Transfer news: Cristiano Ronaldo ‘leaving’ Man Utd, Chelsea £51m bid, Arsenal medical
Erik ten Hag discusses Cristiano Ronaldo's future
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s future continues to dominate the headlines – despite Manchester United’s relative success in pre-season after securing three wins out of three. The Portuguese veteran could still depart before the new Premier League season, as top-four rivals Chelsea and Arsenal continue to flex their muscles in the market. Express Sport brings you all the latest gossip and done deals from the transfer window on Wednesday, July 20…
KEY EVENTS
Arsenal arrival could trigger three-way transfer
Arsenal’s impending signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko could trigger two other deals involving Brighton, according to reports. Zinchenko is set to join the Gunners on a four-year deal from Manchester City.
City will look to sign a replacement and their top target is Brighton star Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard had a fine first season in the Premier League and City are set to launch a move for him.
Brighton will then need a replacement themselves, which could complete a transfer trilogy. Portuguese outlet O Jogo claims the Seagulls are negotiating a loan deal with Arsenal to sign Nuno Tavares.
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Barcelona emphatically ‘veto Reguilon transfer’
Barcelona will not be signing Sergio Reguilon this summer – or in any other transfer window – according to reports from Spain.
Tottenham are said to have offered the left-back to Barca but the Nou Camp club have emphatically said he will never play for them.
The arrival of Ivan Perisic at Spurs on a free transfer this summer will only make Reguilon’s hopes of regular game time diminish further. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claimed on Wednesday that Spurs had offered Reguilon to Barca on loan.
However, chances of a deal have been comprehensively shut down. Sport has provided an update and says Reguilon is not on Barca’s radar.
Fernandes on Ronaldo chat
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo amid the uncertainty over the 37-year-old’s future. The former Juventus and Real Madrid star wants to leave Old Trafford for a second time due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League last term. But, right now, there’s no indication he’ll get his wish.
“Obviously we have to respect the decision of everyone,” said Fernandes.
“Cristiano was our top scorer last season, he added goals to us, but obviously it’s not on me, it’s the club that has to make the choices and Cristiano makes his own choice.”
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Arsenal to ‘submit offer’ for Tielemans alternative
Arsenal will submit an offer for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo soon, according to reports. Arthur is back linked with the Gunners after a deal fell through in January and he is an alternative target to Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
Leicester’s Tielemans has been linked with a move to the Emirates throughout 2022 so far. The Belgian is out of contract at the King Power Stadium next summer and is said to be keen on joining Arsenal.
However, Arsenal are keeping their options open and Arthur is back on their radar. Italian football reporter Marcello Chirico says the Gunners will soon submit an offer to Juventus for the 25-year-old.
Chelsea ‘delaying Broja exit’
Armando Broja’s future is still up in the air after the Albanian forward jetted home from Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the USA in order to discuss a move to West Ham.
But Express Sport understands that the Blues are delaying accepting an offer from the Irons despite them increasing their bid to £30m.
Our man Charlie Gordon has all the details…
Spurs ‘offer’ Reguilon to Barcelona
Tottenham have reportedly offered Sergio Reguilon to Barcelona on loan as Antonio Conte seeks to continue his squad shake-up this summer.
Spurs have already added six new faces to their ranks in the current window and are understood to be keen on acquiring further signings, but it seems Conte must first trim his squad.
A mammoth eight players have been told they are surplus to requirements in north London this summer, according to the Evening Standard, and Reguilon is among them. Tottenham now appear to have upped their efforts to offload the out-of-favour left-back, according to reports in Spain.
Mundo Deportivo claim the defender has been offered to Barcelona on loan. The Spanish outlet insist the 25-year-old is currently being considered by the cash-strapped Catalan club, who are understood to have kept his name ‘on the table’ this summer.
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Ten Hag changes mind on Antony
Manchester United will still pursue Antony this summer even if Cristiano Ronaldo stays, according to reports. It had been claimed previously that United would only go after Antony if Ronaldo were to leave in this window.
The Brazilian winger has been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer. Erik ten Hag has already returned to sign one Ajax player, completing a deal for Lisandro Martinez over the weekend.
TalkSPORT claims United are very much interested in signing the 22-year-old. It was initially thought he would be a potential replacement for Ronaldo.
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Newcastle launch ‘£24m proposal’
Newcastle United have reportedly tabled an offer for Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.
The Whites are expected to splash out on another striker to support and compete with Patrick Bamford this season, and manager Jesse Marsch has supposedly laid down a price tag for Harrison that would see them cave in to the pressure.
