CRISTIANO RONALDO could reportedly join Lionel Messi at PSG, should Kylian Mbappe choose to leave.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku has completed his £98million move to Chelsea, the Blues have confirmed.
And his wages have been revealed, with the Belgian becoming the club's highest earner by a distance.
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GOOD MORNING
Romelu Lukaku has ended weeks of speculation by sealing his £97.5million dream return to Chelsea from Inter Milan on Thursday.
And former Stamford Bridge hero Joe Cole reckons the addition of the Belgium goal machine will give Chelsea the firepower to match Prem champs Man City.
The BT football pundit said: “I think it puts them right on the level with Manchester City, especially if they don’t do anything more.
“If you look at last season and look at it very crudely, even though they won the Champions League, the top scorer finished with seven goals. So it’s evident they needed a goalscorer and Lukaku’s a goalscorer. Not only that, but he is the complete focal point of an attack.”
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola City’s side are refusing to call time on their pursuit of Harry Kane.
And SunSport reports the Premier League title holders are set to lodge a £120million bid for the England captain next week.
It is claimed that talks between the clubs, who are due to play each other Sunday, are set to continue.
Elsewhere Man United are set to complete their move for Raphael Varane with the France star passing his medical with the club this week.
And reports claim the player could be Amad Diallo’s number 19 shirt although it is unclear whether he will be registered in time to be included in United’s squad to face Leeds.
Elsewhere Southampton gaffer Ralph Hasenhuttl is confident he will be able to keep hold of Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse.
Last month the club rejected a £25million bid from Aston Villa for the England player who is also a Tottenham target.
Hasenhuttl said: “It is normal that Prowsey is a guy that everyone wants to have but I don’t see a scenario for him not to be with us for the next year.”
ROCKET ROM
Joe Cole reckons Romelu Lukaku could give Chelsea the firepower they need to rival Manchester City for the Premier League crown.
And the former Stamford Bridge star reckons the Belgium striker is on course to match the heroics of Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport the BT football expert said: "Sometimes you play with strikers who have great movement but cannot hold the ball up, or they are not clean with the ball so you can’t bounce it off them.
“You also have those who are just out-and-out finishers. They are only clinical.
“Yes they are valuable but Lukaku is the whole package. He is in the same bracket as Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I am not putting him quite up there with those two at the moment. But he can become that kind of player if he keeps improving the way he has."
- Sandra Brobbey
GAME FOR KANE
Manchester City are not ready to throw in the towel with their Harry Kane pursuit, according to reports.
SunSport says the club are desperate to make the England skipper their next summer signing.
And the club is thought to be gearing up to make a £120million bid for the Spurs forward.
It is claimed that talks to bring the star to the Eithad are set to continue after Tottenham's season opener against the Prem champs on Sunday.
- Sandra Brobbey
IN FOR INSIGNE
Everton have joined the transfer battle for Napoli ace Lorenzo Insigne following his performances for Euros 2020 winners Italy.
Italian football expert Luca Marchetti claims Rafa Benitez side are keeping an eye on the winger but face a tug of war with Zenit Saint-Petersburg and Inter Milan.
Marchetti told Sky Italia: “Real interest for Insigne comes from Everton, where Rafa Benitez is, and from Zenit Saint-Petersburg, and it’s necessary to verify how much Inter can do seriously.
"Inter made it clear that they were there with transversal messages."
- Sandra Brobbey
ROM PRICE
Romelu Lukaku became the priciest player ever in accumulated transfer fees following his £97.5million move back to Chelsea from Inter Milan.
The striker's finalised deal means clubs have spent a combined whopping total of £285.5million on the 28-year-old goal machine.
And this surpasses Neymar's previous record of £246.6million.
Lukaku finished last season as Serie A's second-highest scorer with 24 goals for Inter.
And the Belgium forward netted 113 goals in 252 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, West Brom, Everton and Man United from 2011 to 2019
- Sandra Brobbey
ILIC SWITCH
Manchester City have flogged Ivan Silic to Serie A side Hellas Verona in a deal reportedly worth around £7million.
The City outcast has not a single appearance for Pep Guardiola's side since arriving at the Etihad from Red Star Belgrade's Under-17s in 2017.
The midfielder netting three goals in 30 appearances during a loan spell with the Italian club last term.
And the 20-year-old also made his senior international debut for Serbia this year.
- Sandra Brobbey
A GOOD LUK
Thomas Tuchel insists Romelu Lukaku is the perfect fit for his new-look attack at Chelsea.
The ex-Inter Milan goal machine has sealed a £97.5million five-year move to the Blues which will see him return to Stamford Bridge after leaving the club in 2014.
And Blues gaffer Tuchel ranks the Belgium star, 28, as one of Europe's best forwards.
The former PSG boss said: “Romelu is one of the guys like Erling Haaland at Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane at Tottenham, who is a real No 9, who loves to score and who has a presence in the box.
