Brentford to complete Damsgaard deal

Here’s more from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings on Brentford’s deal for Mikkel Damsgaard….

Brentford are hoping to complete the signing of Denmark playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard this week.

The Bees have agreed a fee of around €15million (£12.6m) with Sampdoria and Damsgaard is due in London this week to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.

The arrival of the 22-year-old will be a major boost for Brentford, who have looked to add creativity to their side this summer after failing to re-sign Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen spent the second half of last season with the club, but elected to join Manchester United last month instead of returning to west London.

Brentford have already signed Keane Lewis-Potter for £20m in that area of the pitch and Damsgaard is due to arrive to add further competition.

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De Jong update amid Man United and Chelsea chase

On the subject of Frenkie de Jong, a joint update on the Manchester United and Chelsea’s target future came from Barcelona president Joan Laporta and manager Xavi last night.

De Jong played a starring role and scored in the 6-0 drubbing of Mexican side Pumas UNAM in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou.

Robert Lewandowski also opened his account for Barca, along with a Pedri brace and further efforts from Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“Frenkie is our player and we want him to stay at Barcelona, he wants to stay too”, said Laporta.

“With him and his team-mates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay.”

Xavi added: “I don’t know what will happen to Frenkie as until August 31st anything can happen.

“He knows what I think and what the club want and need. Of course I’m counting on him, he’s a great player.”

Man United working on Rabiot deal

Some breaking transfer news now courtesy of The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

He reports that Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

The France international has entered the final 12 months of his contract in Turin and is therefore likely to be available for a cut-price fee.

However, it remains to be seen if United will proceed with talks for Rabiot now or else await the outcome of their long-running pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, who is also wanted by Chelsea.

Hudson-Odoi wants to leave Chelsea

Werner and Alonso could be followed out the Chelsea exit door by Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Hudson-Odoi is fit and made the trip to Everton for Saturday’s Premier League opener, but was omitted from the matchday squad by Thomas Tuchel.

Now comes the latest speculation that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge, with Leicester and Southampton among the clubs said to be interested in his signature.

Could Chelsea leverage that interest from the Foxes into some sort of deal for Wesley Fofana?

This is the third time Hudson-Odoi has wanted to leave Chelsea, but his suitors in the past most prominently included Bayern Munich.

Werner and Alonso set for Chelsea exits

Chelsea are set to say two farewells to first-team players, potentially as soon as today.

Timo Werner is poised to seal a return to RB Leipzig on a permanent transfer, just two years after leaving the Bundesliga side in a £45m deal.

Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso is set to complete his dream move to Barcelona after six years at Stamford Bridge.

Barca will pay less than £8.5m for the Spaniard, per Fabrizio Romano.

Damsgaard set for Brentford medical

Brentford are poised to seal the signing of Mikkel Damsgaard.

The Bees were said to have agreed personal terms with the Danish playmaker over the weekend, having seen a £16.7m offer accepted by Serie A outfit Sampdoria.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Damsgaard will jet into London today in order to undergo a medical and officially sign his five-year contract.

Damsgaard is seen as the replacement for Denmark team-mate Christian Eriksen, who left Brentford for Manchester United earlier this summer.

Tottenham discover Zaniolo price

Tottenham have discovered what it will take to land top target Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, reports suggest.

The Roma winger is believed to be Spurs’ next transfer priority as they wrap up a deal for Udinese left-back Destiny Udogie that is expected to involve the Italy Under-21 international being loaned back to Dacia Arena for the 2022-23 campaign.

ASRomaLive suggest that the Giallorossi want either £42m up front for Zaniolo or an initial loan agreement that includes an obligation to buy next summer.

There are also claims that Roma could look to engage in separate negotiations for Japhet Tanganga, Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Winks or Giovani Lo Celso, with former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho keen to reunite with one of that quartet.

Tuchel hints at Fofana to Chelsea move

Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Chelsea need to sign Wesley Fofana, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

The Blues boss admitted concern at the age of his defence following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Everton, with Thiago Silva Cesar Azpilicueta and Kalidou Koulibaly all starting at Goodison Park.

Chelsea are trying to strike a deal with Leicester for 21-year-old Fofana, who started in the Foxes’ 2-2 draw with Brentford yesterday.

“It is a lot of experience, it is maybe another of age, it is a lot of experience and they have their quality and they know what they are doing,” Tuchel said.

“We also need to make sure we have a new generation to take over in the next years but the guys are strong that is why they are under contract and the guys have our trust.”

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Man United fail with shock Arnautovic bid

In case you missed this shock news yesterday, Manchester United are trying to sign Marko Arnautovic.

Multiple outlets including The Athletic report that a bid worth £6.75m was tabled and subsequently rejected by Serie A side Bologna.

United are expected to return with a second offer, with former West Ham and Stoke forward Arnautovic, now 33, said to be keen on a switch to Old Trafford.

“It’s true that there’s a bid from a well-known club,” said the Austrian’s brother and agent Danijel. “I’m in contact with Bologna to see if that can be realised.”

It’s safe to say this move has not gone down well with United fans or pundits. When asked about Arnautovic on Sky, Gary Neville replied: “I don’t know… I’ve no comment on it” before bursting into laughter.

“I’ve got a comment on everything in the world – apart from Manchester United signing Marko Arnautovic today! I’ve got nothing to say.”

Arsenal handed Pedro Neto boost

Arsenal may have moved one step closer to signing Pedro Neto, according to the latest reports.

The Gunners are said to have held a long-term interest in the Portuguese winger as Mikel Arteta looks to further add to his squad before the September 1 transfer deadline.

That is per the Daily Express, who claim that Arsenal have now been boosted in their quest for Neto, with Wolves on the verge of acquiring a potential replacement in Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes, having submitted a bid worth £27m.