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    Man Utd ‘are ready to launch Hakim Ziyech transfer bid’ with Erik ten Hag keen on reunion with Chelsea star

    MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to launch an official bid for Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.The Red Devils have struggled to tempt any of their top transfer targets to Old Trafford this summer.
    Man Utd are prepared to launch an offer for ZiyechCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag is still pushing to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, but the midfielder is reluctant to make the switch.
    And with the transfer window nearing its close, United chiefs are now seeking alternative midfield reinforcements.
    According to French football journalist Nabil Djellit, Man Utd are now set to launch an offer for Ziyech.
    The midfielder has been identified as one of Ten Hag’s priority targets, with claims suggesting that the board would be willing to meet his valuation as long as Chelsea are not too ‘greedy’ with their asking price.
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    Ziyech joined Chelsea in a £37million transfer from Ajax in 2020, but has since failed to establish himself as a regular starter in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
    In 83 appearances for the club he’s scored 14 goals and assisted 10.
    He also played a key role in helping Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021.
    However, following the arrival of Raheem Sterling, the Morocco international is now even less likely to feature in the squad this season.
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    And Chelsea are willing to accept a £24m loss in order to offload him.
    AC Milan are also in the race to sign Ziyech, with The Blues reportedly willing to accept £8m for his services. More

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    Watford players ‘openly celebrating Emmanuel Dennis’ Nottingham Forest transfer in dressing room’

    WATFORD players “openly celebrated” Emmanuel Dennis’ departure to Nottingham Forest, according to reports. The striker, 24, completed his £20million move to the Premier League new boys on Saturday.
    Emmanuel Dennis completed his £20m transfer to Nottingham Forest this weekendCredit: Getty
    Some Watford players are said to be delighted that Emmanuel Dennis has left the clubCredit: Getty
    But according to the Daily Mail, the squad at Vicarage Road were delighted to see the back of him.
    It is said the dressing room “will be a far more harmonious place” following his departure.
    And the report adds several members of the Watford team were not afraid to express their delight once he had left.
    Dennis only joined the Hornets last summer and scored ten goals in the relegation campaign.
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    He failed to score in his two Championship appearances this term before sealing his switch back to the top flight.
    Rob Edwards’ side remain unbeaten with two wins and a draw to sit third in the table.
    Dennis, meanwhile, will need to try and displace Taiwo Awoniyi up front for Steve Cooper’s Forest.
    The seven-cap Nigerian forward, who scored twice in the Bernabeu for Club Brugge in 2019, will have watched his compatriot Awoniyi score the winner in the 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
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    The 25-year-old – another of the 14 first-team arrivals at the City Ground – bundled in just before half-time before Dean Henderson saved Declan Rice’s penalty to secure Forest’s first points of the season.
    Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler also signed over the weekend while Neco Williams, Jesse Lingard, Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien and Henderson were among those who starred against the Hammers.
    Fellow Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi bundled in the only goal against West HamCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea ‘willing to wait until the end’ to complete Frenkie de Jong transfer with Barcelona ‘believing he will go’

    CHELSEA are reportedly ready to wait until the end of the transfer window before moving for Frenkie de Jong.Sport claims the Barcelona star is a top priority for Thomas Tuchel this summer.
    Chelsea are ready to wait before making their move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de JongCredit: Getty
    But the Blues are willing to bide their time to drive the price down.
    De Jong’s priority is to stay at the Nou Camp.
    That’s despite Barca telling the Dutchman he must accept a 50 per cent pay cut while still being owed £14million in deferred wages.
    Manchester United are also keen on a deal for De Jong.
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    And Barcelona are ready to accept offers of £63million from interested parties, as they believe De Jong will NOT be their player next month.
    However, Chelsea are thought to be ahead of United in the race.
    And new owner Todd Boehly has already forged good relations with Barca chiefs after meeting for lunch last month.
    Yet the American knows that the longer De Jong’s saga rumbles on, the easier it will become to sign him.
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    Barcelona are desperate to ensure the playmaker’s wages are not included in the budget for the new LaLiga season.
    And should De Jong remain on their books come the end of the month, they would likely accept a lower bid from Chelsea.
    The midfielder isn’t the only player on Tuchel’s wish list for August.
    Everton have turned down two Chelsea bids for winger Anthony Gordon, with the latest reaching £45m.
    The Blues are also preparing a world-record £85m offer for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana.
    And they are set to return to Barcelona too with a bid for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. More

