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    Chelsea ‘agree personal terms with Wesley Fofana’ but still haven’t had transfer bid accepted by Leicester

    WESLEY FOFANA has agreed personal terms ahead of his potential move to Chelsea, according to reports.Chelsea have been in the market for defensive reinforcements after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for free at the end of last season.
    Wesley Fofana could soon switch Leicester for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
    And while new owner Todd Boehly has been busy signing off on deals to bring in ex-Napoli captain Kalidou Koulibaly and versatile Spaniard Marc Cucurella, the spending is set to continue.
    Fofana has been extensively linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the last few weeks and is understood to have told the Foxes he wants to move.
    And now the Frenchman has agreed personal terms ahead of a move, according to the Mail.
    The 21-year-old is set for a significant pay rise which will see him earn £200,000 per week.
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    However, Chelsea remain some way short of Leicester’s valuation of the defender.
    Fofana remains a key player for Brendan Rodgers’ side and has been a mainstay in the starting XI since his 2020 move from Saint-Etienne when fit.
    In addition, Fofana signed a new five-year deal as recently as March, so Leicester’s colossal £84million price tag on him appears justified from an economic point of view.
    Chelsea have seen their first two offers of £60m and £70m rejected.
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    Chelsea have already spent nearly £170m on new arrivals this summer, including Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka also representing a big slug of money.
    And with reports linking them to deals for Fofana, Frenkie de Jong, Josip Juranovic, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang it could eclipse £250m and even reach up to £300m. More

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    Frenkie de Jong ‘has told Barcelona dressing room that he could join Man Utd’ and is ‘very angry’ with Spanish club

    FRENKIE DE JONG has told the Barcelona dressing room he could join Manchester United, according to reports.And it is said the Dutch midfielder is “very angry” with the Nou Camp club.
    Frenkie de Jong is said to be unhappy with the way Barcelona are treating himCredit: Getty
    De Jong, 25, has been at the centre of the biggest transfer saga of the summer.
    Manchester United have been chasing him all the way through the transfer window before Chelsea looked on course to hijack a possible deal by reportedly agreeing a deal.
    But for most of the summer, De Jong has wanted to stay at Barca.
    However, SPORT in Spain now state the midfielder has admitted to team-mates in the locker room he could be on his way to Old Trafford.
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    De Jong was desperate to play Champions League football this season but could be willing to forgo that demand.
    The ex-Ajax star is still owed millions in unpaid wages which he wants settled before his future is resolved.
    But the report adds he is now growing increasingly furious with the way the club are treating him and putting pressure on him to leave.
    De Jong was given an ultimatum earlier in the summer that he had to take a wage cut or agree to be sold.
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    And now his patience at the club appears to have finally worn out.
    A fee of around £72million has already been agreed between United and Barca, who are keen to sell one of their valuable assets to raise much-needed funds.
    However, personal terms would still need to be sorted.
    The transfer would be a major boost to Red Devils chief Erik ten Hag, who has once again stated his desire for more signings before deadline day.
    And Thomas Tuchel would need to find an alternative central midfielder if he misses out on the 44-cap international – despite looking like a deal was on the verge of being completed.
    As it stands, De Jong is included in the 23-man matchday Barcelona squad to face Rayo Vallecano tonight.
    New arrivals Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha are also involved despite fears over LaLiga registration. More

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    Man Utd to launch new Frenkie de Jong transfer ‘offensive’ this week as Chelsea pull out of race for Barcelona star

    MANCHESTER UNITED will make another attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona next week, according to reports.The Red Devils have already reached a £72million agreement with Barcelona for the midfielder.
    Man Utd will attempt to complete a deal for De Jong next weekCredit: Getty
    But, De Jong has been reluctant to make the move to Old Trafford because he wants Champions League football.
    Despite the setback, United officials are still confident that they can tempt him to the club.
    Reports claim that new boss Erik ten Hag is prepared to take control of the situation in a bid to complete the deal before Man Utd’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on August 22.
    He is even prepared to organise a face-to-face meeting with the midfielder in an attempt to convince him to make the switch.
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    De Jong has already admitted that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp this season.
    Barcelona currently owe him £17m in unpaid wages so club chiefs are attempting to force him out in a bid to settle any financial differences.
    While De Jong has been stalling on a move to Man Utd, Chelsea have expressed an interest in signing him.
    The Blues reportedly came close to striking a £67.6m deal with Barcelona earlier this week, however, they have since cooled their interest.
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    Thomas Tuchel has his sights set on signing a new striker before the transfer window closes next month.
    Man Utd legend Gary Neville is still optimistic that his former club can push the deal across the line, but he has also suggested that it would be ’embarrassing’ if they don’t.
    When speaking to Football Daily, he said: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.
    “If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.
    “Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.” More

