PHILIPPE COUTINHO has agreed to QUIT Aston Villa after agreeing personal terms with Qatari club Al-Duhail.
However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Villans are yet to accept the deal as they are holding out for a higher transfer fee.
Elsewhere, West Ham are closing in on the signing of Mohammed Kudus with the in-demand Ajax midfielder expected to undergo his medical TODAY.
And Manchester City are interested in a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
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- By Alex Smith
Balogun set for medical
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is set to undergo a medical at Monaco today.
The two clubs have reportedly agreed a £38.5m fee.
Balogun scored 22 goals in Ligue 1 for Reims last season when on loan there and has been keen to leave the Gunners for more first-team assurances.
- By Alex Smith
Real Madrid business done
Real Madrid have lost Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad and have key men Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois all out injured.
But boss Carlo Ancelotti does not feel the need to dip into the transfer market to make-up for the injuries.
He said: "Vinicius injury will not force us to sign players. The team is complete. We can win without Vinicius, Benzema, Courtois, Militao.
"Our attack is complete. The numbers speak for themselves. We are scoring goals without Benzema and Vinicius."
Real Madrid have signed Jude Bellingham, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Joselu this summer.
- By Alex Smith
Roma want Lukaku
Roma are keen to sign Romelu Lukaku and are ready to submit a loan bid today.
Italian chiefs are supposedly in London holding talks with Chelsea and the Belgian striker.
Lukaku is thought to be open to reunion with Jose Mourinho, who he worked with at United.
Credit: Getty
- By Alex Smith
Amrabat not playing
Sofyan Amrabat will reportedly not play for Fiorentina until the end of the window as he is waiting to find out where his future lies.
The Moroccan midfielder is keen on a move to Manchester United.
However, they are yet to make an official bid for him.
- By Alex Smith
Sanchez rejoins Inter
Alexis Sanchez has resigned for Inter Milan.
The ex-Arsenal and Man Utd star has left Marseille with Joaquin Correa going in the opposite direction on loan.
Sanchez spent three seasons with Inter from 2019 to 2022.
He has signed a one-year deal at the San Siro.
- By Alex Smith
Kudus set to Hammers medical
Ajax star Mohammed Kudus is expected to fly to London today for a medical at West Ham.
Irons chief Tim Steidten has been in Amsterdam to secure the signing and flew to Bulgaria to meet with Kudus after Ajax's Europa League clash against them.
The Hammers have been in talks with their Dutch counterparts in recent weeks and look to have struck a £38m deal that includes £3m in add-ons as well as a ten per cent sell-on clause.
Kudus is set to pen a five-year deal at London Stadium.
He follows Edson Alvarez in switching Ajax for West Ham this summer.
- By Alex Smith
Saints Day
Yesterday was a busy day on the south coast for Southampton as they signed two Premier League players.
Everton's Mason Holgate joined the club on loan and Newcastle outcast Ryan Fraser also signed on a deal until the end of this season.
It adds to the loan secured earlier in the week of West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes.
Meanwhile, wonderkid Nathan Tella, who helped fire Burnley to the Prem last season while out on loan, is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga side have reportedly agreed a £20m fee with Southampton.
Credit: Getty - By Alex Smith
Brighton need signings
Brighton have developed a reputation for finding hidden gems and selling them on for big money and manager Roberto De Zerbi is demanding they do so again.
The club have pocketed £115m by selling Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and now need reinforcements themselves.
De Zerbi told Sky Sports: "We are Brighton and we know we can lose important players at the end of a season. It's not a problem.
"The most important [thing] is to find the replacements, the right replacements, the right players – if we want to keep this level. And we have the same motivation – the same target.
"I think, and I hope, we can sign some players – because we need it."
- By Joshua Jones
Phil's farewell on the cards?
Philippe Coutinho has agreed to QUIT Aston Villa for the Middle East, according to reports.
But the transfer has not been cleared by Villa at this stage.
The Brazilian playmaker, 31, is surplus to requirements in the West Midlands under Unai Emery.
And he has successfully negotiated personal terms to move to Qatari club Al-Duhail.
However, Fabrizio Romano reports the Villans are yet to accept the deal as they hold out for a transfer fee.
It is understood talks are still going on but Al-Duhail are desperate to get Coutinho over the line.
Coutinho still has three years left on his £125,000-a-week contract at Villa Park.
- By Joshua Jones
Luk-ing to Italy again
Romelu Lukaku could take a step closer to his latest Chelsea exit.
It is understood the Belgium striker is wanted by Jose Mourinho's Roma.
The Serie A giants will reportedly make a formal loan bid today.
Roma's director and owner are said to be in London ready for negotiations over a loan fee and salary structure.
- By Joshua Jones
Gift of the Gab
Mikel Arteta is still happy with Gabriel Maghalaes – and told him so in a private meeting.
The Brazilian defender has started the season as a substitute with Ben White joining William Saliba at centre-back and Thomas Partey at right-back.
That has led to speculation Gabriel could be sold this summer – but Arteta insists that is not the case.
