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TAMMY ABRAHAM FLIES TO ROME TO COMPLETE £34M MOVE FROM CHELSEA TO ROMA

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is flying to Rome today to complete his transfer to Jose Mourinho’s Roma, according to reports.

Abraham has fallen out of favour under Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and has sought a fresh start, agreeing to join the Serie A side in a £34million deal.

Tuchel used the England forward just seven times after replacing Frank Lampard in January.

Timo Werner, Olivier Giroud and even Kai Havertz have often been preferred ahead of Abraham as the focal point of Chelsea’s attack.

Abraham scored 12 times last term but 11 of those came in the first half of the season under Lampard.

The 23-year-old’s decision to depart might have been prompted after Tuchel left him out of the matchday squads for both the FA Cup and Champions League finals last season.

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LIVERPOOL OPEN PREMIER LEAGUE CAMPAIGN WITH 3-0 BASHING OF NORWICH AT CARROW ROAD

Liverpool kicked off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a straightforward win over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Doigo Jota fired Liverpool in front in the 26th minute, firing a low drive past Norwich keeper Tim Krul to stake Jurgen Klopp’s side to a half-time lead.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the second half when Roberto Firmino redirected a Mohammed Salah assist past Krul in the 65th minute to make it 2-0.

Salah put the Reds up by three soon after, settling a poor clearance from Norwich after a corner and curling a lovely shot into the back of the net to seal the three points for Liverpool.

With defensive linchpin Virgil van Dijk back after nine months out with a serious knee injury, Liverpool enjoyed a relatively trouble-free evening.

Next up for Liverpool is a home match against Burnley on Aug. 15, while Norwich face Manchester City at the Etihad on the same day.

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LEICESTER SIGN DENMARK DEFENDER JANNIK VESTERGAARD FROM SOUTHAMPTON

Leicester have completed the signing of Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton.

The 29-year-old Denmark defender moves to the King Power Stadium for an undisclosed fee – reported to be £15million – and has agreed a deal until 2024.

Speaking to LCFC TV, he said: “I’m very happy and I’m really excited to get going. It’s a special club that has done very well over many years and I think the project is very, very exciting, even from the outside looking in. To be a part of it is a big thing for me.

“I know a couple of the players, and Kasper (Schmeichel) and Ryan (Bertrand) I know very well and get along with off the pitch, so that’s going to be very easy.

“Just from my first impression of the guys in the dressing room, they’re a good bunch, and I’m sure I’ll settle in very quickly.”

Vestergaard, who was in the final year of his contract at Southampton, had been on Leicester’s radar for 18 months but they moved again for him after Wesley Fofana suffered a leg fracture during a recent pre-season friendly with Villarreal.

The Foxes had faced heading into the new season light in central defence, with Jonny Evans still struggling with a long-term foot issue. The Northern Irishman is not expected to be fit until after next month’s international break.

Leicester managed to get Vestergaard registered before the midday deadline on Friday so that the Dane can play in their opening game of the Premier League season against Wolves on Saturday.

Vestergaard has been in England for three seasons after joining Southampton from German club Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2018.

He played in all six of Denmark’s games this summer as they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

He becomes the fourth new arrival at King Power Stadium this summer, following the signings of left-back Ryan Bertrand, striker Patson Daka and midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

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BRUNO LAGE KEEN TO BRING IN MORE NEW SIGNINGS AT WOLVES

Bruno Lage is confident of bringing in more new signings as he prepares to begin a new era at Wolves.

The Portuguese, who worked as assistant under Carlos Carvalhal at both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea not so long ago, replaced compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo at Molineux over the summer when he left to take over at Tottenham.

Lage, who won the title in his homeland with Benfica in 2018/19, has brought in Jose Sa, Yerson Mosquera, Francisco Trincao, Louie Moulden, Bendeguz Bolla and Rayan Ait Nouri since his arrival in June, but has also seen the likes of Rui Patricio, Patrick Cutrone and Ruben Vinagre leave.

Supporters are crying out for more signings and it is clear the squad needs it, while Wolves also still have a very talented team at their disposal.

Ahead of his first competitive match in charge against Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, Lage said: “For sure I’m talking with the board and Jeff (Shi, executive chairman), they know the profiles for the players we want and the positions we want.

“The fans can trust in him. The last four years, (Wolves) did very well. We know what we need to do.”

Lage also insists his players are fully focused on the start of the new season and he is “not worried” about losing anyone else late in the transfer window.

Ruben Neves and Adama Traore in particular have been the subject of much reported interest from rival clubs.

“There are rules, so we will need to wait until the end of August to see who stays and goes,” said the 45-year-old.

“The most important thing is I can see at the moment that everyone is focused. So I’m not worried. The important thing is to have time to work with the players.”

Meanwhile, Lage has revealed Pedro Neto is aiming to return from injury within two months. The forward has been out since April with a fractured patella.

He added: “I see him every day in the gym. What he did last season was very good, it was a good surprise for me. I saw him play and what he did was very good.

“Maybe he needs more time, I don’t know exactly how long. He’s not ready for one month, or two I think.”

Striker Raul Jimenez will be available for the first time since suffering a fractured skull in November, with Lage insisting “there are no problems with him”.

However, Neto (knee), Jonny (knee) and Daniel Podence (groin) remain on the sidelines, while Wily Boly has a hamstring injury.

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Chelsea announce club-record £97.5m Romelu Lukaku deal

Chelsea have announced that they have completed the signing of Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.

The 28-year-old has penned a five-year contract with the Blues, who agreed a £97.5m deal with Inter for his transfer last weekend.

Lukaku previously represented the London club between 2011 and 2014 but failed to score in 15 appearances over the course of two seasons before joining Everton on a permanent deal

The Belgium international has since enjoyed successful spells with Manchester United and Inter, and he has now secured a return to Chelsea, who identified him as their leading attacking target after being forced to admit defeat in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland.

