Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United and Chelsea to announce Raphael Varane and Romelu Lukaku

08/12/2021

Romelu Lukaku is set to complete his £97.5m transfer from Inter Milan to Chelsea today. The 28-year-old Belgian international flew to London on Wednesday evening to complete the deal, which we see considerable firepower added to the squad of the reigning European champions.

Likewise Manchester United are set to announce the signing of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid today. The defender completed his medical on Wednesday and will add strength to United’s back-line in an expected partnership with captain Harry Maguire.

Elsewhere Chelsea are in talks with Roma over a bid to sign Tammy Abraham, whom Jose Mourinho is keen to bring to the Italian capital. Sevilla are willing to sell Jules Kounde to Chelsea, but the Blues are concerned about the £68m release clause putting them in breach of FFP. Tottenham are monitoring Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, the Serbian 21-year-old striker, in case Harry Kane departs, and are considering an offer for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.

Follow all the latest news and rumours ahead of the opening weekend of the new Premier League season:

Transfer news: Torreira heading for Lazio?

Lucas Torreira: Gazzetta dello Sports says Lazio are closing in on a loan deal for the Arsenal midfielder.

Transfer news: Spurs and Villa battle for Ward-Prowse

Staying with Southampton, The Telegraph reports Tottenham and Aston Villa are both preparing offers for midfielder James Ward-Prowse. Saints are unwilling to let the 26-year-old go, but their resolve could be tested with Ward-Prose considered a high priority by the bidding clubs.

James Ward-Prowse is a wanted man

Transfer news: Leicester have bid accepted for Vestergaard

Southampton have accepted a £15m bid from Leicester for defender Jannik Vestergaard, the Daily Echo says. The 29-year-old is believed to have been brought in to bolster Leicester’s defences following a pre-season injury to Wesley Fofana.

Transfer news: Arsenal in talks over Aaron Ramsdale

The Daily Mail reports Arsenal and Sheffield United have held new contract talks over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The 23-year-old shot stopper is believed to be the Gunners’ No 1 goalkeeper target this summer, but there is a gap in the two clubs’ valuation of the England keeper. Sheffield want £30m, but Arsenal are looking at an offer of around £20m with add-ons.

Could Zouma fund Chelsea’s Kounde move?

Kurt Zouma could potentially be used as a makeweight to help in Chelsea’s pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, according to the Evening Standard. The paper says the Blues are unwilling to meet Kounde’s £68m release clause, but could offer Zouma in a bid to get a deal done after a transfer with West Ham fell through.