Chelsea and Aston Villa commence negotiations for Raheem Sterling.
Aston Villa are pursuing Raheem Sterling as the winger seeks a new challenge following his exclusion from Chelsea’s first-team plans. The 29 year-old attacker is currently training at home and aims to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes next Friday. Villa, aiming to strengthen Unai Emery’s attack after missing out on Joao Felix and losing Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad for £50.5m, are in talks with Chelsea regarding Sterling. Although Sterling, who has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in his two seasons with Chelsea, is open to a permanent move, he would need to accept a significant reduction from his current £325,000 weekly wage to join Villa. Despite the return of Jaden Philogene, Emery is keen to sign another attacker to fill the gap left by Diaby.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Aston Villa have opened talks with Chelsea about signing Raheem Sterling! 🟣🔵
[@TimesSport] pic.twitter.com/cMixTR4maG
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 22, 2024
Romelu Lukaku set to make a £30 million switch to Napoli from Chelsea.
Chelsea and Napoli have reached an agreement for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku, following productive discussions on Friday. The 31-year-old Belgian striker, who has been part of Chelsea’s surplus players, is set to join Napoli for €30 million on a permanent deal, which will include another €15 million add-on clause for a three-year deal. Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a record £97.5 million but had a disappointing return and has been on Loan in Italy for the past two seasons, first with Inter and then Roma. He has not played for Chelsea since May 2022. With Chelsea’s squad having grown to over 40 players after 11 summer signings, the club is keen to offload some players. Lukaku will aim to become Napoli’s top striker despite the competition from Victor Osimhen.
🚨🔵 Romelu Lukaku to Napoli, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between clubs.
Chelsea accept €30m fixed fee plus add-ons up to €15m for €45m potential package.
Permanent transfer brokered by Ali Barat for Epic Sports.
Lukaku will sign 3 year deal at Napoli until 2027. pic.twitter.com/Hc0pm21qZl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2024
Atlético Madrid’s prospect, Samu Omorodion joins FC Porto permanently.
Chelsea’s target, Samu Omorodion has just signed for Portuguese club, FC Porto. His move to Chelsea fell through, leading to an unexpected turn of events. Initially set to join Chelsea for £35 million, the transfer collapsed due to an injury that kept Omorodion out of Spain’s Olympic gold medal match against France. This Disruption also stalled Conor Gallagher’s potential transfer to Atlético Madrid, which required funds to proceed. Seizing the opportunity, FC Porto acted quickly and signed Omorodion for £12.7 million. Atletico Madrid will retain a 50% sell-on clause for the player.
🚨🔵 Understand Chelsea are planning to book medical for Samu Omorodion in Paris today.
Deal done for £34.5m to Atlético Madrid, Omorodion will sign seven year contract after medical.
🩺🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/aSeJFds30c
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2024
Wirtz and Xhaka score as Bayer Leverkusen opens the new season with a win.
Bayer Leverkusen edged past Borussia Mönchengladbach in a thrilling Bundesliga opener, winning 3-2 after a dramatic comeback. Leverkusen initially dominated, with Granit Xhaka scoring a stunning long-range goal and Jeremie Frimpong’s cross leading to a second goal by Florian Wirtz. Mönchengladbach fought back, with Tim Kleindienst’s header disallowed before they scored in the 59th minute and Kleindienst equalized in the 85th. The match seemed headed for a draw until Leverkusen secured victory with a penalty in the 100th minute, expertly converted by Wirtz. This late goal ensured the defending champions started their season with a win.
FT: Gladbach 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen.
VICTORY FOR XABI ALONSO'S TEAM THANKS TO THE WINNING GOAL IN MINUTE 100 BY FLORIAN WIRTZ! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Rw8JwKFbfv
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) August 23, 2024
Jude Bellingham set to be sidelined for four weeks due to a leg injury.
England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham is set to miss several weeks due to a leg injury. Real Madrid announced that tests revealed plantar fasciitis, a plantaris muscle injury in his right leg that could sideline Bellingham for approximately four weeks, casting doubt on his availability for England’s Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September. Bellingham expressed his frustration on Instagram, stating, “I’m very frustrated but I’ll be supporting the lads like a fan until I can rejoin them again in my best and strongest form. Thanks for your messages of concern and support. Lots of love and Hala Madrid!” Real Madrid will face Real Valladolid, Las Palmas, and Real Betis before the international break. England, managed by interim Lee Carsley, will start their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland on September 7 and host Finland on September 10.
🚨⚪️ Jude Bellingham suffers plantar fasciitis injury in his right leg.
Real Madrid expect Bellingham to be back after the international break in late September. pic.twitter.com/rmv2mp045T
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2024