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That’s it for today on talkSPORT.com’s football news blog.
It’s been some day in the transfer market and don’t be surprised if we see even more movements across the Premier League.
We’ll be bang across what goes on across the transfer window as well as all the other big football news in the morning.
More from Tottenham, and they’ll be hosting a friendly against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on August 6.
Funds from the match will go towards Shakhtar’s charitable foundation to help with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country last year.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said: “Shakhtar is a side that delivers domestic success on a consistent basis and will provide a perfect test for us ahead of the new season.
“However, as we all know, this match represents so much more than football – it’s an opportunity for everyone at the club and our fans to come together in showing support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine during unimaginably difficult times.
“It promises to be a special occasion, for me personally, as it will be my first time in front of our home fans, and for the world to once again see how football has the unique ability to unite people in support of good causes.”
James Maddison has a message for Tottenham fans.
Fully COYS 🤍 pic.twitter.com/Q1yKdYI199
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 28, 2023
Here is the first official photo of James Maddison as a Tottenham player.
The 26-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the north London club.
Maddison, who has won three caps for England, has joined in a £40m deal from Leicester.
Tottenham have confirmed the signing of James Maddison from Leicester.
Spurs entered advanced talks with recently-relegated Leicester earlier this week and have now finalised a deal for the England international.
Maddison will cost the north London club an initial £40million plus add-ons.
The signing of the 26-year-old will represent a major coup for Spurs and bew boss Ange Postecoglou.
During five largely successful years with Leciester, who won the 2021 FA Cup, Maddison made 203 appearances, scored 55 goals and produced 41 assists.
While Maddison was unable to prevent Leicester suffering a shock relegation to the Championship last season, he was still able to hit double figures in terms of goals.
Newcastle had registered an interest in bringing the midfielder to St James’ Park but decided to pursue a move for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, which left the door open for Tottenham to swoop in for their key target.
Welcome, @Madders10! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Jcm3Z1HEMU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 28, 2023
Arsenal are on the verge of completing a deal for Declan Rice.
West Ham have given permission for RIce to have a medical at Arsenal after they table an offer worth up to £105million bid.
The structure of the payments are still being discussed, but are expected to be resolved soon.
Subject to a successful medical, Rice will become the most expensive British signing in history.
Man City had also made an offer for the 24-year-old, worth around £90m.
But the Premier League champions dropped their interest after the bid was rejected by West Ham.
Rice has always been keen on staying in London and moving to Arsenal.
Sealing his signature will complete a fine few days for Mikel Arteta, having signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea earlier on Wednesday.
Havertz has joined for a fee of around £65m.
Kai Havertz has spoken of his delight at sealing his move to Arsenal.
He told Arsenal’s club media: “It’s super exciting for me to be joining this amazing club and to be part of the Arsenal family. This club has such a big history, and I hope we can achieve lots of things.
“The mentality in the Arsenal squad is very high and you can feel that. That was one of the reasons why it has been so hard to play against Arsenal recently.
“The aim is to win trophies and I’m going to give everything to do that for the supporters and everyone at the club. I’m now looking forward to meeting all the players and the staff when we come back for pre-season.”
Arsenal have completed the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea. The Germany forward has signed a five-year contract in a £65million deal. https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1674130712054882304?s=20
Roma head coach Jose Mourinho has been hit with a 10-day suspension for the start of the Serie A season over comments he made about a referee.
Mourinho has been sanctioned by the national federal court of Italy’s football federation, the FIGC, after describing official Daniele Chiffi as ‘the worst referee (he) had ever seen’ after Roma’s match against Monza on May 3.
The Portuguese, who has also managed Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, will not be allowed to appear on the touchline or in the club’s dressing room on matchdays during the first 10 days of the new domestic campaign.
He has also been fined €50,000 (just over £43,000).
Last week Mourinho was banned for four matches by UEFA for abusing English referee Anthony Taylor at the Europa League final on May 31.
Leicester have agreed a fee of £7.5million with Wolves for the signing of Conor Coady, talkSPORT understands.
Coady, who spent last season on loan at Everton, will make a step down to the Championship with the Toffees beating the Foxes to survival.
It’s understood the fee will rise to £8.5m if Leicester win promotion back to the Premier League.
Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Edouard Mendy.
The goalkeeper has left Stamford Bridge after three seasons and completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Ahli.
The 31-year-old Senegal international will be best remembered for the key role he played in the Blues’ run to Champions League glory in 2021.
Mendy conceded just twice in seven knockout matches and registered nine Champions League clean sheets in 2020/21, a feat achieved by no other goalkeeper in their debut season in Europe’s elite club competition.
Those performances saw Mendy named UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper, and helped him to second place in the voting for the Yashin Trophy, an award that recognises the game’s top stoppers – becoming only the second goalkeeper in Chelsea history to be shortlisted for that honour.
