BAYERN MUNICH have officially completed the signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool.
The AFCON winner spent six successful seasons at Anfield winning EVERYTHING available to him at the club.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain could also be cutting ties with one of their superstars as reports suggest that the French giants are ready to sell Neymar.
Which means that football icon Zinedine Zidane may not get the chance to manage him – with the Frenchman refusing to rule out a managerial role at Parc des Princes.
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Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
- Justin Lawrence
Firminho tipped for Liverpool exit
Roberto Firminho is likely to be next out of Liverpool's exit following Sadio Mane's departure to Bayern Munich.
That's according to ex-Reds star Stuart Downing who reckons Firminho will play second fiddle to new recruit Darwin Nunez next season.
Downing said ahead of the 360 Sports TV Masters Cup: "I hope Darwin Nunez hits the ground running. I see Firmino being a backup player to him.
"If they can get Firmino back to the form he was at a couple of seasons ago, it’s another great dimension for Liverpool.
“But this will probably be his last year, or he might do until January.”
- Justin Lawrence
Sterling’s transfer demands revealed
Man City ace Raheem Sterling will only leave the club for regular first-team football and Champions League nights, reports claim.
The 27-year-old still has lofty ambitions that he wants to fulfill by playing consistently, the Daily Express reported.
And that puts Chelsea in pole position for his signature as they can provide Sterling with both demands.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal ‘prioritise two transfers’
Arsenal have reportedly prioritised the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Raphinha over Youri Tielemans.
The Gunners are still keen on Leicester city midfielder Tielemans, but want to recruit Man City ace Jesus and Leeds star Raphinha first.
That’s according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
He told Caught Offside: “Arsenal have long had contacts with the player’s camp and with Leicester but have not made official offers so far.
“Talks are still on, but they are not at the key stages yet because the club is focused on Gabriel Jesus as a priority and is trying to compete for Raphinha, two deals on which you need to be quick.”
- Justin Lawrence
Santa Clauss is coming
Chelsea’s transfer pursuit of Lens ace Jonathan Clauss has received a major boost as the French side have signed another right back.
Chelsea should have no problem snapping up Clauss who previously revealed it’s his dream to join the Blues.
And Lens have pre-empted his exit by recruiting Angers star Jimmy Cabot, the Daily Express reported.
Cabot’s £1.7m arrival at Lens should open the door to a smooth exit for Clauss to West London.
Clauss’ contract expires next summer, and Lens would rather cash in on the defender now instead of losing him for free then.
However, the Blues face competition in the form of Atletico Madrid who have also been tracking the full-back.
- Justin Lawrence
Overnight transfer round-up
Chelsea players want boss Thomas Tuchel to pursue Everton striker Richarlison and Ajax winger Antony hopes to join Manchester United.
Tottenham, Arsenal and even United have also been linked to Richarlison.
And it seems Stamford Bridge stars are keen on the Brazilian matching Raheem Sterling as a major target for Tuchel.
Meanwhile, it's thought Ajax are demanding £69million for Antony.
But Dutch media claim he's eager to join old boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Ajax also reportedly value defenders Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber at £52m apiece – another deterrent for United.
Crystal Palace are set to beat United to signing Derby winger Malcolm Ebiowei, 18, on a free transfer.
And it's claimed Chelsea-linked winger Ousmane Dembele has told Barcelona boss Xavi he'd like to stay at the Nou Camp.
And in a blow to Tuchel and Tottenham, PSG are tipped to up their offer for Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar.
United and Chelsea are said to be keen on Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Finally, Burnley's England keeper Nick Pope is expected to have a medical at Newcastle today ahead of a £10million move.
- Ian Tuckey
Four-club Fab fight
Arsenal and Newcastle lead the transfer race ahead of Manchester United and Manchester City for Napoli star Fabian Ruiz.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who claim the Partenopei want £26million for Ruiz.
The Serie A giants still hope to keep the 26-year-old but might cash in this summer as he only has one year left on his contract.
The Spain international amassed a total of seven goals and five assists in 38 appearances across all competitions last season.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues’ Mane pain
Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele has reportedly told Barcelona boss Xavi that he would like to STAY at the Nou Camp, writes JOSHUA MBU.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month.
A move to Stamford Bridge would see Dembele reunite with Thomas Tuchel, who he worked under at Borussia Dortmund.
However, according to Catalan paper Mundo Deportivo, Dembele has communicated with Barca boss Xavi that he would like to stay.
