Transfer news LIVE: Erling Haaland updates, Wilshere denied Como switch, Saul Niguez first Chelsea training session

DROGBA TROLLS GUNNERS OVER WILLIAN

It would have been Mission: Impossible for outgoing wideman Willian to transform Arsenal single-handedly.

But Chelsea legend Didier Drogba could not resist the ultimate dig after the former Blues superstar exited the Emirates for home-country club Corinthians on deadline day.

Drogba tweeted: “Thank you agent Willian, your mission is over” – along with a picture of Arsenal propping up the Prem table.

And his mischief went further as he added two other ex-Chelsea players who made the switch to the Gunners.

But David Luiz and Petr Cech achieved far more at Arsenal than Willian – with the latter now back at Stamford Bridge as an advisor.

WILL MO GO?

Arsenal have received an “official offer” from Besiktas for Mohamed Elneny and want to include him on their UEFA list by the end of today.

The Turkish Super Lig side are in a rush to get a deal done for Elneny, so they can register him for their UEFA Champions League campaign.

That deadline slams shut on September 2, so Besiktas want a deal done as soon as possible. And Besiktas are reported to have made a move for the player they had on loan in 2019/20.

NTV Spor report an “official offer” has been forwarded to Arsenal.

KOP LINKED TO BISSOUMA

Liverpool could be ready to bid for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in January.

The Mirror suggest the Reds want back-up - and Bissouma has been outstandign since joinign the Seagulls from Lille in 2019.

BRUCE AT 'LOWEST EBB' WITH ASHLEY

Newcastle were the only Premier Leaguers who failed to strengthen their squad this summer.

And the Telegraph claim that's left manager Steve Bruce's relationship with club owner Mike Ashley at its "lowest ebb".

But one point from three games is still one more than Wolves, Norwich and bottom side Arsenal.

ANJORIN EXITS CHELSEA ON LOAN

Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin has joined Lokamotiv Moscow.on loan for the season.

The 19-year-old's five senior games for the Blues include starting last term's Champions League tie with Krasnodar.

Anjorin is eligible to play for England as he was born in Poole and for Nigeria due to his Nigerian father.

So far he has appeared the the Three Lions at Under-17, U-18 and U-19 level.

CHRIS OFF ON LOAN

Wolves have handed Portuguese defender Christian Marquez a new two-year deal - and immediately loaned him to home country club Belenenses.

The Molineux academy product, 18, will spend the season in Portugal's top flight.

HOW ED TALKED GLAZERS INTO BUYING RON

Ed Woodward played a crucial role in ensuring the most incredible return in football history happened.

Sir Alex Ferguson is understandably hailed for his role in getting Cristiano Ronaldo back with his late phone call to the player.

But it would not have got near that point without Executive Vice-Chairman Woodward convincing the club’s owners and sponsors in a whirlwind 48 hours that it all made sense.

Forget the transfer fee for Ronaldo that comes to less than £20million.

It was the commitment to a wage of £75million if he completes the full three years of his contract, for a player who would be 39 at the end of it. To a bean-counter that just did not make sense.

But while sponsors and the owning Glazer family may look at the bottom line it was Woodward who convinced them how it would work on and off the pitch.

United fans often ridicule the club for the endless signing up of sponsors – they have 24 – and when executives point to social media figures.

Woodward convinced them this Ronaldo deal would really work for them.

And in the 24 hours after the announcement of Ronaldo’s return on social media was the most liked by a sports team ever with 12.9million likes.

The announcement on Twitter alone was likewise with 862,000 retweets and two million likes. They earned more than 3.7m new followers across the club’s social channels.

ILAIX BLASTS BARCA

Whizkid Ilaix Moriba has slammed Barcelona, claiming they were telling lies in the press prior to his transfer to RB Leipzig.

The Blaugrana chose to sell the 18-year-old on deadline day instead of letting him leave for nothing next year with Leipzig snapping him up for an initial £13million fee.

And he is relieved to have moved on after being targeted with hateful messages from supporters.

He said: “The last few months have been the hardest of my life, we [my family] have received abusive messages but we have been able to get over it to be here today. I don’t deserve these messages.