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    Barcelona willing to sell three players including Man Utd and Chelsea target Aubameyang to fund £84m Silva transfer

    BARCELONA are reportedly willing to sell three players in order to fund a suitable bid for Bernardo Silva.The cash-strapped Catalan giants have already spent big this summer.
    Barcelona are attempting to fund £80m to sign SilvaCredit: Getty
    Xavi has introduced six new players to his squad, including Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha, taking the club’s total net spend to around £140million.
    But, now the Barca boss is eager to sign Manchester City midfielder Silva, who is valued at around £84m, despite the club’s financial status.
    According to Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona chiefs are willing to sell three players to fund the transfer.
    Those names include Memphis Depay, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergino Dest.
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    Depay has been told by Xavi that he is surplus to requirements at the club.
    As a result, his representatives are now attempting to negotiate a contract termination which would allow him to leave on a free transfer, creating space on the club’s wage bill.
    Juventus are now closing in on a deal for the winger, who also received interest from Tottenham.
    Meanwhile, Aubameyang could also be set for a move away, with Manchester United and Chelsea both battling for his signature.
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    On Monday, SunSport revealed that The Red Devils were set to join the race to sign the former Arsenal skipper.
    Erik ten Hag is eager to sign some attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
    And with Cristiano Ronaldo pushing for an exit, Aubameyang could prove to be the perfect replacement.
    However, Thomas Tuchel is keen on the prospect of bringing him to Stamford Bridge following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
    Dest has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
    Man Utd chiefs are reportedly prepared to offer Diogo Dalot as part of a swap deal to sign the right-back.
    Barcelona could also raise a large sum of money by selling Frenkie de Jong.
    The Dutchman has been at the centre of this summer’s biggest transfer saga.
    Read More on The Sun
    Man Utd have been pushing to sign him since the transfer window opened in June, but the midfielder is reluctant to make the move to Old Trafford.
    Barcelona currently owe De Jong £17m in unpaid wages, but officials have offered him an ultimatum by suggesting that he either slash his wage demands or leave. More

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    Man Utd face missing out on Milinkovic-Savic as Tottenham ‘line up £51m transfer bid for Lazio midfielder’

    TOTTENHAM are lining up a £51million move for Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports.The Red Devils hold a long-standing interest in the Lazio midfielder, but could be gazumped by Spurs.
    Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could move to the Premier League this summerCredit: Getty
    Milinkovic-Savic, 27, is believed to be interested in leaving Serie A after seven years playing in Italy.
    United could look to make a bid, but the Serb would reportedly rather move to Tottenham.
    Working with Antonio Conte appeals to the midfielder, while he would like to play Champions League football.
    According to Calciomercato, Spurs are readying a bid worth £51m for the burly 6ft 2in ace.
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    The offer would comprise of an initial £38m fee, plus around £13m in add-ons.
    Tottenham would be willing to offer Milinkovic-Savic a £100,000-a-week contract.
    He has two years remaining on his Lazio deal.
    It’s been a busy summer of recruitment in North London.
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    Tottenham signed Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet and Djed Spence prior to the beginning of the season.
    While Udinese ace Destiny Udogie is expected to follow in the coming days, before being loaned back to the Italian side.
    Tottenham are also interested in Man United youngster James Garner, while they have loaned Giovani Lo Celso to Villarreal.
    The Argentine’s fellow Spurs outcast Tanguy Ndombele could soon follow him out the door, with Napoli working on a loan deal for the Frenchman.
    Giovani Lo Celso has re-joined VillarrealCredit: Getty More

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    Diogo Dalot ‘rules out Barcelona transfer after Man Utd offer defender in swap deal for Frenkie de Jong’

