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Paper Talk
Chelsea are set to make a stunning £100million double swoop for Paul Pogba and John Stones.
Manchester United are considering a move for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann after Pedro joined Chelsea.
Ronald Koeman has issued a hands off warning to Manchester United over Sadio Mane.
Liverpool have offered Mamadou Sakho a new long-term deal in a bid to keep him at Anfield.
Manchester United are expected to make a formal bid of more than £20million to sign Southampton's Sadio Mane.
Barcelona striker Pedro's move to Chelsea has sparked a backlash against Manchester United vice chairman Ed Woodward - and he is now back under pressure to deliver signings.
Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller has described reports Manchester United are prepared to spend £70million on him as 'crazy'.
West Ham are set to sign QPR goalkeeper Robert Green in time to deputise for banned Adrian on Saturday
Juventus targets Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela will not be leaving Tottenham, insists manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has warned Manchester United Sadio Mane is not for sale.
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe insists he has more to offer the Premier League - if he is played as a central striker.
Lucas is set to leave Liverpool and join Besiktas in a season-long loan deal.
Everton will meet the £14.2million release clause for Dynamo Kiev forward Andriy Yarmolenko.
Sunderland are closing on £5million Napoli midfielder Jonathan de Guzman.
Norwich want to set up a swap deal for Leigh Griffiths - with Gary Hooper going back to Celtic.
Gareth Bale is still the player who Louis van Gaal thinks can transform Manchester United into genuine Barclays Premier League contenders.
Real Madrid are ready to offer Keylor Navas plus cash in their bid to sign David de Gea before the end of the month.
Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie is stalling on a new long-term contract as he is holding out for a £25,000-per-week pay raise following interest from Tottenham.
Adel Taarabt hasn't taken long to get on the wrong side of the coaching staff at new side Benfica after being told 'he must lose 1.5kg,' if he's to earn himself a starting berth.
Sunderland have moved to sign Napoli midfielder Jonathan de Guzman on loan.
Tottenham are set to make a £16million offer for Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Everton have opened talks with Dynamo Kiev over their proposed £15million deal for Andriy Yarmolenko.
Chelsea are showing interest in Monaco forward Anthony Martial and will listen to offers for Juan Cuadrado and Victor Moses.
Liverpool are ready to end uncertainty over Mamadou Sakho's future by opening talks over a new contract.
Burnley have bid £9million for Brentford striker Andre Gray.
John Stones is close to slapping in a transfer request at Everton to try to get his dream move to Chelsea.
David de Gea's agent is planning crunch talks with Manchester United to force a move to Real Madrid.
Manchester United are determined to sign Sadio Mane - even if it costs them £20million.
Tottenham are ready to sign Saido Berahino in a £20million deal - and let Federico Fazio go to West Brom in exchange.
Chelsea are set to splash the cash further by spending £120million on Paul Pogba and John Stones.
Pedro has admitted Jose Mourinho was the main reason behind his decision to snub Manchester United and join Chelsea.
Bookmakers have halved the odds of Charlie Austin making a switch to Manchester United.
Mario Balotelli has agreed to join Lazio on a season-long loan deal, according to reports in Italy.
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno has hinted at a move for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea with agent Jorge Mendes in city 'to close deal'.
Bayern Munich have put Brazilian centre-back Dante up for sale and Everton are among one of a number of clubs chasing him, according to reports in Germany.
BBC
Everton defender John Stones, 21, will put in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Premier League champions Chelsea. (Sun - subscription required)
Stones is part of a potential £100m double deal for the Blues, who are also keen to sign Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba, 22. (Daily Star)
Tottenham are set to increase their bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 22, to more than £20m. (Independent)
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, could still join Real Madrid, with his agent set for talks with the Old Trafford club. (Sun - subscription only).
