CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to head for the Old Trafford exit door this summer with agent Jorge Mendes trying to land him a deal.
Chelsea are not expected to sign the Man Utd superstar after boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly decided against the deal.
But he could become the highest paid player in history by a distance, if he accepts an offer from Saudi Arabia totalling £2.4m-a-WEEK.
Meanwhile PSG reportedly want to offer Lionel Messi a new contract, but the Argentine is said to be keen to wait until the end of the World Cup before committing to a deal.
Tottenham are said to have entered the race for Jules Kounde as they look to scupper the deal Chelsea had planned.
And Robert Lewandowski only has eyes for a move OUT of the Allianz Arena with reports suggesting that is hardly talking to his team-mates.
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Follow ALL of the latest transfer news and gossip below…
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PSG ‘slap £42m price-tag on Chelsea target’
Paris Saint-Germain will demand that Chelsea pay £42million to sign Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports.
The Blues are getting nearer to completing deals for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake.
And Chelsea’s shopping list of centre-backs is still not over as Kimpembe is wanted as well as the other two.
The Independent are reporting that PSG have slapped a £42million price-tag on the Frenchman but currently Thomas Tuchel’s side are £17million away from their valuation.
Juventus are also reportedly keen on Kimpembe but he is more keen on a move to London than Italy.
The 26-year-old has worked with Tuchel before during his PSG days and he is thought to be a key influence in the player’s preference.
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Keane hails City transfer business
Man Utd legend Roy Keane has hailed Manchester City’s transfer business.
In a bid to stay on top of the tree in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s men bought Erling Haaland.
Keane told Sky Bet: “Brilliant players, they’ve obviously improved with an unbelievable striker [Haaland] and they’ve got one of the greatest managers ever in Pep [Guardiola].”
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eane on new season hopes
Man Utd legend Roy Keane doesn’t believe his former side will catch up on Manchester City or Liverpool in the upcoming season, regardless of transfer activity.
Keane told Sky Bet: “I don’t think they will close the gap.
“I think they will be a bit better. They have quality and the recruitment, but you can’t look beyond Liverpool and Man City.”
He continued: “The manager [Erik ten Hag] no doubt will be given money to spend, how he recruits, four or five experienced players have left the club, which I think is a good thing.
“But I still don’t see United competing with Liverpool and Manchester City, not just yet.”
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Everton ‘targeting Chelsea wonderkid Anjorin’
Everton boss Frank Lampard is reportedly targeting a move for Chelsea wonderkid Tino Anjorin.
The Toffees gaffer is eyeing his former club for potential transfers.
Everton are looking at making a swoop for Anjorin after having a £25million bid rejected for Wolves ace Morgan Gibbs-White.
Lampard and Co are exploring a move for the talented attacking midfielder, according to Sport Mail.
The 20-year-old is being considered as an option if Everton fail in their pursuit of Gibbs-White.
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Taylor extends Stoke stay
Stokeborn centre-back Connor Taylor has signed a new three-year contract with the Potters after impressing on loan at Bristol Rovers last season.
The 20-year-old made 42 appearances as Rovers secured automatic promotion from League Two and was named the club’s Young Player of the Year.
Taylor joined City’s Academy from Stafford Rangers in 2019 and two years later made his first-team debut as a substitute against Coventry.
He said: “I’ve supported this club since I started loving football so it’s brilliant for me to have signed a new contract.”
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Rooney ‘targeting shock transfers of ex-team-mates’
New DC United manager Wayne Rooney is reportedly interested in signing former Manchester United team-mates Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison.
And Rooney is expected to add to his squad during the summer transfer window.
This is because DC United currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference.
According to Marca, he has identified Lingard as a target and DC United are one of several clubs to have made an offer for the ex-Red Devil.
Lingard is a free agent having left Old Trafford at the end of last season when his contract expired.
But DC United will have to compete with the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Everton if they want to acquire Lingard’s signature.
Another ex-Man Utd man that Rooney has his eye on is Ravel Morrison.
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Clarets welcome Maat to Turf Moor
Burnley are preparing to take young Chelsea ace Ian Maatsen on loan for the season.
Vincent Kompany immediately identified the Dutchman as a priority signing upon joining the Lancashire club as manager.
The former Manchester City star intends to use the youngster as left-back as the Clarets look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The 20-year-old Maatsen impressed last season while on loan at Coventry, scoring three goals in 40 appearances.
