Live Blog
FootballPremier LeagueUpdated: 19:34, 23 Jun 2023
talkSPORT.com brings you all the latest football news, views and transfer gossip.
Headlines:
Arsenal still hopeful of Declan Rice deal despite Man City entering the race
Arsenal agree £65m fee with Chelsea for Kai Havertz
Newcastle close in on AC Milan star Sandro Tonali – dubbed ‘the new Andrea Pirlo’ – in £60m deal
Tottenham in talks with Leicester as they lead Newcastle in James Maddison race
Manchester United hopeful Chelsea will accept third bid for Mason Mount
Mason Greenwood spotted back in training with Manchester United future still in doubt
That’s it for today on talkSPORT.com’s live blog.
It’s been another busy day of transfer news, with Manchester United stepping up their pursuit of Mason Mount.
There’s also been updates regarding the futures of Declan Rice and Sandro Tonali, with both moves edging closer, not to mention Ruben Neves completing his big-money move to Al-Hilal.
They’ll be more big transfer movements on Saturday, so come back tomorrow to stay up to date with all the latest news and gossip.
Wolves have confirmed that Ruben Neves has joined Al-Hilal on a permanent basis.
The midfielder will join the Saudi Arabian side on a deal that talkSPORT understands is worth £47million.
The midfielder joined the club in 2017 from Porto and has gone on to make 253 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals in the process.
Darren Bent says that he understands the reasons why Manchester United fans want Marcus Rashford to stay.
The forward is closing in on an eye-watering new contract with £275,000 per week as the Red Devils look to tie down the homegrown star.
Despite a wonderful season, the figures discussed are huge for a player who has struggled to perform consistently in the Premier League in recent years.
However according to Darren Bent, it’s clear why United are keen to keep him at all costs.
🙏 “There is always something about academy graduates coming through.”
😬 “It’s blasphemy if you let them go!”
❤️ “Man United fans look at Rashford, they think they can’t let him go!”
Darren Bent understands why #MUFC fans want Marcus Rashford to stay. pic.twitter.com/4KpgHivxzQ
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 23, 2023
Aaron Ramsey has opened the door to a potential return to Cardiff City.
The Welsh midfielder is currently playing for Nice but is out of contract this summer, but it’s been suggested that he might have done enough to trigger an extension.
However with no extension yet agreed, Ramsey could return to the club where it all started for him, something that he’d be open to.
He said: “We’ll see.
“They gave me an opportunity as a young boy and to go on and to become a professional. I’ll be forever grateful for that and what they’ve done for me in my career.
“Maybe one day I’ll go back and it’ll mean a lot.
“I’ve always said that one day I’d love to go back there. I think there are a few things that need sorting out over the next few weeks, but the most important thing for me is to enjoy my time with family, and make the most important decision for us.
“I think there are three or four weeks now to enjoy and put the feet up. It’s been a long season with the World Cup and everything sandwiched in between.”
Arsenal centre-back Jakub Kiwior has claimed he rejected a move to West Ham before joining the Gunners in January.
The Polish defender joined from Spezia in the winter transfer window in a £22million deal.
But he has stated that that Arsenal weren’t the first English club to come calling, with West Ham failing with their pursuit.
Speaking on how his move to the Emirates came about, Kiwior told Wprost: “No, it was more about the league.
“I had an offer from West Ham United before, which I turned down. They weren’t on the table, but they showed up.
“Then Arsenal came along and that was something special for me.”
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva could be the next high-profile star to make the move to Saudi Arabia.
The 28-year-old, who has two years left on his deal at the Etihad, has been linked with switches to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
But according to BBC Sport, he may end up in the Middle East with Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal looking to lure him to the Gulf nation.
It has been said that Al Hilal can offer the Portugal international a bigger salary than Barca and PSG.
Should he join the side, he could link up with Ruben Neves after they agreed a £47million transfer with Wolves.
Anderlecht CEO Jesper Fredberg has dropped a subtle hint over the future of Brighton and Burnley-linked goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Speaking to Belgian outlet La Derniere Heure, Fredberg said: “I promise there will be transfers by the start of the season.
“There will also be departures, but we will have a good team. We will be ready, there is no doubt about that.
“We are not going to change the whole team, but there will be something new.
“However, we will only make transfers if a possible new player is stronger than what we have. We have to build a team of which we can be proud.”
The 20-year-old, who joined Anderlecht in 2020, received his first call-up to the Netherlands national team in March.
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign Randal Kolo Muani.
According to L’Equipe, United are competing with Bayern Munich for Eintracht Frankfurt’s star striker.
The Bundesliga side value the France international at £85million having scored 23 goals in 46 matches last season.
Chelsea have now reached a full agreement with Villarreal to sign striker Nicolas Jackson.
talkSPORT understands that the Blues are set to fend off a host of Premier League rivals to make the 22-year-old the first signing of the Mauricio Pochettino era.
The Senegal international has a £30million release clause in his contract, but Chelsea are believed have paid slightly more than that to get the deal over the line.
Jackson’s medical has been scheduled and personal terms have been agreed.