Real are willing to offer Costa Rica's World Cup goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 28, plus cash in exchange for Spain international De Gea. (Daily Mail)
United, meanwhile, are expected to bid more than £20m for Southampton winger Sadio Mane, 23. (Daily Telegraph)
Winger Yannick Bolasie is stalling on a new long-term contract at Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old is wanted by Tottenham. (Daily Mail)
Liverpool have offered defender Mamadou Sakho, 25, a new five-year contract to fend off any transfer interest in the player. (The Guardian)
But Brazilian Lucas Leiva, 28, will leave Anfield for Turkish club Besiktas on a season-long loan. (Daily Mirror)
Besiktas have already made an approach to sign the Reds midfielder. (Liverpool Echo)
Chelsea winger Victor Moses, 24, is wanted by Aston Villa and Tottenham. (Daily Telegraph)
Everton are interested in Bayern Munich's Brazilian defender Dante, 31, who is valued at £6.5m. (Bild - in German, subscription required)
Sunderland are interested in Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, 25, but are yet to make an offer. (Globo via Daily Mirror)
Aston Villa have told 30-year-old left-back Kieran Richardson, winger Charles N'Zogbia, 29, and defender Philippe Senderos, 30, they can leave. (Express and Star)
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 23, says former Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar was his role model. (NBC Sports)
Former Southampton defender Francis Benali is concerned by reports linking midfielder Victor Wanyama, 24, with Tottenham. (Talksport)
Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has dropped any interest in buying Tottenham Hotspur after plans were put in place for an NFL game at Wembley each year. (The Times - subscription required)
Best of social media
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has revealed the "Zorro" mask he has been wearing in training. Cahill, 29, was punched in the face by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic during the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. (Instagram)
Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernando is looking forward to playing alongside £32m signing Nicolas Otamendi, 27. He told his former Porto team-mate "it is a pleasure to work by your side once again". (Twitter)
And finally
Pedro's transfer to Chelsea will help secure the future of his boyhood club Raqui San Isidro, who will receive £320,000. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United's failure to sign the Spain international prompted a fan to hand manager Louis van Gaal a piece of paper with transfer targets and tactical advice. (Metro)
Guardian Rumour Mill
Paul Doyle
Maybe Manchester City should have let Chelsea win last Sunday? Instead their emphatic demonstration of superiority has played into the hands of José Mourinho, seemingly convincing Roman Abramovich to sanction a last-gasp trolley dash before the transfer window closes. Already since that chastening 3-0 defeat Chelsea have completed the signing of Baba Rahman and gazumped Manchester United for Pedro and now the Daily Star claims that the Londoners are about to splurge another £100m to prise John Stones from Everton and lure the long-time City target Paul Pogba away from Juventus.
There are even claims – dubious and random ones, admittedly – that Chelsea are preparing to lavish around £40m on Monaco for the 19-year-old striker Anthony Martial. So it’s almost as if the loss at City and Mourinho’s early-season tantrums were part of a managerial masterplan that will result with the Portuguese getting a pram-full of new toys and a gigantic ice-cream. All of which will only encourage the incorrigible coot. Oh City, couldn’t you have held back for a couple of weeks?!
Louis van Gaal is believed to be reacting to the latest developments, particularly Chelsea’s capture of Pedro, by drawing up a list of targets – of players to sign and people to blame, none of whom will be a grandstanding Dutchman whose most remarkable achievement in a little over a year at Manchester United has been to assemble the world’s most valuable collection of ornamental goalkeepers. Along with the interest in Sadio Mané and Thomas Müller, there are suggestions this morning that Keylor Navas will become the latest extra in the Van Gaal show, as part of a deal that finally takes David de Gea home.
Mind you, the Daily Mail claims that Van Gaal has suddenly decided that the 18-year-old striker Borja Mayoral would be a better acquisition from Real instead. And, inevitably, there are lingering reports of United clinging to the delusion that they could use De Gea to wangle Gareth Bale out of the Bernabéu. On a similarly misguided note, Arsenal are said to be still banging on the Karim Benzema door despite the ‘no cold callers’ sign on it.
