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FootballPremier LeagueUpdated: 23:05, 3 Aug 2023
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Headlines:
EVERY PREMIER LEAGUE DONE DEAL
Transfer notebook: Amrabat snubs Saudi, West Ham target Arsenal striker, Eze stalls on new Crystal Palace contract
Newcastle agree £40million deal with Southampton for Tino Livramento with Chelsea set for huge windfall
Chelsea agree £25million deal for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez
Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Jesus will miss start of Premier League season
New Chelsea signing Christopher Nkunku hobbles off in pre-season
Man City close to record Josko Gvardiol deal that could eclipse Harry Maguire to Manchester United
Chelsea usurped in chase for Moises Caicedo by unnamed club as Brighton receive £80million offer
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That’s it for today on talkSPORT.com’s football news blog.
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Marcus Rashford has revealed how Wayne Rooney is willing him to break his Manchester United goalscoring record.
Rooney tops the list of all-time scorers at Old Trafford with 253, but having recently signed a new five-year contract, 25-year-old Rashford looks in a good position to one day overhaul that tally.
The 30 goals he scored last season, which was the most prolific campaign of his career, saw him move to 123 and more look set to follow with Erik ten Hag seemingly unlocking Rashford’s full potential. And Rashford says the man whose record he wants to take is cheering him on.
Asked by Gary Neville on the Overlap whether he can surpass Rooney’s record, he said: “Hopefully I will.
“You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m all about scoring goals and trying to make assists. There’s definitely a chance that it can happen.
“I’ve actually spoken to Wazza about it – he wants me to do it. He said it would be good for me to do it as I’ve grown up at the club. Hopefully I get the opportunity to try and make it happen.”
Luton have completed the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski from Blackburn.
The 30-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee and is set to travel with his new team-mates for the pre-season friendly against Bochum in Germany. Kaminski becomes the seventh new arrival at Kenilworth Road this summer following promotion as the Hatters reshape the squad for a first Premier League campaign.
“A lot of work has been done to get the deal, and that goalkeeper position, over the line,” Luton boss Rob Edwards said on the club website.
“Thomas not only brings us a really proactive level of goalkeeping, but also he’s an international footballer with Belgium so he brings that level of experience too.”
Kaminski will reunite with former Rovers team-mate Amari’i Bell at Kenilworth Road and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“Knowing Luton’s story and playing against them, it’s a well organised team. You can see the togetherness on the pitch,” he said.
“I’m delighted to be here and looking forward to the opportunity.”
Willian could become the next player to up sticks to Saudi Arabia, just weeks after signing a new contract at Fulham.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with Al Shabab, who finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season.
Romano adds that Willian has signalled his intention to leave and it’s now up to the two respective clubs for a deal to happen.
Fulham announced the 34-year-old had re-signed for the club after a successful 2022/23 season at Craven Cottage, penning a one-year deal, on July 17.
It appears Josko Gvardiol’s move to Manchester City is all-but done.
Transfers reporter Fabrizio Romano says the Croatia defender can now be considered a City player after the documents between the two clubs were signed.
talkSPORT understands Gvardiol will join last season’s treble winners in a £77million deal.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has penned an open letter to fans explaining the club’s position regarding Financial Fair Play restrictions.
The Premier League club have made three signings this summer, although two of them have been free transfers and there appears to be frustration from fans over a lack of investment in the squad.
Wolves were in the relegation battle last season but their form under Julen Lopetegui saw them beat the drop. However, Shi’s letter suggests it could be another season of struggle for them.
Chairman Jeff Shi has penned a letter to Wolves supporters.
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 3, 2023
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo will miss the start of the Premier League season with a knee problem.
The 21-year-old Ivory Coast international suffered the injury during the tour of the United States, and United confirmed he would “miss the first part” of the upcoming campaign.
United have not set a time frame for a likely return as the club ‘await further details on his estimated recovery date’.
Diallo had impressed during a loan spell at Sunderland last season, scoring 14 goals and helping the Black Cats reach the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, where they lost out to Luton.
United will also be without teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who returned from the USA with an ankle injury.
Erik ten Hag’s squad continue preparations for the new campaign with friendlies this weekend against Lens at Old Trafford and then Athletic Bilbao in Dublin ahead of the opening Premier League fixture against Wolves on August 14.
Darren Bent has told talkSPORT Arsenal should have signed Romelu Lukaku this summer, after learning about Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Jesus will miss the start of the season after having surgery on a knee injury.