On Barca‘s side, the club are not prepared to budge on the offer already on the table to the Frenchman.
Should Dembele re-sign with the Catalan giants, he’ll play an integral role in Xavi’s frontline.
In May, Xavi said on Dembele’s situation: “Negotiations are ongoing and we are going to be optimistic.
“I hope he can stay – he has helped us a lot during the last six months.
“He’s a decisive player with lots of assists and he has been excellent in many games.
“When he hasn’t played, we’ve missed him. He is a football player that I like and we’d like to stay, but we’ll have to see.”
- Ian Tuckey
Palace beat Utd to Ebiowei
Crystal Palace are set to beat Manchester United to signing 18-year-old Derby winger Malcolm Ebiowei on a free transfer.
Monaco were also keen after he played 16 Championship games for the Rams last season.
It's understood he'll have a medical on Monday.
And it is believed he has agreed a contract until 2027.
He follows the same path as forward Luke Plange.
He left Pride Park for Selhurst Park for £1million in January, before returning to Derby on loan.
- Ian Tuckey
Brugge are a friend of Afo
Stoke striker Benik Afobe is on his way to Champions League football next season with Club Brugge.
Former Arsenal ace Afobe, 29, has spent his last three seasons on loan at Bristol City, Trabzonspor and Millwall since signing for £12million in 2018.
And he's chosen the Belgian champions ahead of the Lions and Watford.
Brugge have won the Pro League for the last three seasons.
And that means another crack among the elite at Europe’s top table.
In 2021-22, they managed a draw against Paris Saint-Germain and beat RB Leipzig but were thumped 5-1 and 4-1 by Manchester City.
Afobe, though, will be desperate to test himself against some of the continent’s best defenders next season.
Last season he managed 13 goals in all competitions on loan at The New Den.
Millwall boss Gary Rowett was keen to try and keep him on but is resigned to missing out.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea stars want Richarlison in
EXCLUSIVE: Richarlison is emerging as the key signing senior Chelsea stars want to see at their club, writes ANDREW DILLON.
Chelsea have joined rivals Tottenham and Arsenal in pursuit of the £50million-rated Brazilian now that flop striker Romelu Lukaku has been offloaded.
Striker Lukaku is on his way back to Inter Milan on loan after a disastrous year and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is looking to beef up his forward line in response.
Richarlison, Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele have all been heavily linked with moves to Stamford Bridge and all would be considered great additions by the current squad.
But fiery Brazilian Richarlison’s characteristic aggression and tenacity are seen as decisive factors in the minds of some players.
The South American hothead has been hit with an FA charge for hurling a smoke bomb into the crowd at Goodison Park least season in celebration at scoring against Chelsea.
Richarlison, 25, has made it clear to Everton boss Frank Lampard that he wants out with two years left on his contract.
He scored 11 goals in a team struggling against relegation last season but it’s his devilish personality that appeals most to some in the Chelsea camp.
- Ian Tuckey
Pope setfor £10m toon medical tomorrow
Nick Pope will have a medical in Newcastle on Thursday ahead of a £10million move from Burnley.
A deal with the Championship Clarets has been struck and the England keeper will become the Saudi-owned Magpies’ second summer signing.
Pope, 30, had one year left on his Turf Moor contract but is desperate to stay in the Prem to secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
Eddie Howe made his move last week and Pope will battle Martin Dubravka for the No1 jersey.
Pope will follow left-back Matt Targett to Tyneside – and hopes are rising that defender Sven Botman will soon follow.
Toon have been reluctant to play ball with Lille after the French club upped their asking price from £30m to £37m but remain in talks.
- Ian Tuckey
Porto want Evan more for Brazil striker
Manchester United could bid more than £60million for Porto star Evanilson.
The Brazilian’s agent Marcio Barros claims only Brighton have so far made a formal offer for the 22-year-old.
Barros spoke out after reports in Portugal that United had bid around £53m, compared to the £70m Porto are said to want.
The striker, capped only at Under-23 level, notched 21 goals and five assists in 45 games last season
- Ian Tuckey
Antony 'keen to join Utd'
Antony is desperate to quit Ajax and be reunited with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, according to reports.
The Red Devils’ new manager is itching to kick off his squad overhaul with a move for the Brazilian winger.
Antony, 22, shone under Ten Hag at Ajax winning two Eredivisie crowns and the KNVB Cup together.
