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    Marcos Alonso ‘agrees personal terms with Barcelona as Chelsea thrash out final details of £6m transfer’

    MARCOS ALONSO has agreed personal terms with Barcelona, according to reports.And that means his transfer from Chelsea is on the verge of completion.
    Marcos Alonso is on the brink of completing his transfer to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    According to Bild’s Christian Falk, the ex-Real Madrid left wing-back, 31, will put pen to paper on a contract until 2025.
    However, the two clubs are currently said to be negotiating the final details of the deal.
    Barcelona look set to pay around £6m for the Spaniard, who is into the final 12 months of his current contract at Stamford Bridge.
    Xavi called Alonso to talk through the details over the move after the defender submitted a transfer request.
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    It was reported last week Barca hoped to fly Alonso over from London to Catalonia by tomorrow.
    That would give him time to complete his medical, sign on the dotted line and train with his new team-mates this week.
    Xavi had already penciled in this Sunday’s clash away at Real Sociedad as Alonso’s potential debut.
    Although he has not featured this term, he has gone through a full pre-season with Chelsea so is fit and ready to go – and will compete with Jordi Alba for the left-back spot.
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    Barcelona managed to get Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha all registered and involved in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano.
    Sergio Busquets was sent off deep into injury time as the Nou Camp giants lost early ground to Real Madrid in the LaLiga title race. More

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    Chelsea name FOUR senior stars including Ben Chilwell in Premier League 2 clash against Fulham

    BEN CHILWELL and three other senior stars will reportedly feature in Chelsea’s Premier League 2 clash against Fulham.The Blues’ development squad will take on their West London rivals at Kingsmeadow on Monday evening.
    Ben Chilwell’s one of four senior players set to play for Chelsea’s development side in their Premier League 2 clash with FulhamCredit: Rex
    And they’ve been given a huge boost by the inclusion of Chilwell, along with his first team counterparts Carney Chukwuemeka, Ethan Ampadu and Trevoh Chalobah, according to the Evening Standard.
    England ace Chilwell missed a large chunk of last season due to a knee injury sustained in the Blues’ Champions League clash with Juventus in December.
    But the 25-year-old was all smiles as he returned to pre-season training with the Chelsea squad this summer.
    However, Chilwell’s still lacking the match fitness required to play alongside his senior peers in the Premier League.
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    So Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is letting the full-back get some much-needed game time under his belt with the club’s youngsters.
    The same goes for Chelsea new-boy Chukwuemeka who joined the club for £20million from Aston Villa in this transfer window.
    The 18-year-old’s yet to make his Blues Prem debut, so a run-out against the young Cottagers will keep him fresh.
    Fellow Blues starlet Ampadu has failed to break into Chelsea’s first team thus far but plans to change that like Chalobah did last term.
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    Chalobah was a revelation for the Blues in the previous campaign.
    The youngster was an unused substitute, along with Chilwell, in the Blues’ fierce 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
    The pair would’ve had a perfect view of coach Tuchel’s touchline spat with Spurs boss Antonio Conte after the contest.

    And they were expected to be joined in the development squad by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
    However, he’s on the brink of finalising a loan move away from Stamford Bridge, it was added.
    SunSport reported last week that Borussia Dortmund were leading the race to sign him, although the Standard claim Leicester and Southampton are also in contention. More

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    Chelsea transfer blow as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang happy at Barcelona and wants to fight for his place

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is reportedly keen to remain at Barcelona to fight for his spot amid rumours linking him with Chelsea.It has been claimed that the 33-year-old is “happy” at the Nou Camp despite former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel being keen for a reunion at Stamford Bridge.
    Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move to ChelseaCredit: AFP
    The Blues gaffer recently lauded the Gabon international where he stated that the pair have a “very close relationship”.
    Aubameyang has been eyed up as a potential replacement for Timo Werner, who was allowed to return to RB Leipzig on a permanent deal.
    And SunSport have exclusively revealed how Manchester United are keeping tabs on the player amid uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
    But according to Mundo Deportivo, the ex-Arsenal skipper is keen to remain in Spain having only linked up with the Blaugrana earlier this year.
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    They have stated that Aubameyang is “happy” is Catalonia, where he knows he has the trust of boss Xavi.
    That is despite Barcelona bringing in Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha while also tying Ousmane Dembele down to a new deal.
    The Spanish news outlet has declared that Aubameyang wants to fight for his role in the team.
    Though Mundo Deportivo have conceded that the forward could be tempted to make the move to Chelsea where he has been told he would be guaranteed a starting spot.
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    It is understood that Barcelona would be willing to part ways with Aubameyang to raise funds in order to land Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Xavi wants to keep the player, but the club will sell if they receive a £25million fee.
    And Barcelona remain keen on securing the services of Blues left wing-back Marcos Alonso.
    He tweeted: “Barcelona have asked around €30m [£25m] fee for Pierre Aubameyang during the weekend, Chelsea wanted to spend way less than this.
    “Talks continue, as Marcos Alonso is still part of the conversations.
    “Tuchel, pushing for Aubameyang as priority… but Xavi insists to keep him.” More

