There is increased optimism from all parties that a deal can be finalised for Joshua Zirkzee’s move from Bologna to Manchester United.
Extensive talks have taken place with Zirkzee’s representatives and there is a broad agreement on terms with the player.
As was reported by Sky Sports, United have made it clear they will meet the 23-year-old’s £34m release clause.
Discussions are ongoing internally over whether United will pay the clause in full or negotiate a structure with Bologna.
Zirkzee is with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024 and made his first appearance of the tournament in Saturday night’s quarter-final win over Turkey, coming on as a late substitute.
Arsenal and AC Milan are also interested in Zirkzee, who has two years left on his contract with Bologna.
Juventus are another club keen on Zirkzee but are currently working on other targets, and they would need to sell a striker to bring one in.
Why is Zirkzee in demand?
Image: Zirkzee is also on Arsenal’s radar
Zirkzee graduated through Bayern Munich’s system and had spells with Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna in the summer of 2022.
The forward received limited game time in his first campaign in Serie A, scoring only two league goals from 808 minutes.
Last season he scored 11 league goals and the shot map below suggests he is most lethal from the left-of-centre region.
The heat map below also shows how the forward typically plays deeper than a conventional striker.
He also ranks among the top five players in Serie A for creating big chances, attempting dribbles and regaining possession in the final third.
Indeed, the radar graphic below reveals he ranks among the top five per cent across Europe in those three metrics.
When does the summer transfer window close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at midnight in Scotland.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Emma Raducanu said “pressure is a privilege” after her third-round Wimbledon victory on Friday, adding she “thrives on the big occasion”.
A clinical Raducanu conjured memories of her stunning US Open title win by defeating ninth seed Maria Sakkari to ease into the fourth round at her home Grand Slam.
Raducanu had thumped Greece’s Sakkari in the semi-finals in New York, and she again lost only five games under the roof on Centre Court, reminding the tennis world of her talent in a 6-2 6-3 victory.
Having not beaten a top-10 player in her career, the 21-year-old has now done it twice in a fortnight, as well as matching her best run at the All England Club from her breakthrough event three years ago.
“I love playing on the big courts. For me, I thrive on such occasions, on big stages,” Raducanu said.
“It’s something I play tennis for. I just love the feeling of it, competing, especially here in front of a home crowd. It is really amazing.
“I think on the pressure side, you can flip it. I have a packed Centre Court who are all rooting for me to win. It really felt like that today. It really felt like that in my last two matches.
“For me, I just feel happy that that many people are behind me. That’s just in a microcosm of what’s going on in the wider world. Not everyone who supported me is in that stadium, as well.
“I think pressure’s a privilege. I thrive for those situations.”
Image: Raducanu defeated world No 9 Maria Sakkari at Centre Court on Friday to book her fourth round place
The British wild card will next face New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun, ranked No 123 in the world, on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 21-year-old was clear she is not looking too far ahead, however.
“I don’t think I ever will until I’m in the situation. I just have to keep going point by point. Today was a really good example of me just taking it moment by moment and fighting,” Raducanu said.
“I think also for me to be winning that match against a top-10 opponent on Centre Court, it’s a beautiful feeling and one that I really want to savour.
“But tennis is pretty brutal in the way you have to enjoy it tonight and then tomorrow you’re already thinking about the next one. It’s just like that. You can win the tournament but you can lose first round the next week. It’s the sport. I’m just trying to cherish every moment I have here.
“I’m very grateful just being healthy. I think I missed the feeling of being on the grounds very much. It was really painful last year coming here and not being able to compete, being on the other side of it. I think that feeling has been pulling me through a lot this week. Just remembering how I felt then, bringing it back to the present.
“I’ve just been having so much fun that I really just want to stay. I don’t want to go home. It’s a good, different type of motivation.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
(14) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) vs Yuriko Miyazaki (Gbr)
Lloyd Harris (Rsa) vs (14) Ben Shelton (USA)
(15) Holger Rune (Den) vs Thiago Seyboth Wild (Bra)
Elina Avanesyan (Rus) v (15) Ludmilla Samsonova (Rus)
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours.
Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Britain’s Jack Draper is through to the second round at Wimbledon to face compatriot Cam Norrie after an exhausting and entertaining five-set epic against Sweden’s Elias Ymer.
Draper ultimately came out victorious from a topsy-turvy contest 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 as the Centre Court roof eventually had to be shut and the floodlights switched on.
The 22-year-old – who was playing on Centre Court due to Andy Murray’s earlier injury withdrawal – will now face Norrie after he defeated Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta 7-5 7-5 6-3 in his tournament opener.