“They [people at the club] have said many things that are not true and we have had to keep tight-lipped because of the respect that we have for Barcelona. The things that they have said in the press have not been fair.”

WOLVES BURNED

According to The Telegraph, Wolves looked into a deadline day move for Sheffield United striker Oliver McBurnie but ultimately ran out of time.

They were also interested in Kieffer Moore but gave up on the Wales striker after Cardiff demanded more than £7million for the striker.

Cardiff wanted £12million, much more than Wolves were looking to pay, and they then ran out of time to make a deal for McBurnie happen.

Wolves have been linked to McBurnie since Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge, but failed to get close to a deal this summer.

RETURN OF THE KARIM

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas hopes Real Madrid star Karim Benzema could return to the French club one day.

He said: "The future will tell us if, when he (Benzema) ends his career, there is a possibility of strengthening the ties.

"He has had an exceptional career at Real Madrid and in the French team. It is a great source of pride because he is a child of Lyon."

TAKING THE MIKK

Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard is the subject of interest from Juventus - according to Calcio Mercato.

The Bianconeri are keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old, who shone for Denmark at Euro 2020, with a view to launching a bid for his services next summer.

Milan and Inter have also been linked with Damsgaard and he was touted for a potential switch to the Premier League earlier this year.

KESS CHASE

Tottenham are reportedly planning to swoop for AC Milan ace Franck Kessie.

But instead of approaching Milan for the 24-year-old, Spurs will directly offer him a £130,000-a-week pay packet, according to Sports Witness.

The North London side hope the wage offer will lure the midfielder into joining them next summer when his Milan contract ends.

Spurs' offer of £6.8million-a-year is higher than the Serie A side's - which is £6m.

It is understood sporting director Fabio Paratici has already held a meeting with Kessie's agent Ataganga, according to Alessandro Jacobone.

Jacobone adds Ataganga would also receive a significant commission, too.

'DEAL WAS DONE'

Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz came close to a switch to Valencia on deadline day, according to his agent David Aranda.

Diaz’s main legal representative has told COPE: “It was a deal that was all but done on Aug. 31 with Mariano joining Valencia.

"The contracts were agreed the three parties. The player was enthusiastic as he believed it was the best thing for the upcoming season.

“But something strange happened, it didn't go through."

'HE'LL LOVE IT'

Gary Neville believes Daniel James' £25million transfer from Manchester United to Leeds United is a win-win for all concerned.

Neville thinks James will be perfect for Marcelo Bielsa's brand of high energy, counter-attacking football - and that the deal is also very good for Manchester United. 

He said: "It’s really good for Dan James. It’s one of those where this is a win-win. He came to United and always did his very best, he was a massive threat on the counter-attack, but they have a lot of players in those areas.

“It’s really important for young players to go and play, and Leeds have always wanted him. They wanted him the first time around when United got him instead.

“He’ll suit the way they play with such pace on the counter-attack. He’ll love it there, the crowd’s a big crowd, a club that demands a lot.

“It’s a good thing for United to get the money they did, and good for Dan to further his career at a good club."

ON THE MOVE

Roma are ready to offload David Santon to the Turkish Super Lig - according to Calcio Mercato.

The summer transfer window is still open in Turkey, with Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir both eager to bring in the 30-year-old on a free.

Roma are eager to sell Santon, who rejected a move to English Championship outfit Fulham earlier in the year.

'NOT FAIR'

Ilaix Moriba has slammed Barcelona, claiming they were telling lies in the press prior to his transfer to RB Leipzig.

The Blaugrana chose to sell the 18-year-old on deadline day instead of letting him leave for nothing next year with Leipzig snapping him up for an initial £13million fee, and he is relieved to have moved on after being targeted with hateful messages from supporters.

He said: "The last few months have been the hardest of my life, we [my family] have received abusive messages but we have been able to get over it to be here today. I don't deserve these messages.

"They [people at the club] have said many things that are not true and we have had to keep tight-lipped because of the respect that we have for Barcelona. The things that they have said in the press have not been fair."