“That is not a secret. The sentence is easy to repeat for any coach in the world. We lost Olivier Giroud, who played a crucial role in the club.
“He was the kind of profile who likes to play with his back to goal, who likes to hold up balls, who creates space for Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, who is ready to fight physically with defenders."
- Sandra Brobbey
NO LUK IN
Gary Neville reckons Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola would never have signed Romelu Lukaku.
The Red Devils hero believes the Chelsea signing, 28, was not well-suited to being a United forward during his two-year stint at Old Trafford.
And Neville reckons the Belgium star's playing style would put him at odds with Liverpool's and City's approach.
Neville told The Overlap podcast: "Jurgen Klopp wouldn't sign Lukaku in a million years.
"Neither would probably Pep Guardiola but Chelsea are the club that have had that type of striker.
"A [Diego] Costa, a [Didier] Drogba, a single point striker, that physical presence that wants to carry that line.
"They've had that in their armoury for 20 years. It suits Chelsea Football Club. He wouldn't press from the front so he'd never suit Jurgen Klopp."
- Sandra Brobbey
BLESSED BLUE
Romelu Lukaku says he feels blessed to be back at Stamford Bridge where he began his playing career in England.
The Belgium star, 28, told Chelsea's web site: "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.
"I’m happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club."
- Sandra Brobbey
LUK WHO'S BACK
Chelsea have confirmed Romelu Lukaku's return to Stamford Bridge on their Twitter page.
- Sandra Brobbey
BLUE LUKAKU
Romelu Lukaku has rejoined Chelsea in a £97.5million move ending weeks of speculation.
The forward emerged as a top target for Thomas Tuchel's Blues after a prolific season in front of goal for Inter Milan.
And the Belgium ace's move will see him return to the two-time Champions League winners seven years after leaving for Manchester United.
The striker, who netted 30 goals in 44 Inter appearances last term, has undergone stints at Everton and the Nerazzurri since leaving the Red Devils.
- Sandra Brobbey
DONE DEAL
Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new one-year deal that will see him remain in charge of Leeds until next summer.
The Elland Road gaffer, whose team will play Man United in their first game of the new Prem season, revealed his plans to stay six months ago.
And today the Argentine made his intent official. Bielsa, 66, said: "From my point of view this is an extraordinary club.
“It’s not often you have a club who designates so much volume of investment to the improvement of the training.
“In this sense, Leeds have made a significant contribution economically for the tools for a manager to prepare his players to be the ideal ones.
“I think the most important coaches that world football has would value what this club means in terms of organisation, structure and the public.”
- Sandra Brobbey
MORE MONEY MESSI
Lionel Messi looks set to pocket more cash from Barcelona despite leaving the Nou Camp for PSG.
Football Espana claims the Catalan giants still have to pay the playmaker a £33million loyalty bonus even though he is no longer a Barca player.
And the sum is thought to be a part of his eye-watering £492m contract with his former employers.
The Argentina skipper, who has one six Ballon d'Or awards, sealed a £1m-a-week move to PSG this month becoming the club's highest earner.
- Sandra Brobbey
COSTA COMEBACK
Diego Costa looks set to make his return to football after being without a club since leaving Atletico Madrid in December.
The former Chelsea frontman is reportedly set to sign a £40,000 a week deal with Atletico Mineiro.
And Goal claims the striker has 'verbally agreed to a one-year deal' with the Brazilian club who are two points clear at the summit of Brazil's top-flight.
It is claimed the salary offered to the former Stamford Bridge star is less than he had originally asked for.
- Sandra Brobbey
HASEN HOPEFUL
Ralph Hasenhuttl reckons Southampton will be able to keep hold of James Ward-Prowse despite interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham.
SunSport's Tom Barclays writes that the Saints boss is confident of retaining the services of the England player, 26, who has four years left of his current deal.
Last month Southampton bid farewell to striker Danny Ings who moved to Villa for £30million. And Jannik Vestergaard is finalising a Leicester City move.
Hasenhuttl said: “It is normal that Prowsey is a guy that everyone wants to have but I don’t see a scenario for him not to be with us for the next years.
“He knows he is the captain here, he knows how important he is for our club. He feels good here and we feel good with him."
- Jake Lambourne
KANE IS ABLE
Man City are reportedly preparing a £127million bid to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Manchester City are not giving up on Harry Kane deal.
"Man City board preparing a new bid for €150m [£127m] – if Spurs stance will change.
"Tottenham have not received any new proposal for Kane yet, and want to keep him – Man City strategy is to be ready… and wait."
- Jake Lambourne
HERE WE JOE
Newcastle have reportedly made major strides in their £25million pursuit of Arsenal ace Joe Willock.
The Toon have allegedly agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old who spent the latter part of last season on loan with them, according to Sky Sports.
