All the top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday’s national newspapers…
Musk wants to buy Manchester United, but later states that it was a joke
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has taken to his social media to say quite tangentially that he is trying to buy Manchester United.
Musk first wrote: “To be clear, I support the left half of the Republican Party and the right half of the Democratic Party!”
Next, he drew the line: “Also, I’m buying Manchester United, you’re welcome.”
Considering how abruptly Musk turned in, it’s hard to say whether he was telling the truth or joking.
Earlier in the day, Musk took to social media to claim that he was going to buy Manchester United, sparking a lot of buzz. But Musk later replied to the netizens saying that it was just a joke and that he would not buy any sports club.
Manchester United start considering Casemiro
United have reportedly started to consider other midfielders including Casemiro as they have been unable to reach an agreement with Rabiot.
Sources from The Athletic’s celebrity journalist David Ornstein say that the chances of Rabiot moving to United are now very low, and while United have agreed to a transfer fee with Juve, the player’s terms are in question, and the gap between United’s offer and Rabiot’s expectations means that a potential deal is barely moving forward in the current situation.
While the possibility of the deal being pushed back through cannot be completely ruled out, United are currently exploring other options – with Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro among them.
Reports suggest that United are already intent on making Rabiot the top-paid player in the squad – like Bruno Fernandes and Eriksen – but Rabiot’s mother is thought to be demanding a higher salary level from United – especially given that he is due to be released next summer as a free agent might be available – and United are unwilling to meet that demand.
This means that United, for their part, are approaching other candidates, including Casemiro, and there are also a number of players who have been suggested to them as possibilities (Brighton’s Caicedo, for example).
Also, although United’s desire to sign Francky De Jong remains undiminished and is not giving up at the moment, the Dutch midfielder’s arrival at Old Trafford is looking like an increasingly unlikely event.
Manchester United meet with Felix representatives but Atletico have no intention of selling
A report from the Spanish newspaper Marca claims that representatives of Manchester United met with João Felix’s team, but Atletico Madrid have no intention of selling the Portuguese international at the moment.
Marca says that United representatives met with Felix’s team in Madrid on Tuesday evening local time and that the Red Devils have now also conveyed their interest in signing Felix to Atletico, but Atletico have been firm in their stance that they are not selling the striker.
Atletico spent €127.2 million to bring Felix from Benfica in the summer of 2019, and last season the Portuguese star made 35 appearances for the Bedouins, contributing 10 goals and five assists.
Official: Brighton sign Villarreal defender Estupinian
Premier League side Brighton have officially announced the signing of Villarreal left-back Estupinian on a five-year working contract.
Estupinian began his career with the Ecuadorian club Quito University. From 2016 to 2020, he was on loan to four Spanish clubs, including Granada, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna, and in the summer of 2020, Villarreal brought Estupinian to the Stadio Ceramica for 16.4 million euros. In two years he played 74 matches in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine, delivering four assists and winning the UEFA Cup with the team. Estupinan is also an Ecuadorian international who has played 26 games for the national team to date and reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 Copa America with the team.
Brighton boss Porter praised Estupinian: “Pervis brings a lot to the table, which is exciting for us, and he can add depth to the squad in the positions we want. He has a lot of international experience, having played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup with Villarreal, and he is also an experienced La Liga player. We will help him settle in England.”
Inter midfielder Casadei to join Chelsea
Inter midfielder Cesare Casadei is set to join Chelsea for a fixed fee of €15 million plus €5 million in add-ons.
Romano said that Casadei, now 19, is confirmed to join Chelsea for a fixed fee of €15m + €5m floating and that the transfer will not include a buy-back clause.
Casadei will undergo a medical with Chelsea in the next 48 hours, after which he will sign a six-year deal with the Blues. New Chelsea boss Burley is said to regard Kasadeyi as a rare and talented player.
Official: Brazil vs Argentina World Qualifying Match bye cancelled
The official word from the Argentine Football Federation is that the Brazil vs Argentina World Qualifying Match bye has been officially cancelled and the game will not be played again.
The Brazil vs Argentina World Qualifying match was scheduled to be played on 5 September 2021, but Brazilian health officials deemed four Argentine players to have breached immunisation regulations and asked them to leave the field, resulting in the match being suspended.
Previously, FIFA officials announced that the match would be made up in September this year, but the result of the match would already have no impact on the World Qualification rankings, so neither Argentina nor Brazil wanted to make up the match.
According to the latest official information, the match has been cancelled and Argentina and Brazil will not be playing this match before the 2022 World Cup. The Argentine Football Federation said that the team could find a team to play a pre-World Cup warm-up match on the original date of the match.
Musiala’s page is full of female fans seeking a relationship
Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old Musiala is currently the top scorer for Bayern, having scored 4 goals in his first 3 games of the season. 19-year-old Musiala is a clean-cut, football-minded player who currently lives with his mother and doesn’t have a girlfriend. However, Musiala’s profile is already full of female fans asking for a relationship.
Musiala recently posted a picture of the Bayern victory on his page, with Musiala writing, “Team!” And under this status, there have been a large number of female fans asking for a relationship.
“My boyfriend left me,” wrote one female fan. “I need a boyfriend.” “Am I not worthy of attention?” Many female fans replied to Musiala with peach hearts, expressing their admiration for Musiala.
There was even a message to Musiala from a female star in a special industry: “I have something I want to give you.” “Am I showy?”
DAILY MAIL
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is implementing a US-style contract policy for the club’s under-25 players, locking them into deals for as long as seven years.
Manchester United’s dismal August continued with reports that the club’s pursuit of Adrien Rabiot had collapsed.
Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has sent boxes containing chocolates and a picture of himself to staff members at Liverpool, after his departure following six successful years at the club.
Ajax forward Antony is ‘no longer an option for Manchester United’ this summer, according to Dutch media outlet De Telegraaf.
Todd Boehly has reportedly pleaded with Callum Hudson-Odoi not to force a permanent exit from Chelsea.
Manchester United have identified Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro as a potential alternative to Frenkie de Jong, according to Marca.
DAILY STAR
Anthony Gordon wants to quit Everton and join Chelsea, it has emerged.
THE ATHLETIC
Crystal Palace are working on a deal to sign Ismaila Sarr from Watford.
Nottingham Forest, Everton and Fulham are in a three-way fight for Neal Maupay.
Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are interested in signing Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City.
The abandoned World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will not be replayed.
Watford are in talks with Southampton over the transfer of central defender Jack Stephens.
DAILY MIRROR
Mike Dean will not be in charge of VAR for the next round of Premier League fixtures, following the controversial events in Chelsea’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
Manchester United have reportedly withdrawn their bid for Frenkie de Jong, with the club turning their attention to other targets.
THE SUN
Manchester United are at war over what to do with Cristiano Ronaldo.
N’Golo Kante faces a month out after the Chelsea midfielder hurt his hamstring in an inspirational display against Tottenham.
Chelsea are set to smash the record for the biggest spend in a single transfer window this summer.
Manchester United are ready to send out an SOS to Anthony Martial – with the striker set to be fit to face Liverpool.
Norwich won’t allow children under two in the Carrow Road stands this season amid safety fears.
Manchester United are prepared to launch an official bid for Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.
DAILY RECORD
Celtic are poised for a £3m bonus after Manchester United entered the hunt for former Hoops star Moussa Dembele.
THE TIMES
A group of 35 former amateur rugby union players are to bring proceedings against the sport’s authorities next month, claiming that they are suffering from brain injuries and early onset dementia.
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