LIONEL MESSI helped Argentina win the Copa America – but is still a free agent as his Barcelona contract situation drags on.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski could be on his way OUT of Bayern Munich with the club now looking for a replacement for the 32-year-old star, who is wanted by Real Madrid.
And Chelsea are reported to have made a shock approach for Eduardo Camavinga of Rennes.
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- Sandra Brobbey
CLARKE CLOSE
West Brom are thought to be closing in on a loan deal for Brighton centre-back Matt Clarke.
The Express and Star reports the player is set to be the second signing for boss Valerien Ismael.
And it is thought the deal could go through in the next 48 hours.
Clarke moved to Brighton from Portsmouth for a fee of around £4million in 2019.
The player had a two-year loan spell at Derby following the move.
- Sandra Brobbey
HAALAND HURRY
Manchester City are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Harry Kane and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland.
The Premier League champions are also thought to be keeping tabs on Antoine Griezmann.
Kane and Haaland have both enjoyed successful seasons in front of goal for Tottenham and Dortmund last term.
And both are valued at more than £120million by their clubs.
- Sandra Brobbey
INGS TO CITY
Manchester City are rumoured to be eyeing a move for Southampton ace Danny Ings, according to Football Insider.
Pep Guardiola's side are on the hunt for a new striker following the departure of Sergio Aguero.
And the Etihad giants have also been heavily linked with a move for England skipper Harry Kane.
Ings netted 12 goals in 29 Prem games for the Saints last season.
- Alex Terrell
BAY BYE
Bayern Munich are searching for a replacement to wantaway striker Robert Lewandowski, according to reports.
The Polish goal machine is said to want to play for Real Madrid in the final years of his career and the German giants are looking for someone to fill his very large boots.
With his contract up in 2023, Bayern will not field any offers for the Pole at any price this summer, according to Sport Bild.
Yet a move in 12 months' time is not inconceivable and Los Blancos are his preferred destination, according to AS.
Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku are on Bayern's list of potential replacments but would command huge fees.
Sport1 allege that Bayern bosses are deliberately remaining quiet over the Haaland rumours to avoid upsetting their star striker.
Borussia Dortmund want over £150million for their forward, who could be available for less than half of that when a release clause is enacted next year.
- Sandra Brobbey
BYE BYE RUI
Wolves could be set to bid farewell to goalkeeper Rui Patricio according to reports.
BBC Sport claims the Prem club are looking bring in Jose Sa from Olympiakos as a replacement for the Portugal international.
It is reported that Patricio, 33, is set to joinJose Mourinho's Roma for £10million.
The stopper kept 37 clean sheets for Wolves in 127 appearances since his 2017 move to the club.
It is thought Patricio's compatriot Sa has been cleared to move to Wolves following Olympiakos reaching an agreement with Czech Republic keeper Tomas Vaclik.
- Marc Mayo
GOOD MORNING TRANSFER FANS
Man United hope to help Jadon Sancho over his Euro heartache by finalising a switch this week.
The England ace, 21, is expected to have his medical with the Red Devils before he heads off on his holidays.
A fee of around £73million was agreed between United and Borussia Dortmund in June bringing a long pursuit to an end.
And the Premier League giants are keen to put the finishing touches to the move as soon as possible now that his international commitments are over.
Meanwhile United are still in talks with the representatives of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane about a move to England.
However, United have yet to speak to the Spanish outfit to agree a fee for the 28-year-old French international.
That could yet prove another obstacle with reports suggesting they will want north of £50m for the centre-back.
Finally, Man City are set to step up their search for a new striker – but have ruled out a move for Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann.
Reports in Spain have suggested City could move for French international Griezmann – who could be allowed to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
However, sources at the Etihad have indicated the former Atletico Madrid man, 30, is not a player who is on their radar this summer.
- Anthony Chapman
HAA LA LAND
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc joked Erling Haaland is 'already in England' as he missed pre-season training.
The Norwegian is a mega-money target for Chelsea.
Responding to questions over Haaland’s absence, Zorc quipped: "Erling is already in England."
- Anthony Chapman
FROM SUNSPORT’S MARTIN BLACKBURN
Man United hope to help Jadon Sancho over his Euro heartache by finalising a switch this week.
