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EDOUARD MENDY SET FOR CHELSEA MEDICAL AFTER AGREEING TERMS WITH LONDON CLUB

Edouard Mendy is travelling to London to undergo his medical after Rennes accepted Chelsea’s latest offer for the goalkeeper as Frank Lampard also plots a move for West Ham star Declan Rice, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea have been in the market for a new keeper all summer due to doubts over Kepa Arrizabalaga after their club-record signing was axed by Lampard during the second half of last season following a string of poor performances.

Mendy has emerged as a prime target in recent weeks after impressing with Rennes last season and media reports recently show that Chelsea were closing-in on an £18m deal after submitting an improved offer for the Senegal international.

It appears the deal is now done as Romano claims Rennes have accepted Chelsea’s offer and Mendy is now en route to London to undergo his medical and complete his move to Stamford Bridge.

The Guardian journalist says personal terms have already been agreed with the goalkeeper so he’s set to become Chelsea’s latest big-money signing and it appears Lampard is still eyeing one more new arrival before the window closes.

Romano claims the Blues boss is still keen on signing Declan Rice and is weighing-up a formal swoop for the defensive midfielder but Chelsea are refusing to meet West Ham’s £74m [€80m] valuation.

So it looks like Mendy is set to join Chelsea over the coming days and the 28-year-old is expected to be immediately installed as Lampard’s number one with Arrizabalaga facing an uncertain future in West London.

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LIVERPOOL WILL STRUGGLE TO DEFEND HER PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE – GARY NEVILLE.

It will take a “superhuman effort” for Liverpool to win the Premier League again unless they sign another top-quality player such as Thiago Alcântara, Gary Neville has warned.

Neville said history had taught him to expect a drop-off from Jürgen Klopp’s side this season, and predicted it could lead to Manchester City pipping them to the title next May. “To get to a Champions League final, win it the following season, and then to go again to win the Premier League title is a huge emotional drain on that group of Liverpool players for three years,” he said. “To ask them to go again and achieve that same standard would be a superhuman effort.

It wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest there will be a slight drop-off, if they don’t somehow stimulate that squad by doing something to give them that lift again. Thiago would be the big one. He is world class and would give them a world-class presence in an area of the field where they don’t have one.”

Thiago’s contract with Bayern runs out next summer, and while Liverpool have been linked with the Spain international they are yet to make a bid. But Neville warned: “Liverpool are not perfect. They have a world-class goalkeeper, centre-back and strikers. They have really good midfield players with good work ethic but with Thiago would be another step. He would control the game with that weight of pass, that nous.”

Neville also expressed his disappointment in Manchester United’s board for not doing more to back Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the transfer market this summer – and said he was also concerned that the battle for the No 1 spot between David de Gea and Dean Henderson could prove an unwelcome subplot.

“It’s never an ideal situation,” he said. “You’re always better having an excellent No 1 and a quite clear, very good No 2. Henderson isn’t going to sit around and wait. And every time De Gea makes some mistake we’ll be asking: is this Henderson’s moment?

“Certainly when we had a changing goalkeeping situation, say between Roy Carroll and Tim Howard, it was unhealthy as none of them really knew who the No 1 was. None of them probably felt fully supported – and they always probably felt like they were one mistake away from the other one playing. That could happen with De Gea and Henderson. It’s going to be a real challenge of Ole’s management skills to keep them both happy, because I think that’s impossible.”

Neville also urged United’s board to move quickly to bring in new players to help Solskjær get closer to Liverpool and City. “A trophy and breaking that top two has to be the next step. But that’s going to be difficult. Ole needs more players and support from the board to do that.

“When you look at the bench, the game changers aren’t there, the depth is not there. They definitely need a centre-back, a midfield player, a forward and a right winger, and potentially another defender, maybe a left-back too. I am disappointed because I wanted the players that Chelsea signed to go to United.”

Neville said that while he expected City to win the Premier League he remained concerned with their defensive failings. “Last season, with Vincent Kompany leaving and Aymeric Laporte getting injured, the reaction in transition to losing the ball was nowhere near as good as it had been in the previous two seasons, but I think Pep Guardiola will want to bounce back.”

The Sky Sports pundit also predicted Leeds would provide “the most fascinating story” of the season. “When people say football was better 20 years ago, absolutely not. Promoted teams were rigid but nowadays we’re seeing managers come up with philosophies. Marcelo Bielsa is front foot. They are going to Anfield on the first day, and while they might get a bloody nose they’ll get one fighting the way he wants to fight.”

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WOLVES ANNOUNCE ANOTHER SIGNING FROM PORTO.

Wolves have completed their latest raid on Porto, this time signing highly-rated midfielder Vitinha.

The 20-year-old joined Wolves’ growing Portuguese contingent after the clubs agreed a loan deal with an option to buy.

It is thought Wolves must pay a fee of around £18million should they wish to make the move permanent next summer.

The signing of the attacking central midfielder – also known as Vitor Ferreira – follows the arrival of Fabio Silva from the Portuguese giants last week in a £35m club record move, as well as defender Fernando Marcal from Olympique Lyonnais.

