Cristiano Ronaldo ‘offered £230,000-a-week by Man City, Harry Kane wants £400k-a-week, Kounde Chelsea transfer update

KANE BARRIER TOO BIG FOR CITY

Tottenham are reportedly confident of keeping Harry Kane as they believe a potential move to Manchester City is ‘virtually impossible’.

The Mail claims Daniel Levy believes he will win the tug-of-war for Spurs’ star striker following a £100million bid from the champions.

It’s thought Pep Guardiola’s side offered an initial £75m for England captain Kane.

And that fee would rise to £100m with add-ons and bonuses.

However, that offer was snubbed outright for Spurs, who have always maintained it will take at least £150m for them to sanction Kane’s exit.

City, who have already shattered the £100m mark by landing Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, remain eager to wrap up a deal for Kane before deadline day.

However, with just over a week remaining, Tottenham believe they are in the driving seat over Kane’s future.

And one man who believes the forward needs to get used to the idea of staying is Peter Crouch, who had a similar tough encounter with Levy when being forced out of Spurs in 2011.

‘POGBA FOR REAL NEXT SEASON’

Real Madrid sold Martin Odegaard to Arsenal to lay the track to land long-term target Paul Pogba on a free next summer.

Pogba’s deal with Manchester United is due to end in 11 months and Spanish newspaper ABC are reporting that will be the best time for the France star to finally realise his “dream” of playing for Los Blancos.

The report says the wheels for Pogba’s trip to Madrid have also been oiled by the Gunners completing the £30million signing of Odegaard, 22, this summer.

The Norway midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan from Real Madrid but has now signed on a permanent basis.

In addition to easing pressure on Real’s wage bill, ABC say the Odegaard switch has helped clear the way for Pogba, 28, to become the natural successor to Croatia captain Luka Modric, 35, in Madrid’s midfield.

ABC say Real have not been prepared to pay the sky-high transfer fee United would have slapped on Pogba in the middle of his contract.

But if he becomes a free agent next summer that will be the “definitive opportunity” to finally land their man.

The report adds the Spanish giants will adopt a similar approach to swoop for Pogba’s fellow French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, 22, who is in the final year of his deal at PSG and has just seen the Ligue 1 champions bring in Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

BRANDON EYES INSTANT DEBUT

Norwich’s new Manchester United loanee Brandon Williams could line up for the Canaries in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup clash with Bournemouth.

Norwich boss Daniel Farke revealed the 20-year-old full-back should be “available for tomorrow” after training today.

Farke will then make a “late decision” on whether to field the former England Under-21 star, who’s been chased by several other clubs for a loan move over the past 12 months.

KOUNDE ME IN

Chelsea have reportedly agreed personal terms with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde on a deal until 2026.

It was claimed on Sunday how the Blues were preparing a bid for the 22-year-old who boasts a £68million release clause in his contract.

German gaffer Thomas Tuchel has made bringing in a defender a priority this summer, but knows he must offload a centre-half in order to sign one.

And it is understood that Kurt Zouma could be heading out of Stamford Bridge to join West Ham after they met his £26million asking price.

Commenting on the potential deals, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea just need to now agree a fee with Sevilla over Kounde.

He tweeted: "Jules Kounde has an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea until June 2026 since weeks.

"He’s ready to join if the two clubs reach an agreement but he’ll be respectful with Sevilla, not forcing his move.

"Zouma to West Ham, key to proceed. Talks ongoing on personal terms."

CORINTHIANS ‘BID FOR WILLIAN’

Willian’s first club Corinthians have been linked with an “official bid” for the 33-year-old Arsenal wideman.

The former Brazil star left the home country club in 2007 but has struggled after leaving Chelsea for the Emirates 12 months ago.

And journalist Fabrizio Romano says William is “keen” to move on, but would prefer to stay in Europe.