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    Juventus star Adrien Rabiot appears to CONFIRM transfer to Man Utd in cryptic video with football fan

    ADRIEN RABIOT appears to have confirmed he will be joining Manchester United. The French star was filmed by a fan with the video seemingly confirming his move to Old Trafford.

    Adrien Rabiot could soon be announced as a Man United playerCredit: Getty
    In the video, the man who was with Rabiot said: “I am here with the great player Rabiot, of Juventus, now in England. So I wish you the best brother. Bye bye.”
    To which Rabiot responded: “Thank you. Bye.”
    Rabiot, 27, has been linked with a £15million move to Man United from Serie A side Juventus.
    And following United football director John Murtough’s visit to Turin to finalise the deal, it now appears to be all but complete.
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    Murtough jetted off to Italy last week to negotiate Rabiot’s contract details with his agent and mum Veronique.
    The talks reportedly went well, and now the video which has emerged today appears to show the fruits of that labour from the two parties.
    Man United were plunged deeper into crisis this week following the 4-0 humiliation against Brentford.
    The Red Devils were 4-0 down inside 35 minutes, the quickest they have ever conceded four goals in the Premier League era.
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    United’s goal this window has been to try and recruit Frenkie De Jong, but this has thus far proved fruitless and instead United have opted to try and sign Rabiot.
    The deal for him has met backlash from fans and pundits alike, with ex-player Lou Macari openly questioning the transfer on United’s in-house channel MUTV.
    SunSport revealed Rabiot’s stats were worse than midfield counterparts Fred and Scott McTominay, so it’s clear to see why some might be disillusioned with the transfer. More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd set for Moises Caicedo transfer battle with Brighton star wanted in last-minute summer move

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are reportedly set to battle it out for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.The wonderkid has enjoyed a stellar start to the new Premier League season.
    Man Utd and Arsenal are keen on Brighton’s Moises CaicedoCredit: AP
    And the Mirror claims both United and Arsenal are interested in signing Caicedo before deadline day.
    The Ecuador international, 20, starred in Brighton’s opening day win over United at Old Trafford.
    Caicedo also caught the eye in Saturday’s draw against mega-rich Newcastle.
    And his performances late on last season have also been taken into account by suitors.
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    United passed up the chance to sign Caicedo in January before Brighton swooped in.
    But Erik ten Hag is in dire need of midfield reinforcements.
    And he could be set to sanction a bid for Caicedo as he also tries to land Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot.
    Arsenal are also considering a new midfielder too as doubts remain over Albert Sambi Lokonga’s future.
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    Mikel Arteta has put his trust in an impressive young Arsenal squad, and Caicedo has the quality to challenge for a starting role immediately.
    However, United and Arsenal face stiff competition if they do make formal offers.
    West Ham are eager after losing out to Everton in the race for Amadou Onana.
    There are also suitors on the continent, with Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen registering their interest.
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    But Brighton are under no pressure to sell Caicedo, having pocketed £63million from Marc Cucurella’s move to Chelsea.
    They also sold Yves Bissouma for over £25m for Spurs, and Graham Potter is looking to maintain the rest of his squad this window. More

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    Man Utd receive several inquiries for Eric Bailly with West Ham, Marseille and Monaco all keen on transfer

