Lukaku to Chelsea UPDATES, PSG closing in on Lionel Messi as talks continue, Kane to Man City STATEMENT – transfer news
ROMELU LUKAKU is nearing a return to Chelsea with the Blues closing in on a £100m-plus agreement with Inter Milan.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane has broken his silence just hours after Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola declared a public interest in signing the Spurs star.
Kane has taken to his social media and claims he would 'never refuse to train', with the England forward saying he will 'return to training' with Tottenham on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and PSG are reportedly eyeing a swoop for free agent Lionel Messi.
The Argentine superstar left Barcelona after contract talks with the Catalan giants broken down over La Liga Fair Play rules – and the French giants are reportedly in the driving seat.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
- Sam Dymond
TRANSFER NEWS
Chelsea have agreed a £97.5million deal to re-sign Romelu Lukaku – while Arsenal have reportedly joined Manchester United in the hunt for Kieran Trippier.
The Blues refused Inter Milan’s demands to break the British transfer record set by Manchester City's £100m swoop for Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish.
And now it's claimed ex-United striker Lukaku will have a medical today before returning to Stamford Bridge.
Atletico Madrid's England right-back Trippier could yet move to the Premier League before the transfer window shuts.
It's understood Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has put the 30-year-old top of his defensive wishlist as Hector Bellerin seems set to leave
Meanwhile, Old Trafford legend Roy Keane reckons his old club still need “one or two” more big buys to challenge Premier League title-holding neighbours City.
But he hailed Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane and Borussia Dortmund wideman Jadon Sancho as "two very good signings, particularly Varane with his experience with the problem at the back".
Brighton are eying £20m-rated Arsenal frontman Eddie Nketiah, who is thought to be too expensive for fellow admirers Crystal Palace.
Lastly, the Gunners, Arsenal, Leeds and Palace are tracking QPR's Senegal keeper Seny Dieng.
- Ian Tuckey
GUNNERS LINKED TO UTD TARGET TRIPPIER
Arsenal have made a move for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier.
Manchester United had been linked with the former Tottenham and Burnley man all summer.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were unable to agree a fee with the LaLiga club for the England right-back after negotiations which started before Euro 2020.
Now Arsenal have sounded out the Spanish champions, who have financial fair play issues and are demanding £34million for Trippier, 31, who has two years of his contract to run.
United have been only willing to offer about £20m, the fee which saw Trippier leave Spurs two years ago.
Arsenal want to sign a new right-back with Hector Bellerin set to leave and Trippier is now top of boss Mikel Arteta’s list.
The North London club, who signed Ben White for £50m from Brighton, do have money to spend and are certain to also strengthen in other areas before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal have yet to make an official bid for Trippier but any offer will have to be well in excess of £20m.
- Ian Tuckey
LUKAKU 'CHELSEA MEDICAL TOMORROW'
Romelu Lukaku will reportedly undergo his Chelsea medical in Belgium tomorrow.
The Athletic claims the Inter Milan and ex-Manchester United striker will then travel to London tomorrow night to finalise his £97.5million return to Stamford Bridge.
The report adds that the Belgian star, 28, didn't plan to leave Inter just months after helping the club win their first Serie A crown since 2010.
SunSport exclusively revealed Lukaku feels he has unfinished business at Chelsea after struggling to break into the Blues team as a youngster between 2011 and 2014.
His agent Fede Pastorello told fans this week the inner workings of the deal taking him to the west Londoners will be revealed soon.
- Ian Tuckey
KANE BACK… INTO QUARANTINE
Harry Kane finally arrived back at Spurs from his extended holiday – straight into quarantine at the training ground.
But Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants Kane’s bitter £160million transfer saga with Manchester City brought to a swift conclusion.
Nuno is set to hold talks with talisman Kane for the first time this week.
And SunSport understands Nuno will push for his exit – if the striker makes it clear that he has no future at the club.
Kane, 28, started a five-day self-isolation period at Spurs Lodge after his return from the Bahamas via Florida.
But the England skipper will train on his own up to and including Thursday, meaning he will almost certainly miss the Premier League opener, ironically against City at home next Sunday.
Kane will only start training with the full squad on Friday once he passes a Covid test.
Despite Kane’s return, Portuguese Nuno is losing patience after seeing preparations for his debut season overshadowed by their star man reporting back late for pre-season.
- Ian Tuckey
BURNLEY EYE CORNET AS LOOKMAN DEAL STALLS
Burnley are struggling to close a deal for RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman as boss Sean Dyche tries to bring in new faces.
The Clarets will pay a loan fee and wages to sign Lookman, 23, who was on loan at Fulham last season.
But the player is unsure about the move and weighing up his options.
Last week, SunSport revealed that Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Lookman as they look to secure a season-long loan deal.
