Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal sign Willian, Manchester United push for Jadon Sancho, Chelsea's Ben Chilwell blow
Arsenal unveil new signing Willian (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The transfer window is here and condensed more than ever as clubs look to frantically acquire talent with a short rest before the new campaign begins.
The day’s big news was Arsenal finally announcing their signing of Willian after he left Chelsea. Manchester United, meanwhile, could challenge Chelsea to sign Ben Chilwell, with Leicester City previously putting an £80m valuation on the England full-back. Elsewhere, Manchester City could upgrade in midfield with a £40m swoop for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks. In Spain, Jan Oblak’s future is now under more scrutiny with Atletico Madrid crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig last night – Chelsea are keen on the goalkeeper to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga after the Spaniard’s poor season.
Man United continued their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, with the Germans holding out for £108m and not a penny less. Juventus meanwhile are keen on Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, and have offered several players in a player-plus-cash deal which includes Gonzalo Higuain, Douglas Costa and Christian Romero. Re-live all the updates below.
Manchester United could rival Chelsea for Ben Chilwell this summer.
The Red Devils have Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams as options, but the Mirror believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side could make a move for the £80m-rated Leicester City star.
Chelsea are thought to be unwilling to match the Foxes' valuation and would have to sell one of Emerson or Marcos Alonso before making a concrete move for the England international.
Man City are prepared to bid £40m for Harry Winks.
The Sun report Pep Guardiola could add the Spurs midfielder as Jose Mourinho is willing to sell.
With the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Winks could see his opportunities lessen and his value could prove useful as Mourinho looks to raise funds to revamp his squad.
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has provided an update on Kai Havertz's future.
Chelsea remain favourites to land the Germany star, who is valued at around £80m.
Voller said: "I'd like to repeat myself by emphasizing that we're talking about a wonderful footballer. We have a clear and mutual agreement with him and his representatives that he can only leave under certain conditions. Otherwise he will stay."
Willian will earn an astonishing £220,000 per week when he signs for Arsenal as a free agent.
The former Chelsea star could not strike a deal with the Blues for an extension, who baulked at his demand for a three-year contract.
But the Gunners will strengthen their squad with the arrival of the Brazilian, who can expect a bumper deal which could be signed off by Sunday, report the Mail.
Manchester United risk competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona next summer if they fail to land Jadon Sancho in the coming weeks.
That's according to the Mirror, who claim the Spanish giants are monitoring the situation and would be willing to join the race for the Borussia Dortmund star next summer.
Dortmund remain fixed on their £108m valuation, while United are sticking to £80m as their highest offer for the time being.
Juventus want a new No 9 and Andrea Pirlo has narrowed it down to two targets.
Corriere dello Sport report it will be either Wolves' Raul Jimenez or Atalanta's Duvan Zapata.
Pirlo has already made Gonzalo Higuain available on the market, while Paulo Dybala is not thought to be in his plans, preferring a more traditional forward.
Wigan Athletic left-back Antonee Robinson is wanted by Everton, Fulham and Sheffield United
A bid of around £2m was accepted for the 23-year-old from Blades, but late offers have now arrived from their Premier League rivals, report Sky Sports.
Everton need a replacement for Leighton Baines after his retirement as a back-up to Lucas Digne.
Philippe Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian has spoken about the Brazilian's future, which appears to be away from Barcelona, while Arsenal remain a possible landing spot.
The super agent said: "After the Champions League is finished, and whatever happens, then we'll sit down. It could be that Barcelona is the ultimate destination.
"He loves the Premier League, but the finances and the numbers and the situation of Covid are going to play a big part."
Arsenal have completed the signing of Willian on a three-year contract, the club has confirmed.
The Brazilian midfielder, who spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, was available on a free transfer after failing to agree a new deal with Chelsea.
The Blues had offered the 32-year-old a two-year contract, however, Willian and his agent, Kia Joorachbian, held firm on their demands for a three-year deal and negotiations reached an impasse.
Arsenal were willing to meet those demands, though, with head coach Mikel Arteta keen to add experienced players to his squad.
Mikel Arteta insists new Arsenal signing Willian can "make a difference".
The Brazilian joins on a three-year deal after leaving Chelsea on a free transfer and the Spaniard is thrilled to have him on board.
"I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us," Arteta told Arsenal Digital.
"We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions."
Technical director Edu is thrilled by the arrival of compatriot Willian to Arsenal.
I know him very well, since a long time ago because we’ve been working together for the Brazilian national team and of course I was following him because he played for another club. He has a lot of fantastic attributes as a person, as a football player of course, his character. I’m 100 per cent sure that everybody in the dressing room, the fans, myself and Mikel will enjoy having Willian in our side.”
Donny van de Beek has spoken about his future with the Ajax star linked to Manchester United.
"It is very messy, in any case a very messy period in terms of transfers," he told Fox Sports. "Nothing is certain yet. I am still a player of Ajax and I am still proud to be there.
"If there had not been the coronavirus, it might have been different now. There is no clarity now and we have to wait and see how it turns out."
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