“I’m happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club. It’s been a long journey for me: I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I’m coming back with a lot of experience and more mature,” Lukaku told the club’s official website.

“The relationship I have with this club means so much to me, as you know. I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling.

“The way the club is going fits my ambitions perfectly at 28 and just coming off winning Serie A. I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully we can have a lot of success together.

“Since I left Chelsea, it’s been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs, but these experiences made me strong and the challenge is to try to help the team win some more trophies. I can’t wait to get started and to help the club achieve more success.”

The fee is a club-record deal for Chelsea but just falls short of the British transfer record, which Manchester City broke when they signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100m.

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Raphael Varane completes second part of Manchester United medical

Raphael Varane has reportedly now completed the second and final part of his medical at Manchester United, with the Red Devils preparing to announce the centre-back’s signature.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side revealed at the end of July that they had agreed a fee, which could rise to £42m, with Real Madrid for the transfer of the 28-year-old.

The deal has been held up due to the France international needing to quarantine before undergoing a medical, but Varane underwent the first part of his medical earlier this week.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the World Cup winner has now completed all the required tests and will sign a contract at Old Trafford until June 2025, with the option of a further 12 months.

Man United are hopeful that Varane, who has not been in action since Euro 2020, will be available for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Leeds United at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho has been training with the 20-time English champions this week, meanwhile, and the England international looks set to make his first outing for the club against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Edinson Cavani, though, is expected to miss the start of the 2021-22 campaign, having not yet returned to England following his involvement for Uruguay at the Copa America.

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Manchester United to unveil Raphael Varane on Wednesday

Raphael Varane could reportedly be announced as a Manchester United player on Wednesday following his move from Real Madrid.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman is set to complete a move to the Red Devils after the club agreed a £34m deal with Los Blancos, but quarantine and visa issues have thus far prevented him from linking up with the squad.

However, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager, Varane may be able to complete his medical and be unveiled by Man United on Wednesday, putting him in with an outside chance of featuring in their Premier League opener with Leeds United.

Shrager tweeted: “There is confidence that Varane’s medical, signing and announcement can be officially completed on Wednesday, which would then allow him to train with the team on Thursday/Friday, opening up the possibility that he could feature in #MUFC’s matchday squad in season opener vs Leeds.”

Varane left Real Madrid after winning four Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles in a 10-year spell, as well as claiming 17 goals from 360 appearances.

The Red Devils have also bolstered their attacking line with the £73m signing of Jadon Sancho, who was pictured in training with United for the first time yesterday.

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Lionel Messi accepts Paris Saint-Germain contract

Lionel Messi has agreed to sign for Paris Saint-Germain on an initial two-year deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Les Parisiens have been considered the frontrunners for the 34-year-old’s signature since he voiced his desire to leave Barcelona last summer, although it was his intention to pen a new deal at Camp Nou this time around.

However, financial obstacles prevented Messi from extending his glittering spell in Catalonia, and PSG’s main rivals in the race for the attacker – Manchester City – were not considering a move for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner this summer.

PSG were understood to have tabled a two-year contract to Messi’s entourage, and transfer insider Romano claims that the Argentine has now accepted the Ligue 1 side’s offer.

Romano adds that Messi will soon fly to Paris to put pen to paper on the deal until 2023 with the option of another 12 months, and he will pocket around €35m (£29.6m) per year with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Manchester United were rumoured to have been preparing a last-ditch attempt to tempt Messi to Old Trafford, but it appears that the Red Devils have lost out in the race for his services.

Messi won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his 16-year spell in Barcelona’s first team, racking up 672 goals and 305 assists from 778 appearances.

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TOTTENHAM HOPEFUL OF SIGNING LAUTARO MARTINEZ FROM INTER MILAN IN €71M

Tottenham are pushing to complete a move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez after indicating they are willing to meet the club’s €71 million valuation, sources have confirmed.

Spurs and Arsenal are among the clubs tracking Martinez in hope of securing a deal with Inter, who are under pressure to offload players as a result of financial losses arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood Spurs believe they have agreed a fee in principle but sources close to Inter have dismissed suggestions they are ready to sanction a transfer.

The situation has been complicated by Chelsea’s pursuit of Romelu Lukaku. Inter have already seen Achraf Hakimi join Paris Saint-Germain and also agreed a fee of €115m with Chelsea for Lukaku.

The departure of Lukaku will spark fury among Inter fans and the club have a difficult decision whether to exacerbate tensions further by allowing Lukaku’s strike partner to leave.

It is unclear whether the departures of Hakimi and Lukaku will be enough to relieve the financial pressure from Inter’s Chinese owners Suning. They are also listening to offers for the club as a whole after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the country’s investors to focus their efforts on domestic pursuits.

Spurs are privately insisting the club’s pursuit of a striker this summer is an effort to add support for Harry Kane and not replace him despite Manchester City’s desire to sign the England captain.

Tottenham have so far shown no willingness to negotiate with City, who are refusing at this stage to offer the £150m it would take for chairman Daniel Levy to consider doing business. Sources have also suggested new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo wants his team to play with two forwards this season.

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AXEL TUANZEBE RETURNS TO ASTON VILLA ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER UNITED

Aston Villa have signed defender Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United on a season-long loan.

Tuanzebe returns to Villa Park two years after helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League via the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

The 23-year-old made 30 appearances for Villa in all competitions that season before returning to Old Trafford.

Tuanzebe played 10 times for Manchester United’s first team in the 2019-20 campaign and appeared in a further 18 games in all competitions last season, picking up seven yellow cards in his first 13 matches.