We are proud to support @ICMEC_official and other organisations around the world who are working tirelessly to bring missing children home.”
    The ICMEC is the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and Roma’s tweet combined footage of Abraham arriving in Rome with a montage of missing people from across the globe.

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    Tottenham transfer for Nikola Milenkovic ‘confirmed’ after West Ham pull out of race but Fiorentina want more than £15m

    TOTTENHAM will beat West Ham to the signing of Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports.The Hammers have been chasing the defender for most of the summer window.
    Nikola Milenkovic is expected to leave Fiorentina this summerCredit: Rex
    But frustrated boss David Moyes appears set to miss out on another target, with Spurs said to be in the driving seat.
    Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici has a good relationship with the Serbian’s club Fiorentina, having secured the signing of Federico Chiesa from them for Juventus last year.
    And according to Alfredo Pedulla, Spurs are willing to pay more than the £12.7million that West Ham been offering.
    He claims that the North Londoners could pay around £15m for the 23-year-old centre-back.
    Paratici has already used his contacts in Italy to help secure the signing of defender Cristian Romero earlier this month.
    And Milenkovic may not be the last addition of this summer, should Spurs get the deal over the line.
    Spurs new boy Cristian Romero made his debut from the bench against Man CityCredit: Getty

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    The Lilywhites continue to be heavily linked with Bologna’s Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu – with Gazzetta claiming that the deal is now ‘very close’.
    Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also claims that in addition to another defender, Spurs are chasing a midfielder and a striker before the end of the month.
    Gazzetta claim that Paratici has begun negotiations with Cagliari for Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez over the last 24 hours.
    And Spurs continue to be linked with Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic up front – irrespective of whether Harry Kane stays this month.
    Lautaro Martinez has been linked with SpursCredit: Getty
    Takehiro Tomiyasu is rumoured to be close to joining TottenhamCredit: Getty
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    Inter Milan fans deface ANOTHER Romelu Lukaku mural calling £97.5m Chelsea signing a ‘sell-out traitor’ after transfer

    ROMELU LUKAKU’S move to Chelsea has not gone down well with Inter Milan fans. The Nerazzurri faithful have defaced a second mural of the £97.5million man near San Siro as Inter fans react to his departure.
    Inter fans this time used white graffiti to ruin a mural of Lukaku
    The original image looked like this before it was defacedCredit: AFP
    The latest defaced image shows scribbles across Lukaku’s face, and underneath the words “sell-out traitor” are written in Italian.
    Originally the mural depicted Lukaku clashing heads with AC Milan rival Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a Milan derby clash last season, but now Lukaku’s face has been graffitied on.
    Meanwhile Ibrahimovic, also a former Inter player, has not had any damage done to his image.
    It follows a first mural being defaced last week with black paint and a banner being unfurled that accused the Belgian of ‘breaking their balls’.
    Despite the latest act from the Inter fans, Lukaku still took to Twitter to post a heartfelt message thanking everyone at the club for the two years he spent in Milan.
    The end part of his statement said: “I hope you guys understand my decision to move to Chelsea. It’s the chance of a lifetime for me and I think at this time of my career it is a chance that I have always dreamed of.
    “One thing is for sure and that is that I will always remain a Interista, because without you I wouldn’t be the player or man I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
    It’s safe to say the fans don’t understand the 28-year-olds decision to move back to Stamford Bridge.

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    That’s despite the Belgian striker helping the Nerazzurri to a first Serie A title in ELEVEN years last season, ending Juventus’ run of nine consecutive Scudettos.
    His transfer came almost two years to the day since he arrived in Milan for a £66million fee from Manchester United.
    In that time he played 95 times for the Serie A side, scoring 64 goals and notching 16 assists.
    He becomes the second most expensive Premier League player of all time, just behind the £100million paid by Manchester City for Jack Grealish.
    And Lukaku arrives at Stamford Bridge with the aim of righting the wrongs from his first spell with the Blues.
    The 94-cap Belgium man played 15 times for Chelsea in a three year spell that included two loans to West Brom and Everton – where he failed to score a goal in a Blues shirt.

