ERLING HAALAND has REFUSED to commit his future to Borussia Dortmund, with Chelsea reportedly waiting in the wings with a blockbuster £150m deal.
But one man the Blues have made a bid for is Federico Chiesa, according to reports from Germany.
Lionel Messi is on holiday after winning the Copa America with Argentina but has reportedly agreed a five-year new deal with Barcelona.
And Gianluigi Donnarumma has followed the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva in joining PSG from AC Milan.
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- Jake Lambourne
WHAM TAM
Chelsea are reportedly snubbing all advances for Tammy Abraham because they want to use him to help sign Erling Haaland.
Norwegian Haaland is wanted by Blues and is their No1 summer transfer target ahead of Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku.
Borussia Dortmund have already agreed to sell Jadon Sancho to Manchester United.
And they are determined to hold on to the 20-year-old striker until at least next summer.
However, the Daily Mirror claims Chelsea hope the inclusion of England international Abraham could be key in their pursuit.
The Chelsea ace is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs after falling out of favour with Thomas Tuchel.
West Ham and Aston Villa are attempting to sign him on loan or permanently.
- Jake Lambourne
GREAL CHANCE
Jack Grealish has treated Aston Villa fans to a cheeky strip tease.
Pessimistic Villa fans feared they would never see Grealish in their club's colours again when he headed off for England duty, amid rumours Pep Guardiola was preparing to launch a £100million bid after the Euros.
However Grealish surprised and delighted his Villa fanbase when he was pictured wearing the club's new 2021-22 Kappa kit when it was launched.
The club's poster-boy was shown in snaps with his feet up at Villa Park modelling the new look, while declaring his love for his hometown club in a promotional video.
"Everyone knows what claret and blue means to me," commented the England midfielder.
"I've been a Villa boy all my life, and I love playing for this club."
Jack Grealish pictured wearing the Aston Villa's new 2021-22 Kappa kit - Jake Lambourne
MAG-ICAL BOSS
Harry Maguire has revealed his relief that Gareth Southgate will lead England into the World Cup next year.
The Three Lions manager is contracted until after the 2022 tournament in Qatar and the FA wants to extend the deal.
The Manchester United captain said: “It is good that everything is settled. You don’t want anything hanging over the team.
“He has done an amazing job from when he first took over. We spoke about how we wanted to be recognised as the best team. So to reach the final of Euro 2020 is a great achievement but we now have to take the next step and be convincing in these big games and these big moments.
“I think Gareth has done an amazing job and deserves the credit and deserves another opportunity.”
Southgate has been manager since 2016 but said: “I did not want to outstay my welcome” in terms of agreeing a longer contract.
- Gary Stonehouse
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Chelsea could be ready to agree to Borussia Dortmund's £150million asking price for Erling Haaland – while Manchester United are unhappy with Real Madrid's £60m valuation of Raphael Varane.
That's the pick of the transfer speculation, with updates too on Jadon Sancho and Ben White.
Chelsea are now strong favourites for Norway striker Haaland, despite earlier links to Premier League champions City and neighbours United.
And it's thought Blues' owner Roman Abramovich is finally willing to pay something like the huge fee Dortmund want for the 20-year-old, with player-exchanges previously pondered.
Meanwhile, it's claimed France centre-back Varane is very happy with the possible terms on offer from United.
But the main stumbling block is said to be Old Trafford chiefs only wanting to pay out around £40m for a player Real value at £60m.
Better news for United fans is that England attacker Sancho is tipped to complete his £73million move from Dortmund.
And Brighton’s £50m-rated centre-back White could complete his move to Arsenal this month.
The England squad member, 23, is on holiday after Euro 2020.
- Ian Tuckey
HARRY WILL INSPIRE A GENERATION
Terry Butcher is loving the idea that kids will now be itching to become defenders.
After England conceded just two goals at the Euros, the Three Lions legend reckons the days of children lining up to play striker could be over.
Instead, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and the rest of the 2021 crop have put defending back in vogue.
Former centre-back Butcher said: “I was talking to someone and they were saying youngsters will now want to be a Maguire, a Shaw, a John Stones, a Kyle Walker or a Kieran Trippier.
“I just think, ‘Wow’, that’s really positive compared to everyone wanting to be a striker — a Harry Kane.
“We’ve moved on a long way from when nobody wanted to be a defender.
“As a kid, others were already strikers so you had to go and play centre-back.
“People didn’t want to do that, but not now — it’s all changed and that gives me a lot of pride.”