‘UTD MUST JOIN KANE FIGHT’

Gary Neville believes little short of signing Harry Kane will make Manchester United serious contenders to dethrone neighbours City in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s Prem kings are overwhelming favourites to land England skipper Kane, despite an anticipated second bid of £120million for the striker still falling well below Tottenham’s £150m-plus valuation.

But Old Trafford legend Neville doubts United’s huge summer buys Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane will be enough for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to upgrade from finishing runners-up last term.

Ex-England defender Nev told Sky Sports: “My gut feeling is no.

“They won’t have the same impact on Manchester United as [Virgil] van Dijk and Allison [did at Liverpool] to get them up to 95 points that you need to win the league. I think they’ll still be short.”

SHAQ FOR LYON

Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has completed his £9.5million switch to Lyon.

The Switzerland playmaker, 29, has struggled for regular football since exiting Stoke for Anfield in 2018.

ANDONE DEAL

Brighton's Romania striker Florin Andone has joined La Liga side Cadiz on loan.

The ex-Deportivo La Coruna stsar, 28, missed last season after injuring his knee on loan to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

SAINTS TRUST LYA

Southampton are looking to tie up the signing of Brazilian defender Lyanco in the next 24 hours.

The versatile centre-back, 24, is undergoing his medical today after a £6.4million fee was agreed with Torino.

Lyanco is seen as a replacement for Jannik Vestergaard, who joined Leicester earlier this month for £15m.

Meanwhile, Che Adams is relishing the chance to fill Danny Ings’ boots this season.

Talisman Ings left Saints for Aston Villa in a deal that could be worth up to £30m earlier this summer.

Adam Armstrong was recruited from Blackburn as his replacement for £15m and both he and Adams have linked up well in Southampton’s opening two games this season.

Asked how he is handling the responsibility to stepping up now Ings has gone, Adams replied: “I buzz off it. 

"I am a striker that has been here for a couple of years now."

FOUR’S TO BE RECKONED WITH

They’re four of the biggest names in football – but who is the best striker in the world right now?

Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Romelu Lukaku have all been in red hot form since the turn of the year and here’s a look at the numbers they average per 90 minutes.

The 28-year-old joined Chelsea for the second time in a £97.5million deal from Inter earlier this month.

And in doing so he became the second most expensive Premier league player of all time behind £100million man Jack Grealish.

The Belgian forward fired Inter Milan to their first Serie A title since 2011 last season, and also won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2012 in his brief first spell at Stamford Bridge.

He also won a Belgian title with Anderlecht in 2009.

In terms of goals Lukaku averages less per game than Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland, but he does create more chance than both of the Bundesliga strikers and Harry Kane.

LOSS LEADERS

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea’s staggering losses for the 2019/20 Premier League season have been revealed.

Finances in England’s top flight took a huge hit when the coronavirus pandemic brought football to a standstill last year.

There were no games in over three months as clubs scrambled to reshuffle their finances.

And fans are only just getting used to returning to stadiums in numbers once again.

As a result, there were massive drops in revenue for every Premier League club in the 19/20 campaign – bar the three teams promoted from the Championship.

Excluding Aston Villa, Norwich and Sheffield United, who all benefitted from new lucrative TV deals, the other 17 teams saw a combined loss of £618MILLION due to Covid-19.

According to Swiss Ramble, United had the biggest loss in the top flight, numbering £118m. Next in line were Tottenham with a deficit of £69m.

Man City (-£57m), Arsenal (-£52m) and West Ham (-£51m) were also hit hard.

Liverpool and Chelsea fared only slightly better, with respective losses of £43m and £40m.

But Everton managed to drop just £2m.

GUNNERS HAVE ‘LOST THEIR DNA’

Former France and Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna claims the Gunners have “lost their DNA” after spending £150million this summer only on players for the FUTURE.

BRAND NEW LOAN

Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams has joined Premier League new boys Norwich on loan for the season.

SunSport exclusively revealed in May the Canaries were keen on the England Under-21 star.

Old Trafford chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been reluctant to let the 20-year-old leave even temporarily over the past year.

