REAL MADRID are preparing a huge £103million bid for PSG star Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.
The Spanish giants had been expected to wait until next summer to sign the forward on a free but are now looking to push the deal forward.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £14m transfer for MLS keeper Djordje Petrovic.
And reports suggest that Barcelona are close to signing City full-back Joao Cancelo on loan.
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- By Tony Robertson
Chelsea confirm Chukwuemeka surgery
Chelsea have confirmed Carney Chukwuemeka has undergone surgery following the injury he sustained in their 3-1 loss to West Ham.
The 19-year-old got his first senior goal with a well-taken finish to level the score at the London Stadium.
However, he was forced off at half-time following a tackle with Emerson and could now be sidelined for up to six weeks.
A Blues statement read: "Carney Chukwuemeka sustained an injury to his left knee during our game against West Ham United on Sunday.
"Last night Carney underwent surgery and will now begin his recovery.
"The 19-year-old will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham."
- By Tony Robertson
Bayern Munich were 'blackmailed in Kane transfer' claims club legend
Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has claimed his ex-club were "blackmailed" during the Harry Kane transfer saga.
Kane, who scored and assisted on his Bundesliga debut against Werder Bremen, completed a move from Spurs to Germany for £104m including add-ons.
However, Matthaus has now claimed Bayern were being held at ransom to pay over the odds.
The 62-year-old told Sky Sport: "Those in charge at Bayern were and are 100 per cent convinced of Harry Kane.
"And that's why they stretched themselves, that's why they pushed their limits.
"Maybe Bayern has also – in quotation marks – been a little blackmailed by Tottenham.
"Another million more and a little bit more. They wanted this player.
"And I say: 100 million for a 30-year-old – Lewandowski was three years older when he left and went to Barcelona for around €50 million – I now assume that it will pay off."
Credit: Rex - By Graeme Bryce
Nottingham Forest agree fee for World Cup winner
Nottingham Forest have agreed a £9.5million deal with Sevilla to sign Argentina's World Cup winning penalty shoot-out hero Gonzalo Montiel.
The 26-year-old right-back was booked in for a Forest medical last night and could soon be joined by his Argentina teammate Nicolas Dominguez, as Steve Cooper is also keen to add the Bologna midfielder to his squad.
Montiel became a legend in his homeland when he scored the decisive penalty in last year's World Cup final as Argentina held their nerve to beat France on penalties after an epic final in Qatar.
Steve Cooper should have no problem trusting his new arrival from the penalty spot as Montiel also scored the decisive penalty when Sevilla beat Roma in another penalty shoot-out to win last season's Europa League final.
Montiel proved he hasn't lost his touch, despite falling out of favour at Sevilla, when he held his nerve to score from the spot again during Sevilla's Uefa Super Cup final defeat by Manchester City last week.
However, despite having three years left on his current deal, Montiel was not included in Sevilla's squad for Friday's victory over Las Palmas and only managed 27 minutes against City on Wednesday.
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FOR REAL? Forest agree £9.5m deal for World Cup winner as they beat Fulham to big transfer
- By Ian Tuckey
Nic back in contention?
Unsettled winger Nicolas Pepe has posted a clip of his return to Arsenal training.
The Ivorian reportedly snubbed a summer move and has now hinted he will fight for a squad place following talks with manager Mikel Arteta.
Pepe, 28, also shared a video on his Instagram story as he sat alone in the Arsenal dressing room.
That appears to lend credibility to claims he has been training on his own
Credit: Instagram @nicolaspepe19 - By Ian Tuckey
Cooper bags Argentina hero
Nottingham Forest have agreed a £9.5million deal with Sevilla to sign Argentina’s World Cup winning penalty shoot-out hero Gonzalo Montiel.
The 26-year-old right-back was booked in for a Forest medical last night and could soon be joined by his Argentina teammate Nicolas Dominguez, as Steve Cooper is also keen to add the Bologna midfielder to his squad.
Montiel became a legend in his homeland when he scored the decisive penalty in last year’s World Cup final as Argentina held their nerve to beat France on penalties after an epic final in Qatar.
Steve Cooper should have no problem trusting his new arrival from the penalty spot as Montiel also scored the decisive penalty when Sevilla beat Roma in another shoot-out to win last season’s Europa League final.
Montiel proved he hasn’t lost his touch, despite falling out of favour at Sevilla, when he held his nerve to score from the spot again during Sevilla’s Uefa Super Cup final defeat by Manchester City last week.
