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MATEO KOVACIC JOINS CHELSEA IN COURTOIS SWAP

Chelsea have agreed a deal to take real madrid's Mateo Kovacic as part of the deal for Belgian Goalie Courtois subject to personal terms. The Blues say the deal is still subject to Courtois agreeing personal terms and completing a medical. Real plan to present the 26-year-old, who will sign a six-year deal, as their new signing at 12:00 BST on Thursday. Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to arrive as his replacement for £71m - a world record for a goalkeeper. And Croatia midfielder Kovacic, 24, will have a medical on Wednesday before joining on a season-long loan. He has spent the past three campaigns at Real since joining from Inter Milan, and played in Croatia's run to the World Cup final in July. Courtois has been a Chelsea player since 2011, when he signed from Genk. He was immediately loaned to Atletico Madrid, where he played until 2014, before returning as the Blues' number one. On Monday he was absent from Chelsea's Cobham traini...

OFFICIAL: COURTOIS JOIN MADRID FROM CHELSEA

The goalkeeper  will return to the Spanish capital, with World Cup finalist kovacic moving the other way Chelsea have confirmed the sale of Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, with Mateo Kovacic coming to Stamford Bridge as part of the deal.  Courtois has been at the west London club since 2011, and wrested the No. 1 jersey from club favourite Petr Cech after shining during a loan spell with Atletico Madrid as a youngster.  In recent months, however, the Belgian has become increasingly unsettled, going so far as to skip training, while he has long been linked with a return to the Spanish capital where he spent three sparkling seasons And he will now line up at the Champions League holders after Madrid agreed a reported €35m (£31m/$40m) fee that will also see Kovacic spend a year on loan in London. "Chelsea and Real Madrid have tonight agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Thibaut Courtois subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing a med...

Chelsea sign Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper in world record deal

Chelsea have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £71m - the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper, and a club record transfe r. Kepa, 23, arrives at Stamford Bridge after a release clause in his contract was met, with the deal surpassing Alisson's £66.8m move to Liverpool. He has signed a seven-year contract at the club and replaces Thibaut Courtois, who is set to join Real Madrid. Kepa is Spain's number two behind Manchester United's David de Gea. He has spent the past two seasons in Athletic's first team, making 53 La Liga appearances, and has one international cap. The fee Chelsea have paid surpasses the £60m they spent on Spanish striker Alvaro Morata in July 2017. "So many things attracted me to the club - all the titles the club has won, the other players, the city, the English Premier League," Kepa said. "It's an accumulation of things, and I am very glad Chelsea has decided to trust me and to take me in as well." In Jan...

MANCHESTER UNITED AGREE DEAL FOR TOTTENHAM STAR

The Red Devils had thought their chase for the Belgium international was over but have now reached a compromise with the north London club Manchester United have an agreement in place with Tottenham for the signing of Toby Alderweireld, but Spurs have refused to complete the deal until they have brought in a replacement for the Belgium international. And, with United nervous as to Spurs' motives, their search for an alternative centre-back will continue to cover for the eventuality that the north London outfit will pull out of the deal at the last minute ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline. United have been pursuing the 29-year-old throughout the summer but have widened the net in recent times after the initial failure to agree a fee with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. That led to increased interest in Leicester City’s England defender Harry Maguire, but a similar £75 million ($97m) price tag to that pinned to Alderweireld put United off . But Goal understands that a co...

WILLIAM : I WANT TO PLAY FOR MOURINHO AGAIN

The Brazil international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford to reunite with his former manager at Chelsea throughout the summer Chelsea star Willian has admitted that he would jump at the chance to work with Jose Mourinho again, while affirming that it will not be happening in the current transfer window. The Brazil international lifted the Premier League with the Blues under Mourinho in 2014-15, before a disappointing title defence saw the Special One end his second spell at Stamford Bridge. This summer, meanwhile, Willian has been closely linked with a move away from Chelsea, with both Mourinho's Manchester United and Barcelona mooted as possible destinations. But having previously stated his intention to stay at his current club, Willian has underlined that a reunion with Mourinho must wait a little longer. "Mourinho is the best manager I've ever worked with. We have a good relationship, we are friends," Willian told ESPN Brasil. "Sometime...