RICH BID

Richarlison had previously been reported to be PSG’s potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe, if the French striker had completed his shock move to Real Madrid.

According to Goal Brazil, Richarlison would have allegedly been the subject of a £77million bid from the French club, if their star striker had linked up with former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

The report claims that the move for the Everton forward had been approved by manager Mauricio Pochettino.

VALENCIA WANTED MOU

Newcastle United had “strong interest” in Mouctar Diakhaby, but they did not meet Valencia’s £8.6m asking price for the defender, according to reports.

Spanish outlet Super Deporte have reported that Newcastle United were interested in signing Diakhaby before the transfer deadline.

This deal did not happen with Newcastle not placing an offer that “would satisfy” Valencia’s asking price.

A separate report from AS has revealed that Valencia were demanding around £8.6m for the defender.

Elsewhere, the Magpies were interested in signing Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury this summer on loan. This move did not come to fruition, though.

MADRID BOUND

France superstar Kylian Mbappe will become a Real Madrid player, according to Los Blancos forward Karim Benzema.

Speaking after France’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, Benzema told RTL about Real’s interest in his compatriot: “He is a player who will play for Real Madrid one day or another.

"We get along really well and I would like him to be with me today in Madrid."

DIAZ DEAL

Leeds United reportedly cast their eye over Porto winger Luis Diaz before setting their sights on Dan James.

The Whites left it late in the day for a second time in their pursuit of Wales winger Dan James, but were successful in their attempts to bring him in from Manchester United.

According to a report from Record, Leeds had taken a look at Porto winger and Colombia international Luis Diaz.

The 24-year-old has already hit two goals and one assist in four league games this season, but the reported interest fell flat swiftly with Porto demanding £68million for him.

Valued at £22.5million, Diaz looks to be one of the Portuguese side’s most valuable commodities currently.

TROY'S HOME

New Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney has admitted to BBC Sport that he is looking to get the club back to the level that they were at before after completing his move to St Andrew’s.

Speaking recently after signing for the club, Deeney was quick to emphasise exactly what his aims are for the future moving forwards at Birmingham:

"My aim is to get Birmingham City back to what it was.

“To get people in this city back to see us performing again, if we can make St Andrew’s the fortress it can be.

“We’ve all been here when it’s rocking. Those are the games you want to perform at."

MISSED TRANSFER

Liverpool weighed up moves for Marcel Sabitzer and James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to a report.

The Reds only made one signing in the transfer window, bringing in centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, but they were linked with several other players.

Jarrod Bowen, Ismaila Sarr and Harvey Barnes were all rumoured to be on Jurgen Klopp's radar, yet deals never materialised for any of the trio.

According to Goal, Liverpool also explored the possibility of bringing in either Sabitzer or Ward-Prowse as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who joined Paris Saint-Germain.

Sabitzer ended up making a late switch to Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig, while Ward-Prowse signed a new five-year deal at Southampton after the Saints rejected a bid from Aston Villa for their captain.

TOFFEES OPEN TO MOVE

James Rodriguez remains an Everton player and Rafa Benitez has no intention of freezing him out, report the Liverpool Echo.

But after a move on deadline day failed to materialise, the club will explore all remaining options open to them in the hope of finding a taker for their most gifted, and best paid, player.

The transfer window is still open in Russia and Turkey, until next week, and Portugal, until September 22, but there are still significant doubts over any club's ability to match what Rodriguez earns at Goodison.

Everton felt they had made enough concessions in order to help smooth a move to a new club this summer, where the 30-year-old was likely to be on reduced wages.

FO-DEAL

Agreeing a new contract with Phil Foden has become a top priority for Premier League champions Manchester City.

The England international is already tied to terms through to 2024, but the Manchester Evening News reports that an improved offer will be put to the talented 21-year-old.

After that, decisions will have to be taken on Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus with both of their deals also up in 2023.

DONE DEAL

Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin has joined Lokomotiv Moscow on a season-long loan deal.

The highly-rated attacking midfielder scored four goals and produced four assists in ten Premier league Two matches last season.

But it appears he is now ready for senior football and a year playing in Russia should be quit the learning experience for the 19-year-old.