Transfer news LIVE: All the latest from Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal and more
Sunday, July 29
Hazard to Real Madrid OFF
Eden Hazard is set to stay at Chelsea after his move to Real Madrid collapsed over their refusal to pay a world-record £200million to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.
Belgian ace Hazard, 27, had encouraged the Spanish giants to sign him during the World Cup Finals – but the two clubs remain poles apart with their valuations.
Real are willing to pay £150m for Hazard, who has so far refused to sign a £300,000-a-week extension to his deal which runs until 2020.
But Chelsea want more than the £198m that took Brazilian superstar Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Real’s top brass feel that is just too much for a player who has only two years left to run on his current contract – which is why they have reluctantly decided to give up on their pursuit.
Watford want Origi
Watford are reportedly interested in taking Liverpool striker Divock Origi to Vicarage Road for the season.
It has widely been suggested that Origi will leave Anfield this season, though the Reds are believed to want £26million for the Belgian.
That’s reportedly put off Valencia and it seems Watford aren’t overly keen on forking out that amount either.
Instead, The Mirror report that the Hornets are interested in taking the 23-year-old on a season-long loan deal.
It’s despite Watford earning a rumoured £40m in the sale of Richarlison to Everton this week.
Lewandowski to Man Utd
Manchester United would have to offer Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski similar wages to Alexis Sanchez if they want to sign him this summer.
United signed Sanchez in January from Arsenal in a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Chilean signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford said to be worth a whopping £500,000-a-week.
Lewandowksi has been tipped to leave Bayern this summer with both United and Real Madrid reportedly showing interest.
But according to the Daily Star, the 29-year-old will not be tempted into a move away unless he is offered the same kind of earnings as Sanchez.
It is said the Polish star is on around £300,000 per week with the Bundesliga giants.
Cech on Leno
Petr Cech insists the arrival of Bernd Leno is good for Arsenal despite the increased competition for places.
After three seasons as Arsenal’s number one, Cech faces a battle to keep his spot in the starting XI.
But Cech, who has one year left on his contract, says he is not ready to concede his starting spot yet and has welcomed the healthy competition.
“I said from the start I want to stay and fight for my place in the team and I will honour my contract, unless the club tells me to go,” Cech told Sky Sports News.
“I am performing hard and training hard every day to be ready and be ready for when my opportunity comes.
“I want to show the manager I can be the starting goalkeeper and all the players do the same and I think it’s great for the team.”
Man Utd after two signings
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol expects Manchester United to sign two players before deadline day.
They are interested in both Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire while Ivan Perisic remains an option, says Solhekol.
“We are expecting Manchester United to sign two players before the window closes. Will one of them be Toby Alderweireld?” Solhekol told Sky Sports.
“United want him but they aren’t going to pay the £50m asking price for a player who is 29.
“He has a year left on his Chelsea contract but they do have an option of extending it by a year until 2020.
“But – and it’s a big but this – it will trigger a £25m release clause next summer. Spurs don’t want him to leave on the cheap.
“Another option is a player who we believe is their top target, Harry Maguire.”
“Jose Mourinho is still a big fan of the Croatia winger Ivan Perisic,” he added.
“He came really close to moving to Manchester United last summer but they just couldn’t agree a fee. Inter Milan wanted £48m last summer and they would want even more now after Perisic was one of the stars of the World Cup.
“Another option in that position is Willian from Chelsea.”