Mbappe to sign for Real Madrid for FREE, Chelsea continue defender search, Haaland UPDATES – latest transfer news

RED VERSUS BLUE

With Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku, Robert Lewandowski staying at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid targeting Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona in financial disarray, there are only two clubs left in the running for Erling Haaland.

But the two Manchester clubs will have to deal with Haaland's agent and fierce negotiator Mino Raiola, who will demand colossal wages for his client, who has scored 63 goals in 64 competitive games for Dortmund.

Man City's pursuit of Harry Kane ended in disappointment after they failed to match Tottenham's asking price of around £150m, meaning that they'll be in prime position to challenge Man Utd for Haaland next summer.

The Norweigan will reportedly be available for just £64m, with a release clause getting activated in his contract with Dortmund at the end of the current season.

But this does not mean the player will come cheap, with the player's wages set to be the major stumbling block in their attempts to secure his services.

BETTER CALL SAUL

Chelsea's new boy Saul could make his debut at Stamford Bridge this Saturday as the Blues take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The loan man from Atletico Madrid will wear the number 17 shirt, which has previously been worn by Eden Hazard, Pedro, Davide Zappacosta and Mateo Kovacic, among others.

The 26-year-old made 340 competitive appearances for the LaLiga champions having come through their academy, before making the switch to west London.

GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS

Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana has rejected a new contract offer from Ajax and will leave for free next summer, reports say.

And reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are in advanced talks over a potential four-year deal.

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free.

The keeper - who has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs including Arsenal - has rejected a contract extension.

And cash-strapped Inter have decided to make the first move for the goalkeeper, offering the Cameroonian international a four-year contract.

Wolves are set to offer Adama Traore a £25million golden carrot to sign a new four-year-deal worth a hefty £120,000 a week.

After more than a year of contract wrangling, the long-standing deal Wolves offered Traore last October remains unsigned as the Spaniard stubbornly refuses to commit his long-term future to the club.

Now, after rejecting two deadline-day bids from Tottenham - including a £30 million bid to re-unite Traore with his former boss Nuno EspIrito Santo - Wolves are set to dramatically raise the stakes.

Barcelona are set to meet with RB Leipzig over the possible return of Dani Olmo to the Nou Camp.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants want the 23-year-old to return, seven years after his departure for Dinamo Zagreb.

Barca are happy to wait until next summer to recapture their man.

Real Madrid remain the standout favourites to sign Kylian Mbappe.

That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve priced Carlo Ancelotti’s side at 1/5 to clinch his signature.

BLUES GO BIG

Romelu Lukaku's £97.5million return to Chelsea was a club record transfer.

RAM’S THE MAN

Arsenal sporting director Edu has praised summer signing Aaron Ramsdale.

The 23-year-old England international joined for £30million this summer.

Edu said: “You see the strategy.

“For every single name I can explain to you the reasons.

“Aaron Ramsdale, for example, he is a very good football player and has the potential to be a big part of the team in the future.”

MO MONEY 

Mo Salah wants £500k a week to extend his stay at Liverpool, according to reports.

The Egyptian, 29, only has two years remaining on his current deal.

And with reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp is said to be anxious about keeping his star, report The Mirror.

Salah reportedly earns £200,000 a week but is said to be demanding a huge raise, one which would see him earn more than double Virgil van Dijk, the Reds' current highest earner.

The centre-back is paid £220,000 a week according to Sportrac, with Thiago also earning the same as Salah.

The Mirror add that there have been no signs of a forthcoming extension for Salah, despite Liverpool tying down a number of stars to new deals in recent weeks.

'MENTAL RELEASE'

Ben Davies has said his loan move to Sheffield United away from Liverpool has been a 'mental release'.

The 26-year-old joined the Reds in February from Preston North End, but hasn't played a game.

And he found himself fifth or sixth in the pecking order.

On the move away, he said: "I was becoming aware that I was the fifth or sixth choice to play in the centre of the defence for Liverpool. 

"When I joined Sheffield United, with the promise of playing games, it felt like I had finally been mentally released.

“I feel that just being around top players has improved me. I feel I’ve grown up.

"It’s helped me settle in quickly at Sheffield United and hopefully that has shown in the games I’ve played."

OLMO RETURN

Barcelona are set to meet with RB Leipzig over the possible return of Dani Olmo to the Nou Camp.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants want the 23-year-old to return, seven years after his departure for Dinamo Zagreb.

Barca are happy to wait until next summer to recapture their man.

NA YOU’RE TALKING 

Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana has rejected a new contract offer from Ajax and will leave for free next summer, reports say.

And reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are in advanced talks over a potential four-year deal.

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free.

The keeper – who has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs including Arsenal – has rejected a contract extension.

And cash-strapped Inter have decided to make the first move for the goalkeeper, offering the Cameroonian international a four-year contract.

Onana, however, hasn’t played a competitive game or trained with Ajax or Cameroon since the start of the year due to being banned  for a doping violation.

MAN TO MAN

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo received a touching message from Brazil legend Pele after his return to Old Trafford, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.

Ronaldo sealed a blockbuster comeback at United on transfer deadline day following a £21million move from Juventus and looks set to make his debut against Newcastle on September 11.

Pele was very moved by Ronaldo's homecoming statement as he knows a lot about home, having spent almost his entire career in Brazil with Santos before rolling credits at New York Cosmos in 1977.

Although the Portugal international broke the 80-year-old's record for most goals in official matches back in March, the two men still share a strong friendship.

Pele said: "There is no better feeling than conquering the world and returning home. Always be happy, Cristiano."