It’s a blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans for the 2023/24 campaign, with the club now linked with an interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as they seek extra firepower.
But Gooner and former Premier League star Bent says there’s another quality option on the market…
Speaking on Drivetime, Bent said: “It would be nice to get a 20 season goal scorer, but who is out there?
“I said it in the pre-show meeting about centre-forwards out there… I’m a big fan of Eddie Nketiah, I know everyone’s not, but I think he’s a goalscorer, you just need to get him opportunities, and I think Balogun has done really well and a lot of Arsenal fans are crying out to see what he can do.
“But I even said for a year, if it was an option, I would have taken Lukaku.
“I know a lot of Arsenal fans are probably thinking, ‘Absolutely not’, but I think I would.
“He’s got pedigree in the Premier League. He’s a big physical presence. He’s a battering ram. A little bit like when Giroud was at Arsenal. You could play off him and I think that would have been good.
“But if you can’t get Lukaku and you don’t fancy Nketiah or Balogun, there are not many out there.
“Vlahovic is one people are talking about, but we don’t know. He’s already turned Arsenal down before, so do you want to go back after him? And he’s struggled at Juve, so why would you go and get him now?”
James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia are expected to play as Southampton get their Championship campaign underway against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow night.
Both players have been linked with moves away from St Mary’s, with West Ham chasing captain Ward-Prowse and Lavia linked with Liverpool and Chelsea.
Speaking in his press conference today ahead of tomorrow’s season opener, manager Russell Martin said: “Both will be involved tomorrow night as it stands, I don’t know if anything will change between now and then.
“Do I think they will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different.
“However, it would be pointless to come out and say I think they’ll be here or I don’t because ultimately I have no control over that really.
“If they’re both not here at some point or one of them isn’t it will be because the club and the player have both had something that is beneficial for everyone.
“I think that’s why it has dragged on so long so far and I think it might continue to drag on, but both of them while they have been here have been great, at very different stages of their career.”
In case you missed it – Josko Gvardiol is set to undergo a medical at Man City in the next few days.
The Premier League champions have agreed a £77.5million [€90million] deal with RB Leipzig for the highly-rated centre-back.
The Bundesliga side were said to be holding out for a fee of £86m [€100m] for the Croatia international, but City have been able to push the transfer through at a price that suits them.
The 21-year-old is due in Manchester before the end of the week for a medical.
So far, midfielder Mateo Kovacic is City’s only summer signing, with the Croatian having moved from Chelsea in June.
City saw captain Ilkay Gundogan leave for Barcelona on a free transfer and Riyad Mahrez last week completed a switch to Saudi Arabia club Al-Ahli in a £30m deal.
Bernardo Silva has also been linked with an exit and moves to Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.
The treble winners will take on Arsenal in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday – LIVE on talkSPORT.
Southampton will make a move to sign Max Aarons from Norwich to fill the boots of Tino Livramento, talkSPORT understands.
The 23-year-old will not be his club’s squad this weekend as the Canaries kick off their new Championship campaign against Hull City on Saturday – as confirmed by manager David Wagner.
With Livramento heading to Newcastle, Aarons – who helped England to European U21 Championship glory this summer – is being lined up as a direct replacement.
And he could even join for Saints in time to face Norwich next weekend when they face each other on August 12.
Newcastle have now agreed a fee with Southampton for the signing of Tino Livramento, talkSPORT understands.
The Magpies will pay a total transfer fee of £40million for the 20-year-old right back – broken down into an initial £35m with £5m in add-ons.
Livramento will be left out of Southampton’s travelling squad to face Sheffield Wednesday in their Championship opener tomorrow as he completes his move to St James’ Park.
It is also understood 50 per cent of that fee will go to his former club Chelsea due to a sell-on clause, so the Blues will bank £20m from the deal.
Wow.
Rasmus Hojlund has completed his medical his transfer to Manchester United will be announced this weekend, according to reports.
According to Manchester Evening News, the Premier League giants are now putting the final touches on the deal before unveiling their latest signing around Saturday’s friendly with French side Lens, which kicks off at 12:45pm.
Hojlund is understood to have agreed a five-year contract, with the option of an extra year, for a combined transfer fee of £72million [£64m plus £8m in add-ons].
MEN also claim the clubs plans around Hojlund this week were forced to change as the 20-year-old striker arrived at the club later than planned.
The Dane flew to Manchester on Tuesday evening and was scheduled to meet with some fans and take part in some other activities around his signing, but they were cancelled with his medical instead taking precedent.