He’s is a client of Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency, which has close ties with Wolves owners Fosun.

The move has been hailed by Jeff Shi, who described the Portugal under-21 player as ‘an integral component’ of their transfer window plans.

The Wolves chairman said: “Vitinha is a crucial signing and an integral component in our recruitment plan for this summer.

“He is an exciting and special young talent, with an abundance of technique and creativity, who can provide a fresh option this season.

“Vitinha’s signing demonstrates our ambition and strategy to further evolve our first team and continue to progress on the pitch.”

Vitinha has played five times for Portugal under-21s and has also represented them at under-17, 18 and 19 levels.

His arrival comes with the ringing endorsement of former Porto defender Luis Mata, who expressed surprise that he was allowed to leave Porto in the current window.

Mata, who played with Ferreira when the youngster was working his way through the ranks with Porto B, said he had expected the player to stay in Portugal and make his mark in the Porto senior team.

“Of course I am surprised. I thought Vitinha would remain in the FC Porto team,” Mata said in an interview with Portuguese outlet Desporto ao Minuto.

“He was promoted [to the first team] in the middle of last season and showed a lot of quality, despite not having played so many games.

“It is a surprise that he is leaving for Wolverhampton in this transfer window.

I hoped he would stay, at least, this season and assert himself at Porto.”

However, Mata said he fully expects Vitinha to seize his opportunity to ‘do beautiful things”‘ under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo.

“Although it is a surprise, Vitinha really has a lot of quality and enormous potential,” he added.

“Step by step, and by gaining confidence in a different country and in a very demanding league, I believe he will be very successful at Wolves.

“He will do beautiful things at Wolves.“

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HUBLOT TO BECOME PREMIER LEAGUE OFFICIAL TIME KEEPER.

The Premier League has announced that Hublot is to become its Official Timekeeper from the start of the 2020/21 season.

As Official Timekeeper for the League, Hublot will time every match pitchside and on TV screens all over the world. The Hublot logo will sit alongside the on-screen graphic showing the match score and time.

As part of the agreement, the Swiss luxury watch company will be represented at every Premier League match via the Hublot Big Bang Unico-shaped referee board that is held up by the fourth official to signal additional time and substitutions.

Premier League referees will also time matches using a Hublot Big Bang luxury smartwatch, which includes goalline technology.

Finally, as official partner of the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, Hublot will be showcasing the best of the exciting young talent in the Premier League.

Hublot will also have an on-screen presence during global broadcasts of Premier League matches.

“We are delighted to welcome Hublot as the Premier League’s Official Timekeeper,” said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters.

“Hublot bring a wealth of experience in sports timekeeping, particularly in football, and are renowned for being at the forefront of innovation.

“We look forward to working closely together and developing the partnership to bring exciting matchday and digital activations to fans around the world.”

The Premier League is the latest competition to have partnered with Hublot, who also work with the FIFA World Cup, the men’s and women’s European Championship as well as the men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

We are extremely excited and proud to become the Premier League’s Official Timekeeper,” said Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. “This is a milestone moment for Hublot.

“Since 2006, we have shown Hublot is hugely passionate about football and that we add great value to every competition, club and talent with whom we partner.

“We look forward to working together to bring this partnership to life on and off the pitch. Hublot Loves Football and our partnership with the Premier League is the proof!”

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MEMPHIS DEPAY AGREES PERSONAL TERMS WITH BARCELONA – REPORTS.

Barcelona have reportedly negotiated personal terms with Lyon forward Memphis Depay ahead of a potential transfer.

With the Netherlands international having less than a year remaining on his contract, Lyon are open to parting ways with the attacker.

Despite strong interest from Barcelona, the two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the former Manchester United man.

However, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 26-year-old has already accepted the financial terms offered by the Catalan giants.

Depay, who has scored 57 goals during three-and-a-half seasons at the Groupama Stadium, has recently admitted that he is aware of interest from Barcelona.

Ronald Koeman who is Depay’s former coach on the international scene is said to have targeted the player as soon as he was appointed boss of the La Liga side.

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JADON SANCHO AGREES £250K-A-WEEK TERMS WITH MANCHESTER UNITED AFTER £90M BID.

Jadon Sancho has agreed to £250,000-a-week terms at Manchester United after the club offered “£90m plus £18m add-ons” to Borussia Dortmund in August.

The Red Devils appear to have broken through in talks for the 20-year-old, agreeing agent fees and personal terms for the youngster on Wednesday evening.

With 20 goals and 20 assists for the German side last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has prioritised the forward this summer.

And the Guardian has revealed how much the forward has agreed to accept at Old Trafford each week.

Sancho is expected to earn £250,000-a-week by signing on at United while the agent fees have also been discussed.

But the stumbling block still in Solskjaer’s way is the £108m evaluation, which Dortmund have remained stubborn on throughout negotiations.

The Premier League giants, though, offered £90m for the 20-year-old plus £18m in performance-based add-ons last month in a bid to meet the German side’s valuation.

These payments would be made in instalments over the “next two to three seasons” by Solskjaer’s side.

Sancho has impressed throughout his time at the Westfalenstadion, having moved from United’s rivals Manchester City in 2017.