New Palace boss Patrick Vieira has been given funds to spend this summer following Roy Hodgson's departure.
The former Arsenal and France icon has looked to upgrade his defence with the additions of Marc Guehi and Joachim Anderson – with the latter playing alongside Lookman at Fulham last term.
As a result, Dyche may now try to meet Lyon’s £15million valuation of Maxwel Cornet instead.
- Ian Tuckey
GUNNERS FIGHT PREM RIVALS FOR DIENG
Arsenal, Leeds and Crystal Palace are tracking highly-rated Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
Dieng, 26, has caught they eye with a series of impressive displays for Mark Warburton’s side this season.
The Swiss ace has established himself as clear QPR No1 this term.
The Premier League trio are all looking at their options in goal.
All three are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options to provide competition to their current No1s.
The top-flight clubs ALL brought in a new goalkeeper in the summer.
Arsenal signed Runar Alex Runarsson, while Palace added ex-Stoke and England star Jack Butland to their ranks.
- Ian Tuckey
KEANE: UTD NEED TWO MORE
Roy Keane reckons Manchester United still need “one or two” more big signings to challenge Premier League title-holding neighbours City.
Major buys Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho should start training with United this coming week.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were clinical up front today in beating Everton 4-0 in a friendly – while City lost 1-0 to Leicester in the Community Shield.
Old Trafford legend Keane told ITV Sport: “Two very good signings, particularly Varane with his experience with the problem at the back.
“Sancho, a young talented player who did well in Germany.
“I still think what City have done and Chelsea with Lukaku, United still need one or two into the group to really challenge.”
- Ian Tuckey
WEST HAM 2 ATALANTA 0
Michail Antonio and Pablo Fornals both scored as West Ham eased to victory over Atalanta to continue their preparations for the new campaign
The Hammers were left down to just two first-choice players in the middle of their back line for the friendly victory over the Serie A side.
Declan Rice played his first 60 minutes of pre-season and came through unscathed, meaning David Moyes will now have no concerns about starting him against Newcastle.
And Said Benrahma looks to have done enough to be handed the playmaker role against Steve Bruce’s side as he looked the most likely to create anything from West Ham.
Benrahma’s lovely control and volleyed pass through to Antonio was the difference which allowed the striker to drive home the goal late in the first half.
And it was the Algerian’s diving header which was turned in by Pablo Fornals two minutes from time.
- Ian Tuckey
GREALISH WATCH: VERDICT ON MAN CITY DEBUT
Manchester City's new £100million wideman Jack Grealish made a 25-minute debut from the bench in the last-gasp 1-0 Community Shield loss to Leicester.
Here's how SunSport's Martin Blackburn rated the England star ahead of his tough battle to earn a regular starting place for the Premier League champions.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun GOAL THREAT – One chance to equalise from Bernardo’s pass but ran into traffic. Created a half chance for sub Knight though it may not have stood.
INFLUENCE – Played out on the left, cutting in onto his right foot and saw plenty of the ball, making some lovely touches. His team improved as the game wore on and that was partly down to him.
TEAM WORK – Linked up nicely with Mendy and then Bernardo when he came on. Gaps were starting to appear down his flank when the Foxes took the lead.
VERDICT – It will take something special to live upto the enormous fee and not the start he wanted – but there were some promising signs. He will give Guardiola’s team another dimension.
- Ian Tuckey
GILLS FAN ACCUSED OF RACIALLY ABUSING IMPS ACE
Lincoln midfielder Cohen Bramall suffered alleged racial abuse in today's 1-1 League One draw at Gillingham – sparking a four-minute delay.
Home manager Steve Evans wants the fan banned from Priestfield for life if found guilty.
Lincoln star Cohen Bramall complained of racial abuse, with Gillingham chief Steve Evans saying the fan will be banned if racism is proved The Imps were celebrating Tayo Edun's fourth-minute opener when some Gills supporters stormed onto the grass, leading to pushing and shoving with players.
And ex-Arsenal youngster Bramall, 25, claims he was subjected to racial abuse in the flare-up.
Incredibly, he later went to stewards with skipper Liam Bridcutt and pointed out the alleged offender.
Lincoln boss Michael Appleton said: “Something racial was said. You think you’re past it and close to eradicating it but we’re not.
“Cohen was emotional and I had to speak to him to get him to focus again.”
Evans said: “I’ve got absolutely no time for anyone who says anything like that, if it’s proved to be the case. And the person will be banned from Priestfield for llfe.”
Gills battled back to earn a point through a 44th-minute equaliser from debutant Danny Lloyd.
- Ian Tuckey
LEICESTER 1 MAN CITY 0
Kelechi Iheanacho came back to haunt former club Manchester City by scoring Leicester's last-gasp winner in the Community Shield final.