The England ace, 21, is expected to have his medical with the Red Devils before he heads off on his holidays.
A fee of around £73million was agreed between United and Borussia Dortmund in June bringing a long pursuit to an end.
And the Premier League giants are keen to put the finishing touches to the move as soon as possible now that his international commitments are over.
- Anthony Chapman
RAM RAID
Man United have confirmed the appointment of former Chelsea coach Eric Ramsey in their first-team set-up.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer beamed: “We've been fortunate enough to convince Eric Ramsay to come and join the best club in the world and in the country.
“He’s a very highly rated coach who is going to be working with individuals and in charge of set-plays as well.”
- Anthony Chapman
TURIN TROUBLE
Jorginho’s agent has confirmed that Juventus have enquired about the Chelsea ace's availability.
But the Italian Euro 2020 winner is set to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Santos said: "I confirm it, these interests have arrived.
"Of course, at 29 he can do very well in all the top European clubs and many are interested in him.
"He has a two-year contract, and it's all in the hands of the club.
"There is the World Club Championship, there is the European Super Cup.
"For a footballer these are important goals. But, the transfer market is always the transfer market and if a major club comes forward seriously with Chelsea then we will evaluate.
"At the moment, Jorginho will play it at Chelsea next season."
- Anthony Chapman
HAAL ABOARD
Erling Haaland has condemned racist abuse of Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.
The England trio were targeted by sick trolls after missing penalties against Italy.
And Borussia Dortmund star Haaland, linked with a Premier League move this summer, says he was left ’speechless’ by the attacks.
- Anthony Chapman
HEC OFF
Hector Bellerin was pictured travelling to Arsenal's pre-season tour of Scotland amid his uncertain future.
The right-back is believed to be open to a move away from Arsenal after eight years with the club, where he joined at youth level.
Inter Milan and PSG are among those linked with him, while manager Mikel Arteta looks set to raise funds this summer by selling unwanted players.
But for now, Bellerin will feature in Arsenal's pre-season preparation starting with a friendly against Hibernian.
- Anthony Chapman
TIME’S UP
Arsenal are still struggling to find buyers for an entire team of unwanted stars with the new season just one month away.
Mikel Arteta’s team face their first pre-season friendly away to Hibernian and have travelled to Scotland with a 30-man squad.
But with no European football at the Emirates next season, Arteta wants to slash his numbers as part of a major overhaul.
HERE ARE ELEVEN PLAYERS WHO COULD GO
- Anthony Chapman
BACK TO THE WALL
Man United Premier League winner Alex Buttner has joined Dutch club Waalwijk… after his career hit the wall.
The Dutch defender helped the Red Devils lift their last Premier League title in 2013.
The left-back went on to play for Dynamo Moscow, Anderlecht, Vitesse Arnhem and New England Revolution.
But he was left without a club after a planned move to Cypriots Apollon Limassol fell through in January.
However, Buttner has now penned a one-year deal with RKC Waalwijk after impressing the Eredivisie minnows on trial.
- Anthony Chapman
COUT PRICE
Marseille are reportedly planning an audacious summer swoop for Barcelona misfit Philippe Coutinho.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, the Ligue 1 club are in the process of looking for a huge sponsor to help them pay for such a big signing.
The report adds that Marseille will only be able to offer Coutinho around half of his current pay packet with a £6million-a-year deal.
However, the Stade Velodrome outfit could tempt the 29-year-old with an £8.5m signing-on bonus to make the switch to France.
- Anthony Chapman
MAT’S THE WAY
Aussie stopper Mat Ryan is reportedly set to join Real Sociedad in a major blow for Celtics.
The ex-Brighton goalkeeper, who spent half of last season on loan with Arsenal, is said to have agreed terms with the La Liga side.
Mundo Deportivo report that he passed his medical in Los Angeles, where he spent a few days with ex-Club Brugge team-mate and LA Galaxy star Víctor Vazquez.
He is now reportedly in Spain to complete the transfer in a bargain £1million deal.
- Anthony Chapman
GRIEZ LIGHTNING
Man City are set to step up their search for a new striker – but have ruled out a move for Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann.
Reports in Spain have suggested City could move for French international Griezmann – who could be allowed to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
The forward is also being linked with Manchester United and Chelsea.