Image: Sweden’s Elias Ymer put up a huge fight vs the British No 1 Draper, taking things to a fifth-set decider
Having succumbed to lose the opening set largely due to 28-year-old Ymer’s impressive knack for striking forehand winners onto the baseline, 28th seed Draper responded to take charge in the following two sets.
The Brit broke his opponent three times across the two sets, connecting more frequently with his devastating left-arm forehand, and producing more consistency with his powerful serve.
A tight fourth set then appeared to be heading Draper’s way, only for Ymer to break him at 4-4 just after the home favourite had used his final challenge for the set, and then been unhappy with a service-line call he could not then review.
Image: On a no doubt frustrating evening, Draper kept his composure to eventually secure victory
With Ymer serving for the set, Draper forced his way to 0-40 and three break point chances, but an immense show of serving and mettle saw the Swede get things to deuce, ultimately winning five points in a row to take things to a fifth-set decider.
After a brief delay for the Centre Court roof to be closed, Draper started on top in the fifth and never let up, breaking Ymer to go 3-1 ahead and crucially consolidating with a strong hold of serve for 4-1.
Ymer saved four break points to win the next game for 4-2, but Draper held to 15 and then produced two aces in his final service game en route to a dramatic victory.
“I really enjoyed it, to play in front of you guys, I missed it last year,” Draper said on court afterwards. “You probably wanted to see Andy [Murray] out here but you were stuck with me instead.
“It really helped me out here, there were some nervy moments, I appreciate the support it means a lot.
“What an honour [to fill in for Murray], honestly! I wouldn’t be here without Andy, such a guy off the court, so genuine, so kind, what a champion and what a competitor.”
Unseeded Norrie, 28, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, said of facing Draper: “He’s a really good friend of mine. We’ve practised together so many times and we always have high-level practices and we always have positive energy.
“I always want him to do well. I would love to play him at Wimbledon, it would be a special one.”
Jubb suffers agonising exit
Paul Jubb missed out on a first Wimbledon win in agonising fashion, falling in five sets to big-hitting Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild.
Jubb led by two sets to love and had a match point in the third-set tie-break but he could not take it and Seyboth Wild fought back to win 1-6 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-5.
“I think that’s the main thing that’s kind of hanging over my head right now is I really wanted to tick that one off the list as one of my childhood dreams. One point away is brutal,” Jubb said.
“This is definitely where I feel I belong. My level is there. I’m good enough to compete in the top 100 and beat top-100 guys. I was injured and had to start from scratch. So I’ve just got to work my way up.”
Fearnley’s dream start
British wild card Jacob Fearnley continued his dream summer with a straight-sets victory over Alejandro Moro Canas to set up a second-round tie with Novak Djokovic.
Fearnley only finished his five-year stint at Texas Christian University in May and was ranked outside the top 500 until he won an ATP Challenger event in Nottingham as a qualifier last month.
It helped earn the 22-year-old from Scotland a wild card for this year’s Championships and he marked his debut with a 7-5 6-4 7-6 (14-12) victory on a buoyant Court Eight.
World No 277 Fearnley arrived at SW19 after a narrow defeat in Eastbourne to compatriot Billy Harris, who was beaten on debut by Jaume Munar in the opening round on Tuesday.
Choinski beaten in epic after delay
British wild card Jan Choinski suffered a painful exit of his own following defeat to world No 37 Luciano Darderi in a rain-delayed five-set thriller.
German-born Choinski was a set and a game down in the first-round tie when play was initially suspended due to wet weather.
The towering 28-year-old impressively hit back to lead but Italian Darderi levelled at two sets all ahead of a second enforced break in play before completing a 7-5 4-6 2-6 7-5 6-2 win in three-and-a-half hours.
World No 174 Choinski was back on Court 17, where he fought back to defeat Dusan Lajovic in four sets on his main draw debut last year.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
In the run-up to the final Grand Slam of 2024 – the US Open – you can watch all of the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports as they compete across the hard-court season.
Hamburg Open (ATP 500) 15-21 July
Newport Hall of Fame Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Swiss Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Bastad Open (ATP 250) 15-21 July
Palermo Ladies Open (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) 15-21 July
Prague Open (WTA 250) 21-26 July
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of midfielder Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
Barkley returns to Villa Park on a permanent basis having enjoyed a successful loan spell at the club during the 2020/21 season while he was at Chelsea.
The 30-year-old, who came through the ranks at Everton, has 33 England caps to his name.
Barkley also has experience of playing league football in France, having previously turned out for Nice.
The midfielder made 32 league appearances for Luton Town last season, but was unable to prevent the Hatters being relegated from the Premier League.