    MANCHESTER UNITED have received plenty of interest in Eric Bailly, according to reports.The Ivorian has been frozen out at Old Trafford, failing to even make the bench for Erik ten Hag’s first two games in charge.
    Eric Bailly is surplus to requirements at Man UnitedCredit: Rex
    United are eager to offload Bailly this month and would prefer a permanent exit to a loan deal.
    According to The Athletic, talks are progressing with a number of interested parties.
    They claim that West Ham, Marseille and Monaco would all like to sign the 28-year-old.
    Bailly’s wages could be a stumbling block and may hold up a potential deal.
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    Interested teams would reportedly like to take the defender on loan, with United still paying a portion of his wages.
    But the Red Devils are willing to stretch the saga until deadline day in an attempt to find a permanent bidder.
    Bailly still has two years remaining on the contract he penned in April 2021.
    Despite United handing him that new deal he only made four Prem appearances last season.
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    In fact, he has not made a competitive United appearance since December last year.
    He resurfaced during pre-season – travelling to Thailand and Australia on tour and featuring in the 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
    But he has not even been named on Ten Hag’s nine-man bench for league matches.
    West Ham could look to sign Bailly as a replacement for Issa Diop.
    The Frenchman was allowed to join Fulham in a £15million deal last week. More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd told to make suitable Tielemans offer now or Leicester ‘will keep ace and lose him on free transfer’

    LEICESTER are reportedly willing to lose Youri Tielemans for nothing next year if no suitable bids come in for him this summer.Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the Belgian playmaker, 25.
    Leicester are reportedly prepared to keep Youri Tielemans if they receive no suitable bidsCredit: Getty
    The Foxes are open to letting Tielemans leave if their valuation of the player is met this summer.
    But if that isn’t the case, Leicester are now prepared to keep him for the season and let him leave on a free at the end of the campaign, according to The Times.
    The club are keen for him to sign a new deal but the Belgian international has held off agreeing to fresh terms.
    Arsenal are believed to have shown the most interest in signing Tielemans, but are yet to formally approach Leicester with an offer.
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    Leicester though will not be bullied by lowball offers and are prepared to keep Tielemans at the club if the right price isn’t met.
    Although that would in all likelihood see the midfielder leave for nothing next summer.
    It’s claimed Leicester are still expecting a bid before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
    Reports in June suggested the Gunners had already agreed personal terms with the player.
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    Tielemans’ representatives are said to have been in negotiations with the Gunners for months, without an official bid being launched.
    There have also been links with Manchester United, who are in desperate need of fresh faces in midfield.
    Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed last week that the club were yet to receive an offer for Tielemans.
    And the ex-Liverpool gaffer said the club will continue trying to tie him down to a new deal.
    Tielemans is one of eight players, including Jamie Vardy, who are out of contract at the end of the season.
    On Tielemans’ situation, Rodgers said: “It’s not ideal but it’s happened before — players have left here for free before.
    “He wouldn’t be the first one, but at this moment in time it’s about keeping an eye on the team and the squad, making sure they are ready.
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    “The club will be negotiating and talking with the players’ representatives across the squad.
    “Thus far there’s no change in Youri’s situation, there’s no offers so he’s just continuing to work well and get himself right at this early part of the season.” More

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    Barcelona ‘line up Hector Bellerin free transfer’ with Arsenal outcast seen as cheap option for right-back slot

    BARCELONA are lining up Hector Bellerin as an option to fill in their squad’s right-back slot.Bellerin is out of favour at Arsenal and is pushing for a move away from the club for a fresh start.
    Hector Bellerin wants out at ArsenalCredit: Getty
    And this could come in the form of a move to Barcelona, who are now considering the Spaniard as a cheap option due to him being available on a free transfer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    While Barcelona have activated a number of “economic levers” to bring players in this summer, departures remain a necessity.
    Among those earmarked to leave the club is full-back Sergino Dest, who Manchester United and Chelsea are targeting in a potential £17million move.
    Bellerin would represent a cost-effective and natural replacement for the Dutch-born American.
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    Dest has struggled to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp following his move from Ajax in 2020.
    Therefore, Bellerin, who was on loan at Real Betis last season, could come into the Barca set-up to replace the outgoing Dest for a fraction of the price.
    It has also now emerged Bellerin wants Arsenal to TERMINATE his £110,000 per week contract so he can make a return to Spain
    Bellerin was one time a part of Barcelona’s youth academy, but left for Arsenal in 2011.
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    For many years Bellerin looked set to be a star for the future, with his dazzling speed a deadly weapon for The Gunners across a number of campaigns.
    However, a cruciate ligament injury in 2019 saw Bellerin’s career stall until he was granted a loan move to Betis, where he made 32 appearances. More