But now he is letting Williams depart for regular top-flight game-time.

Williams said: “It’s a massive club and I like the way they play.

“I’ve watched them over the years and seen how they play.

“The club like to play out from the back and play football. That really inspired me to come here, and I think that the head coach can really improve me as a player.

“Everyone has been so welcoming. I’ve really enjoyed my time here already and I can’t wait to meet everybody. I’ve just got a feeling it’ll be a good year.”

NO MADD BID

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says Arsenal never made an enquiry or his bid for his England playmaker James Maddison this summer.

It was suggested only last week that the Gunners had ‘pulled the plug’ on a deal for Maddison after having their latest offer knocked back.

Arsenal apparently grew tired of having ‘multiple bids for the playmaker’ rejected and decided to wrap up a move for Martin Odegaard instead.

Rodgers said: “There have been things this year around James, it was all paper talk, gossip, because there was never an enquiry, never a bid.”

ALLEGRI: I DROPPED RONALDO

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri insists he DROPPED Cristiano Ronaldo for yesterday's 2-2 Serie A draw with Udinese - amid suggestions the legend asked to be left out following transfer talk.

Allegri told DAZN: "Ronaldo is feeling well. I had talked to him before the game, telling him he would start on the bench.

"He made himself available, he did well when he entered the pitch, he also scored a goal, but it was disallowed."

Ronaldo was introduced by Allegri on the hour - and in the 95th minute he ripped his shirt off to celebrate after heading what he thought was a winner.

But VAR ruled out the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar's goal for offside.

Ronaldo, 36, has just one year remaining on his £25million-a-year contract and in recent weeks has been linked with a move.

WHO UTD, CITY AND CHELSEA COULD MEET

ENGLISH clubs will find out their Champions League Group Stage opponents when the draw is made in Istanbul on Thursday.

Chelsea will be eager to see who they’ll begin their defence against, while Manchester United, City and Liverpool are set to be in the mix once again.

The four Premier League clubs are bound to be among the favourites.

But there will be tough tests along the way.

Chelsea find themselves in Pot 1 as reigning champions, alongside Prem winners Manchester City.

While Man United and Liverpool will be drawn from Pot 2.

The Blues and Man City may feel like they have an advantage, but Pots 1 and 2 are both full to the brim with dangerous opposition.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, as well as Pep Guardiola’s, could even draw the German’s former side Paris Saint-Germain from Pot 2.

GUNNERS WILL ‘LISTEN TO OFFERS FOR 10 PLAYERS’

Arsenal are reportedly now open to offers for TEN PLAYERS this month, including captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Gunners’ skipper Aubameyang only signed a new contract with the North London outfit in September 2020.

But according to The Telegraph, the Gabon international – who tested positive for coronavirus before the opening game of the season and has not featured so far as a result – is now considered to be one of TEN players Arsenal are interested in receiving bids for.

The rest of the potential departures are Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, Willian, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette.

However, unlike some of the fringe players looking to be sold over the next week or so, Aubameyang’s extortionate wages could prevent him from securing a move.

The 32-year-old earns around £250,000 a week, so there are only a select number of clubs who would be able to take him on.

It was reported last week that Barcelona were eyeing a swap deal for Aubameyang, with ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho heading the other way.

Arsenal are hoping to recoup some of the money they have invested this summer, with Arteta’s side currently top of the Premier League’s spending charts.

SPURS 'MUST PAY £40m to GET NONI BACK'

PSV Eindhoven have told Tottenham it will cost them £40million to re-sign Noni Madueke – two years after the England Under-21 international left them for nothing.

Madueke, 19, is wanted back at his former club after a lethal start to the season, according to the Mirror.

The attacking midfielder scored twice in a 4-0 romp against Ajax in the Johan Cruyff Shield in Amsterdam and has been on target three more times in six Eredivisie and Champions League games.

Ten clubs have made contact with PSV about Madueke’s availability – including Spurs, Leicester and Wolves.