EL TIGRE

Radamel Falcao will return to LaLiga with Rayo Vallecano, joining on a free transfer after leaving Galatasaray.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Cristiano Ronaldo outscored Romelu Lukaku in the Serie A last season.

The 36-year-old managed to find the back of the net 29 times in just 33 games.

Lukaku, on the other hand, scored 24 in 36 games.

The pair will be in the running to win the golden boot in the Premier League this season with Man Utd and Chelsea respectively.

NET SPEND

Arsenal's chiefs backed manager Mikel Arteta this summer.

PAST IT

Former Roma midfielder Javier Pastore has joined Elche for free.

Pastore's contract was terminated at the Rome-based club in the summer.

The 32-year-old Argentine joins Elche, who sit 15th in LaLiga.

EDU DEFENDS SPENDING

Arsenal’s technical director Edu has defended the spending this summer, highlighting the age of the players bought.

The Gunners are trying to build a team for the future, and bought six players aged 23 or under this summer.

He told Sky Sports: “We have to see the wider context than just to see the money around it.

“We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning.

“It’s a lot, almost a revolution. But how are you going to fill those 21 holes? You need time, you cannot come in and do it straight away.

“They (new recruits) are young but we have five senior players in the squad and in the first 11… Around those five we have very, very good, talented players which we believe in.”

BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD

The Premier League's most valuable squad is Man City's, which is worth £934.47m.

City rivals Man Utd are in second on £843.54m.

RON EFFECT

Man Utd fans spent a whopping £32.5million on Cristiano Ronaldo shirts in the firstr 12 hours, according to Lovethesales.

Fans have been rushing to get their hands on the No7 jersey ahead of his highly anticipated second debut against Newcastle new weekend.

There were large queues outside Man Utd’s club shop.

United only get seven per cent of the shirt sales, though.

ALL HAIL MICHAIL

Michail Antonio has scored the most goals in the Premier League so far (4).

Aston Villa newboy Danny Ings has only managed to score two.

PJANIC ATTACK

Miralem Pjanic has unleashed a scathing attack on Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman after leaving the club to join Besiktas on loan.

The midfielder endured a horrible spell at the Nou Camp, making just six starts after joining from Juventus last summer.

Pjanic told Marca: "There was a point that I was playing less, things were getting complicated.

"And when I played it was difficult physically and mentally to be well, because it was killing my confidence, because I had no communication with [Koeman].

"It was very strange, because a coach is the one who says who plays and who doesn't, but there are different ways to do things.

"I am a player who can accept everything but I would always like to be told things face to face. Not as if nothing happened and I was 15 years old."

HAMMER BLOW

Jesse Lingard turned down a permanent move to West Ham to stay and fight for his Manchester United future.

The England man enjoyed a stunning loan spell with the Hammers last season that thrust him back into contention for the Euro 2020 squad.

After making the provisional squad, he failed to make the final cut. But Lingard did however feature off the bench in England's victory in Hungary.

Now,  is reporting that Lingard 'made it clear to the club that he did not want to return to the London Stadium'.

The 28-year-old apparently 'communicated to joint chairman David Sullivan personally' with his intentions.

NA YOU'RE TALKING

Arsenal transfer target Andre Onana has rejected a new contract offer from Ajax and will leave for free next summer, reports say.

And reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan are in advanced talks over a potential four-year deal.

According to Italian journalist , Onana has decided to leave Ajax next summer for free.

The keeper has rejected a contract extension and cash-strapped Inter have decided to make the first move for the goalkeeper, offering the Cameroonian international a four-year contract.

Onana, however, hasn't played a competitive game or trained with Ajax or Cameroon since the start of the year due to being banned for a doping violation.

LOW POINT

Nabil Fekir admits his failed move to Liverpool in the summer of 2018 was a 'dark moment' in his career.

The France international - who at the time was plying his trade in his homeland - was on course to swap Lyon for Merseyside after Liverpool agreed a £50million deal for the midfielder.

But the deal ended up collapsing, which paved the way for Fekir to join Real Betis 12 months later for a mere £17m.

Fekir told The Times: "It was a dark moment. I saw plenty of things which weren't true.

"It was said the knee stopped me going to Liverpool but that wasn't true."

REAL DEAL

Real Madrid remain the standout favourites to sign Kylian Mbappe.

That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've priced Carlo Ancelotti's side at 1/5 to clinch his signature.

Real Madrid were frustrated in their pursuit of Mbappe this summer but are expected to agree a contract with the forward with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

PSG now risk losing Mbappe on a free transfer unless they can convince the player to sign fresh terms in Paris.

The World Cup winner has scored 135 goals in 175 games for PSG and has won three Ligue 1 titles since his arrival from Monaco.

WORK OF ART

Arsenal technical director Edu has defended the club’s £150million-plus summer spending spree.

The Gunners splashed the cash on six players, though the North Londoners’ business has been criticised with fans and pundits unsure whether the squad has been strengthened.

Asked by Sky Sports if he can understand fans being ‘underwhelmed’, he said: “Yes, I understand the reason because firstly, they have not seen the team playing together yet.

“That’s one of the reasons but I think we have to see the wider context than just to see the money around it. We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning."

ERLI MOVE

Paris Saint-Germain will move to sign Erling Haaland if Kylian Mbappe leaves the Parc des Princes next summer according to reports.

France international Mbappe told the PSG brass last month that he wants to join Real Madrid.

PSG rejected £130m and £200million bids from Real for the World Cup winner, who they risk losing on a free transfer at the end of the season.

And the Parisians have reportedly identified Borussia Dortmund hitman Haaland as a replacement for the 22-year-old.