Edwards: Barkley leaves with best wishes
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards said Barkley leaves Kenilworth Road with everyone’s best wishes, adding the midfielder hopes the move to Aston Villa can boost his chances of a return to the international fold.
Edwards said: “We are disappointed to see Ross go, but we completely understand it and he leaves with our best wishes and thanks.
“It was great to work with him for a season. He was amazing, provided lots of good memories for us all and the supporters fell in love with him, but I’m sure everyone will understand the opportunity.
“Playing in the Premier League is important for Ross, as is Champions League football. He still wants to play for England and believes this gives him the best chance to do so.
Image: Ross Barkley has returned to Aston Villa where he was previously on loan from Chelsea during the 2020/21 season
“We’ve had a good chat and Ross has thanked me and the club. We are parting on good terms and you never know what the future holds, I’ve got to say that.
“He loves all of the supporters and he wants to come back to watch a game. He actually said, ‘I want to come back for the Watford derby!’
“So let’s give him a great reception when he does come back during the season. He’ll always be welcome.”
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Juventus have signed midfielder Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa.
Villa are expected to get two players from Juventus – winger Samuel Iling-Junior and midfielder Enzo Barrenechea – plus £21m as part of the deal.
Luiz, 26, scored nine goals in 35 Premier League games last season as Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Champions League in fourth.
The Brazil midfielder, who is currently at the Copa America, has signed a five-year contract with Juventus.
Luiz scored an amazing goal for Aston Villa with his effort at Arsenal going straight in DIRECT from a corner…
What have Villa done so far in the window?
Image: Aston Villa signed Ian Maatsen for £37.5m this week
As well as moving Luiz on, Villa have let young midfielders Tim Iroegbunam and Omari Kellyman join Everton and Chelsea respectivelythis summer.
In return, Villa have signed Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen – who was on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season – and Everton’s Lewis Dobbin.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have an interest in Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. However, there is a big gap in the clubs’ respective valuations of the player and a transfer looks unlikely.
Villa – who have also held an interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher – are not keen to sell Ramsey and have high hopes for him in the future.
Emery has a long-term admiration for Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso, having managed him at Villarreal.
Aston Villa fixtures: Emery’s side start with West Ham live on Sky
Aston Villa start their first Premier League campaign since qualifying for the Champions League with a trip to West Ham, live on Sky Sports.
Unai Emery’s side begin in the capital and become new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui’s first test at 5.30pm on August 17, live on Sky Sports, before they host Arsenal at Villa Park on August 24. Villa were the only side to do the double over Mikel Arteta’s team last season.
Local rivals Wolves visit Villa Park on September 21, with the return fixture at Molineux on February 1.
Villa will have to wait until December 21 to see whether they can beat Man City on home soil two seasons in a row, with a long trip to Newcastle awaiting on Boxing Day in a busy month of Christmas fixtures, with six league matches – and a Champions League group game still to be scheduled.
The new year begins with an all-Midlands affair as Leicester visit Villa Park on January 4. A tricky-looking end to the season then awaits, as games with Newcastle and Man City end April before Villa host Tottenham on May 18, and finish their campaign a week later at Man Utd on May 25
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Newcastle have opened talks with Nottingham Forest over a deal for Anthony Elanga, with Elliot Anderson potentially heading in the opposite direction.
Eddie Howe is looking to strengthen in attack and Elanga’s versatility appeals having played across the front three for Forest last season.
It is expected this will be a tricky summer to recruit for Newcastle with financial restrictions affecting what they can spend.
They are also in need of closing the profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) gap when the financial accounting period ends on June 30, so are under pressure to get deals done quickly.
Image: Elliot Anderson could head to Nottingham Forest from Newcastle
However, Forest do not want or need to sell Elanga, who scored five goals and registered nine assists in 36 Premier League games last season. He is a core member of their squad and they would like to keep him.
Unlike Newcastle, it’s understood Forest do not have any PSR concerns this month so are under no pressure to get a deal done, with the the sales of Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate to Lyon expected to go through.
Newcastle’s Anderson is a player Nuno Espirito Santo is keen on bringing to the club as he looks to strengthen in midfield. The sale of the 21-year-old would represent 100 per cent profit for Newcastle.
Chelsea show further interest in Newcastle’s Isak
Meanwhile, Chelsea have shown further interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
New Blues boss Enzo Maresca is keen to add a proven Premier League goalscorer to his ranks and Isak fits the bill.
Newcastle need to sell a player to comply with PSR before July 1 and would be looking for over £100m to consider selling their star striker.
Our pick of Alexander Isak’s best Premier League goals for Newcastle from the 2023/24 season
Liverpool’s move for Gordon fails to materialise
Talks between Newcastle and Liverpool over the potential sale of Anthony Gordon did not progress because Jarell Quansah would have been part of the deal.
