great competition ever ;Transfer news LIVE updates: Chelsea make Lukaku offer; Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal latest
Chelsea have reportedly made a sensational rival offer to sign Romelu Lukaku from under the noses of Manchester United.
The Blues were thought to be out of the race to sign Lukaku after United agreed a £75m deal.
Agent Mino Raiola was instrumental in the talks with United.
But the Telegraph claim Chelsea are still in for the player despite United closing in on the Belgium international.
They claim Chelsea are offering to match United’s bid.
However, the Blues are refusing to pay Raiola’s commission in the transfer.
20:21: EVERTON DONE DEAL
Everton have signed 18-year-old Josh Bowler from QPR.
The winger has signed a three-year contract at Goodison Park and will immediately go into David Unsworth’s Under-23s squad.
“I’m really excited to join Everton – it’s a fantastic opportunity for me,” said Bowler.
“This is a club on the up at every level. I can’t wait to get started, meet the other lads and begin working with David Unsworth.
“I’m a direct player, I feel like I can bring excitement in the final third and this is the perfect place for me to continue my education and development.”
20:18: LIVERPOOL NEW CONTRACT
Liverpool have handed 18-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold a new contract at Anfield.
“It’s exciting, a proud moment for me and my family,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“I’m excited for the good times ahead, hopefully.
“But I’ve said before, the hard work definitely doesn’t stop now. It’s only just beginning. Hopefully I’ll have many more moments like last season in this season and the seasons to come.
“I can’t take it for granted, the position and opportunity I’ve been given. Every day I’m trying to maximise the opportunity and do well.”
20:06: A quick update on Juventus’ interest in Wojciech Szczesny (19:15).
Valencia have officially signed Juve’s reserve goalkeeper Neto.
It means the Turin club will almost certainly be pushing to sign a new shot-stopper before the summer is out.
CalcioMercato claim the expected departure of Juve goalkeeper Neto to Valencia this week has accelerated Szczesny's move to Turin.
Juve have reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Poland international and are currently working on agreeing transfer fee.
The Italian side's initial offer has been turned down but their are hopes the deal could be finalised in the next few days.
18:39: MANCHESTER UNITED DONE DEAL
Manchester United’s Regan Poole has joined Northampton Town on loan.
Poole, 19, is yet to make a first-team appearance at United.
He will play at League One side Northampton for the 2017/18 campaign.
"He is a central defender who is comfortable on the ball. He is strong, he leaps well and he has all the attributes to be a top, top player,” said Northampton manager Justin Edinburgh.
"He is mobile and he will complement the other defenders we have at the club well."
17:57: BURNLEY DONE DEAL
Burnley have signed Jon Walters from Stoke.
The Ireland striker has signed a two-year contract at Turf Moor.
The 33-year-old spent seven years at Stoke, making over 250 appearances.
17.50: Monaco star Thomas Lemar has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, according to the Sun.
The report says the France international has settled on a long term deal worth in the region of £90,000 a week.
However, a deal is still a long way off as Monaco are not keen to lose their star man who is still under contract for a further three years.
The French giants are reportedly demanding £80million for the winger they picked up from Caen for just £4m two years ago.
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16:25: Alexis Sanchez has informed Arsenal of his desire to join Manchester City.
Arsenal are desperate to keep Sanchez and play him alongside Alexandre Lacazette this season.
But with the Gunners out of Champions League action this term, Sanchez is considering his options.
And Chilean newspaper El Mercurio claim the 28-year-old has let Arsenal know of his intention to move to City
It is claimed City have lodged a £47m bid.
16:04: Transfer news pales into insignificance when you hear a story like this.
Six-year-old Bradley Lowery, the loveable Sunderland fan whose suffering touched thousands, has passed away.
Lowery was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare type of cancer - when he was 18 months old, and went on to be Sunderland mascot and become "best mates" with his hero, striker Jermain Defoe.
He also led England out at Wembley for a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
Rest in peace, Bradley.
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15:00: Phil Neville has had his say on Romelu Lukaku's impending move to Manchester United.
"I think you’ve seen improvement. I think there was a couple of criticisms - can he play in the big games? Can he score in the big games?" Neville said.
“I think he half dispelled that last season because he scored in a couple of the big games and I think he is improving all the time.
“I think he is a different type of striker from what United have had for a long time.
“Someone that can probably run in behind, can be a little bit of a battering ram that United can play on the counter attack.
“I think with Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] last season United couldn’t play on the counter attack because obviously his age and the fact his legs are slowing down a bit.
“Now you’ve got someone with genuine speed that United can play on the counter attack.”
14:05: Real Madrid are refusing to budge on their £80million price tag for Alvaro Morata.
Spanish newspaper AS claim Manchester United are still interested in Morata, despite agreeing a deal for Everton's Romelu Lukaku.
However, agreeing a fee for Morata is proving difficult with Madrid chief Florentino Perez demanding £80m, having dropped his initial valuation of £90m.
But United have a figure in mind closer to £66m with a further £4.5m in add ons.
AS claim Madrid are not in desperate need to sell Morata and hold all the cards in negotiations.
The report adds Chelsea are also still vying for his signature having been left disappointed in their pursuit of Lukaku.
13:30: Liverpool have opened talks with their highly-rated full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold over signing a new contract, according to The Times.
The youngster only signed a new long-term contract in November 2016 which would keep him at the club until 2021.
But the Reds want to offer him better personal terms following his impressive displays in 2017.
“I think he half dispelled that last season because he scored in a couple of the big games and I think he is improving all the time.