- Ian Tuckey
JACKASS
A yob filmed putting a lit flare in his bum strolled into Wembley without a ticket following a 15-hour drink and drugs bender.
Charlie Perry, 25, last night boasted of dodging shambolic security at England’s Euros final after downing 20 cans of cider.
Some 2,500 gatecrashers caused mayhem but he said: “I’m not sorry.”
One of the shameful army of Wembley gatecrashers last night told how getting in without a ticket for the historic Euro 2020 final was “p*** easy”.
Brazen Charlie Perry, 25, was filmed putting a lit flare in his bum after boozing since 8.30am — nearly 12 hours before the England-Italy game.
He estimates he downed 20 cans of Strongbow and “banged a load” of “powder” throughout Sunday — but was allowed to stroll in without a ticket for the showpiece final.
Scenes of Wembley being stormed by drunken gatecrashers who then refused to budge from the seats of paying fans may wreck England’s hopes of hosting a World Cup.
But Chelsea fan Perry, who boasted of bribing a steward to get in, insisted he “regrets nothing” and is already looking forward to the next tournament in Qatar in 2022.
He gloated last night: “I’d been on the p*** since half eight in the morning and had had at least 20 cans of Strongbow. It was the biggest day of my life. There were no rules that day. All I know is that I loved it all. I was off my face and I loved every minute.”
- Ian Tuckey
GRIFFITHS CLEARED
Leigh Griffiths has been cleared by cops over claims he sent inappropriate messages to two schoolgirls.
The Celtic striker was sent home from the team's training camp last week as police and the club launched separate probes.
And it has now been revealed that officers have ended their probe into the star – ruling there was no criminality.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "In relation to recent reporting regarding alleged inappropriate communications online, a full assessment has been carried out and it’s been established there is no criminality."
It comes after cops have interviewed a 15-year-old who allegedly received inappropriate messages from the footie ace.
Officers are understood to have visited the teenager and her family at home after pictures of Instagram chats were made public last week.
Screenshots of messages which circulated on social media appear to show the Hoops forward called the girl “ya cutie” – but it’s not known if he was aware of her age.
The girl later wrote on Instagram: “I’m sure a lot of you have seen what’s going on, Leigh Griffiths didn’t ask my age, therefore he wasn’t capable of knowing.
“In no way does this make it right, but anyway Hail Hail."
- Ian Tuckey
TICKET-GATE FURY
AN England fan was left fuming after paying £1,000 for a Euro 2020 final ticket… only to be denied entry to Wembley.
Footy lover Thomas Watson, 25, forked out a grand to watch Sunday’s showpiece event between the Three Lions and Italy live.
Despite turning up late to kick-off, he had his £1,040 ticket – which cost double the general price – given the green light at check-in.
However, Thomas was not allowed inside the Wembley stands after gates were shut due to ticketless thugs storming the stadium.
Thomas’ father, who had his own ticket, managed to find a way in at half-time.
But his son wasn’t as fortunate after they split up in search of separate routes.
It meant the sales assistant from Luton missed almost the entire match.
Thomas did manage to get inside to see Italy’s winning penalty and England’s heartbreaking defeat after exit doors were opened.
But he admits he was left devastated by the brutal barring and his expensive 30 seconds of action.
- Ian Tuckey
PSG’S RUMM DEAL
PSG have confirmed the signing of Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, on a free transfer from AC Milan.
The Euro 2020 player of the tournament has penned a five-year contract with the French giants, who were deposed as Ligue 1 champs by Lille.
The deal ends Donnarumma’s six years as Milan’s No1 stopper.
The 22-year-old was just 16 when he made his San Siro debut.
Donnarumma went on to play 251 times for Milan, winning the 2016 Italian Super Cup.
But he will now line up alongside superstars including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after opting to play for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Donnarumma said: “I am delighted to be part of this huge club.
“I feel ready to take on this new challenge and continue to grow here.
“With Paris, I want to win as much as possible and to bring joy to the supporters.”
- Ian Tuckey
WHITE ON COURSE
Brighton’s £50million-rated centre-back Ben White could complete his move to Arsenal this month.
The England squad member, 23, is on holiday after Euro 2020.
And although the Gunners hope to land the two-cap star for around £40m, it’s thought an agreement could soon be finalised.
Credit: PA - Ian Tuckey
SANCHO ‘DEAL CONFIRMATION WITHIN DAYS’
Jadon Sancho’s £73million arrival from Borussia Dortmund should be confirmed by Manchester United within days, reports suggest.