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Transfer watch: Kounde to Tottenham?
Both Chelsea and Barcelona have tried and failed to prise Jules Kounde away from Sevilla, and now Spurs are having a crack – although are likely to baulk at the £76m asking price.
Rumour rating: ⚽️
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Villa slap huge price on teenager
Aston Villa have told Europe’s biggest clubs that they will have to pay £20m for talented teenager Carney Chukwuemeka if they want him NOW, talkSPORT understands.
However, the West Midlands club risk losing their young star for free come January.
The England U19 ace is refusing to sign a new contract at Villa Park, and that means he could depart this winter for nothing more than a nominal contribution – but only to an overseas club.
Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are two waiting to take advantage, but Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle are all keen on the midfielder and could be willing to splash out to land this summer.
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Gunners make Zinchenko a ‘priority’
Arsenal are targeting Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko after missing out on Lisandro Martinez, according to The Athletic.
Mikel Arteta is said to have made the versatile Ukrainian a priority with the Gunners back in discussions with City, having signed Gabriel Jesus from the Premier League champions earlier in the window.
The Gunners boss knows Zinchenko well from his time coaching at the Etihad, and believes his future lies in midfield – where he plays for his country – rather than defence.
However, the 25-year-old’s ability to perform at left-back would be a welcome boost in covering any absence from the injury-prone Kieran Tierney.
City are reported as being open to the deal.
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Brighton and Ajax chase Bassey
Brighton are preparing a £20m bid for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey – but face competition from Dutch champions Ajax.
TalkSPORT understands that the duo are the frontrunners to sign the Nigerian, who was so impressive during the Ibrox club’s run to the Europa League final.
The 22-year-old, who can play at left-back or centre-back, has two years remaining on his current deal in Glasgow.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has already promised Bassey that he won’t stand in his way if a substantial offer comes in from the Premier League.
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Breaking: Blues will not sign Ronaldo
Chelsea have decided against making any attempt to sign Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speculation surrounding a spectacular move for the Portuguese striker had been widespread ever since new Blues owner Todd Boehly met with the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, last month.
However, after lengthy talks between Boehly and head coach Thomas Tuchel, the club have chosen not to pursue the transfer.
Instead, Tuchel wants to focus on team cohesion rather than the individual talent, and believes players such as Raheem Sterling fit the agenda better.
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Serge to stay at Bayern
Bayern Munich ace Serge Gnabry had been linked with a return to the Premier League the summer, but he now seems certain to remain in Germany.
The winger – who turns 27 today – had been a target for both Chelsea, and his former club Arsenal.
With just a year left on his current deal at the Allianz Arena, Bayern were preparing to cash in.
However, Sky Sports Germany now understand that Gnabry will pen a contract extension with Julian Nagelsmann’s men.
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More on De Jong transfer
The transfer of Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United is moving forward, but Miguel Delaney of The Independent has warned that progress is still slow.
He reports that, contrary to reports, the Dutchman is willing to join United, and reunite with his former boss, Erik ten Hag.
However, negotiations are being held up due to £17m that Barca own their midfielder in deferred wages.
The LaLiga club have attempted to navigate the debt in how they’ve structured the deal, but neither De Jong nor the Red Devils appear satisfied.
The report reveals that talks are ongoing, but could rumble on ‘right to the end of the window.’
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Breaking: United agree fee for Frenkie
Finally! Manchester United have AGREED a £63m initial fee for Frenkie de Jong plus an extra £8.5m in add-ons.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are still to be discussed and resolved.
De Jong’s agent recently admitted that the midfielder’s preference would be to remain at the Nou Camp, but he would be unwilling to accept the pay cut that has been in the pipeline at the La Liga club.
This could be the huge breakthrough Erik ten Hag has wanted.
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Breaking: Dembele signs Barca extension
As we reported earlier, Ousmane Dembele has now officially signed a new contract with Barcelona that will keep him at the Nou Camp for a further two years.
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Colwill on the way out?
Chelsea’s pursuit of centre-backs with experience of the European stage is likely to push another of their promising youngsters out of the Stamford Bridge exit door.
The Blues look set to wrap up the signings of Kalidou Koulibaly and Nathan Ake, and remain in the market for a third despite the return to the club of the highly-rated Levi Colwill.
The 19-year-old enjoyed an excellent season on loan at Huddersfield last term, helping the Terriers to the Championship play-off final.