However, despite having three years left on his current deal, Montiel was not included in Sevilla’s squad for Friday’s victory over Las Palmas and only managed 27 minutes against City on Wednesday.
The talented Argentina full-back has made 72 appearances for Sevilla since signing from River Plate in 2021 but has become disillusioned after being used as a second half sub too often.
Dominguez meanwhile, is in the final year of his Bologna contract and, unlike Montiel, his club Bologna would love to keep the 25-year who wore the captain’s armband against Cesena last weekend.
- By Ian Tuckey
Liverpool tipped to beat Red Devils to Gravenberch
Manchester United and Liverpool have both made contract offers to Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
That’s the claim this afternoon as both Prem giants look for more creative options.
So far Bayern have suggested they are happy to keep the 11-cap Dutchman.
That’s because they still have faith in the 21-year-old despite his limited game-time since arriving from Ajax in June 2022.
But United and Liverpool regard the 6ft 3ins star as the type of prospect who could develop into an ideal Prem player.
And they’ve reportedly upped the pressure on Bayern by making approaches to Gravenberch.
- By Ian Tuckey
Laporte to team up with Ronaldo and Mane
Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte is closing on a move to Saudi side Al-Nassr.
The Prem champs will receive £23.5million for the 29-year-old.
The Spanish centre-back will link up with new team-mates Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
- By Ian Tuckey
‘Chelsea agree terms with Fulham target Folarin’
Chelsea have reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal’s £50million-rated striker Folarin Balogun – amid interest from Fulham.
FootballTransfers say the Blues have stepped up their interest in the USA star, 22.
Despite Chelsea’s near-£1billion spree over the past 12 months, new boss Maurico Pochettino had few back-up options in attacks during yesterday’s 3-1 Prem loss at West Ham.
And fans believe it was telling that Poch brought on rookie frontman Mason Burstow, 20, when the Blues chased the game at 2-1 down.
Balogun, who has also been linked with Atletico Madrid and Monaco, wants more regular first-team action.
- By Ian Tuckey
West Ham 'favourites for Lukaku'
West Ham are tipped to beat Saudi clubs to Romelu Lukaku, it's claimed tonight.
Football Transfers say the Belgian striker’s agents have offered the Hammers encouragement.
The ex-Manchester United striker, 30, was on loan at old club Inter Milan from current team Chelsea last season.
- By Ian Tuckey
Red Devils will 'press for Sofyan signing'
Manchester United are tipped to drive hard to capture Fiorentina anchorman Sofyan Amrabat.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes the Red Devils will prepare a bid for the 27-year-old.
It's claimed the Morocco star has rejected West Ham and Saudi Arabia this summer.
And the suggestion is he will move – IF United offer £25.6million.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Nev blasts Arsenal's keeper policy
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has slammed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's decision to have two goalkeepers competing for a starting spot.
Arteta added David Raya to his squad earlier this month to provide direct competition for Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya has signed on an initial £3million loan from Brentford, with an option to make the deal permanent. However, Neville is not convinced and criticised the decision before the Gunners' trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
"I’ve said this before, I’m not a fan of competition for goalkeepers," he said on Sky Sports. "I think you need a clear number one and then a clear number two. That’s my view.
"Obviously, I’ve experienced it at United, where we had clear number ones and number twos and we’ve had in some situations two, sort of, equal keepers."
The former England defender went on to add: "The problem is, you end up with a situation every time a goalkeeper makes a mistake, which they inevitably do, where you say ‘will they play the other guy the next week?’
"Once you do that once, you’ve undermined the situation and you’ve created what I think sometimes is a very difficult situation for everybody in the team.
"You haven’t got stability with your back four, both goalkeepers feel a little bit unnerved, a little but anxious that if they make a mistake they’re out.
"So I’m interested to see what Mikel Arteta does with it and how he manages it, because I’ve never seen it work before, really well."
- By Ian Tuckey
Utd & Arsenal target Pavard poised for Inter
Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed to sell Manchester United and Arsenal target Benjamin Pavard to Inter Milan.
The German giants are cashing on the France centre-back, 27, a year before his contract runs out.
And L’Equipe say Pavard is heading for Inter after agreeing personal terms.
- By Ian Tuckey
Al-Ittihad 'launch Varane talks'
Al-Ittihad have stepped up their pursuit of Raphael Varane by reportedly launching talks to sign the Manchester United centre-back.
Reports from Saudi Arabia also claim the 93-cap Frenchman has given "positive indications" over moving.