Meanwhile, United are also said to be vying with Tottenham for the services of Dynamo Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Kokorin, with that one expected to go the way of most United-Spurs clashes. Spurs think that they will at least get Saido Berahino if they increase their offer to just over £20m and they also fancy that Chelsea’s sudden revamp means they could get Victor Moses at a snip, or at least for less than Crystal Palace want for Yannick Bolasie.
Liverpool are trying to resolve one of the Mamadou Sakho conundrums. Not ‘how can a player who is actually quite deft often look so ungainly?’ but ‘how can we persuade a player to pledge his future to the club when we are not picking him’. Of course, not picking him may be part of an attempt to get him to sign a new contract but with Roma and Bayer Leverkusen circling, you sense that Liverpool need to get Sakho back in the side pronto before the biggest conundrum of all – ‘how have Liverpool not conceded yet this season without their best centre-back (and with Dejan Lovren)?’ becomes outdated. Meanwhile, Lucas Leiva has reached his expiry date at Anfield and could be offloaded to Besiktas.
Everton are exploring the possibility of bringing Dante from Bayern Munich to Goodison, a move that does jar anywhere near as much as the mooted Alexandre Pato-to-Sunderland one would. Speaking of jarring, Fiorentina are making moves to sign the fearsome Lyon centre-back Lindsay Rose.
Finally, and here’s why the end of the transfer window could be hectic, Manchester City are determined not to let Chelsea make up lost ground. They may rival Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of the Monaco left-back Layvin Kurzawa and, inevitably, there are whispers that they may wade back into the Pogba battle.
HITC
Noble makes an admission over the style of play at West Ham
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble feels it will take time for the players to get used to a new way of playing.
Lewis Doe
West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble has told the club’s official website that he feels it’s important the club can embrace different styles of play throughout the season.
The midfielder was asked a question over the club’s brand of possession based football under manager Slaven Bilic, with two very different performances so far this season against Arsenal and Leicester City.
“Of course it’ll take a while to get used to the new system. First game of the season, away at Arsenal we had nothing to lose, we could go for it and then run on adrenalin. Saturday was a good lesson for the season,” he told whufc.com.
“We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. As a seasoned Premier League player you know these things can happen.”
Consistency the key
As Noble suggests, the opening game of the season against Arsenal was a little unique because of the adrenaline involved and the occasion of the first game.
However, the Hammers now need to work on producing a very consistent style in their performances, which should help them to be effective and secure the right results.
Bilic will still be getting to know some of his players and vice versa and it will be difficult for the team to play effectively if there are constant mixed messages over the way the manager wants his team to play.
Next up for the Hammers is a home game against Bournemouth where the side should be looking to get on the ball, control possession and give fans a bullet proof display of the sort of football they will enjoy over the coming months.
Mirror
Robert Green wanted — in time to deputise for banned Adrian on Saturday
By Darren Lewis
QPR's former England keeper has already agreed terms on a deal to return to the club where he spent six years between 2006 and 2012
West Ham hope to complete the signing of Robert Green in time for the QPR keeper to go straight into the side on Saturday.
Green, 35, has already agreed terms on a deal to return to the club where he spent six years between 2006 and 2012.
The Irons’ no.1 Adrian will miss the match against Bournemouth as he begins serving a three-match ban for his clattering of Leicester forward Jamie Vardy last weekend.
Green will need to be registered by midday on Friday in order to be eligible to play against the Cherries at Upton Park.
It is understood the Hammers are confident that the deal will be completed by the deadline.
In addition, Mirror Sport understands West Ham's current reserve keeper Darren Randolph is heading for QPR to compete for the no.1 slot with new signing Alex Smithies.
The Championship club had been initially reluctant to allow Green to leave, but the ex-England international has been keen on a move.