Liverpool are understood to admire Gordon but see Quansah as a big part of their future having established himself as a first-team regular.
The club also have strength in depth in attacking positions and see him as a future England regular.
Michael Bridge gives greater insight into negotiations between Liverpool and Newcastle for Anthony Gordon
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Chelsea have signed attacking midfielder Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa on a six-year contract.
The 18-year-old made six first-team appearances at Villa Park and is an England U19 international.
“It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join,” Kellyman told Chelsea’s official website.
“It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started.”
Kellyman started his career at Derby County and spent 10 years with the club before signing with Aston Villa in 2022.
He featured for Villa’s U18s and U21s during his first season and earned a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.
Kellyman was part of Villa’s pre-season tour of the USA last summer and made his first-team debut in August 2023 during a Europa Conference League victory over Hibernian.
He went on to play five further times for the senior team last season, which included Premier League appearances against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa sign Maatsen from Chelsea
Ian Maatsen made a big impression in the Bundesliga during his short spell on loan at Borussia Dortmund
On Friday, Villa confirmed the signing of left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has signed a six-year deal and moves to Villa Park for a fee of £37.5m.
Maatsen had a £35m release clause which expired earlier this month, allowing Chelsea to negotiate the higher price they agreed with Villa.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Mary Earps will leave Manchester United Women at the end of her contract to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Earps has spent the last five years with United but her current deal has been winding down as the summer approached.
United have been in talks with England’s No1 for two years but have been unable to reach an agreement with the stopper on a new deal.
Earps helped United to win the Women’s FA Cup last season although the club had a disappointing Women’s Super League campaign, finishing fifth.
Image: Earps helped Man Utd win last season’s FA Cup
United turned down a world-record offer for a goalkeeper in women’s football when Arsenal came in for Earps last year.
Earps is the third big name to leave United on a free transfer over the last 12 months after Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle both departed last season.
PSG had initially been interested in signing the 31-year-old England goalkeeper during the January window.
The French side’s interest had been the strongest of the many clubs wanting Earps since she had become available to talk to other teams in January.
The signing represents the start of what promises to be a busy summer at PSG with Griege Mbock also expected to join from rivals Lyon.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Newcastle are in talks with Everton over a deal for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 27-year-old has a year left on his contract at Goodison Park and is a player Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been monitoring for several years, although a deal could be tricky depending on the financial package the player and Everton want.
Calvert-Lewin, who has 11 caps for England, has scored 68 goals in 247 appearances across all competitions for Everton since making his debut in 2016.
Image: Calvert-Lewin has scored 68 goals in 247 games for Everton
In a separate deal, Everton are interested in signing Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh.
The 19-year-old spent a successful season with Arne Slot’s Feyenoord last year but has never played a game for Newcastle.
However, there are a number of European clubs also interested in Minteh and preparing to rival Everton’s potential offer.
Both moves would help Newcastle and Everton with their respective issues around profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Image: Everton are interested in signing Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh
Iroegbunam becomes Everton’s first summer signing
With Calvert-Lewin potentially leaving Merseyside, Everton announced their first signing of the summer transfer window on Saturday, with midfielder Tim Iroegbunam arriving on a three-year deal from Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old, who has cost a reported £9m, was a European U19 Championship winner with England in 2022 and has also represented the U20s.
Iroegbunam came through West Brom’s academy, making his senior debut in May 2021 before moving to Villa a month later.
He made his debut for Villa in February 2022 and went on to make 12 Premier League appearances for them, although only two were starts.
Image: Tim Iroegbunam has joined Everton on a three-year deal from Aston Villa
“We’re pleased to add Tim to our midfield options. He is a young player who is still learning and developing but clearly has a lot of the qualities we want in that area of the pitch,” said Everton manager Sean Dyche.
“My coaching staff and I are looking forward to starting to work with him in pre-season.”
Villa are currently in talks with Everton to sign 21-year-old winger Lewis Dobbin.
PSR explained: What limits clubs spending more?
In the simplest terms, when every Premier League team tots up their annual accounts, they can have made a loss no greater than £105m across the previous three seasons.
Clubs can only lose £15m of their own money across those three years. So that’s no more than £15m extra on outgoings like transfer fees, player wages and, in a lot of clubs’ cases, paying off former managers compared to their income from TV payments, season tickets, selling players and so on.
The other £90m of any £105m must be guaranteed by their owners buying up shares, known as ‘secure funding’, and essentially means bankrolling the club.
James Savundra explains why the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules may force clubs to sell some of the best players
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