Varane, 30, is still United's first-choice alongside Lisandro Martinez.
But amid huge transfers to Saudi Arabia he might be keen on one last massive pay-day.
Credit: Rex - By Dylan Terry
Warnock warning over ex-Gunner
Neil Warnock has warned Chuba Akpom he'll be back in English football "next year" if his new club Ajax decide to play him as a striker.
Warnock, 74, watched his Huddersfield side draw 1-1 with Akpom's former team Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Akpom, 27, who came through Arsenal's academy and played 12 times for the Gunners' first team, penned a five-year deal with Ajax last week as Boro accepted a £12.2million offer.
He contributed 29 goals in 42 games as a No10 for Michael Carrick's side in the 2022/23 campaign as they earned a play-off place, before they were beaten by Coventry.
And that sensational season has seen him secure a switch to the Dutch giants.
But Warnock, who coached Akpom in the North East, warned Ajax against pushing him higher up the pitch and labelled the transfer fee a "bloody miracle".
He said: "Good luck to him. I like Michael.
"They've signed two players this week for decent money and Michael is a good bloke. There's only Michael who would've got that out of Chuba Akpom.
"I never thought about playing him in the hole. He can't play up front. I hope Ajax haven't bought him to play up front because he'll be back in England or somewhere else next year."
- By Ian Tuckey
Thierry takes over France U-21s
Thierry Henry is the new France under-21s' manager.
The Arsenal legend's first big test will be coaching his native country at next summer's Olympics.
Henry has replaced former manager Sylvain Ripoll, who was sacked following the Euros this summer.
France were eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals by Ukraine.
Other candidates considered for the role included ex-Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi, according to Le Parisien.
However, Henry emerged as the preferred candidate and has now been appointed by the French FA.
- By Graeme Bryce
Forest agree deal for World Cup shootout hero
Nottingham Forest have agreed a £9.5million deal with Sevilla to sign Argentina's World Cup winning penalty shoot-out hero Gonzalo Montiel.
The 26-year-old right-back was booked in for a Forest medical last night and could soon be joined by his Argentina teammate Nicolas Dominguez, as Steve Cooper is also keen to add the Bologna midfielder to his squad.
Montiel became a legend in his homeland when he scored the decisive penalty in last year's World Cup final as Argentina held their nerve to beat France on penalties after an epic final in Qatar.
Steve Cooper should have no problem trusting his new arrival from the penalty spot as Montiel also scored the decisive penalty when Sevilla beat Roma in another shoot-out to win last season's Europa League final.
Montiel proved he hasn't lost his touch, despite falling out of favour at Sevilla, when he held his nerve to score from the spot again during Sevilla's Uefa Super Cup final defeat by Manchester City last week.
However, despite having three years left on his current deal, Montiel was not included in Sevilla's squad for Friday's victory over Las Palmas and only managed 27 minutes against City on Wednesday.
The talented Argentina full-back has made 72 appearances for Sevilla since signing from River Plate in 2021 but has become disillusioned after being used as a second half sub too often.
Dominguez meanwhile, is in the final year of his Bologna contract and, unlike Montiel, his club Bologna would love to keep the 25-year who wore the captain's armband against Cesena last weekend.
- By Ian Tuckey
Utd want 'Gravenberch AND Sofyan'
Manchester United hope to sign Ryan Gravenberch AND Sofyan Amrabat this summer.
That's the claim from 90min tonight – despite Liverpool also being linked to both midfielders.
It's touch and go whether Bayern Munich creator Gravenberch will move before transfer deadline on September 1.
But Fiorentina have said they are willing to help anchorman Sofyan Amrabat achieve his dream of joining a big club.
- By Ian Tuckey
Real keen on Gabriel
Real Madrid hold a firm interest in Arsenal defender Gabriel, say The Daily Mail.
The Spanish giants are in the market for a centre-back after Eder Militao tore his ACL in training.
Credit: Getty Gabriel is reportedly happy at Arsenal, although he was left out of Arteta’s starting XI for the opening day for tactical reasons – ending a streak of starting 73 consecutive league games.
A number of Saudi clubs also hold an interest in the defender.
- By Ian Tuckey
Pepe shares clip of return to Arsenal training
Unsettled winger Nicolas Pepe has posted a clip of his return to Arsenal training.
The Ivorian reportedly snubbed a summer move and has now hinted he will fight for a squad place following talks with manager Mikel Arteta.