TuttoMercato claim that Leeds have a £24m offer on the table from Newcastle, but Marsch is holding out for a fee in the region of £36m.
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DONE DEAL! Forest sign Toffolo
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the capture of Huddersfield full-back Harry Toffolo.
The deal had looked up in the air before the Premier League new boys moved to smooth out the transfer on Tuesday during negotiations with their fellow play-off final opponents.
Lewis O’Brien is also expected to follow having already undergone a medical at the City Ground…
Chelsea and West Ham in Broja talks
Chelsea and West Ham are continuing discussions over a deal for Armando Broja, according to Fabrizio Romano.
A loan is totally off the cards though, according to the transfer expert.
Chelsea ideally want to keep Broja for the rest of pre-season but West Ham are pushing to get a deal done.
Crystal Palace agree Chris Richards deal
Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards is heading to Crystal Palace, who have agreed a deal with the Bundesliga champions.
The Eagles will pay £8.5million up front with an additional £1.5m in add-ons.
The 22-year-old joined Bayern in 2020 from Dallas and now looks set to earn the club a tidy profit.
Richards has spent the past 18 months out on loan at Hoffenheim…
Bayern close Mathys Tel deal
Bayern want to complete the transfer of highly-rated Rennes teenager Mathys Tel this week, according to Sky Germany.
The forward has already given Bayern his word that he wants to join the club after they tabled their third offer.
It’s been a productive summer for sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, who has now flown to France to wrap up a deal.
The Bosnian has now officially signed Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus and there’s hope Tel will be next…
DONE DEAL! Ajax land Bassey in record sale for Rangers
Calvin Bassey has joined Ajax in a deal worth an initial £19.6million + £3m in add-ons.
The figure is a record sale for Rangers, who also received an offer from Premier League side Brighton.
Bassey has been told he will be the successor to Lisandro Martinez in Amsterdam following his blockbuster switch to Manchester United.
The Nigerian international was Ajax’s top target from the get-go and a deal was struck on Saturday before Bassey was welcomed to Holland for a medical.
Cavani in Villarreal talks
Edinson Cavani is in talks to join Villarreal on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract.
The Uruguayan veteran is yet to find a new club since waving goodbye to Old Trafford at the end of June.
Cavani was forced to contend with a number of injuries during his second season with the Red Devils, which tarnished his respectable contributions in the 2020/21 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Villarreal are looking for a new striker after agreeing to offload Boulaye Dia to Salernitana on loan.
Sesko on Newcastle radar?
Red Bull Salzburg’s teenage striker sensation Benjamin Sesko is being linked with a move to Newcastle.
That’s because the forward’s representative Elvis Basanovic has posted a picture on his Instagram account from Tyneside, sparking hope a deal could be in the works.
As reported in Taylor’s Tuesday Transfers several weeks ago, Tottenham are also looking at the young Slovenian.
But they are not the only club in the race with AC Milan also seemingly keen.
DONE DEAL! Roma confirm Dybala capture
Roma have completed the shock signing of Paulo Dybala from Juventus following his departure from Turin.
Dybala left Juve on a free transfer at the end of June and he had been hoping to earn a bigger move.
Inter were initially close to signing the player before a deal collapsed following the return of Romelu Lukaku to San Siro.
Now Jose Mourinho’s side have swooped in to land the Argentina international, in a move likely to send shockwaves through Serie A.
Luis Suarez offered to Dortmund
Luis Suarez has been offered to Borussia Dortmund as a potential short-term replacement for Sebastien Haller, according to Sky Germany.
The Uruguayan is yet to find a new club since leaving Atletico Madrid despite turning down River Plate.
In devastating news that has rocked the world of football, Haller has been excused to prioritise his health by Dortmund after the striker was diagnosed with a cancerous testicular tumour.
The former West Ham only signed from Ajax last month but now the club may need to temporality replace him while he undergoes medical treatment.
Suarez is one option that is seemingly viable for Dortmund, although it’s currently unclear whether they will pursue the opening.
Benteke shock Wolves target
Christian Benteke is a shock target for Wolves, according to The Sun.
The report claims Bruno Lage wants to add some extra depth to his forward line and Benteke could be the man to bring some additional quality to the table.
Fabio Silva is set to join Anderlecht on a season-long loan but he will extend his contract at Molineux before departing…
Guardiola confirms Zinchenko exit
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed Oleksandr Zinchenko is leaving the club to join Arsenal.
The Spaniard said: “On behalf of the club, we share our gratitude for the effort and how they behaved on and off the pitch [plus Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling].