And his permanent switch to St James' Park is practically a formality, Sky Sports tweeted.
Sky Sports claim that Willock and the Magpies have reached a deal in principle, and that all he needs to do is complete his medical.
The Gunners and Newcastle had already agreed to a fee potentially rising to £25m for the midfielder, who scored eight goals in 14 games during his short spell with the Geordies.
- Jake Lambourne
HAA LA LAND
Man Utd are the only Premier League club with a chance of signing Erling Haaland, according to reports.
But Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have emerged as favourites for his signature.
Manchester City and Chelsea were strongly linked with the Norwegian goal machine earlier in the summer.
But their swoops for Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku respectively have ruled them out of the race for Haaland.
And the man himself has insisted that he is happy at Borussia Dortmund.
The German side's enormous £150million price tag has scared off the duo.
According to AS, Man United are the only Premier League club that could still make a move for the 21-year-old.
- Jake Lambourne
NEYM CHANGER
Neymar believes that he is on the 'same path' as the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
When probed about how long he can stay at the top while promoting his Neymar Five event, he believes that 39-year-old Zlatan is a reference point for him.
Neymar, 29, said: "The three athletes that you mentioned (Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic) are reference points.
"I believe that I’m on the same path as them because I take care of myself a lot and I work hard.
"I know that I need my body ready to play at the high level that I demand of myself.
"I’ve just extended my contract up until 2025, so up until then, I have to maintain my physical, technical and tactical level."
- Jake Lambourne
CANARIES SINGING
Norwich have signed Christos Tzolis from Greek side PAOK in a £10million transfer deal.
The 19-year-old winger, who scored 15 times in 33 games in the Greek Super League last season has penned a five-year contract with the Canaries.
Commenting on his move, Tzolis said: "I would like to thank everyone for the very good welcome. I’m very happy to be a part of this team and I hope to see the fans as fast as possible.
"I spoke with the coach (Daniel Farke) and he told me the plan and what he will do with me in the team. It’s a very good project for me to sign here.
"From the first moment, I was really excited to come here. I said to my agent to sign as fast as possible here. It’s a very good step for me.
"(Last year) was my first professional season. I had good stats and we won the cup in Greece.
"It was a very good season for me and I hope to continue like this here in the Premier League."
- Jake Lambourne
AOUAR OF NEED
EXCLUSIVE – Arsenal will consider a loan move for Houssem Aouar IF other targets are missed.
But the Gunners remain committed to bringing in players on permanent deals rather than temporary ones – with Martin Odegaard and James Maddison on that list.
Lyon midfielder Aouar has been linked to a move to north London for the past two summer windows.
In the summer of 2020 the French giants rejected a £40m bid – with the player's value now dropping to £25m following their failure to get Champions League football.
SunSport understands that Arsenal would be willing to get Aouar in on loan as a last resort with the need to replace the outgoing Joe Willock a high priority.
The loan option would only come into play if a last-minute deal is needed towards the end of the window and other funds have been used elsewhere.
But there is still hope that a move for either Real Madrid's Odegaard – who spent last season on loan at the Emirates – or Leicester's Maddison is still on the cards.
- Jake Lambourne
CUP OF PLENTY
Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah has won his second trophy with the club – despite only playing ONE game.
The 22-year-old featured for the duration of Chelsea's penalty shoot-out triumph against Villarreal on Wednesday night to win the Super Cup.
It meant the Sierra Leone-born defender got his hands on another bit of silverware.
Chalobah was part of Chelsea's FA Cup squad for the 2017-18 final against Manchester United.
He didn't get on the pitch as an unused substitute – but joined in the celebrations after Eden Hazard's 22nd minute penalty secured a 1-0 win.
Chalobah featuring against Villarreal was his full debut for the club having spent the last three seasons out on loan.
- Jake Lambourne
XAV-ING NONE OF IT
Barcelona legend Xavi has revealed he turned down the chance to sign for Manchester United while Alex Ferguson was in charge.
The 41-year-old currently manages Al-Sadd SC in Qatar and he told the Times: “Manchester United approached me once through Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother, but my answer was very quick.
“I was focused on Barca, my priority was only Barca.
“I am a fan from the very inside of myself and that’s why was impossible for me to leave.”
- Jake Lambourne
KOP DOK
Liverpool are reportedly planning to launch a bid for Rennes wonder-kid Jeremy Doku.
The Reds have ramped up their interest in the 19-year-old Belgian sensation after his scintillating performances in Euro 2020 for his country.
Despite only making two starts for world's No1 ranked team at the Euros, he completed eight dribbles against Italy, more than any other player at the time.
But the Merseyside outfit will have to spend big if they want to land the pacy winger, who scored twice in 30 games for Rennes last season.
Although he's valued at £22million, the Ligue 1 side want £38m for Doku, according to Dutch publication Voetbal24.
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