And they have all been told that the bidding will have to start at £40million.

CRISTIANO ONLY RON THE BENCH

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Juventus was again thrust into doubt as he was left on the bench for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Udinese.

Speculation has continued to surround Ronaldo this summer and he has been linked with old club Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG.

Reports suggest that Ronaldo had requested to be benched for the game and he has apparently now asked his club to sanction a move away from Turin.

The news will have clubs licking their lips at the prospect of landing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has less than a year remaining on his current contract.

GRANIT DEAL SET IN STONE

Midfielder Granit Xhaka confirmed he’s signed a new Arsenal contract, reassuring fans he will ‘give everything’ he can to get the club back on the right track after two Prem straight defeats.

Xhaka had looked destined to join Serie A giants Roma earlier this summer but Jose Mourinho’s side were priced out of a move and the 28-year-old midfielder has decided to commit his future to the Gunners, signing a new long-term deal.

He told Arsenal’s media team: “‘I’m very happy I’m still here.

“I’ve signed a new contract of course and I want to give back, first of all to our staff, and then after to our fans, and they know I will give everything – in every game and every training session.

“So yeah, I think we have to show that as a team soon.”

'DONE DEAL'

Xherdan Shaqiri is set to end a frustrating period at Anfield by joining Lyon on a permanent basis.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano told Sky Sports: "Yes, it's a done deal. They have an agreement in principle with Olympic Lyon for Xherdan Shaqiri.

"He had an agreement on personal terms for two weeks with Lyon on a three-year contract. So Shaqiri wanted to leave, wanting to try something new. And that's why now he's joining Lyon.

"Liverpool will receive around £10million - everything has been completed in the last 24 hours. The player is now going to France to sign his contract to complete the medical."

FIVE STAR

Tottenham could be set for a late splurge before the summer transfer deadline with the club reportedly on the hunt for five new players.

Adama Traore is rumoured to be among the names on Nuno Espirito Santos' target list with the former Wolves gaffer pondering a £40million swoop.

Meanwhile, Spurs, who play Watford next, are rumoured to be mulling over a swap deal to bring Weston McKennie to North London.

It is thought the North London side are interested in offering Tanguy Ndombele to Juve in exchange for the American.

Spurs are also thought to have their eye on PSV playmaker Noni Madueke, as well as Lyon star Houssem Aouar.

And reports in France claim Tottenham are in the running to buy Metz midfielder, Pape Matar Sarr.

LUUK'S OUT

Cash-strapped Barcelona could sign former Newcastle man Luuk de Jong.

The 30-year-old is poised to leave Sevilla before the end of the transfer window, with reports suggesting a number of clubs are chasing his signature.

Spanish outlet Sport claim the striker has 'been offered' to the Catalan club, with West Ham and PSV also keen on a deal.

And he is now set to leave the club following the arrival of striker Rafa Mir from Wolves earlier this summer.

Barcelona are reportedly interested in a deal despite their dire financial situation, with current frontman Martin Braithwaite linked with a move away from Camp Nou.

RON HIS WAY?

Cristiano Ronaldo could still end up at Tottenham this summer, according to Tutti Convocati.

Juventus boss Max Allegri is reportedly keen to sell the striker, and CR7's omission from the starting line-up against Udinese could hint he is on his way out.

Ronaldo is also said to be keen on a move, having been linked with PSG and both Manchester clubs.

LET'S GO LEO

Celtic centre-back Leo Hjelde is on the verge of a move to the Premier League.

He's set to join Leeds United before the transfer window closes at the end of the month according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

At just 17 years old the Norwegian defender is one for the future for Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa.

The defender has never played a competitive game for Celtic but spent the second half of last season on loan at Ross County.

And former Staggies boss John Hughes labelled him "the next Virgil van Dijk" during his loan spell at the club.

He's set to join up with Leeds United's under-23's squad after the clubs agreed a fee for the youngster.