All the top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s national newspapers…
DAILY MIRROR
Chelsea are on the verge of signing Jules Kounde from Sevilla as Thomas Tuchel continues his summer spending spree following the arrivals of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Cristiano Ronaldo has clarified that his proposed move to Atletico Madrid is based purely on playing in the Champions League, rather than how much he will be earning, according to reports in Spain.
DAILY MAIL
Papers: Chelsea on brink of signing Kounde
Pep ‘disappointed’ with absent players | Neymar links are ‘false’
Nelson: AJ showing ‘serious intentions’ | Will Usyk wilt under pressure?
Man Utd transfer rumours: Ronaldo ‘willing to do anything’ to leave
Premier League transfers: Club by club
Zinchenko arrives in Orlando ahead of finalising ?32m Arsenal move
Women’s Euro 2022: QF draw and full schedule
Chelsea in Kounde talks | Tuchel expects Broja to stay
Forest in talks to sign Lingard | West Ham awaiting decision
Frenkie de Jong has no interest in joining Manchester United because he dislikes the city and believes the club is run erratically, a new report in Spain has claimed.
Jesse Lingard has been offered an initial two-year deal by Nottingham Forest as they hope to beat West Ham to the signature of the England midfielder.
Nottingham Forest are exploring a deal for Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis.
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.
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 have reportedly offered Sergio Reguilon to Barcelona on loan as Antonio Conte seeks to continue his squad shake-up this summer.
Arsenal will submit an offer for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo soon, according to reports.
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is open to joining Chelsea this summer, according to reports in Spain.