Arteta said: “It is difficult for him, yes, but we have to focus on what is now and what is ahead and how we’re going to evolve that.
“There will be different relationships. Gabby will play a lot of games, I’m sure. It’s about bringing the competition high and trying to make the team play better, better, better and win more games. That’s the purpose of all of us.
"Of course I have explained to him why he’s not in the team – especially someone who has played a lot of minutes and games with us in the last year.
“I told him. He understands the reasons. Whether he agrees with it is something different. But the best way to do it is when you play, just tell me how blind and wrong I am.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Roma vs Utd for Marcos
Brazilian whizkid Marcos Leonardo is still being monitored by Manchester United, reports say.
Former Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho has led the race for the Santos forward, 20.
Credit: Getty Now, though, United are pondering an approach just as Mourinho’s Roma weigh up an offer.
The Serie A giants might bid £17million plus £4m in add-ons.
- By Ian Tuckey
Red Devils would be lost without Ten Hag
EXCLUSIVE: Without Pep Guardiola on the touchline for the next two games after back surgery, it will definitely be strange for the Manchester City players.
I am sure with the technology of today, there will be a TV link to Pep over in Barcelona. He will be able to watch and get messages to his coaches. But for the players, it won’t really matter.
For anybody else other than City and Arsenal with Mikel Arteta, it would be a huge factor. Those two sets of players would just be able to get on with it.
It is very rarely about having big shouting matches with players or drastically changing the tactics. If Manchester United, currently in a transitional phase, lost Erik ten Hag from the sidelines, they would struggle.
How they play right now is extremely orchestrated by Ten Hag during a game. Without him there, they would make so many mistakes.
You can see it when you are watching games, the United players are constantly looking for reassurance they did what they were supposed to do.
It is the same with Liverpool, who have a brand-new midfield. Chelsea have basically got a new squad, so need Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Mason ‘devastated’ to be leaving Old Trafford
EXCLUSIVE: Mason Greenwood has been left “devastated” by Manchester United’s decision to dump him – which has left him mulling over an offer from a club in Albania.
The forward, 21, and his family had expected to return to the Red Devils after club officials indicated they were willing to give him a second chance.
But following a public backlash the club announced on Monday he would not play for United again.
His hopes of re-starting his career at a high level club have also been dealt a blow after officials from Italian Serie A side Roma and the Saudi Premier League indicated they were no longer interested in signing the Prem star.
Following his suspension by United after charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive controlling behaviour were dropped in February, at least two Premier League clubs made enquiries about signing him on loan.
But those clubs are now re-thinking their plans as they consider whether any public backlash they are likely to receive if they sign him is worth it.
Championship clubs are also believed to be monitoring the situation, but are worried they too would be unable to handle the PR situation.
So at the moment, the only side who are reportedly interested is an unnamed team in Albania.
The Sun understands the backlash has been so severe that Greenwood – who became a dad in July – has been left “devastated” and fearing for the future of his career.
- By Ian Tuckey
Napoli ‘join Prem giants in Amrabat battle'
Napoli have reportedly joined Manchester United and Liverpool in hunting Sofyan Amrabat.
But the Italian kings s are thought unwilling to match Fiorentina’s demands for at least £30million.
Old Trafford manager Erik ten Hag hopes to recruit one or more midfielder by September 1
But United have failed to sell players to fund an Amrabat deal
Napoli are interested as Celta’s star man Gabri Veiga is tipped for a huge Saudi Arabia move.
- By Ian Tuckey
Prem giants queue for Ivan
Prem giants are reportedly hovering around Ivan Toney.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are among the clubs rumoured to be keen on the suspended Brentford frontman.
It’s claimed the Bees WOULD consider cashing in on the 27-year-old this month – for around £80million.
However, it’s expected Toney will NOT move until January – when his ban finishes – and might even stay much longer.
Credit: Reuters - By Ian Tuckey
Hammers close on Kudus
West Ham have reportedly agreed a £38.2million deal with Ajax for Mohamed Kudus.
The 23-year-old is due to jet to London this weekend for a medical and to tie up the move.
The Ghana ace was earlier linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Credit: EPA - By Ian Tuckey
'Onana better than both Arsenal keepers'
Former England keeper David James rates Manchester United's new keeper Andre Onana better than the two men battling to be Arsenal No1.
Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta puzzled many by recruiting Brentford's David Raya this month despite having Three Lions star Aaron Ramsdale.
But James told GGRecon why he's a "massive fan" of Onana.
When Manchester United signed him, I was quietly buzzing and that’s not me saying that I want Manchester United to win anything. Having followed him closely last season in the Champions League, I believed this was a goalkeeper that should be playing for one of the top teams in the Premier League and with plenty of question marks over David de Gea last season, it just made perfect sense for Manchester United.
We talk about the David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale situation at Arsenal and Onana is better than both of them. He should, and could be, Manchester United’s outlet with his distribution. It wouldn’t even surprise me if he gets an assist this season.