The former Etihad striker converted a last-gasp penalty after he was hauled down by a clumsy Nathan Ake challenge.
The goal ensured British record buy Jack Grealish tasted defeat in his first-ever game for the club, having earlier come off the bench.
- Ian Tuckey
WAG HAD 14 HOURS TO 'PACK EVERYTHING'
A FOOTIE WAG has revealed she only had 14 hours to "pack up everything" before a move to Scotland.
Caitlin Philpott's partner Zack Hemming has joined Kilmarnock on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough.
New Kilmarnock GK Zach Hemming’s WAG given ’14 hours to pack up everything’ before move to Scotland
And the keeper has made his way up to Ayrshire for the new season.
Glam Caitlin shared a video on her TikTok account showing the other side of footie transfers.
She said that the pair had to pack up their lives before hitting the road for Ayrshire.
Caitlin said: "Dating a footballer be like – you have 14 hours to pack up everything you own we have to move to Scotland for a season."
The video proved popular with her followers, racking up thousands of likes and views.
Zach, who has already had loan spells with Blyth Spartans, Darlington and Hartlepool United, signed a new deal with Boro until 2023 before heading to Scotland.
- Ian Tuckey
GUNNER BE MADD IF YOU MOVE
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has warned Leicester midfielder James Maddison against a possible move to Arsenal this summer.
The England playmaker, 24, has been linked with the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta looks to improve on the Gunners’ disappointing eight place finish in the Premier League last season.
- Ian Tuckey
FIRST DAN
Dani Alves broke down with emotion after clinching a remarkable 43RD trophy of his career.
The former Barcelona and Juventus full-back, 38, helped Brazil to a 2-1 victory over Spain, retaining their Olympic crown.
Alves’ medaul haul includes six La Liga titles, five Copa del Reys and five Super Cups during his time in Spain with Sevilla and Barcelona.
He also lifted the Champions League three times with Barca in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
Alves then ended his eight-year spell with the Catalan club in 2016, leaving to join Juventus.
The Brazilian right-back enjoyed just one season with the Italian side but still managed to win Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Paris Saint-Germain was his next destination as he claimed two Ligue 1 titles and seven trophies in total during his time in the French capital.
And then in 2019 Alves returned to his home country of Brazil to play for Sao Paulo, where he has gone on to win the Campeonato Paulista league title.
- Ian Tuckey
JADON STARTS TRAINING MONDAY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Jadon Sancho will finally start training for Manchester United on Monday as he pushes for a start against Leeds in next Saturday’s Premier League opener.
The £73million signing from Borussia Dortmund has been given extra time off despite United’s other Euros finalists Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw returning a week ago.
Boss Solskjaer said: “Jadon is in for Monday and hopefully he’ll be in decent nick and can be involved.”
- Ian Tuckey
FANS IN RAIL SEATS SEE UTD GET ON TRACK
Manchester United fans were able to watch their win over Everton from the new ‘rail seats’ which are being trialled at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils began constructing the 1800 seats designed for ‘safe-standing’ back in June.
And supporters enjoyed the new look seats on Saturday afternoon as Man Utd blew away Everton in a 4-0 friendly victory for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
The trial is being carried out because persistent standing in seats at either end of the ground is proving more dangerous than actually allowing people to stand with a barrier in front of them.
The concept involves seats with a barrier at their back so people behind can stand and lean against them.
It allows fans the choice of sitting or standing.
United are not the only side trialling the safe-standing seats, with Chelsea and Liverpool also moving ahead with plans.
Anfield will see 1,800 new seats installed at the back of the Kop and 6,000 in the Anfield Road Stand lower tier.
And Chelsea are preparing for safe-standing as well by upgrading the Matthew Harding and Shed ends.
- Ian Tuckey
NEWCASTLE 3 NORWICH 0
Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle brightened up the Toon Army’s miserable summer with a morale-boosting win against Norwich.
With the Saudi takeover now looking dead and buried, and boss Steve Bruce still waiting for a first signing, it has been the gloomiest of off-seasons on Tyneside.
But a brilliant second half in front of 20,139 fans inside St James’ Park over the newly-promoted Canaries gives at least an ounce of optimism heading into next Sunday’s opener against West Ham.
Ritchie bagged the first before sub Gayle scored a quickfire brace to stake his claim for more game time than he has had so far under Bruce.
Norwich were missing Todd Cantwell and £9.4million new signing Milot Rashica yesbossed the Magpies fbefore the break.
- Ian Tuckey
ROO'S RAV RAM RAID
Derby have snapped up ex-Manchester United whizkid Ravel Morrison on a free transfer, subject to international clearance.
The 28-year-old has signed a one-year deal keeping him at the club until June 2022.
Morrison, alongside free agents Curtis Davies, Richard Stearman and Ryan Allsop have all signed one-year deals after training with Wayne Rooney’s squad since the early stages of pre-season in July.
