The new Premier League season begins tonight and Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham remain among the busiest clubs of the summer window. At Stamford Bridge, Marc Cucurella has been signed for £62m and Wesley Fofana could soon join him if Thomas Tuchel gets his way, despite a £70m bid being rejected by Leicester. Marcos Alonso, meanwhile, is set to join Barcelona.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is not done, despite spending more than £120m, with Leicester’s Youri Tielemans in mind, with a fresh boost potentially arriving on Friday as the Foxes chase Houssem Aouar. Lucas Paqueta has also been linked with the Gunners.
Tottenham have made six signings so far this summer and Udinese left-back Destiny Udogie, who is thought to have been personally recommended by one Antonio Conte, is likely to be the seventh in a £21m deal that should be finalized next week. Conte reportedly wants three more before the end of the window on September 1, with Nicolo Zaniolo, Memphis Depay and Pau Torres all linked. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumors below!
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Spurs target to sign a new deal
Tottenham transfer target Nikola Milenkovic is close to ending speculation over his future by signing a new contract at Fiorentina.
According to Gianluca di Marzio, the centre-back is keen to stay put this summer despite interest in him from the likes of Spurs and Juventus.
Spurs remain in the market for a centre-back.
Arsenal handed Tielemans a boost
Leicester are looking at Lyon’s Houssem Aouar as a replacement for Arsenal target Youri Tielemans, reports the Sun.
The Belgian is expected to leave Leicester this month and Arsenal is his preferred destination.
Leicester are seemingly preparing for his departure by lining up possible replacements.
Chelsea in fresh Fofana bid
Chelsea have failed in a fresh bid for Wesley Fofana, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The offer, reportedly in excess of £70m, has been rejected by Leicester City, but Chelsea will return with an improved offer.
Tuchel: Chelsea have signed ‘the new Azpilicueta’ in Cucurella
Chelsea have signed “the new Cesar Azpilicueta” in Marc Cucurella, according to Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.
Spanish defender Cucurella became the club’s fifth signing of a busy and often chaotic summer transfer window on Friday, penning a six-year contract after joining from Brighton for a sizeable fee that could rise as high as £62.5 million.
Cucurella’s arrival has coincided with a new contract for compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta, with Chelsea’s long-serving club captain signing an improved two-year deal until 2024 on Thursday, ending Barcelona’s long-running pursuit of his signature in the process.
There are many parallels between the two players other than simply their nationality, primarily the versatility and ability to operate in multiple defensive positions that makes them such valuable options for Tuchel, who lost the services of both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers earlier this summer and then signed Kalidou Koulibaly, with another centre-back on the agenda amid talks over Leicester’s Wesley Fofana.
“I’m very excited about what he can bring,” the manager said of the arrival of Cucurella, who could make a swift debut for Chelsea in their Premier League opener against Frank Lampard’s Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday evening. “He’s a fantastic player, a fantastic guy.
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Arteta hints at further signings as he reveals Arsenal plans
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal plan on making further additions to their squad in the transfer window.
New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko started in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on the opening night of the Premier League season, with Matt Turner on the bench and Fabio Vieira missing out with injury.
The attention at the moment for Arsenal has appeared to be on outgoings, with Bernd Leno joining Fulham and Lucas Torreira close to completing a move to Galatasaray.
Links with Youri Tielemans and Lucas Paqueta continue though, with midfield likely the position in focus should the Gunners choose to splash out once again. A move for Tielemans in particular looks a real possibility, with Leicester needing to sell players but reluctant to see the likes of James Maddison and Wesley Fofana leave.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s victory at Selhurst Park, Arteta revealed that plans are in place for Arsenal to continue their summer business, but it remains to be seen if those can be pulled off.
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Tottenham close on Udogie deal
Tottenham are closing in on their seventh signing of a busy summer transfer window.
Spurs opened talks with Udinese earlier this week over a switch for highly-rated young left-back Destiny Udogie.
Now Fabrizio Romano reports that Tottenham are planning to complete the deal next week, with final negotiations taking place.
Udogie was left out of Udinese’s squad in the Coppa Italia tonight, but will return to the Serie A club on a year-long loan.
Arsenal handed fresh Tielemans boost
Have Arsenal received a fresh boost in their long-running pursuit of Youri Tielemans?
The Gunners remain keen on the Belgian midfielder, who has long since been a key target for Mikel Arteta even after the signing of Fabio Vieira.
Now Leicester could be lining up their replacement for Tielemans, with Foot Mercato in France suggesting that Brendan Rodgers wants to sign former Arsenal target Houssem Aouar.
The Foxes have yet to make a single signing so far in this window and have to sell before they buy.
Done deal! West Ham sign Cornet
West Ham have completed the signing of Burnley winger Maxwell Cornet in a £17.5 million deal.
The Hammers activated the Ivory Coast international’s release clause earlier this week and he has now been unveiled as David Moyes’ fifth signing of the summer, signing a five-year contract.
He was not registered in time to be considered for a swift debut on Sunday, when West Ham opened the new season against reigning champions Manchester City.
“It’s a new step for me to join this big Club and I’m really happy to be here, to be part of the project for the Club. I’m just excited to start,” Cornet said.
“Everyone knows the level here in the Premier League is very high and I want to play here for that, so I’m really happy to be here for the next stage in my career.
“It will be amazing to play in front of 62,500 fans at London Stadium. I played here for Burnley last season and I can’t wait to experience it as a West Ham player.”
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Done deal! Benteke leaves Crystal Palace for MLS
Confirmation from Crystal Palace that Christian Benteke has indeed left Selhurst Park to join DC United in the MLS.
The Belgian striker departs having scored 37 goals in 177 total appearances for Palace over a six-year stint.
He will play under Wayne Rooney across the Atlantic.
“Christian has played a crucial role in this club’s Premier League journey, making an immediate impact after signing and playing a central role in the squad ever since,” said Palace chairman Steve Parish.
“He’s someone I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with and he’s shown incredible loyalty staying with the club when he could easily have taken other options. We all wish him all the very best with the next stage of his career.”
Chelsea determined to land No. 1 target Fofana
More now on Chelsea’s dogged pursuit of Wesley Fofana.
CBS Sports report that the latest offer submitted to Leicester is worth in excess of £70m.
What’s more, it is said that it certainly won’t be the last bid made if it’s turned down.
Fofana is now reportedly Chelsea’s absolute No1 target before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Will the Blues get their man?
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