I believe André Onana will arguably make Manchester United a better team. If they don’t improve, then it has never been the goalkeeper’s issue, it’s an issue with Manchester United’s outfield. Onana’s a great acquisition and I’m looking forward to seeing some great performances from him this season.
- By Ian Tuckey
Monaco medical test 'booked for Balogun'
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is expected to join Monaco within 48 hours.
The French giants have reportedly booked a medical for the USA star.
Balogun was linked with AC Milan, Inter and West Ham, before Chelsea and Tottenham were rumoured to be interested.
Credit: Getty But Italian journalist Rudy Galetti believes the former England Under-21 international has all but sealed a switch to Monaco.
Arsenal wanted around £50million for Balogun.
But previous offers are said to have been around £35m and it's unclear how much Monaco have agreed to pay.
- By Ian Tuckey
Liverpool 'confident of winning Ryan race'
Liverpool are reportedly confident of beating Manchester United to Ryan Gravenberch.
Bayern Munich would prefer to keep the Holland midfielder – but appear to have softened their position.
And the former Ajax star, 21, might be tempted to move as he wants more regular football to boost his Euro 2024 chances.
- By Graeme Bryce
Forest close on triple transfer coup
Nottingham Forest are on the brink of pulling off a stunning hat-trick of transfers following a whirlwind 24-hours of transfer dealings.
Steve Cooper kicked off yesterday by welcoming Chelsea's Brazilian international midfielder Andrey Santos to the City Ground on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old skippered Brazil's Under-20s to South American Championship success, earning a call-up to the senior team in March.
But despite featuring in Chelsea's pre-season games, the opportunity of regular Premier League football with Forest was too hard for the teenager to resist.
Cooper is also closing in on another Brazilian with Corinthians centre-half Murillo set to fly to the UK after his club accepted a £14million bid from Forest.
And Forest's Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson is poised to beat Fulham and Everton for Chelsea and England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi – for just under £10million.
The 22-year-old is out of contract next summer and Chelsea want to cash in on him now, after Hudson-Odoi struggled on loan at Bayer Leverkusen last year, scoring just once in 21 appearances.
- By Ian Tuckey
Saints borrow Holgate for season
Everton's Mason Holgate has joined Southampton on loan for the rest of the season.
The 26-year-old, normally a centre-back, is Russell Martin’s sixth summer signing for the relegated Saints.
Southampton's Director of Football Jason Wilcox told the former England Under-21 ace: “Mason is a player who brings tremendous experience and leadership to our squad, whose football intelligence has seen him excel in a number of positions.
“He’s a player who is proven in the Premier League over many years and has experienced the Championship before, so he already knows the division. He has all the attributes to help us this season.”
Ex-West Brom loanee Holgate said: “I did have other opportunities, but I just think the way the manager comes across and the style of football that he plays is suited to me to a tee.
“The passion that he spoke with, I just felt like I was wanted, which has been very important for me, because there’s been points over the last few years where I’ve not really felt like that.
“To be wanted by someone and to be part of a project, seeing where the club can go, it’s something that I want to be a part of: getting the club back to where it should be.”
- By Richard Moriarty
Mason 'fears for his top-level career
Mason Greenwood's career fears amid his upcoming exit from Manchester United have been revealed.
The one-cap England striker, 21, worries he could fall down the footballing ladder.
A source said: “Mason always wanted to re-start his career at the highest level possible.
"He hoped and believed it would be with United.
“The strength of feeling has now left him worried if he will ever play in the top leagues again.
"Playing in somewhere like Albania was never part of his plans, ever.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Greenwood 'devastated' after United decision
EXCLUSIVE: Mason Greenwood has been left “devastated” by Manchester United’s decision to dump him – which has left him mulling over an offer from a club in Albania.
The forward, 21, and his family had expected to return to the Red Devils after club officials indicated they were willing to give him a second chance.
But following a public backlash the club announced on Monday he would not play for United again.
His hopes of re-starting his career at a high level club have also been dealt a blow after officials from Italian Serie A side Roma and the Saudi Premier League indicated they were no longer interested in signing the Prem star.
Following his suspension by United after charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive controlling behaviour were dropped in February, at least two Premier League clubs made enquiries about signing him on loan.
But those clubs are now re-thinking their plans as they consider whether any public backlash they are likely to receive if they sign him is worth it.
Championship clubs are also believed to be monitoring the situation, but are worried they too would be unable to handle the PR situation.
So at the moment, the only side who are reportedly interested is an unnamed team in Albania.
The Sun understands the backlash has been so severe that Greenwood – who became a dad in July – has been left “devastated” and fearing for the future of his career.
- By Ian Tuckey
'Tierney move scuppers Reguilon deal'
Tottenham's chances of offloading Sergio Reguilon have faded collapse after Real Sociedad switched attention to Arsenal's Kieran Tierney.
The LaLiga side now appear likely to borrow Scotland star Tierney for the rest of the season rather than Spaniard Reguilon.
It's thought Sociedad will pay the Gunners a small loan fee as well as paying all his salary.
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