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    Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reveals that Cristiano Ronaldo has NOT told him he wants to leave club despite transfer rumour

    ERIK TEN HAG has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is still very much part of his plans and has NOT asked him to leave Manchester United.Ronaldo sent shockwaves throughout the football world last month when reports claimed that he wanted out, despite only returning to Old Trafford last summer.
    Ten Hag has refuted reports claiming Ronaldo wants to leave United and insists the attacker has an important role to play for the clubCredit: Reuters
    The 37-year-old is desperate to play in the Champions League, and the Red Devils will not feature in the competition this season.
    Ronaldo’s haul of 18 goals in 30 Premier League games wasn’t enough to prevent United from finishing sixth in the competition last term.
    Matters between the club and player were further strained when Ronaldo left before United’s pre-season clash with Rayo Vallecano ended.
    And he cut a forlorn figure as he started on the bench in the Red Devils’ loss against Brighton.
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    But Ten Hag insists all is fine between Ronaldo and United, contrary to media speculation.
    He responded when asked if it would be wise to start the Portuguese ace who wants supposedly wants to leave in Saturday’s match against Brentford: “That is your assumption. That is not what he is telling me.
    “So I deal with the players we have and we plan with him for this season and we are happy with him and we have to fit him into the team.
    “So he has to come at the right fitness levels so that he can do the job that we expect him to do.
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    “In every press conference, we already confirmed that he is in our plans. We plan with him so we also plan around him.”
    Ten Hag may have no choice but to turn to Ronaldo following United’s dismal 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
    It’s likely Ten Hag will re-structure the team with Ronaldo leading the line, possibly accompanied by Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga on the flanks. More

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    Kylian Mbappe names his top three picks for Ballon d’Or award after PSG team-mate Lionel Messi sensationally snubbed

    KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed his top three picks for the upcoming Ballon d’Or award.Mbapppe’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Lionel Messi was a shock absentee from the 30-man shortlist for the prize.
    Mbappe reckons there’s only two stars including France team-mate Benzema who can stop him lifting the Ballon d’OrCredit: Reuters
    Mbappe feels former Liverpool ace Sadio Mane is the only other player standing in his wayCredit: Getty
    Messi’s been nominated for the prestigious accolade every year since 2005, and has won it seven times.
    But the Argentine attacker didn’t make the cut this time – leaving Mbappe in with a fighting chance of clinching the top gong.
    And he reckons only Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane can stop him from doing so.
    Mbappe said to France Football: “My top three? I would say Benzema, myself, and Mané.”
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    Mane bagged 18 goals in 37 domestic matches for Liverpool last season, helping them win the FA and League Cups before heading to Bayern.
    While Benzema fired Real Madrid to the Champions League and La Liga Liga trophies with a sizzling return of 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions.
    And Mbappe joked that Benzema should forget about ever winning the Ballon d’Or if his contribution isn’t enough to do so this time.
    He added while praising his France team-mate: “I would say that this year is a success for Benzema.
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    “He’s 34 years old, has just had the season of his life, has won another Champions League and is often decisive… If I were Karim, if I don’t win this, I’ll stop thinking about the Ballon d’Or forever. (laughs.)”
    But Mbappe and Co still have to contend with the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo who’s also up for the prize.
    The veteran striker managed to score 24 times in 37 matches for Manchester United last season. More

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    Tottenham outcast Giovani Lo Celso in Spain to seal loan transfer to Villarreal but Spurs won’t include option to buy

    VILLARREAL are reportedly on the verge of signing Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso on a season-long loan.Lo Celso, 26, has fallen out-of-favour with Spurs boss Antonio Conte.
    Lo Celso is set for a return to VillarrealCredit: Getty
    He was limited to just nine Premier League appearances last season before being sent out on a short-term loan to Villarreal.
    Since returning to North London last month, he has been ‘banished’ from first-team training by Conte along with Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks.
    The 53-year-old told him that he must find another club before the transfer window closes next month.
    And now, following a period of negotiations, the midfielder is set for another return to La Liga.
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    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Lo Celso will rejoin Villarreal on a season-long loan.
    The Argentina international is currently in Spain to complete the deal.
    There is no buy option attached to the contract, but Tottenham will have the chance to interrupt the loan in January in case a permanent bid is made.
    Lo Celso signed a five-year deal when he joined Spurs from Real Betis in 2020.
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    However, following the arrival of Yves Bissouma – who made a £25million move from Brighton at the start of the transfer window – he was deemed unlikely to feature in the first-team this season.
    He is now set to return to the Estadio de la Ceramica, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.
    During that time he scored one goal and assisted one in 21 appearances for Villarreal.
    He also played a crucial role in helping the club to the Champions League semi-final. More