Hojlund was Erik ten Hag’s top target this summer as he seeks a new striker to lead the line at Old Trafford, with the frontman represented by the same agency as the Man United boss.
Tottenham have also opened talks with Rosario Central over 19-year-old forward Alejo Veliz.
Veliz impressed at the Under-20 World Cup this summer, scoring three goals for Argentina.
Discussions are at an early stage but Spurs are eager to make a number of signings during a busy final month of the summer transfer window.
Veliz is said to have already agreed personal terms with the Premier League club, with the player keen to join, but Rosario are keen to keep the winger on loan after the transfer goes through.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea have agreed to pay £25million to sign Robert Sanchez from Brighton.
The Spaniard will be reunited with former Brighton goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts at Stamford Bridge, with Sanchez hailing Roberts in the past for helping to improve his ‘mental fortitude’.
Sanchez also counts as a homegrown player, having been at Brighton since the age of 15.
He was born in Spain but was courted by England in the past, before ultimately being called up to the Spanish national team and earning two caps.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The 25-year-old Spaniard is set to travel to London to undergo his medical with the Blues.
Chelsea are signing Sanchez to provide competition for No.1 goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, following the departure of Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer window.
Sanchez made 23 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season before losing his starting spot to Jason Steele in March – with manager Roberto De Zerbi deciding Steele was better suited to playing it out from the back.
Sanchez did not travel with the rest of the Seagulls squad for their pre-season tour of the United States of America, and is now set to seal a move away from the south coast to join Chelsea.
Tottenham have stepped up their pursuit of new centre-backs for boss Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs have accelerated their search for new defenders with talks advancing over the transfer of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven.
No final agreement over a fee – expected to be in the region of £30million – has been reached, but there is a growing confidence the Netherlands Under-21 international will make the move before Spurs’ Premier League opener at Brentford on August 13.
Tottenham also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signature of centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, who alongside Van de Ven has been high on the club’s list of potential targets this summer.
A move for both Bundesliga-based defenders has not been ruled out but Spurs are working on other transfers.
Blackburn centre-back Ash Phillips is expected to complete his move to Tottenham this weekend, with the 18-year-old to make the step up from Championship to Premier League for around £2million, with Spurs set to trigger a release clause in his contract.
His arrival will not impact on Postecoglou’s desire to boost his senior options in defence, with the centre-back viewed as a player for the future.
It’s time for Harry Maguire to leave Manchester United.
That’s the view of Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No.2, Rene Meulensteen, who admits his surprise the centre-back even wants to stay despite clearly not being in Erik ten Hag’s plans.
“Is it time for Harry Maguire to move on? Yeah,” he told talkSPORT.
“And I don’t know why [he’s staying put] because at the end of the day I think it’s very clear. The writing has been on the wall for a bit.
“Every player, every professional wants to play. He needs to play. He’s still in Gareth Southgate’s ideas about playing for England. He has been.
“So I find it really strange what has happened there, because if I would be Harry, I would be definitely knocking on Eric’s door.
“I would be saying, ‘Listen, I’m not really in your plans, please let me go’.”
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has also hit out at the delay and silence over the club’s ownership situation, and says it can’t keep dragging on.
Responding to Rio Ferdinand’s interview on talkSPORT, the Dutchman told Jim White: “Everything that Rio said is spot on
“The uncertainty, there’s no clarity. What is the direction? What is the vision?
“Don’t get me wrong, the Glazers have they have put their hand into their wallet because, correct me if I’m wrong, since Sir Alex Ferguson left they have spent about £1billion for all the other managers, and they’re doing it now for Erik ten Hag. So there’s no complaints there.
“But I would I feel glad [of the Glazers go] because I feel that owners need to have a connection and an affection with the club, and that’s not there. Look at what happened to Wrexham, those people care and they’re clear, ‘This is what we’re going to do, you’re going to be part of it’, and that is I think what the Manchester United fans are crying out for.
“The really strange thing for me is that at the end of last season it came up that they are ready to sell and numbers were flying all over the table, the Qataris came in, Sir Jim Ratcliffe came in, but here we now sitting in August with one week before the Premier League starts…
“Yes, Eric has been able to do some transfers, but still we’re not any further to knowing about the ownership, it’s dragging on and it will keep annoying fans.”
Rio Ferdinand has called for ‘clarity’ and ‘transparency’ surrounding Manchester United’s takeover, which looks set to drag on well into the new Premier League season.
New owners were initially expected to buy out the Glazers and usher in a new era for the Old Trafford club months ago.