MARTIAL IN FOR LEWANDOWSKI SWAP DEAL

Manchester United are reported to be lining up Polish star Robert Lewandowski in a shock swap deal for Anthony Martial. Relations between Jose Mourinho and the French forward have become even more strained this week after he left the Red Devils' US tour to be at the birth of his second child. United have been willing to let the former Monaco striker leave even before he left the States - but only to a European club. Mourinho does not want the frontman to come back and haunt him in the Premier League with interest from Tottenham and Chelsea rebuffed. And now it's reported that Lewandowski is being lined up as part of any deal with Bayern Munich. However the Germans are only will to pay £50m - that's less than £70m United want, but there could be leeway if Lewandowski is included in the deal. A source told The Sun: “Bayern are still keen and United have been after Lewandowski for a long time and want him. “His agent is close to Jose and United and he is keep...

BARCA SIGN ARTURO VIDAL IN £27.3M DEAL

Barcelona have completed the signing of Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich after agreeing personal terms with the Chile midfielder over a £27m transfer. The 31-year-old, who moved to Germany in 2015 from Juventus for £32m, met Barça officials last week and passed his medical after being granted permission to leave by the new Bayern manager, Niko Kovac. Barcelona have already spent more than £100m this summer on deals for the French defender Clément Lenglet and the Brazilian pair Arthur and Malcom and had been in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over a move for Adrien Rabiot. But the French champions’ unwillingness to allow the 23-year-old to leave Parc des Princes led to them turning their attention to Vidal. Internazionale had been seen as the frontrunners for his signature but have now made an ambitious approach to sign Luka Modric from Real Madrid. Barça are also close to completing a move for the Senegal defender Moussa Wagué, who became the youngest African to scor...

ZAHA WANTS CHELSEA MOVE; INFORMS TEAM MATES OF DEPARTURE

Wilfried Zaha has told fellow Crystal Palace colleagues he is determined to quit the club and wants a big-money switch to Chelsea. Zaha has rejected a new contract in a bid to force a move. He has already snubbed interest from Everton as he is reluctant to move north again, after a failed stint with Manchester United. Everton turned to Watford wideman Richarlison instead, and now Zaha is up for a move across London to Stamford Bridge. He could even consider lodging an official transfer request after Palace told him they would only consider an irresistibly huge offer. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international bagged nine goals and three assists last term, despite missing five weeks of the season injured. Palace have since offered Zaha a new deal worth £125,000-a-week — although he only signed one for £100,000-a-week 15 months ago. Zaha is settled in London after leaving Palace in 2013 for an ill-fated spell at Old Trafford that saw him spend much of the next two season...

CONTE IN LINE FOR MILAN JOB

According to a report by Italian Radio station Kiss Kiss Radio, the former Chelsea boss may have to cut his holidays short, as he is set to replace Gennaro Gattuso as AC Milan's new boss. The report revealed that Gattuso's credentials are not enough for Milan's new execs, and even if the former rossoneri bosses had granted the ex-midfielder a contract extension, the club's newly appointed management might turn the helm over to Conte. AC Milan had a Financial Fair Play sanction overturned by the Court of Arbitrage in Sports last week, and now they are preparing to play in the UEFA Europa League for a second straight year. As of now, the red and black outfit have completed the signings of five players, four of those being free agents. Conte's arrival to San Siro Stadium could boost the team's chances of landing top-caliber players and keeping some of their major assets around, such as Leonardo Bonucci and who knows Conte's playing style from their ti...

Morata Wants Milan Move As Blues Demands €65-70m

Sky Italia reports Alvaro Morata would accept a move to Milan, but Chelsea are asking for €65-70m. The Rossoneri are keen to sign a top striker this summer, and have also been linked with Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus. Tonight transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has reported on his Sky show that new Rossoneri general manager Leonardo has contacted Morata’s entourage. The former Juve striker is keen to return to Italy and would accept the move, but the Blues would have to lower their €65-70m asking price. Higuain remains an option, with Monaco’s Radamel Falcao as the third name on the shortlist. Leonardo has also been in contact with Atletico Madrid about Nikola Kalinic, with the Croatian set to move on after one year at San Siro.

