All the top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…
Chelsea 1-1 Charlotte FC (3-5 on pen)
Chelsea and Charlotte FC played a pre-season friendly in Charlotte, USA. In the first half, Pulisic broke through and Batshuayi missed a good chance. In the second half, Sterling made his debut with a number of dangerous breakaways; Trevor Chalobah gave away a penalty for a handball in the box in the second period and Rios nodded in the equaliser. In the penalty shootout, Gallagher missed a penalty. In the end, Chelsea went down 3-5 on penalties and 4-6 on aggregate to Charlotte FC.
Bayern 6-2 D.C. United
The Florida Cup match saw D.C. United take on Bayern. In the first half, Kopardo was brought down in the penalty area and scored his first goal for Bayern, Sabitzer scored from distance, Gnabry scored from the ground and Mane scored twice in extra time but was offside.
The second half also saw Derek Driecht’s first goal since joining the club.
Manchester City 2-1 Club America
Manchester City and America played a friendly match. In the first half, each side had an attacking start, with De Bruyne blasting a world-beater with a series of individual crosses, and a skirmish between Gralish and Ochoa.
Arsenal 3-1 Orlando City
Arsenal opened the scoring in the first half against Orlando City at Orlando Stadium, USA, with Martinelli opening the scoring with a reflex before Facundo Torres cut inside and fired a low shot in for Orlando City’s equaliser. The second half opened with Jesus threatening with a series of shots, before Nketiah followed up with a shot from inside the box and Saka assisted Nelsen’s goal. The match ended 3-1 for Arsenal against Orlando City.
Transfer Rumours & Gossips
Chelsea have submitted a new bid for Jules Koundé today: a £55m fee
Chelsea have submitted a £55 million offer for Conde.
Conde is a target for Chelsea to strengthen their backline this summer and the French international is also rumoured to be in competition with Barcelona, with both clubs battling for the player.
Romano said, “Chelsea have sent a new £55m offer for Conde with very good payment terms and they are continuing negotiations with Sevilla on the structure of the transfer fee.”
“Conde is still negotiating personal terms directly with Chelsea and Barcelona, and both clubs are discussing the details of the transfer.”
Ekitike humiliated Messi, apology required
The youngster is likely to be a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and when a new player arrives at a club, social networks about the rookie are bound to be scrutinised, even more so when it comes to PSG rookies. In recent days, he has therefore been unable to avoid the scanning of his followers at the French capital club. We can at least say that the virtual investigators have found something to make it a hot topic. For in several tweets, Ekitike did not hesitate to make indirect fun of …… Messi, his new teammate at PSG, twice.
Fresh from his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike will have to earn his place in the All-Stars squad, especially alongside Lionel Messi. A legend who has been ridiculed by PSG’s new recruits on social networks for quite some time.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly loaned Sergio Reguilon to Barcelona
Reguilon, 25, is currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur on a contract that expires in June 2025. Reguilon has the same agent as Coutinho and he has a good relationship with Barca.
Barca are in the market for a left-back so he can compete with Alba. Reguilon had a good first season in the Premier League, but he lost consistent game time in Conte’s plans.
Official trailer for FIFA 23 released on Wednesday 20 July 2022 at 5pm PT (12pm EST)
EA Sports has revealed that Sam Cole will join Kylian Mbappe as the face of the new football franchise, making the Chelsea star the first woman to grace the cover of the game.
DAILY MIRROR
Chelsea are on the verge of signing Jules Quandt from Sevilla as Thomas Tuchel continues his summer spending spree following the arrival of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Cristiano Ronaldo has clarified that his proposed move to Atletico Madrid is purely based on playing in the Champions League and not on how much he will earn, according to reports in Spain.
DAILY MAIL
West Ham’s summer signing Nayef Aguerd could be an injury doubt ahead of the new Premier League season, having suffered an ankle injury in their pre-season defeat to Rangers on Tuesday.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has claimed he was ‘very close’ to leaving the club last summer, insisting the ‘door was open’ to say goodbye to the Emirates Stadium.
Rangers are exploring a potential move for highly-rated Besiktas left-back Ridvan Yilmaz after completing the £4m signing of central defender Ben Davies.
A new report from Spain claims that Frenkie de Jong is not interested in joining Manchester United because he does not like the city and believes the club is not run consistently.
Jesse Lingard has been offered an initial two-year contract by Nottingham Forest as they look to beat West Ham to the signing of the England midfielder.
THE SUN
Manchester City believe Brighton’s asking price for defender Marc Cucurella is around £20m too high.
THE TIMES
Bruno Fernandes has said that Cristiano Ronaldo must be given time and space to deal with the family issue that prevented him from joining Manchester United’s pre-season tour.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
The blueprint for a new ‘Club World Cup’ is understood to have been agreed with a tournament involving the top 16 sides from the northern and southern hemispheres scheduled to start in 2025.
Daily Express
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly loaned Sergio Reguilon to Barcelona as Antonio Conte seeks to continue his reshuffling of the squad this summer.
Arsenal will reportedly soon submit an offer for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is open to joining Chelsea this summer, according to reports in Spain.
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