But now – with a little over a week to go until the new campaign kicks off – supporters are no closer to finding out who will take change of their club, or even if a takeover will happen.
And Ferdinand insists it’s unacceptable to keep fans in the dark.
“The uncertainty surrounding the ownership isn’t good for the club,” the Red Devils legend told talkSPORT.
“It isn’t good for the fan base at all, and I think that needs sorting out.
“I think new owners right now, given the way that the fan base is at the moment, is needed.
“I just think clarity right now, I think a lot of the time we’ve asked for transparency from the owners and some real clarity as to their direction the club is going to be going in, the infrastructure, investment etc would be nice.
“But that hasn’t been forthcoming and that’s been disappointing from my standpoint.”
Marcus Rashford feels he can score 40 goals a season, saying his ‘mentality changed’ after the World Cup in Qatar last winter.
The 25-year-old also insisted he’s coming to Wayne Rooney’s all-time scoring record at the club.
Wazza’s record tally stands at 253 goals, with Rashford currently on 123, but he’s got plenty of more years left in the tank as he looks to chase it down.
Speaking to Manchester United legend Gary Neville on the latest edition of his Overlap show, Rashford said: “[Playing for England] is a huge part of my career and I feel like the team is very strong – we’ve got a good chance of winning stuff and I’m desperate to be a part of it. When I came back from the World Cup, I felt like there was a mentality change, and I felt like I was up there with some of the best players in the world at that time.
“Before last season, I always aimed for 20 goals – a good benchmark for a winger. But this season, I’ve hit 30 – we have to try and push it now. Towards the end of the season, I was struggling with a few injuries, and I wasn’t quite at it – that’s when the goals started to dry up for a bit.
“If I can keep that side of it under taps, I feel like I can go on and get 35 or 40.
“[Lifting the Premier League trophy] has been my dream ever since I was a kid. I watched guys in your [Gary Neville’s] team winning so many times that it almost became natural for us to see you win it – we forgot about the hard work that you put into every game, and we expected to be lifting the trophy come the end of the season. It will be unbelievable for me to get my hands on that trophy with Manchester United – hopefully we manage to do that.
“Hopefully I will [break Wayne Rooney’s all-time United goal record]. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m all about scoring goals and trying to make assists. There’s a chance that it can happen.
“I’ve spoken to Wazza about it – he wants me to do it! He said it would be good for me to do it as I’ve grown up at the club. Hopefully I get the opportunity to try and make it happen.”
Newcastle are said to be closing in on the signing of Tino Livramento from Southampton.
Local paper Shields Gazette report the Magpies are close to reaching an agreement with Saints for the transfer of the 20-year-old right-back, after overcoming a stumbling block in the deal.
That stumbling block is claimed to be a sizeable sell-on fee due to Chelsea – around 40 per cent of the transfer fee.
It means Southampton have been holding out for a higher price, having rejected a £30million offer from Newcastle last month.
But negotiations are now in an advanced stage, with Livramento set to be left out of Southampton’s travelling squad to face Sheffield Wednesday in their Championship opener tomorrow.
Liam Cooper’s commitment to getting Leeds back in the Premier League is being tested by a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Cooper was one of the first players to take to social media to apologise to fans after Leeds were relegated from the Premier League and vowed that he would ‘never turn my back on the club’.
But talkSPORT understands the Scotland international, 31, a Leeds player since 2014 and stalwart of their last promotion-winning side, is attracting interest from Al-Qadsiah, managed by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.
Sofyan Amrabat is so keen to join Manchester United that he is willing to snub a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia.
Allan Saint Maximin’s Al Ahli are keen to bring Amrabat to the Middle East.
But sources close to the Fiorentina ace, who helped Morocco to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, say he only has eyes for Old Trafford.
Amrabat has been on Erik ten Hag’s radar since coming through the youth ranks of Dutch side Utrecht.
United need to sell either Donny van de Beek, wanted by Real Sociedad, or Galatasary target Fred to finance a move for Amrabat.
West Ham are eyeing a potential swoop for wantaway Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
The Hammers are looking to reinforce their front-line with flop Italian Gianluca Scamacca sizing up a move to Inter Milan and doubts over the future of Michail Antonio.
The Europa Conference League winners are believed to be among a cluster of Premier League sides who have asked to be kept informed on Balogun’s situation.
USA international Balogun, 22, enhanced his reputation by scoring 21 league goals on loan at French club Reims last season.
One potential stumbling block to a departure from the Emirates Stadium in this window is the knee injury ruling Gabriel Jesus out of the opening weeks of the season.
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