Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip throughout the day as Premier League clubs attempt to add the finishing touches to their squads this summer.
The saga over Harry Kane’s Tottenham future is set to continue right up to deadline day, with the striker left out of the club’s travelling party for tonight’s Uefa Conference League fixture. The England captain had returned to training but wants to continue working on his fitness after a delayed return from holiday. The 28-year-old is furious that chairman Daniel Levy has supposedly reneged on a gentleman’s agreement to sell him this summer, with Manchester City said to have already tabled a bid worth £125m.
Meanwhile, after their dismal opening day defeat by Brentford, Arsenal are hoping to paper some of the cracks with new arrivals. Deals for Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale are both on the verge of being completed for a total of around £60m. Odegaard, who spent time on loan in north London last season, will provide a much-needed boost in attacking midfield, with Mikel Arteta’s side desperately short of ideas last Friday.
Elsewhere, Paul Pogba’s future is silently becoming an issue at Old Trafford, despite four assists in the fine win over Leeds, with the Manchester United midfielder’s contract now just one year away from expiring and The Independent has learned that Paris Saint-Germain, after adding Lionel Messi on a free transfer, would be keen to strike another colossal free transfer next summer by doubling the Frenchman’s salary.
Follow all the latest news and rumours ahead of the opening weekend of the new Premier League season:
Romelu Lukaku’s first interview after signing for Chelsea
Not one to miss, this. The new £97m man has spoken about Conte and Tuchel, becoming a winner, people who dismiss him as an elite striker and what he’s here to achieve with Chelsea.
Lukaku sat with the national papers and the Independent’s Melissa Reddy brings the scoops.
“I am much more than what people want to see. I do my work in training and on the pitch, whatever people are saying, let them talk. They have a perception. They don’t know me or the work of my performances.”
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 11:30
Watford confirm signing of Ozan Tufan
The newly promoted club have added Turkish midfielder Ozan Tufan to their squad, signing him on loan from Fenerbahce with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Yesterday reports suggested it would be a €2m loan fee, with a further €8m to come to secure his long-term future.
Watford say they “have beaten a host of Premier League and European clubs to Tufan’s signature”.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 10:35
Liverpool focus on Salah contract renewal
Liverpool’s priority for the remainder of this summer is a contract extension for Mohamed Salah, report the Athletic.
The Reds have only signed Ibrahima Konateas a new face for the squad, but further efforts have gone into renewing deals for Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk, with Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson also set for extensions.
Salah’s is the priority now though, with two years left on his deal and the forward in as lethal form as ever.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 10:20
Spurs could loan out Tanganga
An interview in Italian media with Japhet Tanganga’s reported representative suggests the Spurs defender could head out on loan – but with no option to buy as the club “believes” in his talents.
He did start the first game of the season against Man City, suggesting Nuno believes in him a little too much to be loaning him out, but perhaps it’s dependent on other incoming deals at Tottenham.
“There are still days before the market closes, we will see what happens. He comes from a great recognition, that is man of the match on the occasion of the last match [against City],” Roberto De Fanti said.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 10:10
Arsenal expected to complete Odegaard signing today
Arsenal are close to bringing Martin Odegaard back, with the Real Madrid attacking midfielder set for a move worth around £30 million.
Several reports say they expect the deal to be completed later on Thursday, leaving him available for the weekend fixture with Chelsea if fit.
Aaron Ramsdale is seemingly also on his way after not featuring for Sheffield United last night in their defeat to West Brom.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 09:56
Dortmund want to raise Haaland’s release clause
Reports in Spain say Borussia Dortmund are realistic about Erling Haaland leaving next summer, when his release clause comes into play – but they want to increase the fee.
A bump from €75 million to €90m (£64m-£77m) has a twofold effect: makes sure they get better value for the sale, but also prohibits rivals Bayern Munich from going after the striker.
Their record fee is €80m and the feeling at BVB is they won’t go higher, even to sign Haaland.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 09:25
Everton closing in on Longstaff transfer
Everton are linked with Sean Longstaff, with Rafa Benitez having worked with him previously at Newcastle.
The midfielder is out of contract next summer and the Toffees are keen to do a deal – and the Mail reports that the Magpies have put a £10m pricetag on him.
Everton’s window has been restricted to low-cost deals so far, with a couple of free transfers and the low-cost addition of Demarai Gray boosting Benitez’s options.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 09:15
West Ham abandon Milenkovic chase
West Ham are no longer trying to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, report the Times.
The Hammers had been in discussions for some time according to rumours, but they are now to turn their attentions elsewhere and leave their Premier League rivals to the chase.
Sub goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan is their only senior signing of the summer so far.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 09:08
The Northern Echo carry quotes from Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock this morning, suggesting two signings are close at the Championship club.
“I wouldn’t have thought there’ll be a couple done before the end of the week, although there are a couple of lads that are having medicals. I can’t see us getting them through in time for the weekend though, there’s too many little bits and bobs still to do,” he said.
Striker Andraz Sporar of Sporting CP, Heerenveen’s winger Mitchell van Bergen and Swansea left-back Jake Bidwell are among the players reported to be under consideration by Boro.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 08:58
Robert Lewandowski wants ‘a new challenge away from Bayern Munich’
Bayern Munich forward wants a new challenge, say Sky Sports.
They say the soon-to-be-33-year-old feels it’s time to get himself a new club after being a non-stop scoring machine for the Bavarians for years.
However, a £110 million valuation from the club surely locks him in, with two years left on his deal.
Karl Matchett19 August 2021 08:50