Many expected the England U21 international to be in and around the Chelsea first team this season, but the imminent arrivals have sparked speculation that Colwill wants to leave.
A host of Premier League clubs are interested in the defender including Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester and Southampton.
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City’s Liam a loan ranger
Manchester City are prepared to let their highly-rated striker Liam Delap go out on loan for the season.
The 19-year-old forward – son of former Stoke star Rory – made five appearances for the Premier League champions last term.
Burnley, managed by City legend Vincent Kompany, are understood to be interested in bringing Delap to Turf Moor as they prepare for life in the Championship.
However, Southampton are also keen on the England U19 ace, and are willing to offer him regular top-flight football.
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Matviyenko also on Arsenal shortlist
Ukrainian international Mykola Matviyenko is also thought to be on Arsenal’s radar as Mikel Arteta searches for defensive reinforcements.
The Daily Mail report that the Gunners could move for the Shakhtar Donetsk player after missing out on Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old, who is predominantly a centre-back but is capable of covering on the left too, is thought to be available for around £12m.
However, the North Londoners are likely to face competition from Ajax, who will be after a replacement for Martinez, once he completes his move to Old Trafford.
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Tuchel tightlipped on Ron and Rob
Thomas Tuchel has refused to rule out Chelsea making a bid for either Cristiano Ronaldo or Robert Lewandowski.
The two legendary hitmen have both been linked with a surprise move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
However, a good-humoured Tuchel would not be drawn on the details of any deals when speaking on the Blues’ pre-season tour in Los Angeles.
“I will not comment on them, their careers speak for themselves,” he told Sky Sports News.
“It is not needed that I comment and put rumours out there that don’t help anyone. We will announce when we are ready to announce.
“I would not rule out [another striker], but it is not our priority at the moment.”
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Saudis’ huge bid for Ronaldo
An unnamed Saudi Arabian club have made an eye-watering offer to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
CNN Portugal report that the Middle East outfit are prepared to offer the Portuguese legend €300m for two seasons.
It is also suggested that the purchasers are prepared to pay Manchester United a transfer fee of €30m for the 37-year-old.
Ronaldo has indicated his desire to leave Old Trafford – albeit for the challenge of elite football – but Erik ten Hag insists he is part of his plans.
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Toffees sweet on Adama Traore
Everton are planning to make a move for Adama Traore – and have been told that Wolves will accept an offer of £10m.
Football Insider understands that the Molineux club are prepared to do business at a knockdown price for the 26-year-old winger.
The speedy Spaniard spent the second half of last season out on loan at Barcelona, but the Catalans decided not to press for a permanent transfer.
Traore has a year remaining on his current contract with the Old Gold, having arrived for a club record £18m in 2018.
Central to that deal was Kevin Thelwell, now the new director of football at Goodison Park.
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Gunners keeping tabs on Gvardiol
Arsenal have turned their attention towards RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol after missing out on Lisandro Martinez.
Mikel Arteta is said to be in the market for a centre-back despite the return to the club of the highly-rated William Saliba.
Gvardiol had previously been linked with Tottenham, but Media Foot believe the Gunners could be about to steal in ahead of their North London rivals.
The 20-year-old Croatian international has four years remaining on his contract with Leipzig, and would likely command a significant transfer fee.
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United issue De Jong ‘ultimatum’
Manchester United have reportedly told Frenkie de Jong to decide on his future by the end of this week – otherwise they will walk away from the deal.
The Red Devils pursuit of the Dutchman has been the summer’s drawn-out transfer saga, and appears no closer to a conclusion.
A deal had seemingly been agreed in principle early in the window, but both Barca and De Jong have dragged their heels since.
It is understood that the Catalans need to sell the midfielder to help ease their financial problems – even though they owe the player £17m in deferred wages.
Old Trafford officials are still hopeful of completing the switch, but are also preparing to move on to other targets if there is no progress in the coming days.
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Dembele to pen Barca deal
Ousmane Dembele will sign a new deal that will keep him at Barcelona until 2024.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the French forward’s contract extension will be officially announced by the Catalans later today.
The 25-year-old had looked set for a move to Chelsea on a free transfer, but has instead been convinced to stay at the Nou Camp.
Romano tweeted: “Xavi wanted both Dembele and Raphinha. He will end up with both Dembele and Raphinha.”