Pepe, 28, also shared a video on his Instagram story as he sat alone in the Arsenal dressing room.
That appears to lend credibility to claims he has been training on his own
Credit: Instagram @nicolaspepe19 - By Ian Tuckey
Luton keen on Axel
Ex-Manchester United star Axel Tuanzebe has been offered a Premier League lifeline by Luton Town after snubbing the riches of Saudi Arabia.
The 25-year-old defender came through the youth system at Old Trafford but failed to cement himself as a first-team regular.
- By Aidan Radnedge
Lineker backs Mason exit as situation 'untenable'
Gary Lineker has broken his silence on Manchester United's Mason Greenwood decision, welcoming the end to an "untenable" situation.
The Match Of The Day presenter and ex-Three Lions captain spoke out, as it emerged United face losing millions letting Greenwood go.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona star Lineker took to X, formerly called Twitter, to offer his thoughts on the Premier League club's announcement Greenwood would be leaving.
The BBC host shared the club's statement and added: "Inevitable and right decision on an untenable situation."
United today announced they had come to a "collaborative decision" with the 21-year-old forward that he would be moving on. But the club did not say whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or whether he would be put on loan or sold.
The Red Devils now face a scramble to get rid of Greenwood in just ten days or face losing millions.
If United haven't sold or loaned him out by September 1 when football's summer transfer window closes, they could have to pay him millions to cancel his contract which is due to expire in 2025.
They could only go beyond the deadline if Greenwood is picked up by a club in Saudi Arabia because their window closes on September 20.
Recent expensive new recruits to the Saudi league include former United colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as France's Karim Benzema after leaving Real Madrid and PSG's Brazilian forward Neymar.
- By Ian Tuckey
Red Devils back in for Verratti?
Man Utd are reportedly considering a surprise transfer for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.
That’s after Jose Mourinho rejected an Old Trafford move for the midfielder five years ago.
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'eye Utd target Ferguson'
Arsenal want to moved for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson before Manchester United, it's claimed tonight.
Football Transfers claim the Gunners are the "most likely" bidders for the six-cap Republic of Ireland star, 18.
Credit: Alamy It's understood Arsenal believe the 6ft 2ins hot prospect would be ideal back-up while Gabriel Jesus battles back to fitness.
But it's suggested the Gunners might have to wait until next year to stand a serious chance of landing Ferguson.
Arsenal have already pinched Benjamin White and Leandro Trossard from the Seagulls.
- By Ellie Grant
Liverpool 'ahead of Utd in Ryan race'
Manchester United and Liverpool have both made contract offers to Ryan Gravenberch to help force through the Dutchman's exit from Bayern Munich, according to reports.
The offers have been made ahead of the £21million-rated midfielder holding showdown talks with his club, report The Mirror.
It's claimed that Liverpool lead the race – as United need to sell before they can bring anyone else in.
The 21-year-old joined the Bundesliga side from Ajax back in 2022 prior to Erik ten Hag joining Old Trafford.
Had Gravenberch not moved to the Allianz, Ten Hag would likely have tried to sign the youngster during the start of his career at Man Utd.
The Dutchman's move to Germany has not gone to plan as he only made six appearances in his debut season. That's reportedly forced the Netherlands international to consider a move elsewhere – and will be discussed at the upcoming talks.
Part of his desire to leave Bayern Munich is so that he can secure first team football and put himself in the frame for international selection ahead of Euro 2024.
Manchester United boss Ten Hag is desperate to bolster his midfield and is said to be keen to reunite with Gravenberch.
- By Ian Tuckey
Chelsea 'contacted wrong person' over Olise
Chelsea failed to activate Michael Olise's release clause after contacting the wrong person during negotiations, according to reports.
The Blues thought they were closing on a deal for the French winger, 21, when they tried to activate his £35million clause.
However, Chelsea were not aware of certain conditions surrounding the clause – something that proved costly.
According to The Athletic, it stipulated that Olise had to inform Palace owner Steve Parish of the Blues' interest and his desire to activate the clause. Palace would then tell Olise the required amount and he would relay that information to Chelsea.
This would then allow talks between the two clubs to take place. Instead, Chelsea went straight to Palace, bypassing Olise.
As a result, the Eagles did not reply when approached as they recognised the process had not been followed correctly.
Olise then re-considered his options, holding talks with manager Roy Hodgson and Palace chiefs. And he informed the club on Wednesday evening of his decision to sign a new contract until 2027.
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