Transfer news LIVE updates – Thursday, July 4
- Chelsea appoint Frank Lampard as new manager
- Manchester United are holding talks with the agent of Bruno Fernandes
- Arsenal have been backed to spend £100m this summer
- Philippe Coutinho’s agent has given an update on his future
- Premier League done deals: Every confirmed transfer in the top flight this summer
9.45am UPDATE: Gary Cahill backed to make shock Man Utd move
Manchester United have been urged to make a shock move for Gary Cahill by former Ireland striker David Connolly.
“There are deals out there,” he said. “Alderweirled is available for £25million and Gary Cahill has just gone on a free.
“Now, what harm would it be to take a Gary Cahill, with all his experience and winners’ medals, into the building? It’s that experience, you might have lost a lot, well get someone in that would give that!
“Look, he’s not going to bring the ball out from the back like if they had a Harry Maguire. But he’s a top, top centre-half who looks as fit as a flea.
“Obviously he hasn’t played that much, but he looks after himself. So why not someone like that?
“Under Sir Alex [Ferguson], he would always make an ageing, loanee signing, a Henrik Larsson or they had [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic for example.
“Someone like that at the back would do terrifically for them.”
Transfer news LIVE: Gary Cahill has been backed to move to Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
9.25am UPDATE: Frank Lampard speaks
Frank Lampard is excited to get started at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach.
“Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead.
“I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started.”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “It gives us great pleasure to welcome Frank back to Chelsea as head coach.
“Frank possesses fantastic knowledge and understanding of the club and last season, he demonstrated he is one of the most talented young coaches in the game.
“After 13 years with us as a player, where he became a club legend and our record goalscorer, we believe this is the perfect time for him to return and are delighted he has done so.
“We will do everything we can to ensure he has all the support required to be a huge success.”
Transfer news LIVE: Frank Lampard has been appointed by Chelsea (Image: CHELSEA FC)
9am UPDATE: Chelsea appoint Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard has finally sealed his return as Chelsea manager – five years after leaving the club as a player.
Lampard, 41, has put pen to paper on a three year contract after lengthy negotiations and wanting assurances he will be given time and full support to build a new team at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea legend Lampard will get £4million-a-year plus big bonuses for trophies and getting into the top four.
But Lampard and his advisers wanted and have received guarantees on both being given time and compensation packages – which is why contract talks dragged on for days.
He will be the 14th manager since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, and will be unveiled officially today at Stamford Bridge.
8.40am UPDATE: Man Utd confident on Harry Maguire
Manchester United reportedly think they have stopped Manchester City from signing Leicester star Harry Maguire this transfer window.
Manchester United want Leicester star Maguire and, on Tuesday, launched a stunning £70million bid in an attempt to land the England international.
The defender is seen as the ideal player to be pitched alongside Victor Lindelof next season as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer targets an improved Premier League campaign.
Manchester United conceded 54 Premier League goals last season – their worst-ever for a single campaign – and view Maguire as the person to stop goals leaking.
Manchester City also want the England powerhouse, though.
Pep Guardiola would like to sign Maguire as the club’s replacement for club captain Vincent Kompany, who has left for Anderlecht.
Yet the Manchester Evening News claim United believe that, by launching such a big opening bid for Maguire, they have stopped City from snapping him up.
Transfer news LIVE: Harry Maguire is wanted by Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
8.20am UPDATE: Kieran Tierney boost for Arsenal
Arsenal manager Unai Emery was given a big transfer boost in his pursuit of Celtic defender Kieran Tierney, after the Hoops announced the signing of a new left-back.
Arsenal appear to be edging closer to a deal for Celtic’s Tierney, after Hoops manager Neil Lennon sealed a deal for left-back Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo.
Celtic signed the 24-year-old late last night from Rapid Vienna for £3m, and appears to be a direct replacement for Tierney.
Emery is now reportedly confident of striking a deal for Tierney, with the Gunners lining up a £22m bid for the Scotland international.
Arsenal have already had one bid rejected for the left-back, with Celtic holding out for £25m.
Emery thinks Tierney is the ideal man to fill the boots of Nacho Monreal, whose contract at the club expired this summer.
Transfer news LIVE: Kieran Tierney could move to Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
8am UPDATE: Rangers don’t need Ryan Kent
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard doesn’t need to pursue a deal for Liverpool’s Ryan Kent his summer, according to Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill
O’Neill told the Daily Record: “Jordan’s ready to make an impact at Rangers.