“A hugely likeable character on and off the pitch, Edouard will always have a place in our history for his significant contributions to our 2021 Champions League triumph,” a Chelsea statement read.
“For that, and for everything else, we are grateful. Good luck, Edou!”
Edou Mendy has left Chelsea and joined Al-Ahli FC. ✍️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 28, 2023
Arsenal and West Ham are now very close to an agreement over the structure of their British record offer for Declan Rice, talkSPORT understands.
The Gunners have offered a guaranteed £100m plus £5m in add-ons.
It’s their third bid for the England midfielder as West Ham play hardball over their asking price for their captain and key player.
But it appears this one will be successful after Man City pulled out of the race, leaving the path clear for Arsenal to move forward.
The clubs are locked in discussions over how the initial £100m payment will be structured, and talkSPORT sources say they are nearing an agreement.
England Under-21s are back in action this evening, and it’s a big one – against old rivals Germany.
The Young Lions will be looking to complete a perfect group stage with three wins from three games with a victory over the Germans, following wins over Czech Republic and Israel.
England have already qualified for the knock-out stages of the European Under-21 Championship, but they will be driven to win against their historic rivals.
The game kicks off at 5pm, and you can follow along live on talkSPORT 2 and talkSPORT.com's live blog HERE
David De Gea appears to have responded to the speculation over his future.
Various reports over the last few days have revealed new details about why he has not signed a new contract yet, with claims he agreed to a wage cut to pen an extension, only for United to stall signing it and later telling the goalkeeper to lower his wages even further.
The Spaniard’s current position at the club is uncertain, especially with reports the Red Devils are looking at signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan as his replacement.
Well, it appears De Gea is bored of all the talk…
🥱
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) June 28, 2023
Liverpool starlet Fabio Carvalho is set to complete a loan move to RB Leipzig, but the prospect of midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai swiftly moving in the opposite direction is currently unlikely.
The Bundesliga club have been pursuing Carvalho for some time and it is understood they initially wanted an option to buy permanently.
However, Jurgen Klopp was not prepared to countenance that but he does want the 20-year-old to gain more first-team experience after he made just 21 appearances, most of them as substitute, in his first season after joining from Fulham.
Completely separate to the Carvalho deal, it is understood Liverpool have had a meeting with Hungary international Szoboszlai’s representatives but as yet he remains one of many options Klopp is hoping to bring in to reinforce his midfield.
It is understood the 22-year-old has a buyout clause in the region of €70million [£60.5million] which expires on Friday, but Liverpool have not made any move in relation to that, although that does not rule out them subsequently trying to negotiate a lower fee with Leipzig.
Chelsea are set to sign Santos winger Angelo Gabriel in a £15million transfer.
It is widely reported the Premier League club are in advanced negotiations to land the 18-year-old Brazilan ace, who is regarded as one of the top young talents in Brazil, breaking into Santos’ first-team at the age of 16.
talkSPORT’s South American football expert, Tim Vickery, just joined Hawsbee & Jacobs to discuss the youngster, and said that his has shown a lot of promise from a very young age, but he’s yet to really deliver on it.
“He’s a huge talent,” said Vickery. “He’s a left-footed right-sided winger, cutting in.
“Although he’s 18, he’s got well over 100 first team games for Santos under his belt, so he’s quite an experienced player.
“But he’s been an ‘eternal talent’ and it’s not really worked out for him yet.
“Santos has had a history with their youth system, like with Neymar, and Angelo is from the same system
“I’ll be fascinated to see how this plays out. We’ve seen the talent there for two years, but as is often the case with players of this age, there is sometimes a gap between potential and reality.”
Sadio Mane has broken his silence on his scrap with teammate Leroy Sane, which left the German winger with a bloody lip.
The former Liverpool star has also opened up on his future, insisting he is staying at Bayern Munich, following suggestions he could be sold after a below-par first campaign since his arrival from Anfield.
“As I’ve always said, I’ve never liked comfort,” Mane said. “I’ve never liked that. Afterwards, there are incidents. It happens, it’s over. We were able to solve this little problem.
“It’s also good to solve some problems, maybe not in this way, but it’s behind us now, we will try to fight together to be able to help the club achieve its objectives next season.
“I’m on vacation with the family. It was a very complicated season, it happens. It wasn’t a surprise, I expected things to be a bit complicated. It’s normal.
“I love challenges, and Bayern is a big challenge. It’s up to me to do everything to meet this challenge.’
“God willing. If everything goes well, I’m going to return to Bayern.”
Bayern Munich are ‘confident’ about signing Harry Kane this summer, talkSPORT has been told.
German journalist Constantin Eckner joined the station earlier today to give us the latest new on the Tottenham striker’s possible move to the Bundesliga.