The England wideman has already agreed personal terms and completed a medical on Tuesday
It’s thought he will formally complete his move by early next week at the latest as he recovers from the disappointment of missing a shootout penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy.
Credit: AP - Ian Tuckey
NEVES IN FOR XHAKA?
Ruben Neves is rumoured to be in the running to replace Granit Xhaka in Arsenal’s midfield.
And the CIES Football Observatory reckon the Wolves midfielder’s true value could be around £25million to £34million.
The Wolves midfielder, 24, is reported to have been offered a five-year deal to move to the Emirates.
Football London says the club are looking to seal a deal before the end of the summer transfer window.
- Ian Tuckey
BEES TUNE IN FOR CHALO
Brentford are targeting a loan swoop for Chelsea prodigy Trevoh Chalobah.
The versatile 22-year-old can play in either midfield or defence and is attracting interest from several clubs.
West Brom have been chasing the starlet and wanted him to help lead their promotion charge from the Championship.
Now the Express & Star claims they face stiff competition from the Premier League for his signature.
Brentford are reportedly keen on signing Chalobah.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD ‘WAY OFF REAL’S VARANE VALUATION’
Raphael Varane is ‘very happy’ with terms Manchester United are offering but Real Madrid want £20million MORE for their France defender.
That’s the claim from talkSPORT as Real eye £60m for the 28-year-old, compared to the £40m United have so far reportedly been willing to pay.
Varane is in the final year of his deal, so could be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a non-Spanish team.
United were also linked with Real legend Sergio Ramos, 35, who instead joined PSG.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD ‘WAY OFF REAL’S VARANE VALUATION’
Raphael Varane is ‘very happy’ with terms Manchester United are offering but Real Madrid want £20million MORE for their France defender.
That’s the claim from talkSPORT as Real eye £60m for the 28-year-old, compared to the £40m United have so far reportedly been willing to pay.
Varane is in the final year of his deal, so could be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a non-Spanish team.
United were also linked with Real legend Sergio Ramos, 35, who instead joined PSG.
- Ian Tuckey
TIER BACK IN GEAR
Scotland’s Euro 2020 main man Kieran Tierney is back in training with Arsenal – ready for a new personal challenge.
The Gunners signed £8milion Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares, 21, last week.
And although boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have hailed Tavares’ development over the past year, he faces a huge battle to unseat Tierney.
- Ian Tuckey
VIRGIL VAN BIKE
Comeback star Virgil Van Dijk and striker Mo Salah hope to hit top gear at the right time midway through Liverpool's first week back in training.
Van Dijk's fellow defender Joe Gomez is also back after they missed most of last season with knee injuries.
- Ian Tuckey
RAMS HOPE FOR WON DIRECTION
Wayne Rooney hopes to point struggling Derby County in the right direction – after inviting former One Direction popstar Niall Horan along to boost morale.
The Rams only won one of their last 15 games of the season, narrowly escaping relegation on the final day of last season thanks to a 3-3 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Two failed takeover bids and the threat of an EFL points deduction for a potential breach of Financial Fair Play rules have left Derby's fans and players sweating over an uncertain future.
Now Rooney has tried to banish the blues by allowing massive Rams fan Horan into the club's pre-season training sessions to lighten the mood.
Horan, who is about to release a new solo album, told the Rams website: “I was texting Wayne and he said come down and have a watch
“The players had an 11 v 11 game and after seeing that, you see what Wayne is trying to do shape-wise.
“I’ve been a Derby fan since I can remember so to have the opportunity to come down and watch the stuff behind the scenes is amazing.
“Watching him in a meeting and coaching, you can’t help thinking ‘that is Wayne Rooney out there, Manchester United and England’s greatest scorer, and he’s the manager of our football club’."
- Ian Tuckey
SAMBI-LINE FOR EMIRATES
Anderlecht’s Belgium midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is tipped to complete his Arsenal move next move.
The 21-year-old will reportedly sing a contract after exiting isolation in a week’s time.
He could then join Gunners’ team-mate for the Florida Cup.
Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
RASHFORD BACKING STILL SURGING
Manchester United and the city’s fans are re leading the groundswell of support for Marcus Rashford.
The United and England striker faces racist abuse online after England’s Euro 2020 final shootout defeat against Italy, as did fellow penalty-missers Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
The Old Trafford media team have stayed on top of all the online messages swarming in with encouragement for the child poverty campaigner, who has also fought against injustice such as racism.