“It was nice yesterday with Alex [Zinchenko] because we could say goodbye properly, Gabi and Raheem could not do it. But we could say goodbye to him and he moves onto Arsenal.”
The Ukrainian will join the Gunners for around £32m.
Arsenal still want Tielemans
The Telegraph are reporting that Arsenal are still keen to sign Youri Tielemans, despite failing to make an offer to date.
The Leicester midfielder is out of contract next summer and could therefore be available at a cut-price.
It’s claimed Mikel Arteta is personally driving the interest and the Spaniard is determined to bring the midfielder to the Emirates.
Manchester United have also been credited with interest but they too, are yet to make a proposal for the Belgian.
Gleison Bremer set for Juventus medical
Gleison Bremer has arrived at J Medical to undergo his medical tests ahead of his move to Juventus from Torino.
The Brazilian was expected to join Inter Milan before a late swing of the pendulum.
Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Bayern saw Juventus swoop in ahead of their Serie A rivals, who they have now beaten to a deal.
Torino are expected to sign former Manchester City and Sunderland defender Jason Denayer as Bremer’s replacement.
Fulham close in on Mbabu
Fulham are closing in on the signing of Wolfsburg right-back Kevin Mbabu, according to Sky Sports.
The Swiss, who previously featured for Newcastle in the Premier League, could cost up to £7m.
After missing out on Neco Williams, Marco Silva needs a new full-back for the Cottagers and Mbabu seemingly ticks all the required boxes.
Forest probe for Lingard
As per various reports, Nottingham Forest have made Jesse Lingard a substantial offer to sign for the club.
The Premier League new boys have decided to throw their hats into the ring for the England international following his release from Manchester United.
Forest are understood to have made a lucrative offer for the attacking midfielder, who is currently a free agent as he carefully weighs up his next move.
West Ham and Everton are also believed to be in the running but Tottenham will refrain from making an offer to the England international. A decision is now seemingly imminent.
Barcelona still think De Jong could join United
COPE journalist Helena Condos Edo claims Barcelona still believe Frenkie de Jong could end up joining Manchester United.
The Dutchman has made it clear many times that he intends to remain at Camp Nou this summer but Barcelona feel he could be swayed, despite publicly outlining their desire to keep him.
“Barca has NOT yet ruled out the sale of Frenkie De Jong,” she said.
“They trust the Club that @DeJongFrenkie21 ends up changing its mind.
“Although, for now, it is still closed in on the sidelines and [he] maintains that it wants to stay.”
Zinchenko to undergo Arsenal medical
Oleksandr Zinchenko is in Orlando to undergo a medical with Arsenal.
The Ukrainian international is set to follow Gabriel Jesus to north London after Arsenal agreed a £32m deal with Manchester City.
Zinchenko is set to become the Gunners’ fifth summer signing after Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Jesus.
Arsenal believe the full-back can provide competition at left-back and in central midfield. Mikel Arteta, who worked with Zinchenko at Manchester City, was a key driving force behind the deal.
Ronaldo backed to leave United
Piers Morgan claims he expected Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United following conversations between the pair last week.
The Portuguese veteran stayed at home for the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and there are now doubts as to whether he will play for United this season.
Now Morgan has told talkSPORT that on the basis of their recent chats, he expects Ronaldo to move onto pastures new.
“I have had quite a lot of contact in the last week. I certainly think it’d be highly unlikely if Cristiano Ronaldo plays another game for Manchester United,” Morgan told talkSPORT. “I just think mentally he’s moved on.
“I’m not going to say what we’ve said to each other but like I said from the start I don’t think Cristiano feels Manchester United share his ambitions. I think he feels that the signings they’re making, the commitment they showed last season, where they finished up and a lack of Champions League football…
“If you’re him and coming towards the end of your career and you still want to win major trophies you’ve got to make a calculation. Am I going to do it if I stay at United? I think he feels the club structure from the top down isn’t right. It’s not a reflection on the new manager [Erik ten Hag], he’s got a lot of respect for him, but it’s just an accurate reflection of where United are right now.
“It’s for him to say what he feels but if you’re asking me then I don’t think he’s going to stay at Manchester United. I think he could end up somewhere quite surprising.”
Chelsea £51m Kounde bid
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Jules Kounde after offering Sevilla £51million for the defender.
The Blues are now back in the hunt for the Frenchman, who was targeted last summer by Thomas Tuchel.
Now Chelsea are looking to close a deal after tabling a significant proposal that is currently being considered by Sevilla.
Chelsea are even ready to raise their offer if it is not deemed acceptable by the La Liga outfit.
Kounde would slot straight into Chelsea’s new-look back-three alongside Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly.
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