Kane is reported to have agreed a deal in principle after negotiations between his camp and the German champions.
Tottenham aren’t willing to let their star man go without a fight, though, so this one might take a while…
😮 "Bayern have an agreement with Harry Kane!"
👀 "They're feeling very confident!"@cc_eckner reveals a deal is already in the works with Bayern Munich & #THFC's Harry Kane. pic.twitter.com/RqwLacl7SS
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 28, 2023
Manchester United will hold talks with Chelsea this week in an effort to sign Mason Mount, according to reports.
The Telegraph claim that United remain adamant they will not go near thew Blues’ £65 million valuation after three failed bids.
The report adds that the Red Devils are thought to be willing to negotiate around the structure and finer points of their £55m bid.
United will hold talks with Chelsea over the matter this week rather than keep bidding for Mount.
Football fans are apologising to Eni Aluko after slamming her theory about Arsenal and Man City’s pursuit of Declan Rice.
The former England Lioness claimed on talkSPORT Breakfast yesterday that Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola could be working together to help the Gunners sign the West Ham captain, which sparked a huge reaction on social media.
And yet, lo and behold, Man City pulled out of the Rice race this morning, suggesting she was right all along.
Aluko’s name then quickly began trending on Twitter, with one fan writing: “Humble apologies for doubting Eni Aluko. She was cooking.”
And the former footballer and director of football had her say, too.
FULL STORY
Jorginho has confirmed he is staying at Arsenal this summer, despite links with a move back to Italy.
The Italy international joined the Gunners in January from Chelsea and played a crucial supporting role as Mikel Arteta’s side chased the Premier League title, only to lose out to Man City after a late collapse.
Jorginho, 31, has been linked with a move to Lazio this summer, but the midfielder has insisted he has no plans to leave and looks forward to a first full season at Arsenal where he hopes to challenge for top honours again.
He told the Evening Standard: “To be honest, I was surprised but really happy by how welcome I was, how (Arsenal) treated me when I came in.
“It just made everything so much easier for me to know more people to integrate in the team. So it was really, really, really good and I am really, really happy.
“I’m very happy to stay at Arsenal to be honest. Those rumours, I’m not sure who was behind it, to be honest, but nothing at the moment has happened to me. I’m quite happy where I am.
“That (missing out on the title) was painful. Of course, at the beginning of the season no one expected Arsenal to be where they were
“Anyone at the beginning of the season would sign off that you are going to finish the League in second. Everyone would say straight away: ‘Yes’. But then once you are there and fighting for it, then it’s a bit frustrating and painful.
“I think we will have a lot to learn about everything we do and it’s a lesson. I hope we can do even better next year. It’s been a while [since Arsenal have been in the Champions League]. Everyone is very excited. Everyone can’t wait to play with the ball with the stars. It’s going to be an exciting season for sure.”
Aston Villa are pushing to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer, talkSPORT understands.
Unai Emery wants a reunion with the 26-year-old having coached him at the Spanish club.
Manchester United and Tottenham have long been linked with Torres, but Villa are currently in the box seat to land the defender in a £55million deal.
Torres played under Emery as they won the Europa League title in 2021, beating Manchester United in the final.
FULL STORY
Liverpool have announced defender Rhys Williams has joined Aberdeen on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old will spend the 2023/24 campaign with the Scottish Premiership outfit after finalising a temporary switch today.
Williams has made 19 senior appearances for Liverpool – where he has been since Under-10s level – and they all came under Jurgen Klopp in the 2020/21 campaign.
He spent the first half of last season on loan with Blackpool and has also had stints at Kidderminster Harriers and Swansea City.
He now joins Aberdeen, who finished third in the Scottish top flight last season behind giants Celtic and Rangers.
Harry Winks is close to a deal that would see him leave Tottenham and join Leicester in a permanent transfer, talkSPORT understands.
Leicester are rebuilding their team as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last season.
Winks is a Spurs academy graduate but has lost his place in the team over recent seasons, having spent last term on loan at Italian club Sampdoria, where he made 20 Serie A appearances.
The 27-year-old is now back in north London but, with just a year remaining on his contract, Tottenham are willing to let him go.
And he looks set to drop into the Championship with Leicester, who are close to a £10million move for the ex-England international.
That transfer will be separate from the deal that will see Foxes star James Maddison go to Spurs.
Declan Rice’s camp is actively pushing West Ham to accept Arsenal’s third offer for the midfielder, talkSPORT understands.
The Gunners’ latest bid totals £105million, which would make it a British record transfer.
Heading into the summer it was believed West Ham valued their captain at £100million, but now that fee has been met there is concern that the Hammers might turn around and still ask for more.
However, Rice wants to make the move happen this summer, and the player’s camp are telling the club to accept the money and finally allow the deal to go through.
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