Cristiano Ronaldo's future remains up in the air as Manchester United prepare to jet off on their pre-season tour on Friday and the saga is set to dominate the headlines in the coming days, while Erik ten Hag and the board are keen to scramble as many transfers as they can over the line before that plane departs. Express Sport has all the latest from Old Trafford and additionally, all the other developments from the rest of the Premier League and beyond. This is Transfer News LIVE on Thursday, July 7...
Germany U21 international winger Kevin Schade is open to joining Brentford despite Bundesliga side Freiburg rejecting an £11m opening offer out of hand, Express Sport’s Ryan Taylor understands.
The Bees are not deterred and are likely to try again with an improved bid.
Schade is currently sidelined with an abdominal injury and could miss start of season.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was filmed allegedly arriving in Barcelona on Thursday evening.
The Blues are are in discussions to sell Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to the La Liga outfit.
However, they have also been linked with a blockbuster hijacking of Manchester United's move for Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
United are haggling over a fee for the Dutchman, and some reports have suggested that Chelsea are keeping a close eye on developments.
Boehly, who purchased the Blues from Roman Abramovich in May, was filmed apparently arriving in Barcelona, as tweeted by Spanish football journalist Gerard Romero.
\u00a1Acaban de llegar los propietarios del Chelsea a Barcelona!
En las pr\u00f3ximas horas se puede producir el encuentro con el FC Barcelona para negociar las llegadas de Azpilicueta y Marcos Alonso @JijantesFC#mercatopic.twitter.com/bTDv5omqbw
Chelsea are in talks over letting Cesar Azpilicueta join Barcelona, according to reports.
The Spaniard was granted an automatic one-year contract extension at the end of last season after making a certain number of appearances.
But that did not completely resolve his future as La Liga giants Barca remained interested. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea remain in talks with the Catalan outfit over a move for Azpilicueta.
Fellow Blues defender Marcos Alonso could also make the same move.
Man Utd 'agree personal terms' with Antony and Lisandro Martinez
Ajax duo Antony and Lisandro Martinez have already agreed personal terms with Manchester United but there remains distance over a fee, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag is keen to strengthen his squad with the pair, who played under the Dutchman at the Eredivisie club.
According to the Daily Record, Antony and Martinez have agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.
However, the Premier League club have been told to pay £106m for a double swoop and might need to renege on their plans to sign the duo.
Arsenal 'extremely confident' of beating Man Utd to transfer
Arsenal are ‘extremely confident of beating Manchester United to the signing of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, according to reports.
Both clubs have been battling for the left-sided defender, with new United boss Erik ten Hag having worked with the Argentine at former club Ajax.
But the Eredivisie side upping their asking price by to £50m from £45m could work in Arsenal’s favour as United will not have the funds to sign Martinez alongside their other big-money targets, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has played an active role in Arsenal’s transfer business, despite the presence of technical director Edu Gaspar.
Liverpool have announced that defender Joe Gomez has signed a new contract at Anfield.
The 25-year-old, who joined from Charlton seven years ago, has penned a long-term deal with the Reds.
Gomez told the club’s social channels: “It's obviously a special moment for me and my family. Another one that you dream of as a kid and one I don't take for granted.
“It is an unbelievable place to be; in my eyes, probably one of the best - if not the best - clubs in the world at the minute. The opportunity to extend my stay here was an easy decision to make, really.
“Obviously, I have been here quite a while now, but in the grand scheme of things I still feel young and, like you say, the best years are ahead of me. I have got more to learn and the time to do that.
“I think I have the platform here to do it with the manager and the coaching staff around me and my teammates, to make sure the best years are ahead.”
Gabriel Jesus does not want Thierry Henry comparisons
Arsenal new boy Gabriel Jesus insists he would rather create his own legacy with the Gunners than be compared to club great Thierry Henry.
Jesus has been signed from Manchester City in a £45m deal and will lead Mikel Arteta's attack.
He told Goal: "When you say Arsenal, you mean Thierry Henry. Thierry is unique, he is one of the greatest players ever.
"But I don't want to be the new Thierry Henry. I want to make myself a name in this club's history. I will be there: 90 minutes per game in the box, trying to score, trying to help.
"Not only with goals, also with assists. Covering the ball. Running, in my style. Never stop. Helping my team, helping my team-mates. Yeah, that's me."
Gabriel Jesus does not want Thierry Henry Arsenal comparisons (Image: GETTY IMAGES)
Luis Suarez has revealed he turned down the chance to join Argentinian giants River Plate following an exciting offer from the South American club.
But the former Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward intends to stay in Europe for the time being...
“I was really tempted despite my plan to stay in Europe because River were pushing a lot to sign me, but the deal has collapsed as they’re now out of the Copa Libertadores," Suarez told Ovacion.
He remains a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of last month.
Barcelona are currently waiting for a response following their bid for Robert Lewandowski, according to their president Joan Laporta.
He said: "We made an offer for Lewandowski and we are waiting for a response from Bayern, to see if it is positive. I want to thank the player for the efforts he made to come to Barcelona.
"Bayern are evaluating the offer and we are waiting for the answer."
Express Sport Ryan Taylor believes Manchester United should try their luck for the Polish striker, you can read more here...
Brighton are in advanced talks with Angers to loan Abdallah Sima to the Ligue 1 club following teenage striker Mohamed-Ali Cho's move to Real Sociedad.