Last season, the forward scored 12 goals and laid on ten assists in 33 games in all competitions as the Dutch giants won the league title.
And now, Antony is desperate to follow Ten Hag to Man Utd in order to continue his progression, according to Goal.
Earlier this week, SunSport revealed United officials had flown in to Amsterdam to get a deal for the Brazilian over the line.
The club are set to splash out £40million on Antony as their first summer signing. United have already lost Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard from their attacking ranks this summer.
And they’re wasting no time in looking to replace them with a statement signing in Antony. The player had already revealed his admiration for Ten Hag.
- Ian Tuckey
Edding in as Blues' first signing
Eddie Beach is Chelsea’s first signing under new owner Todd Boehly.
The 19-year-old keeper has been recruited from Southampton for the Blues'academy squad.
Meanwhile, Finnish keeper Lucas Bergstorm, 19, heads out of Stamford Bridge for a a season on loan with League One side Peterborough.
- Ian Tuckey
PSG and Spurs wait in wings over Jesus
Arsenal are in “very advanced” talks to sign Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Romano tweeted: “Gabriel Jesus deal update. Arsenal are working on it and negotiations are very advanced.
“Arsenal will now need to be fast on final, key details involving player/agents to get the deal done and avoid twists.
“Tottenham & PSG, still waiting to see the end of this story.”
- Ian Tuckey
Johan hails Vieira
Arsenal signing Fabio Vieira has received immense praise from former Gunners player Johan Djourou.
Djourou described Vieira as the North Londoners’ “own Bernardo Silva”.
The former defender commented on Instagram under the club’s official presentation of the midfielder.
The ex-Switzerland international wrote: “By the look of him… He could be our own Bernardo Silva.”
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners odds-on to sign Jesus and Raphinha
Arsenal’s summer rebuild is already well underway as preparations continue for the new season.
They recently added attacking midfielder Fabio Viera to their ranks for over £30million after signing youngster Marquinhos from Brazil.
Eddie Nketiah has agreed a new long-term contract to continue to lead the line as he did towards the end of last season.
But with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in the past few months, there remains a gap for another attacking option.
We look at who Mikel Arteta could sign this summer, with the help of odds from Sky Bet.
Sky Bet odds
Gabriel Jesus 1/5
Raphinha 5/6
Serge Gnabry 3/1
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 9/2
Alvaro Morata 7/1
Ivan Toney 8/1
Marcus Rashford 9/1
Ollie Watkins 10/1
Eden Hazard 10/1
Jarrod Bowen 10/1
Riyad Mahrez 20/1
READ OUR FULL GUIDE TO THE
GUNNERS’ POTENTIAL SIGNINGS HERE - Ian Tuckey
Chelsea and Spurs face Milan snub
Chelsea and Tottenham have been dealt a blow after Paris Saint-Germain launched a second, improved bid for Milan Skriniar, according to reports.
The two Premier League sides are desperately seeking defensive reinforcements this summer.
Spurs have qualified for the Champions League after a three-year absence and will need to improve their squad depth to compete on all fronts.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have already lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen and are expected to lose both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso before the start of the new season.
- Ian Tuckey
Utd & Chelsea keen on Anfield transfer guru
Manchester United and Chelsea are eying Liverpool’s outgoing transfer guru Michael Edwards.
He played a lead role in Alisson, Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson, Thiago and Fabinho coming to Anfield.
He became Liverpool's head of analytics in 2011 before working his way up to sporting director.
United are shaking up their recruitment department – football director John Murtough – following Erik ten Hag's arrival as manager this summer.
And Chelsea need a new transfer supremo after director Marina Granovskaia's exit.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues' Mane pain
Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele has reportedly told Barcelona boss Xavi that he would like to STAY at the Nou Camp, writes JOSHUA MBU.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month.
A move to Stamford Bridge would see Dembele reunite with Thomas Tuchel, who he worked under at Borussia Dortmund.
However, according to Catalan paper Mundo Deportivo, Dembele has communicated with Barca boss Xavi that he would like to stay.
On Barca's side, the club are not prepared to budge on the offer already on the table to the Frenchman.
Should Dembele re-sign with the Catalan giants, he'll play an integral role in Xavi's frontline.
In May, Xavi said on Dembele's situation: "Negotiations are ongoing and we are going to be optimistic.
"I hope he can stay – he has helped us a lot during the last six months.
"He's a decisive player with lots of assists and he has been excellent in many games.