    DIOGO DALOT has reportedly ruled out a move to Barcelona.That’s after he was apparently used by Manchester United in a swap deal for Frenkie de Jong.
    Diogo Dalot has snubbed a Barcelona move… with the Catalans also not interestedCredit: Getty
    Man Utd offered Dalot in a swap deal for Barca midfielder Frenkie de JongCredit: Getty
    Mundo Deportivo claims Dalot was offered up by Erik ten Hag as a bargaining chip for Barca’s unhappy midfielder.
    The Spanish giants are searching for a right-back after missing out on Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
    And United believed using Dalot as part of a deal for De Jong would see Barca lower their asking price of £63million.
    However, the LaLiga side rejected the exchange as Dalot is not on their radar for the new season.
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    But even if he had been, the deal would have struggled to go through.
    That’s because Dalot has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.
    It’s reckoned the Portugal ace is settled in Manchester.
    Dalot is still confident of making a huge impact at the Theatre of Dreams, where he is currently ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order.
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    Dalot’s people also claim he retains the confidence of Ten Hag – despite being offered out to Barca.
    It now remains to be seen who Xavi Hernandez moves for, with Barcelona short on cash.
    Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong have all been linked.
    Barcelona’s need for a right-back comes after expensive new signing Jules Kounde told Xavi he has no intention of switching to the position from centre-back.
    Read More on The Sun
    Barca’s current options include Sergi Roberto and Sergino Dest, but neither has convinced in recent seasons.
    Dani Alves was on the books last season but was released before securing a move to Pumas. More

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    How Chelsea could line up with four new stars after stunning £223m spree on aces including De Jong and Aubameyang

    CHELSEA could line up with a bold new look if they pull off £223million-worth of transfers before deadline day.Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly have already splashed the cash on several signings including Raheem Sterling (£47m), Kalidou Koulibaly (£33m) and Marc Cucurella (£62m).
    Chelsea could line up with a bold new look if they make four signings including Pierre-Emerick AubameyangCredit: AFP
    That’s an incredible total of £142m.
    But that total figure could rise to an astonishing £365m if Chelsea land their remaining targets.
    Top of the list for Tuchel is a new centre-back.
    And Leicester’s Wesley Fofana is in his sights.
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    The centre-back, 21, is regarded as one of Europe’s top defensive prospects.
    He can play in a back three or a back four.
    But Chelsea will have to pay a world record fee for a defender to prise Fofana from Leicester – £85m to be exact.
    Next on the list for Tuchel is a new striker – and his main target is Aubameyang.
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    The pair are still great friends after working together at Borussia Dortmund.
    Yet despite only joining Barcelona on a free transfer from Arsenal earlier this year, Chelsea will have to cough up £25m for the hitman.
    But Aubameyang’s prowess makes him the ideal man to lead the line for Chelsea.
    Tuchel would also like a new midfielder, and Frenkie de Jong could now be set to swap Barcelona for London.
    How Chelsea could end up looking after another spending spree
    The midfielder requires around £14m of unpaid wages to be handed over by his new side.
    But the transfer fee alone for De Jong comes to £63m.
    Even so, the Dutchman’s versatility in midfield makes him an ideal anchorman or pivot player in Tuchel’s system.
    Finally, Chelsea are targeting a winger after missing out on Raphinha.
    And Everton’s Anthony Gordon has been the subject of a failed £40m.
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    It will take at least £50m for Chelsea to succeed in their pursuit.
    But Gordon can play either wing and will provide a new option for Tuchel up top. More

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    Chelsea have second Anthony Gordon transfer bid worth £45m REJECTED as Everton desperately look to keep youngster

    CHELSEA have had a £45million bid for Anthony Gordon rejected by Everton.The Blues made an initial £40m offer for the winger last weekend, but it was immediately dismissed.
    Everton have rejected Chelsea’s £45m bid for GordonCredit: Getty
    Thomas Tuchel was then eager to respond with an improved bid of £45m, but that was still considered too low by Frank Lampard.
    According to The Times, Everton are now demanding at least £50m for Gordon’s services.
    It remains possible that Chelsea could still go back with another improved offer, but Everton officials believe that Tuchel will now lose interest.
    Meanwhile, The Toffees are pushing to negotiate a new deal for the 21-year-old.
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    Talks on a new contract opened after Newcastle and Tottenham both expressed an interest in signing Gordon.
    Spurs had attempted to sign him while pursuing a deal for Richarlison, but they could only manage to secure the services of the Brazil international.
    And just a few weeks later, Newcastle approached the club to discuss the possibility of a £35m move.
    Gordon is understood to be willing to leave Goodison Park, but Everton want to keep him for at least one more season.
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    The winger joined Everton’s academy in 2012 before rising through the ranks to make his professional debut in 2017.
    He has since scored four goals and assisted eight in 62 appearances for the club. More