CHELSEA CLOSE IN ON COURTOIS REPLACEMENT

The blues are looking to sign former England international Robert Green on a short-term deal, according to the Daily Mail reports. The 38-year-old was a part of the Huddersfield side last season that avoided relegation but is out of contract and is a free agent. The report claims that Green would provide competition as a third-choice keeper and would also boost the home-grown quota of the Blues. Green has played for numerous clubs in England including Leeds United, QPR, Norwich City and West Ham United. The 38-year-old would provide competition to Thibaut Courtois and Willy Caballero, however, Courtois has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Chelsea are interested in a number of keepers to replace Courtois, with Jack Butland being one Englishman being linked with a move to the Bridge. However, signing Green doesn’t really make the side any better for the coming season. Sure, he has a lot of experience and will be a steady head in the team but it would be a much bett...

AGENT GIVES UPDATE ON PLAYER'S MOVE TO CHELSEA

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri will undoubtedly be eager to continue to stamp his mark on his newly inherited squad, and Daniele Rugani has been linked with a move. As noted by BBC Sport, the Italian tactician has already swooped for Jorginho to set up a reunion with his former Napoli star, and it could prove to be a crucial addition to help him implement his style of play at Stamford Bridge with little time before his first season in charge gets underway. However, he’s seemingly still keen to bolster his options ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign, with The Sun tipping Chelsea to make a £45m offer for Juventus defender Rugani. The 23-year-old is undoubtedly a talented individual and has previous experience working with Sarri too during their time at Empoli, and so it would seem to be another sensible bit of business if the Blues can pull a deal off to prise the centre-half away from the Turin giants. In what is seemingly a blow to Chelsea though, his agent, Davide...

MARTIAL TO CHELSEA DONE?, FRENCHMAN LEAVES PRESEASON WITHOUT PERMISSION

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has left the pre-season tour of the United States to attend the birth of his second child. Manager Jose Mourinho gave Martial, 22, permission to fly back from Los Angeles, where United will play AC Milan in the International Champions Cup on Wednesday but as per club insiders report, the move left boss Mourinho furious as the player had no permissions from him. It is understood Mourinho is willing to sell the France international. However, United do not want him to join a Premier League rival. Martial, who also has a three-year-old daughter with his ex-girlfriend Samantha Jacquelinet, is desperate to leave Old Trafford and recently abandoned plans to move from a city centre apartment into a family home in Cheshire. Mourinho is determined to sell Martial to fund new signings before the transfer deadline on August 9. United will demand £80million for a player who cost £36m when he arrived from Monaco in 2015.

Chelsea news: Brother Urges Hazard To Reject Madrid For Chelsea Stay

The Belgium international has made it clear that he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and has indicated that a move to Madrid would be his preferred destination. Earlier this week, reports in France claimed that Chelsea and Madrid have reached an initial agreement to sell Hazard for €190 million (£170m). But the midfielder’s younger brother Kylian, who was signed by Chelsea last August but has not made a first-team appearance, has suggested that a move to Madrid is not the best option. Replying to a post on Instagram which asked ‘do you think this [Madrid] would be the right move for Hazard?’, Kylian replied with an emoji of a person making a cross with their arms. Hazard has just under two years left on his current contract with Chelsea and the club will hold out for a high transfer fee for the Belgian. Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, has refused to rule out the prospect of keeping Hazard but claimed earlier this week that he wants to hold face-to-face talks with the midfielder. ‘A tele...

Tie Martial Down - Mourinho Orders Man. Utd Board To Activate Players Contract Clause

The Frenchman is out of contract with the Red Devils in 2019 after signing a four-year deal with the club following his £36million move from Monaco in 2015. Martial has been heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford and his agent confirmed after the end of last season that his client wished to leave the club after falling out of favour following Alexis Sanchez’s arrival in January. United have received interest from Juventus, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham for Martial but the Daily Star say United will activate a clause in his deal to keep him at the club until at least 2020. That will buy United more time to negotiate a new deal with the Frenchman and the Red Devils had been confident of agreeing new terms last January. Should Martial not sign a new deal, he could be sold next summer as he enters the final year of his deal at the Theatre of Dreams. Mourinho appeared to rule out Martial leaving the club this summer this week by revealing the Frenchman would start up front next seas...