“It’s always a big step up when you go from another Scottish club to either of the Old Firm. For some players, it can be difficult.
“But I don’t think this move from Kilmarnock to Rangers will faze Jordan.
“Most of the games I watched him play in before taking him into the Northern Ireland set-up were against the Old Firm.
“And I always felt that while he didn’t have as much of the ball, he was always very confident when he was on it.
“He was always prepared to do the things he’s good at and that’s what I liked about him.
“As soon as we brought him into our squad, we saw the same thing.”
Transfer news LIVE: Ryan Kent is wanted by Rangers (Image: GETTY)
7.45am UPDATE: David De Gea replacements lined up
Manchester United have three David De Gea replacements under consideration amid PSG’s interest in the Spain international, reports say.
Manchester United star De Gea has just a year left on his current Old Trafford contract and is wanted by PSG.
The Ligue 1 giants are prepared to offer the Spain international a way out of the club as they plot a path to finally winning the Champions League.
Manchester United, though, want De Gea to stay. They have submitted an offer of a new deal to the shot-stopper and are keen for him to continue, having spent eight years at the club so far.
Yet ESPN say that, if PSG come in with a sizeable bid, the club are likely to cash in because the money may be too good to turn down.
Jan Oblak, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Andre Onana are the three goalkeepers United are considering.
Transfer news LIVE: David De Gea could be replaced at Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
7.30am UPDATE: Man Utd in Bruno Fernandes talks
Bruno Fernandes’ agent was in England last night to discuss a big-money move to Manchester United.
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Fernandes’ representative Miguel Pinho has flown to England to finalise his client’s move to Old Trafford.
He tweeted: “All confirmed: tonight Miguel Pinho (#BrunoFernandes’agent) will be in England to discuss the Bruno’s deal to #ManchesterUnited.
“They have a telephone agreement by €6M (£5.38million) a year plus bonuses. Now have to decide the strategy and offer for Sporting.”
United have yet to agree a deal with Sporting for the Portugal international, who scored 32 goals in 53 appearances last season.
It’s understood the Red Devils are only willing to pay £31million for the midfielder, who Sporting value at £53m.
Transfer news LIVE: The latest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Barcelona and more (Image: GETTY)
7am UPDATE: Arsenal to spend big?
Arsenal will spend over £100million on new signings this summer or Tony Cascarino will be left “amazed”.
“They left Highbury to become a bigger club and build the Emirates, have this super stadium and rub shoulders with the greatest clubs in Europe – that hasn’t quite happened,” he said on talkSPORT.
“I don’t believe Arsenal don’t have enough money to compete. They should do.
“Why move to the Emirates if you’re going to become a weaker team, a weaker club?
“If you move to the Emirates, you’ve got to compete with the very best in Europe.
“I’d like to think they would be considering spending £150m to £200m.
“I keeping reading in the papers and hearing on the radio that isn’t going to happen.
“I would be amazed if Arsenal don’t spend more than £100m.”
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal boss Unai Emery could spend big this summer (Image: GETTY)
6.30am UPDATE: Chelsea to appoint Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard was spotted finally leaving Stamford Bridge at 1.30am last night as Chelsea fans wait on an official announcement from the club confirming him as their new manager.
The former midfielder was pictured back in west London earlier in the evening to finalise his return to Chelsea.
Lampard will be officially unveiled as the Blues’ new boss later today, replacing Maurizio Sarri.
The 41-year-old returns to the club he enjoyed incredible success as a player. He scored an all-time club-record 211 goals in 648 appearances while winning 13 trophies including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Lampard has only been in management for 12 months having been at Derby County last season but has penned a three-year deal to take over at Chelsea.
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to sign Bruno Fernandes (Image: GETTY)
6am UPDATE: Philippe Coutinho latest
Philippe Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian has played down speculation the Brazilian could depart Barcelona this summer.
“I talked a few days ago with Pep Segura at Barcelona,” Coutinho’s representative told RMC Sport.
“He told me that the club does not want to sell Coutinho this summer, no matter what.
“We have not had any contact with PSG.”
Coutinho – who is currently at the Copa America with finalists Brazil who face Peru at the Maracana on Sunday – has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United despite Joorabchian’s claims.
A price tag of around £100m has been suggested if the attacking midfielder is to leave Barca in any deal separate to Neymar’s possible arrival.