The once dubbed wonderkid impressed former team-mate now boss Rooney during pre-season friendlies against United, Salford City and Real Betis.
Morrison came through the ranks of his hometown club Manchester United and had "the world at his feet", according to Rio Ferdinand.
- Ian Tuckey
RETURN OF SOCC 'N ROLL
Football fans are celebrating the return of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday as the new season gets underway in England.
A fresh-looking panel of pundits graced the Sky studio on Saturday afternoon to sit alongside long-standing presenter Jeff Stelling.
Sue Smith, Michael Dawson, Lee Hendrie, Clinton Morrison and Paul Merson were among those in the Sky centre keeping fans up to date with a host of EFL matches.
And football supporters across the country were chuffed to see the famous Stelling-led show return to their screens for the first time in several months.
One ecstatic viewer said: "Oh @JeffStelling and the team how I've missed you!!! Football is back."
Another added: "Soccer Saturday with Jeff Stelling again. I love this game!"
And a third said: "Soccer Saturday is back! My life is complete again."
- Ian Tuckey
CHELSEA AGREE £97.5M LUKAKU DEAL
Chelsea have agreed a £97.5million deal to re-sign Romelu Lukaku – after they refused Inter Milan’s demands to break the British transfer record for the ex-Manchester United striker.
The Blues finally settled on the cash-only price after refusing to cough up a further five million Euros – around £4.2m.
Credit: Getty That would have taken the fee o £101.7m, surpassing the record £100m Manchester City splashed out on Jack Grealish last week.
But the two clubs eventually reached an agreement after a week of haggling.
Chelsea are hopeful of announcing the return of the Belgian on Monday.
Lukaku has agreed a £200,000-a-week contract to make the switch back to Stamford Bridge for the second time in his career.
The Belgian had previously been on the books of the Blues between 2011 and 2014, between the ages of 18 and 21.
There is a slim hope the deal will be done and Lukaku in England in enough time for the opening day Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
- Ian Tuckey
NEW BOY VARANE WATCHES UTD ON TV
Manchester United’s new £41million centre-back Raphael Varane watched their 4-0 friendly win over Everton on MUTV.
The France and ex-Real Madrid star, 28, should complete his move in the next 48 hours.
Credit: Getty United revealed the 28-year-old saw their impressive warm-up victory on the club’s TV station.
And afterwards boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Of course the medical with Raphael has to be done.”
- Ian Tuckey
NO NEED FOR GOODBYE BISS
Brighton star Yves Bissouma has been urged by former Seagulls ace Brian Horton to snub Arsenal and stay for at least another year.
Horton said: “I think it will do him [Bissouma] good to stay at Brighton and help him progress for another season.
“If he is good enough, will the big boys come knocking again?
“Eventually people have to sell. It is like Jadon Sancho going for £73million to Manchester United.
“Did Borussia Dortmund want to sell him? They made a massive profit, can you stand in his way and refuse that kind of money?”
- Ian Tuckey
EDOUARDO TALKS DOUBT
Manchester United have yet to hold talks with Rennes about Edouardo Camavinga.
That is according to Sport Witness, who claim that there has been no contact between the two clubs about Camavinga.
The France international is out-of-contract next summer and has been linked with a move to United.
The Red Devils may need to sign a midfielder if Paul Pogba decides to leave.
- Kostas Lianos
DEAL CLOSE
Chelsea are close to agreeing a £97.5million deal with Inter Milan for star striker Romelu Lukaku.
According to Sky Sports, the Blues are making immense progress in their bid to re-sign Lukaku.
The Belgium international is keen to return to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The former Manchester United star told Inter to accept any sufficient offers from the west Londoners
- Kostas Lianos
MORE ON PEP
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is very happy with Jack Grealish's arrival.
Guardiola said: "When we could spend this amount of money it is because we sell for almost £60million.
"We were not able in the last year or so but we sell young players from the academy and loan players for £60m. When you sell that, you can afford £100m.
"Otherwise, it would not have been possible. That's why for the difference we spend on him because he's 26 years old, he can play the next five, six, seven, eight years here and we believe we have an incredibly huge talent in terms of not just skills but mentality.
"When a team in the last years won a lot – which we cannot deny we have – we need new players. Not much but a few players that can rise to the level of players already here.
"The new players can fight with the players who stay here for a long time, otherwise after a lot of titles it is difficult to maintain a step forward. Every player needs to have the pressure that maybe they are not going to play.
"I say thank you so much to the club – especially Ferran [Soriano], Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] and Txiki [Begiristain] – and thank you to Aston Villa and Jack who chose to come here because I'm pretty sure he could decide whatever he wants.
"He said he wanted to play for Man City and that's why it is an honour to have him and hopefully he can settle as quick as possible"
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