Liverpool complete record £65m signing of Alisson from Roma

The Brazilian has signed a six-year deal at Anfield and becomes the most expensive goalkeeper in history Liverpool have completed the £65million (€73m/$85m) signing of Alisson Becker from Roma. The Brazilian has signed a six-year deal at Anfield and becomes the most expensive goalkeeper in history by doing so. He is the Reds' fourth signing of what is becoming an impressive summer for Jurgen Klopp's side, joining Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri in moving to Merseyside. Liverpool identified the 25-year-old as their preferred choice to be the club's No.1 last season, and worked hard this summer to thrash out a deal with Roma, who were reluctant to lose one of their star men to the Reds for the second year in a row. Indeed, the £36.9m deal which took Mohamed Salah to Anfield last summer was discussed during the clubs' negotiations for this deal. The Italians' initial asking price of £90m, quoted to Liverpool back in January, was seen as excessive b...

Madrid Agree £170m Hazard Fee With Chelsea - Reports

Reports this evening suggest that Chelsea and Real Madrid may have come to an agreement over a fee for the transfer of Eden Hazard. Hazard has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge all summer, following a season in which Chelsea finished fifth in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the Champions League. That cost Antonio Conte his job, with Maurizio Sarri brought in to replace him at the weekend. Hazard shone at the World Cup in Russia, helping Belgium to the semi-finals and when asked about his future following the tournament, openly admitted that his time at Chelsea could be up. Real Madrid president makes transfer vow amid links to Chelsea ace Eden Hazard The Belgian star said: "After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision - if they want to let me go. You know my preferred destination." His preferred destination alluded ...

Ronaldo Lands In Turin

Cristiano Ronaldo is already in Turin having dinner with Juventus directors and agent Jorge Mendes ahead of tomorrow’s medical. In an effort to avoid crowds or reporters, the Real Madrid star flew in to Turin’s Caselle airport with a private jet during the World Cup Final. He was accompanied by his mother Maria Dolores, girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and son Cristiano Junior. They then went to La Mandria, where he will be staying tonight ahead of the medical at the J-Centre on Monday morning. Ronaldo had dinner with agent Jorge Mendes, Juve director general Giuseppe Marotta, director of sport Fabio Paratici and Vice-President Pavel Nedved. La Mandria is a large park, some of which is closed off to the public and reserved only for residents. This has prompted some to report Ronaldo has chosen to live in one of these luxury homes overlooking the park. Part of it is a golf course and they had dinner at the Golf Club restaurant. Ronaldo will have his medical tomorrow morning and hold a pr...

CHELSEA TO ATTACK & WIN EVERYTHING - NEW BOSS WARNS EPL TEAMS

Having been linked with the club for months, the Italian, 59, finally flew into London on a private jet from Milan’s Linal airport and put pen to a three-year deal worth around £15million. Former Naploli boss Sarri will meet the players on Monday and prepare for their trip to Australia. He succeeds Antonio Conte, who was sacked on Thursday despite landing the title and the FA Cup in a two-year spell. And Sarri brought midfielder Jorginho with him from Napoli yesterday in a £57.5m deal that helped sweeten his pay-off from Napoli. He said: “I am very happy to be coming to Chelsea and the Premier League. It is an exciting new period in my career. “I look forward to starting work and meeting the players on Monday ahead of travelling to Australia, where I will be able to get to know the squad and begin our match action. “I hope we can provide some entertaining football for our fans, and that we will be competing for trophies at the end of the season, which is what this club...

Hazard Hints At Madrid Move To Replace Ronaldo

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has dropped his biggest hint yet that he could join Real Madrid. “You already know my favourite destination…” Hazard is a known admirer of former Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, while his father claimed he was pursuing a move to the European champions, with his Chelsea contract set to expire in 2020. “After six wonderful years at Chelsea, it might be time to try something new,” he said after Belgium’s World Cup third-place playoff against England on Saturday, which his country won 2-0. “After this World Cup, I can decide whether I want to stay or leave, but Chelsea will make the final decision, if they let me go. “You already know my favourite destination. I’ve been linked with every club. It’ll be Bayern Munich next week… “It makes me laugh. You already know my preference.”