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    Tottenham flop Tanguy Ndombele agrees loan transfer to Napoli with option to buy after disastrous £65m move

    NAPOLI are reportedly on the verge of signing Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele on a season-long loan.Ndombele, 25, joined Spurs in 2019 for a club-record £65million fee.
    Ndombele is set to join Napoli on loanCredit: Getty
    However, his inconsistent performances have left both fans and first-team coaches unimpressed.
    The Frenchman fell out-of-favour with Antonio Conte last season which ultimately led to him being sent back to Lyon on a short-term loan.
    But, upon his return to London he was ‘banished’ from first-team training by the Spurs boss, who told him that he must find another club before the transfer window closes in September.
    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a move away is finally on the cards for Ndombele.
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    Napoli have reached an agreement to sign the midfielder on a season-long loan from Tottenham.
    The loan deal also includes an option to buy.
    Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli reportedly met with Ndombele’s representatives in Paris earlier this week to discuss personal terms.
    The Frenchman also attracted interest from the likes of Galatasaray, AC Milan and Villarreal, but The Blues were first to hold positive talks with Spurs.
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    Since joining Tottenham three years ago, Ndombele has made 91 first team appearances.
    He has also scored ten goals and assisted nine. More

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    Four Premier League keepers nominated for world’s best goalie including Chelsea ace Mendy but all look set to miss out

    FOUR Premier League goalkeepers have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy 2022.The Prem quartet consists of Liverpool stopper Alisson, Man City No1 Ederson, Tottenham’s first choice Hugo Lloris and Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.
    Mendy is among the nominees for world’s best keeperCredit: Getty
    Liverpool stopper Alisson is also in contention for the prizeCredit: Rex
    Man City stopper Ederson has been nominated tooCredit: Rex
    The last of the four Prem keepers on the list is Spurs stopper Hugo LlorisCredit: Getty
    However, it’s unlikely any of the aforementioned group will win the prize as Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois is favourite to lift the gong for world’s best keeper.
    Alisson played a key role in helping the Reds attain the domestic double – consisting of the FA and League Cup last season.
    The Brazilian is no stranger to the award as he scooped it when it was launched in 2019.
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    Meanwhile, Lloris inspired Tottenham to clinch the Prem’s fourth spot in the previous campaign.
    While Ederson ensured City won their second Prem title in a row.
    Blues stopper Mendy narrowly missed out on last year’s Yashin prize to AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
    And he’s set for heartache once again after Cortouis’ heroics meant Los Blancos were the worthy winners of the La Liga and Champions League.
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    Yashin trophy nominees 2022Award to be presented at Ballon d’Or award ceremony 2022

    Edouard Mendy (Chelsea/Senegal)
    Ederson (Man City/Brazil)
    Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich/Germany)
    Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)
    Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid/Slovenia)
    Alisson (Liverpool/Brazil)
    Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/France)
    Yassine Bounou (Sevilla/Morrocco)
    Mike Maignan (AC Milan/France)

    The remarkable feat has propelled Courtois above his Prem rivals in the race for the award.
    But he’s also got to thwart competition from Atletico Madrid goalie Jan Oblak, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, Sevilla stopper Yassine Bounou, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, plus Eintracht Frankfurt counterpart Kevin Trapp – to clinch the coveted prize.
    And for the first time since 2005, the Yashin trophy winner won’t share the stage with Lionel Messi who’s been left off the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist after a poor debut season at PSG.
    Messi retained the award for the seventh time last year, but he won’t be given the opportunity to win it for an eighth.
    The Argentine’s omission caused fury amongst football fans who took to social media to express frustration over his absence.
    However, Cristiano Ronaldo is in with a shout of clinching the prize this year despite a tumultuous spell with Man United last season.
    Other stars on the shortlist include Real hotshot Karim Benzema, former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, and Reds attacker Mo Salah.
    Courtois also made the list – but a goalie will never win the prize with the likes of Benzema gunning for it, he thinks.
    If successful, the Belgian will be the first keeper since Russian ace Lev Yashin to lift the Ballon d’Or who done so in 1963.
    His amazing feat led to the Yashin award being named after him. More