However, sources at the Etihad have indicated the former Atletico Madrid man, 30, is not a player who is on their radar this summer.
- Sandra Brobbey
HAA WE GO
Chelsea are reportedly gearing up to launch a bid for Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland.
Thomas Tuchel is thought to be keen on bringing in a world-class forward to strengthen his attacking ranks.
AndJan Aage Fjortoft claims the two-time Champions League winners are preparing a "big offer" for the striker.
It is thought Dortmund have placed a £150million price tag on the star.
However, reports claim the German giants are reluctant to part company with their prolific forward whose contract runs out in June 2024.
Haaland, 20, netted 27 goals in 28 Bundesliga games last term.
- Sandra Brobbey
PAY PAL
Tottenham may have to stump up at least £51million should they decide to bid for Joao Palinha.
Spurs and Premier League rivals Wolves are thought to be interested in the Sporting Lisbon midfielder, according to Portuguese publication Record via Sport Witness.
It is thought the player whose contract runs out in June 2025 has a release clause of £51m.
Palinha, who played in two Euros 2020 games for Portugal, made 38 appearances for Sporting across all competitions last term.
- Sandra Brobbey
GIFT OF GAB
Juventus are reportedly thought to be considering a summer transfer swoop for Man City star Gabriel Jesus.
Italian outlet Tuttosport claims the Brazil forward is the Turin side's number one striker target ahead of Moise Kean, Dusan Vlahovic, Arkadiusz Milik and Andrea Belotti.
The Serie A champs are reportedly looking to strengthen their attacking options ahead of next season.
And the club, who finished fourth in Italy's top-flight title last term, are thought to be long-term admirers of Jesus's talents.
The forward netted 14 goals in 43 City appearances across all competitions last term.
- Sandra Brobbey
PALACE BID
Remi Matthews could be set to make a shock switch to Crystal Palace according to reports.
The former Sunderland stopper, 27,joined the Black Cats on a one-year deal in 2020.
However, Matthews made just 11 appearances across all competitions for the side with Lee Burge as the club's preferred keeper.
It is thought a move to Selhurst Park with new boss Patrick Vieira could be on the cards for Matthews.
- Sandra Brobbey
GUNNER GET WHITE
Arsenal's pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion's Ben White is reportedly gathering pace
Football London reckons the Gunners could look to speed up their efforts to sign the Seagulls star with Euros 2020 done and dusted.
Mikel Arteta's side are reported to have had two bids rejected by Brighton.
And it is thought the Gunners had an initial bid of £40million in June.
However, Sky Sports claim the club are expected to return with a third offer.
And Brighton are thought to be holding out for a £50m bid.
- Jon Boon
TAKE HIM TO SPURS
Tottenham are said to be the only team from our shores chasing in-demand Japanese star Takehiro Tomiyasu, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs had a £15million bid for the defender rejected earlier this month but are still believed to be interested.
More importantly, Tomiyasu is desperate to join.
Romano tweeted: "Tottenham are currently the only English club negotiating to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu. Talks ongoing with Bologna – Atalanta want him too but Spurs are leading the race."
He added: "Tomiyasu wants to join Tottenham. Final decision soon. Arsenal are NOT in the race, as of now."
- Jon Boon
COULD BE A BLUE
CHELSEA are reportedly preparing a bid to steal highly-rated Sevilla and France defender Jules Kounde away from Tottenham.
The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Spurs over recent weeks.
And Manchester City also had a bid of £47million rejected by the LaLiga club, leading the Spanish outfit to insist he will not be leaving for anything less than £69m.
According to Eldesmarque, that has now led to Chelsea declaring their interest as they look to hijack the deal for Kounde.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are thought to be the only possible destination for Kounde in Spain.
This is because Barcelona's financial difficulties mean they will not be able to afford the extortionate price tag which has been placed on the Frenchman.
- Jon Boon
FRIENDS REUNITED
Jose Mourinho will ask for Kurt Zouma plus £10million, should Chelsea move for Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.
The 25-year-old has attracted the interest of several clubs, including the Champions League winners.
Anf if Thomas Tuchel wants to add Mancini to his ranks, the Special One will reportedly ask for his former player Zouma, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
Roma are struggling financially after failing to qualify for the Champions League and are looking to reduce their wage bill.
Which means they may be forced to cash in on their prized asset.
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