Inter Milan are reportedly hopeful of agreeing a deal to sign Bristol City starlet Alex Scott.
Linked with West Ham and Tottenham, the 19-year-old could swap England for Italy, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
The Italian news outlet has claimed that the Serie A giants are confident they can snap up the teenager for £15.4million.
That is despite the England youth international valued at £21.4m by the Championship outfit.
Ruben Dias saved Portgual teammate Cristiano Ronaldo from a pitch invader during their Euro 2024 qualifier earlier this week.
New fan footage shows how the Man City star grabbed the fan after Ronaldo had scored a late goal against Iceland
The 38-year-old netted an 89th minute winner on what was his 200th international cap.
The goal was initially ruled offside, however was awarded following a VAR review.
Amid the celebrations, a fan ran onto the pitch and tried to run through the Portugal players to get to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Dias was alert to the situation and managed to grab the invader before he got to Ronaldo.
A steward was quickly on the scene to remove the fan.
Mason Mount’s trainer has dropped a hint at the Chelsea midfielder’s future.
In an Instagram post, the trainer seems to hoping that Mount joins Manchester United this summer.
Whether he has an inside insight is unknown but this has fueled speculation following the news that Man United will be making a new £60million offer for the England international.
talkSPORT understands that Mount has made it clear he wants to move to Old Trafford.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has reportedly been left unsettled by the impending arrival of Kai Havertz.
The versatile 24-year-old is expected to undergo his Gunners medical this weekend after the club agreed a fee rising to £65million with Chelsea.
And according to The Sun, his switch from west to north London has left Nketiah questioning his future at the Emirates.
Nketiah is already playing second fiddle to Gabriel Jesus, while Folarin Balogun is set to return from his successful loan spell at Reims.
It remains unclear where Mikel Arteta will play Havertz – either in a No8 role to replace Bayer Leverkusen-bound Granit Xhaka – or down the middle.
Should he play up top, it could see Nketiah look to leave, with The Sun stating that West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace all have the England youth international on their radar.
But as it stands, Arsenal are in no rush to offload the 24-year-old.
A star-studded team has been announced for the charity match ‘Game 4 Ukraine’ which will see Andriy Shevchenko’s XI face Oleksandr Zinchenko’s side.
The game, which will raise funds for a Ukrainian school that was struck by Russian missiles, will take place at Stamford Bridge on August 5.
Shevchenko’s team – which will be managed by Chelsea’s Women’s boss Emma Hayes – includes Mykhailo Mudryk and Chelsea icons Gianfranco Zola, Ricardo Carvalho, William Gallas, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Carlo Cudicini and ex-striker Samuel Eto’o.
As for Zinchenko’s team – which Arsene Wenger will take charge of – Arsenal U18 boss Jack Wilshere and the club’s academy manager Per Mertesacker will take part.
Patrick Vieira will also feature, along with Bacary Sagna, Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and ex-Tottenham stars Robbie Keane and Edgar Davids.
An incredible line up for @game_4_ukraine at Stamford Bridge on August 5.🇺🇦
🔵 Team Schevchenko
– Mudryk, Zola, Carvalho, Toni, Dida, Oddo, Cudicini, Gallas, Makelele, Eto’o, Essien, Cannavaro, Seedorf
M: Emma Hayes
🟡 Team Zincehenko
– Lehmann, Lescott, Berger, Pires,… pic.twitter.com/VNrLnFI4W2
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 23, 2023
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana is being targeted by newly Todd Boehly-owned Strasbourg.
Fofana is attracting interest from Strasbourg and has multiple other options to leave the club on loan, according to L’Equipe.
The French side have just been taken over by Chelsea owner Boehly as he purchased almost 100 per cent of the club for £65million.
And now it seems that they are set to look at the Blues squad for new additions as they already begin to take advantage of the multi-club model.
Mason Mount’s camp are confident his switch from Chelsea to Manchester United will soon be completed, talkSPORT understands.
talkSPORT revealed on Friday morning how the Red Devils were preparing a third offer to sign the England international for an initial £55million.
Reports have stated that United will walk away from signing Mount if their next offer is turned down.
However Mount’s team believe an agreement will be reached between the two clubs.
Mount has already agreed personal terms with Erik ten Hag’s side.
Cody Gakpo has been filmed distributing food to children in his father’s home country of Togo.
A clip of the Liverpool and Netherlands forward was shown on TikTok taking a break in the west African country where some of his family still reside.
Gakpo had previously expressed his desire to travel to Togo in 2019, but a busy schedule and the COVID pandemic stopped him from doing so until now.
Speaking to Elf Voetbal at the time, the 24-year-old said: “My older brother has been to Togo, just like my younger brother. Just not me yet.
“A visit to Togo is still very high on my bucket list. But [finding] the time… It is difficult for a footballer, especially for an international, to plan a longer holiday.
“I’d like to go. Maybe skip Ibiza in the summer, haha.”
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Unai Emery’s men to finish in the top four next season.
The Spaniard guided the Villans into seventh spot in the previous campaign, with the Villans to now play in the Europa Conference League.
And talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor has been left impressed by what he has seen from the Midlands outfit since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in the dugout.
Agbonlahor said: “Since Unai Emery has come to Aston Villa, if you look at the league table, Aston Villa would have finished in the top four.
“If he had started the season off, God knows where Aston Villa would have finished, so he’s got a pre-season now, he’s got to bring in players, he’s already signed [Youri] Tielemans.
“Villa have got money to spend, it wouldn’t shock me if Villa are fighting for top four.”
Manchester City are yet to turn their interest in Declan Rice into a formal bid as they weigh up what their midfield will look like next season.
That is according to the Manchester Evening News, who have stated the Premier League champions are deciding the pros and cons of signing the West Ham captain.
It has been said that despite City being able to match West Ham’s £100million asking price, they are reluctant to spend extravagantly.
The Citizens are desperate to bolster their defence with Aymeric Laporte facing an uncertain future, as RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol continues to be linked.
The MEN have also declared that Rice is not seen as a direct replacement for Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan as he does not provide the same goal threat as the German.
Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neil has told new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou that the difference between Scottish and English football is huge.
Speaking on the White and Jordan show, he said: “The gap in standard of football is big, it’s really big.
“My team at Celtic in 2003 could have easily taken their place in the Premier League – without a question.
“But now, the difference between the standard is immense.”
O’Neil also stressed how he is desperate for Postecoglou to be a success in north London after two successful years in Glasgow with Celtic.
He remarked: “I really want him to be [successful] because he’s a good man – we’re all good men until we lose a few games!
“But he will need some help, there’s no question about that, because some of those Tottenham players are not good enough to play for Tottenham.”
Newcastle’s Women’s side will become the first professional club next season to feature in the third-tier of the national women’s pyramid.
Becky Langley’s side won promotion to the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division after winning the Division One North title.
And now the decision has been made to turn the club from a semi-professional outfit to a professional team with the aim of reaching the Women’s Super League.
The move will see Newcastle’s Women’s team train throughout the week, while having access to better facilities.
Commenting on the decision, Langley told Newcastle’s website: “We hope to be a leading light in the movement towards professionalism in the women’s game and inspire women and girls who dream of pursuing a career in football.
“We have worked incredibly hard to get here and I’m so excited to work with the players as we help them to be the best athletes they can be.”
Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth added: “The success of Newcastle United Women is an integral part of our sporting objectives and we are delighted to support the team’s progress by building a professional model around them.
“Becky and the players have shown incredible dedication, and turning full-time will enable them to fully concentrate on their careers and the next chapter of Newcastle United Women as fully supported professionals.”
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on Bayern Munich’s radar.
The 27-year-old joined the Citizens from Leeds last summer, with injuries limiting him to just 12 Premier League appearances.
According to German news outlet BILD, the England international is being eyed up by Phillips as an alternative to Declan Rice.
The Bundesliga champions look set to miss out on signing the West Ham skipper, with the Citizens and Arsenal leading the race to secure his services.
It remains to be seen whether Phillips would be open to a move away from the Etihad.
Mason Greenwood was spotted back in training ahead of a possible return to football.
The 21-year-old was photographed in a training session with a private coach, in images published by The Sun.
The session was reportedly held at a public sports centre and he worked on his close control and shooting in the 90 minute session.
Greenwood remains suspended by Manchester United as they continue to conduct an internal investigation into him.
Charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour against him were dropped in February.
The Crown Prosecution Service cited the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light.
He has been suspended since January 2022, following his initial arrest.
Greenwood was named on the club’s retained list, but his future remains up in the air.
As Arsenal look to sign one midfielder in Declan Rice, they could sanction the departure of another in Thomas Partey.
The Ghana international has two years left on his deal at the Emirates, with no talks planned to extend his stay.
A moved to Saudi Arabia has been mooted, but according to Sky Italy, the midfielder is keen to make the move to Turin.
The news outlet states that the 30-year-old has been identified as the ideal replacement for Adrien Rabiot, should he leave Juventus this summer.
It has been said that Partey has agreed to join the Old Lady, who are prepared to pay Arsenal between £15.4million-£17m.
A three-year contract is claimed to be on the table for the former Atletico Madrid star.
Everton have announced that Bill Kenwright will remain as the club’s chairman, with majority shareholder Mr Farhad Moshiri to join the board.
The Toffees have also revealed that Colin Chong, their Chief Stadium Development Officer, is now the club’s interim Chief Executive Officer and Director.
Meanwhile James Maryniak will now serve as Everton’s interim Chief Finance Officer.
A statement from Mr Moshiri read: “I wanted Bill to remain as our Chairman during this important period of transition for the Club and I am delighted that he has accepted my request to do so.
“Bill’s knowledge and vast experience will be crucial for us as we look to reset, deliver on external investment and position Everton for a successful future.
“In John [Spellman, chartered accountant], we have an experienced finance professional who has held Chief Executive and senior finance roles for international firms and I welcome him to the club.
“In Colin and James, we have two experienced senior club professionals who have agreed to take on enhanced roles on an interim basis, and who we know can and will deliver immediately.”
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