"When he hasn't played, we've missed him. He is a football player that I like and we'd like to stay, but we'll have to see."
- Ian Tuckey
Footballers’ Lizard XI
Prem stars Ben Chilwell and Dele Alli showed they weren’t lounge lizards as they met iguanas while they were on holiday (the footballers, not the iguanas).
And what better way to honour such a trip than compiling a team of lizard-related stars?
Sadly and sensationally, lizard-fearing conspiracy theorist David Icke just missed out on selection – despite playing for Coventry City reserves and then Hereford from 1971-73.
OUR WING LIZARDS
Don’t get too hot-blooded about our picks – it’s just a bit of fun.
And Mo Salamander makes it because every team deserves a ringer who can pull off a pretty good impersonation.
Tom Heaton up too quickly
Reptile Walker
John Under Stones
Oleksandr ZinGecko
Eden Lizard
Scaly Back-ayo Saka
James Iguana
Malcom-odo Dragon
Cold-blooDidier Drogba
ChameLeon Osman
Mo SalamanderOUR WING LIZARDS
Don't get too hot-blooded about our picks – it's just a bit of fun.
And, OK, animal experts – Mo Salamander might not strictly be eligible. But every team deserves a ringer who can pull off a pretty good impersonation.
Tom Heaton up too quickly
Reptile Walker
John Under Stones
Oleksandr ZinGecko
Eden Lizard
Scaly Back-ayo Saka
James Iguana
Malcom-odo Dragon
Cold-blooDidier Drogba
ChameLeon Osman
Mo SalamanderChelsea wing-back Chilwell and Everton midfielder Ali were at Little Water Cay – aka Iguana Island -on the Turks & Caicos Islands.
And the laidback England aces seemed to find it easier coping with the slippery creatures there than the wriggling menaces they face back home in the Prem.
The duo also took a trip on a boat, with Alli having a go behind the wheel.
Now he just needs to steer his floundering career back on course next season.
- Ian Tuckey
The Town Jules
Arsenal's England Under-21 striker Tyreece John-Jules has joined Ipswich on loan for the season.
The Londoner, 21, has been with the Gunners since he was eight and becomes the League One side's fourth summer recruit.
He hit three goals in five games for Arsenal U-21s in the Football League Trophy before loan spells with Lincoln, Doncaster and, last term, Championship club Blackpool.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea target Ousmane 'wants to stay at Barca'
Chelsea target Ousmane Dembele, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, has reportedly told Xavi he'd prefer to stay at Barcelona.
Nou Camp boss Xavi is now waiting to see if United are willing to bid big for their main transfer priority, Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's focus is likely to be on strengthening in central defence and up front.
They need to replace new Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger.
And with striker Romelu Lukaku on the brink of a loan return to Inter Milan, it's thought the Blues are monitoring Raheem Sterling and Richarlison.
- Ian Tuckey
Cherries pick Ferdericks
Ryan Fredericks is set to join Bournemouth on a free transfer from West Ham.
The right-back has completed his medical at the newly-promoted Cherries and will kick off their summer business.
Fredericks played alongside Bournemouth boss Scott Parker during their time together at Fulham five years ago.
He left to join the Hammers on a free a year later but racked up only 46 league starts in four campaigns.
The 29-year-old struggled with injury and dropped behind Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson in the Irons pecking order.
Southampton as well as Fredericks's former club Fulham were interested in him but Bournemouth appear to have the deal done.
- Ian Tuckey
Qatar chiefs boast of huge ticket sales
QATAR World Cup chiefs have claimed they could already have sold all the tickets for the November showpiece 13 TIMES over, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Tournament boss Hassan Al Thawadi told the Qatar Economic Forum that 1.2million tickets have been sold of the 3m available across the 64 games in 28 days.
But Al Thawadi added that a staggering 40m ticket requests had been received across the first two ballot windows.
The remaining 1.8m tickets will go on sale soon, with the Gulf state expecting a total of 1.2m overseas visitors during the tournament, which kicks off on November 21.
Al Thawadi said: “I think the number of applications is a record for the World Cup, with about 1.2m already purchased.
“This shows that people want to buy tickets and come to Qatar. There can be no doubt about that.”
SunSport revealed that World Cup chiefs are keen for some fans to stay in neighbouring states including Dubai and Oman and fly to Doha on special in-out one day charters, although the country insists there is enough hotel and other accommodation available.
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