“I think he is a different type of striker from what United have had for a long time.
“Someone that can probably run in behind, can be a little bit of a battering ram that United can play on the counter attack.
“I think with Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] last season United couldn’t play on the counter attack because obviously his age and the fact his legs are slowing down a bit.
“Now you’ve got someone with genuine speed that United can play on the counter attack.”
14:05: Real Madrid are refusing to budge on their £80million price tag for Alvaro Morata.
Spanish newspaper AS claim Manchester United are still interested in Morata, despite agreeing a deal for Everton's Romelu Lukaku.
However, agreeing a fee for Morata is proving difficult with Madrid chief Florentino Perez demanding £80m, having dropped his initial valuation of £90m.
But United have a figure in mind closer to £66m with a further £4.5m in add ons.
AS claim Madrid are not in desperate need to sell Morata and hold all the cards in negotiations.
The report adds Chelsea are also still vying for his signature having been left disappointed in their pursuit of Lukaku.
13:30: Liverpool have opened talks with their highly-rated full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold over signing a new contract, according to The Times.
The youngster only signed a new long-term contract in November 2016 which would keep him at the club until 2021.
But the Reds want to offer him better personal terms following his impressive displays in 2017.
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13:05: Romelu Lukaku is not expected to be the last of Manchester United's arrivals this summer.
The Daily Mail claim Jose Mourinho wants three more new recruits.
It is said Mourinho gave Ed Woodward a list of three names in each position he wanted strengthening.
United last signed five players or more back in 2014, when Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria spearheaded the Galactico era.
12:24: Spanish newspaper Marca have said on their live transfer blog that Lukaku has passed his Manchester United medical.
They cited pictures of him with United star Paul Pogba at UCLA’s facilities as proof.
However, these pictures - shared by Pogba on his Instagram story this morning - are NOT thought to be from Lukaku’s medical.
Express Sport understands Lukaku will have his medical with United in the USA, where he is currently on holiday, but has not had it yet.
Sorry to disappoint United fans!
12:15: Danny Higginbotham reckons Romelu Lukaku will be a brilliant signing for Manchester United and believes it's a better move for the Everton forward than if he were to join Chelsea.
"I feel Lukaku would suit United much more than Chelsea, who are also keen on him," former Red Devil Higginbotham told The Sun.
"If he [Lukaku] returns to Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte would have to change the team’s style.
"Diego Costa dropped deep last season allowing runners such as Pedro and Eden Hazard to go in behind. Lukaku doesn’t do that so Chelsea would have to alter their thinking.
"Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata is more of a like-for-like replacement for Costa and would suit Chelsea’s style much more than Lukaku."
11:38: Romelu Lukaku has NOT yet had a medical for his Manchester United move.
According to the Manchester Evening News, no medical has taken place despite him being expected to join United.
Chelsea are desperately trying to stop Lukaku’s move to United and sign him instead.
And right now his move to United is still in the balance…
11:15: Reports in Spain are saying that Alvaro Morata is considering a move to Chelsea.
The Real Madrid forward was precariously close to a move to Manchester United.
But Diario Gol claim he is now weighing up whether to move to Stamford Bridge instead.
10:26: Romelu Lukaku is already training with Paul Pogba ahead of his expected move to Manchester United.
United caught Chelsea napping by agreeing a £75m fee with Everton for star striker Lukaku, who is set to undergo a medical in the USA.
And Lukaku has been keeping fit with his close friend and soon-to-be United team-mate Pogba in Los Angeles.
Pogba’s Instagram story this morning showed pictures of the pair training at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
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10:10: Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez could be left out in the cold this summer with the Gunners unwilling to match Leicester's £50m valuation.
Arsene Wenger's side have held talks with the Foxes over signing the Algerian but the Daily Mail claim they do not want to pay more than £35m for his services.
Mahrez has handed in a transfer request but with Arsenal yet to make a big offer the winger could be forced to stay at the King Power Stadium.
09:50: Chelsea are not backing down in their pursuit of Romelu Lukaku and will 'aggressively' challenge Manchester United for his signature.
United and Everton have agreed a £75million fee for his transfer that looks set to leave Chelsea out in the cold.
However, the Independent claim the Blues are not willing to give up on him and will now pull out all the stop challenge the Red Devils.
Sources close to Chelsea claim a deal is far from being finalised with their Manchester rivals and the Blues could return with a huge bid that would make Everton reconsider.
09:15: DONE DEAL! Huddersfield have signed Copenhagen's Danish defender Mathias Jorgensen - who is nicknamed Zanka.
The 27-year-old centre-back has signed a three-year contract with the newly promoted club.
Jorgensen's arrival is Huddersfield's SIXTH this week.
08:40: Mino Raiola has played a ‘vital’ role in persuading Manchester United to move for Romelu Lukaku.
The Everton forward had looked certain to join Chelsea and seal a return to the club he left in 2014.
But United are now in pole position to sign him after having a £75m bid accepted.
And the Daily Telegraph claim his agent Raiola is to thank for the dramatic turn of events after convincing him a move to Old Trafford would be a good option.
Raiola already represents Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sergio Romero.
08:00: Naby Keita is unlikely to be leaving RB Leipzig for Liverpool any time soon following comments from the club's sporting director Ralf Rangnick.
The German club are standing firm on their £70m valuation and Rangnick has reiterated none of their star players will be up for grabs this summer.
"It's totally normal for clubs to be interested in our players but that doesn't affect our stance on the matter," Rangnick said.
"We will definitely not be letting any key players go.
"There's nothing that will make us budge."
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