Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal eye Barcelona wonderkid; Lavia decision, Chelsea agree £45m winger terms
Chelsea have turned their attention to signing Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise after securing a mammoth £115million deal for Moises Caicedo. Personal terms are agreed with Crystal Palace winger Olise while Lavia is thought to have snubbed Liverpool’s advances for a £55m move to Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal still haven’t announced the signing of David Raya from Brentford and have been linked with a move for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati. The potential long-term injry for Jurrien Timber may shake up their plans, too.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will launch a bid for Gift Orban after Harry Kane’s sale. Over at Liverpool, Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged as a potential midfielder to solve their growing problems in that position. Manchester United want Sofyan Amrabat for the middle of their park, while Neymar is set to join Al-Hilal in a £2.5m-a-week deal. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
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Neymar could end up at Chelsea… eventually
Neymar will return to Europe after his two-year sojourn in Saudi Arabia.
Chelsea and Barcelona are considered the main contenders for the Brazilian’s services at this time, according to Corriere della Sera.
Al-Hilal are set to announce Neymar as their new player today on a £2.5m-a-week contract, with an £80m transfer fee.
West Ham eye sought-after winger
West Ham will make a move for Arsenal and Chelsea target Mohammed Kudus.
Sky Sports say a deal can be done for the Ajax winger at around £35m, which the Hammers will take up if Lucas Paqueta leaves for Manchester City.
Brighton recently saw a bid for Ghana international Kudus collapse.
Done deal! West Ham target Denis Zakaria joins Monaco
Done deal! Bayer Leverkusen sign goalkeeper Matej Kovar from Man Utd
Liverpool slammed over failure to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia
Jamie Carragher has blasted Liverpool’s chaotic midfield transfer scramble after seemingly losing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.
“Liverpool have not got deals over the line and it’s been embarrassing,” he told MNF.
“The fact that you start with Lavia, don’t pay a certain amount, then you go for Caicedo, yes you get something agreed. That’s why I will not be critical of the owners, they were willing to pay £110m and break the transfer record.
“But to go with him when he’s been talking to Chelsea for three months and now go back to Lavia, it’s an absolute mess. It’s a joke.”
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Arsenal eye Ansu Fati
Arsenal have been linked with a surprise move for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati.
Xavi spoke out on the interest on the weekend and refused to shut the door on a deal.
“Until the market is over we won’t know which players will continue or not,” the coach of the cash-strapped Catalans admitted.
“I’m happy with Ansu, he’s the club’s heritage, present and future. I don’t know how I should say it. That’s what I think, then the market will say, there’s until August 31.
“I can’t say that he’ll stay because he doesn’t anyway. We are in these circumstances. But I’m happy with him, he’s a player of the present and future and is the heritage of the club. From here, we will decide until August 31.”
Chelsea agree Michael Olise personal terms
Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign a new winger this summer, particularly after the injury to Christopher Nkunku.
Standard Sport understand Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is top of their list with personal terms already agreed for the ex-Reading star, who spent time at Chelsea’s academy as a youth.
Palace will want upwards of £45m for the France youth international.
Chelsea getting ‘one of world’s best midfielders’ in Caicedo
Brighton have also announced the exit of Moises Caicedo.
“Chelsea are getting one of the top midfielders in the world. Moises has been one of our exceptional players over the past 18 months,” said technical director David Weir.
“We’d like to thank him for his performances for us, which helped this team to two record finishes in the Premier League, and we wish him well for the future.”
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom added: “Moises expressed a strong desire to move on, and at that point it was crucial our valuation was met in full.
“I’d like to thank him for his exceptional performances for the club, and I wish him all the best going forward.”
Moises Caicedo: I didn’t think twice over Chelsea move
Here are Moises Caicedo’s first words after joining Chelsea…
He told the club’s official website: “I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club. It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
“Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we’ve been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead.”
Chelsea announce £115m Moises Caicedo signing
Chelsea have completed the blockbuster signing of Moises Caicedo, breaking the British transfer record for the second time in just six months.
After weeks of protracted negotiations hastened by strong rival interest from Liverpool in recent days, the Blues finally agreed a deal with Brighton for their No1 summer target that will see them pay a guaranteed £100million up front plus another £15m in achievable add-ons, with the agreement also said to contain a sell-on clause.
Caicedo successfully passed a medical on Monday and agreed terms on an enormous eight-year contract lasting until 2031 that includes the option for a further 12 months beyond that, with a potential debut coming in the Premier League London derby away at West Ham on Sunday.
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