No permanent clause will be included in deal for the Senegal international.
There was also interest from Schalke and Standard Liege, according to The Athletic.
Tottenham have finally agreed a loan deal with Barcelona to sign central defender Clement Lenglet, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer expert revealed: "Tottenham are set to sign Clément Lenglet from Barcelona, here we go! Loan deal agreed, valid until June 2023 - Lenglet already accepted last week, personal terms agreed.
"Clubs still in contact on final details - there’s no option to buy clause included, as of now."
Lenglet could be Tottenham's fifth summer arrival after Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison...
Tottenham are set to sign Cl\u00e9ment Lenglet from Barcelona, here we go! Loan deal agreed, valid until June 2023 - Lenglet already accepted last week, personal terms agreed \ud83d\udea8\u26aa\ufe0f #THFC
Clubs still in contact on final details - there\u2019s no option to buy clause included, as of now. pic.twitter.com/LchnxvxvlP
\u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2022
Manchester United sources have relayed that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale this summer.
The Telegraph's James Ducker tweeted: "#MUFC insisting there’s no change to their position on Cristiano Ronaldo. Club say he has a year remaining on his contract and is not for sale."
Chelsea are said to be plotting a swoop for the 37-year-old, who has been offered around by super-agent Jorge Mendes.
But United are keen to keep hold of the player at all costs - despite his desire to quit Old Trafford.
Raphinha will not travel to Australia for Leeds' pre-season tour later this month - even if his future is still unresolved.
That's according to Sport in Spain, who believe the winger's departure is still only a matter of time.
Chelsea are the only club to have a deal in place with Leeds as of now but Raphinha is holding out for Barcelona.
The Catalan giants have already indicated their desire to hijack the move but they need to raise cash quickly in order to table a suitable offer.
Raphinha is yet to discuss personal terms with Chelsea and Leeds are beginning to lose patience as they eye other attacking signings including Charles De Ketelaere and Cody Gakpo.
Arsenal and Manchester United are battling it out for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to CBS Sports Ben Jacobs.
He tweeted: "Told Tielemans is more likely than Sergej Sergej Milinkovic-Savic for Arsenal. No truth yet in any bid, though.
"Man United’s interest is growing and could finally provoke formal offers from both clubs. Tielemans wants Arsenal. But as yet nothing tabled to Leicester."
Express Sport was recently told that Arsenal have cooled their interest in Tielemans.
Leeds are expected to unveil the signing of Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord today, according to The Athletic.
The Colombian international dazzled for the Dutch side in last season's UEFA Conference League as the Rotterdam outfit reached the final, where they were beaten by Roma in Tirana.
Sinisterra is set to join in a £22m deal and could be the replacement for Raphinha.
The Whites accelerated talks over the weekend and Sinisterra was given permission to miss Feyenoord training on Monday morning - when it became clear a deal was imminent.
Leeds confirmed the capture of Tyler Adams from RB Leipzig on Wednesday afternoon.
The highly-rated Spaniard joined the club in 2020 and guided the Terriers to the play-off final last season, where they fell just short against Nottingham Forest.
It's been a tough start to the summer transfer market for Huddersfield, who have already lost Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill.
Star player Lewis O'Brien is also attracting interest from Nottingham Forest.
Memphis Depay would be open to a return to the Premier League this summer as he prepares to explore a new challenge after just one season at Barcelona.
The Dutchman is expected to depart the Camp Nou and a number of English sides have been offered the chance to sign him.
Tottenham are among the clubs linked with the ex-Man Utd forward and he would be open to returning to the Premier League after a difficult time at Old Trafford.
He said: "It is a very nice competition. It is up to the club that is interested. I belong in a team that plays good football and can play around me so I can do my thing. I will never rule it out."
Nottingham Forest looked into the signing of Nicolas Tagliafico from Ajax but with 'no result' - according to De Telegraaf.
The Argentina international is looking for a new club this summer as he prepares to end his stay in Amsterdam due to his dwindling contract, which expires in 2023.
Brighton are also in the mix with Lyon but Tagliafico is seemingly holding out for a big move.
Barcelona are his preferred destination of choice but they are prioritising other targets.
Forest are instead pursuing Bayern Munich's Omar Richards whilst negotiation for Neco Williams are also advancing.
Manchester United attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira is set to undergo a medical with Fulham today ahead of a permanent switch to Craven Cottage.
The playmaker will sign a long-term contract after deciding against a move to Flamengo, where he spent last season on loan.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Andreas Pereira, in London today in order to undergo medical tests as new Fulham player. Paperworks are ready to be signed with Manchester United. #FulhamFC
"Contract will be valid until June 2026 with option for further season."
Chelsea are on the verge of sealing a £45m deal for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
The England international has now agreed personal terms with the Blues ahead of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are now putting plans in place for a medical, so Sterling can join up with his new team-mates for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Sterling's move is also likely to involve add-ons as he prepares to wave goodbye to the Etihad Stadium, where he has won four Premier League titles in seven seasons since his 2015 switch from Liverpool.
Good morning and welcome to Thursday's Transfer News LIVE blog where we'll be breaking down the latest rumours, development and covering all the done deals from within the Premier League and potentially beyond.
My name's Ryan Taylor and I'll be steering the ship until mid-afternoon - let's get cracking...
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