Scoring 34 goals in 99 senior appearances, it has seen the forward also secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s England side.

But United have been warned they cannot rush into negotiations due to Dortmund’s other business.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has said: “There is plenty of work to do before we get to that stage, and Manchester United need to be careful as well because they cannot leave this too late.

“The one thing Dortmund will want to do is to bring in a replacement.

“They will either want Sancho in their squad for next season or a replacement. One of those things must happen after the transfer window has closed.”

United fans were left in meltdown yesterday as coach Mike Phelan followed Sancho on Instagram, sparking a transfer theory among supporters.

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NEWCASTLE SIGN FORMER LIVERPOOL TARGET IN £13.5M DEAL.

Newcastle have confirmed the arrival of sought-after Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis in a deal worth £13.5m.

Lewis has inked a five-year deal running until the summer of 2025 and completes a stunning week of signings at Newcastle following the arrivals of Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson.

The Northern Ireland international was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the window.

Liverpool earmarked Lewis as the ideal back-up for first-choice left-back Andy Robertson and had a £10m offer rejected.

Norwich, who were relegated last season, were holding out for £20m from the Premier League champions but have now agreed to sell to Newcastle for a fraction of the price.

Newcastle have moved to sign a new left-back after loan deals for both Danny Rose and Jetro Willems expired at the end of last season.

Lewis, 22, made 28 appearances in the Premier League last season returning one goal, no assists with an impressive tackle success rate of 79.7%.

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NEWCASTLE SLAM THE PREMIER LEAGUE OVER FAILED TAKE OVER BID.

Newcastle United have hit out at the Premier League and threatened to take legal action after the Saudi-backed takeover of the club was officially rejected.

PCP Capital Partners’ £300m offer to buy out current owner Mike Ashley, which was majority-funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was withdrawn at the end of July.

The Premier League’s refusal to accept that the buyers and the Saudi state were separate entities led to the deal falling through.

Newcastle have now released an explosive statement, accusing Premier League chief executive Richard Masters of not acting appropriately by scuppering the takeover.

A statement read: “Newcastle United can confirm that the Premier League has rejected a takeover bid made by PCP Capital Partners, the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) based on its Owners and Directors test.

“This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government.

“The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.

Mike Ashley understands fans’ frustrations and would like to reassure them that he has been fully committed to ensuring this takeover process reached completion as he felt it was in the best interests of the club.

“Mike continues to be fully supportive to Steve Bruce, the players and all the staff and wishes them well for the upcoming season.”

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VICTOR OSIMHEN REJECTED MANCHESTER UNITED OFFER FOR RESPECT OF IGHALO – BROTHER.

Victor Osimhen is said to have turned down a move to Manchester United because he did not want to disrespect Odion Ighalo, according to the Napoli striker’s brother.

The 21-year-old was linked with several Premier League clubs this summer before he joined Napoli in a £45 million deal from Lille. Earlier this year, Ighalo praised Osimhen’s rise at Lille and hailed the striker as the future of Nigerian football. But Osimhen’s brother, Andrew, claims the Napoli forward was reluctant to join up with Ighalo at Old Trafford.

It is very true that Manchester United wanted Victor but he told me something like he had too much respect for Odion Ighalo to be competing for shirts with his senior colleague,’ Andrew Osimhen told Complete Sports.

My brother holds Ighalo in high esteem and he just didn’t see himself going to Old Trafford to battle for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.’

In an earlier interview with Complete Sports, Andrew Osimhen also revealed that Tottenham and Jose Mourinho were also interested in signing the striker. ‘The economic meltdown started affecting those clubs and they did not want to spend huge money on signing players but truly, Victor told me that Tottenham came but his representatives gave Jose Mourinho a tough option,’ he said. ‘He said they told Mourinho that he might need to sell Harry Kane before Spurs can buy him, but I laughed that away as I felt it was never going to happen.

‘Kane is Tottenham’s image and they can’t sell him. ‘I concluded that Tottenham would never agree to sell Kane because of a player who is not even a citizen of England. ‘Mourinho also replied by saying that he really wanted Victor Osimhen but he couldn’t sell Kane.’

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FULHAM SIGN PSG GOALKEEPER ON LOAN.

Fulham have signed PSG and France international goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on a season-long loan.

Areola, 27, spent last season on loan at Real Madrid and played nine times for them, including two Champions League ties.

“I am very happy everything is done,” said Areola. “[Manager] Scott Parker called me and I had a good feeling. He said he really wanted me.

“Fulham’s a historic club in London and I’ve heard a lot about the stadium.”

The 6ft 5in Arreola has played three times for France and was an unused member of their 2018 World Cup-winning squad.

He added: “I hope this season will be a good one for us. I want to bring my energy and do everything for this team to keep us where we belong.”

Fulham co-owner Tony Khan, whose team won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League last season, said: “Alphonse has experience at the very highest level.

“He’s played in France’s national team, won the league title with PSG, had success at RC Lens, Bastia and with Villarreal, and most recently he played for Real Madrid as they won La Liga last season.

“We’re excited he’s joining us, and he’ll be an excellent addition.”