    But Lukaku said a return to Chelsea was impossible to turn down, and this time he will be the talisman for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
    He brings guaranteed goals after the Blues’ top scorer last season was Jorginho with seven, all of which came from the penalty spot.
    The 28-year-old is expected to make his second Chelsea debut at the Emirates on Sunday as Chelsea travel to Arsenal on Matchday Two of the Premier League.
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    Tottenham ‘in transfer talks’ with Fiorentina over a deal for Nikola Milenkovic after his West Ham move broke down

    TOTTENHAM are in transfer talks with Fiorentina over Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports.The North Londers desperately want to bring in another defender before the summer window closes.
    Tottenham hope to see off competition from Premier League rivals to land Nikola Milenkovic, rightCredit: EPA
    And versatile Milenkovic, who can play at right-back or centre-back, fits the bill perfectly.
    He was previously linked to Manchester United and Arsenal before a move to West Ham was on the cards.
    But according to Sky Sports, Tottenham hope to pounce after the Hammers switch broke down.
    Milenkovic, 23, is into the final year of his contract with the Serie A side.
    The 6ft 5ins Serbian ace came through the ranks at Partizan Belgrade before joining Fiorentina in 2017.
    He has 127 appearances for the club and 11 goals – as well as 28 caps for the senior Serbia national team.

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    Milenkovic is not the only name on director of football Fabio Paratici’s transfer wishlist.
    Extra reinforcement in the backline is a priority following Toby Alderweireld’s departure for Qatari side Al-Duhail while Juan Foyth made his switch to Villarreal permanent.

    They have already splashed out £47million on Cristian Romero from Atalanta.
    Tottenham are in talks with Bologna’s £17m-rated Takehiro Tomiyasu, although no agreement has been reached and Milenkovic would likely be cheaper.
    Villarreal and Spain man Pau Torres is also a target – but has a £55m release clause.

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    Tammy Abraham set to fly to Italy TODAY as Chelsea striker agrees £34m transfer to Roma on five-year contract

    TAMMY ABRAHAM is set to fly to Italy today to complete his transfer to Roma, according to reports. The Chelsea striker, 23, has agreed a £34million transfer to the Serie A giants. 
    Tammy Abraham will end his 17-year affiliation with Chelsea by joining RomaCredit: GettyDREAM TEAM 2021/22 – IT’S NOT TOO LATE!PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

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    According to Sky Italia, Roma general manager Tiago Pinto held positive talks with Abraham in London on Thursday. 
    And now the Blues’ academy graduate looks on course to seal the switch, believing he will play a key role under new boss Jose Mourinho. 
    The report adds he will undergo a medical at Rome’s Villa Stuart Clinic this afternoon.
    And assuming there are no issues, Abraham shall put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico worth £4m per year after tax – taking home £80,000 per week. 
    It is understood Chelsea have inserted a £68m buy-back clause into the deal.
    However, that cannot be triggered by the Stamford Bridge club until the summer of 2023 at the earliest. 

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    Roma beat off the likes of Arsenal and Italian side Atalanta to land Abraham, with Chelsea preferring to sell him abroad rather than to a rival Premier League club. 
    The imminent transfer ends Abraham’s 17-year affiliation with the club.
    He joined the academy at Under-8s level and became a first-team regular after loans with Bristol City, Swansea and Aston Villa. 
    In 82 first-team appearances for the Blues, he managed 30 goals – including 12 last season to make him the joint-top scorer. 
    However, after Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the dugout, his opportunities dried up. 
    And the club-record £97.5m arrival of Romelu Lukaku ensured he slipped down the pecking order again. 
    Tuchel admitted this week he was partly to blame for Abraham’s lack of progression in 2021.
    The German said: “Tammy is right now in the squad. He did some good preparation matches.
    “He was clearly not happy with the last half a year and maybe he has reason also not to be happy and maybe it was also my fault not to push him, not to trust him on the same level I maybe trusted other players.
    “I can absolutely understand that he wants more minutes. 
    “So the decision will be ‘How do we plan, what are Tammy’s plans, does he fight his way back into the team from the position where he ended last season or does he want to change club to have the chance of being a regular starter?'”

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    Lukaku was not ready to be involved in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace as Timo Werner led the line while Abraham was an unused sub.
    The goals came from Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and a stunner from Premier League debutant Trevoh Chalobah. 
    Abraham follows Olivier Giroud out of the Stamford Bridge exit door to Italy after his AC Milan switch this summer while Michy Batshuayi is expected to join Besiktas. 

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