Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois failed to report for training on Monday as doubts over his future at Stamford Bridge intensified.
Press Association Sport understands Courtois was absent from the Blues’ Cobham training base despite being due to make his return from a summer break.
The 26-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, was handed an extended holiday after finishing third at the World Cup with Belgium and has reportedly told new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri he wants to leave.
“I’m a Chelsea player,” Willian told ESPN Brasil.
“I always made it clear that what I wanted was to stay in the club. The only club I knew that really made an official offer for me was Barcelona.
“But I have my head here and I intend to continue in the club unless the club wants to sell me. But my head is here in the club.”
A new season is beginning…???? #CFC #premierleague #comeonchelsea #the5thstand #chelseatv #w22 @ChelseaFC_pt pic.twitter.com/QcVW9z350H
— Willian (@willianborges88) August 6, 2018
On what could be a frenetic final few days of the window at Stamford Bridge, Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Jack Butland of Stoke are the two goalkeepers being touted as potential successors to Courtois.
The Blues have also reportedly emerged as the main interested party in Lyon forward Nabil Fekir.
The Lyon skipper returned to training on Monday after helping France to lift the World Cup and, despite being a supposed target of Liverpool throughout the summer, Chelsea are now reportedly keen to secure his services.
The club’s official statement labelled the Venezuela international as Rafael Benitez’s “number one transfer target” after he joined in a move which saw Dwight Gayle move the other way for the campaign.
“It’s an honour to be here and I’m excited to get started with my team-mates,” Rondon told Newcastle’s website.
“The clubs were talking for a long time and now I’m focused on the season to help my team-mates
to get the points to do well this season.
CONFIRMED: @salorondon23 joins Newcastle United on loan!@dwightgayle moves to @WBA on loan as part of the deal.
Full details: https://t.co/7PQdLR3QzY #NUFC #RonDONE pic.twitter.com/sc6SpghctC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 6, 2018
“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and I knew about the interest of the gaffer, so I’m happy to be here.”
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is keen on adding to his squad but could see outgoings first. Defender Axel Tuanzebe has already made way, re-signing for Aston Villa on a season-long loan, and Italian full-back Matteo Darmian could be exiting too as talks with Benfica reportedly continue.
The Red Devils continue to be linked with a move for a central defender, with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire of Leicester and Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng all linked with Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is reported to be lining up a move for the United midfielder, with Barcelona and Juventus among the destinations mentioned in dispatches.
Everton are reported to have won the race to sign Brazil international Bernard following interest from Inter Milan and West Ham.
It has also been suggested that the Toffees have pipped Manchester United in the pursuit of Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina, once considered a Mourinho target.
Everton are said to have reached a £28.5million, five-year deal for the Colombia international, who is set to be the second Barca player to switch from the Nou Camp to Goodison Park this summer after Lucas Digne.
That has not stopped them joining Manchester United in being linked with Bayern’s former Manchester City man Boateng, although tying up a contract extension for Aaron Ramsey will be foremost in Arsenal’s minds.
Gunners striker Lucas Perez could be set to follow in the footsteps of Jack Wilshere and swap the Emirates Stadium for West Ham while Calum Chambers has been heavily linked with a season-long loan switch to newly-promoted Fulham.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are still hoping to wrap up the signing of Colombian defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerma for a club-record fee.
The Cherries have agreed a fee understood to be £25million with Spanish club Levante for the 23-year-old.
Elsewhere, England Under-21s striker Adam Armstrong has left Newcastle for Blackburn on a permanent deal. Armstrong scored nine goals for Rovers on loan last season and has penned a four-year contract.
The decision to bring the deadline forward so that no new signings can be added after the Premier League season begins, plus the World Cup, means the final days of the window could be frantic.