- Ian Tuckey
PREM FANS MAY NEED COVID PASSPORTS
Premier League bosses are exploring the possibility of requiring fans to bring Covid passports to stadiums next season, according to reports.
The concept has been subject to considerable back and forth in recent months, having been initially favoured by the Government before being put on the back burner.
Yet the continuing rise in cases, particularly of the Delta variant of coronavirus, has forced a rethink.
According to iNews, the Premier League are in the early stages of working with the Government on a Covid certificate system.
The document would be connected to the NHS app already downloaded by millions for track and trace and to lodge test results.
The Government is said to prefer keeping passports inside the NHS framework with the Prem also considering its own certifcation app.
Alternatively, fans could be asked to show their Covid status as they enter stadiums. Attendees at Wembley's Euro 2020 matches were required to show proof of a negative test for the virus within 48 hours of the game.
Prem officials are said to be prioritising plans to ensure the 2021-22 season is completed, when it kicks off in August.
- Ian Tuckey
ALL HAMMERS' HANDS ON DEC
West Ham will use some of the wages freed up by Felipe Anderson's Lazio transfer to try and tie Declan Rice down to a bumper new deal.
The Brazilian is set rejoin the Italians for £5million – just three years after moving the other way for £42m – and the East Londoners will look to use the extra available cash to reward Rice with a lucrative new contract.
Winger Anderson, 28, joined the Irons in July 2018 on a four-year deal – under the stewardship of then-manager Manuel Pellegrini and ex-director of football Mario Husillos.
The transfer fee was a club record at the time and has been fully paid up.
But after an impressive first campaign – in which he bagged ten goals and five assists from 40 games in all competitions – Anderson's form fell off a cliff.
He has scored just twice and provided eight assists in 33 matches since and was farmed out to FC Porto on loan last summer – for which the Hammers received a small fee.
But Anderson only managed 389 minutes of game time for the Portuguese giants across 10 games, which has seen his value plummet.
- Ian Tuckey
SPURS CLOSE ON TOMISAYU
Tottenham are pushing ahead with plans to sign £15million-rated defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, according to reports.
New Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo is eager to bolster the backline with fresh faces this summer.
Japan international Tomiyasu has been on the transfer shortlist since the arrival of Spurs' managing director Fabio Paratici.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive season at Italian side Bologna and has been a mainstay in the team since joining in 2019.
Spurs fans will also get to see him in action during the Olympics as he looks set to represent his country.
According to The Athletic, Tottenham are finalising the transfer with the deal expected to go through.
Manchester United were also looking at the player but are preparing to play the waiting game with Raphael Varane.
Tomiyasu can also play as a full-back or in a back three, giving Santo more options in defence.
Spurs initially looked at Jules Kounde from Sevilla but the player wants a move to a Champions League club.
- Ian Tuckey
REFS' CHIEF: STERLING PENALTY DECISION RIGHT
EURO refs’ chief Roberto Rosetti has confirmed the Euro 2020 semi-final penalty winner earned by Raheem Sterling WAS a spot-kick.
But Rosetti also backed final ref Bjorn Kuipers’ decision to only book Italy midfielder Jorginho for his horror tackle on Jack Grealish.
And he suggested Premier League bosses should look to apply the same “light touch” approach to reffing next term.
Rosetti, who revealed there was a record low average of less than 22 fouls per match in the tournament and that all 18 VAR overturned decisions were “100 per cent correct”, said he was expecting questions about the spot-kick Sterling won against Denmark.
He said: “The video shows that what Danny Makelie, the referee saw, was what happened.
“There was a clear action by the defender, Simon Kjaer, a clear movement of his right leg, then knee against knee.
“The defender didn’t play the ball and Danny saw the clear contact.
“We can all discuss the intensity of the contact but this is what the referee saw and the VAR confirmed that.”
- Ian Tuckey
MESSI BETTER BY HALF
Lionel Messi looks set to stay at Barcelona after reportedly agreeing to slash his current wage in half – but he'll still get by.
The Catalan giants have convinced the Argentine to stay at the Nou Camp after offering him a reduced salary of a measly £1.2million a week.
Even with his cut in salary, the 34-year-old still comfortably remains the best-paid player in the world.
Barcelona had little choice but to cut his salary as they top a whopping £1billion worth of debt.
And comparisons to the rest of the stars across Europe show just how much Barca value their key man.
Behind Messi is his fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo who takes home £900,000-a-week with the Old Lady.
The Portugal superstar has a year left on his deal in Turin but has been linked with a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.
It may come as no surprise to see Ronaldo's potential future team-mate Neymar in third.
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