Adrian is growing in stature at Upton Park, where he is gaining a reputation as one of the best shot-stoppers in the league.
West Ham believe the arrival of Green will provide him with good competition and them with experienced cover.
EPL Match Preview – West Ham United vs AFC Bournemouth
West Ham and Bournemouth meet at Upton Park on matchday three. The Cherries, still finding their feet in the Premier League, will fancy their chances against an injury-hit Hammers side.
Bournemouth are yet to even register a goal – let alone a victory – in the Premier League yet, and were relegation favourites long before the season started. Very few members of the Cherries’ squad have had extended top flight experience and, in a league were goals are golden, their marquee offseason signing was a defender, Tyrone Mings. And yet, in spite of all this, their opening two fixtures, spirited 1-0 losses to Villa and Liverpool, have given them cause for hope. The Premier League rarely allows financial minnows to survive, but Eddie Howe’s team looks as if it can be more than just an easy-beat this term. The question of goals is yet to be answered, with last season’s top scorer Callum Wilson finding the step up to the top division a troubling maneuver. A completed deal for Crystal Palace’s Glenn Murray cannot, on the evidence shown so far, come soon enough.
West Ham have had a rather more eventful start to the season, with a soaring 2-0 away win over Arsenal followed closely by a poor 2-1 home loss to Leicester. Like Bournemouth, a nagging issue exists up front for them as well, but injuries are the problem here. Mauro Zarate has been ruled out for the next two games, and so joins Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia on the sidelines. This leaves Diafra Sakho as the one remaining striker available to Slaven Bilic, who has fallen into an early and highly alarming injury crisis. West Ham are also without their first choice goalkeeper, with Adrian serving a three-match ban after his dismissal against Leicester. The three points snatched from Arsenal were something of a bonus for the Hammers; a return of zero points from both the Leicester and Bournemouth fixtures would be a worrying outcome.
Key Battle – Darren Randolph vs the Bournemouth attack
As if arranged with perfect timing by the Gods of Fate, with Bournemouth searching desperately for goals, it may end up being Darren Randolph who comes, unwillingly, to their rescue. The former Birmingham keeper conceded 12 goals to the Cherries last season in the Championship, including a staggering eight goals in one match, an 8-0 loss in October. West Ham appealed to have Adrian’s red card against Leicester rescinded but were turned down by the match review panel, and so will almost certainly start Randolph in his place. Adrian has been one of West Ham’s star performers over the last two seasons, so his absence will be a damaging one.
A scrambling move for QPR’s Rob Green, a former Hammer himself, has been reported, but will likely take too long to see Green lining up in the West Ham goal this weekend. It all sounds rather ominous for poor Randolph; either he experiences a Cherry-flavoured nightmare for a second time, or he exorcises some harrowing demons. Bournemouth’s rangy, pacy Callum Wilson, who toiled against Liverpool, is a striker whose positioning is generally spot on, and who can capitalise on the sort of shaky error a rattled defence can commit. Adrian played every league match last season for the Hammers, so it has been a while since Winston Reid, Cresswell and Jenkinson have had someone else cleaning up behind them.
Team News
Very sad by the injury and not to be available to play the next two matches !!! I now focus on a fast recovery. 😔😡💪🏼👊🏼🙏🏼
— Mauro Zarate (@mau_zeta) August 19, 2015
With Zarate injured, Modibo Maiga’s chances of starting are greatly enhanced, although Bilic might prefer to bank on youngster Manuel Lanzini. Of course, the superb Dimitri Payet is virtually the first name on the teamsheet. Reece Oxford, after his tough second game last week, will likely drop out of the starting lineup. Pedro Obiang, who was excellent after coming on as a sub against Leicester, will take his place.
West Ham United Expected XI (4-3-3): Randolph (GK); Jenkinson, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Obiang, Noble, Kouyate; Payet, Lanzini, Sakho.
In search of that vital attacking spark, Eddie Howe might turn to on-loan Chelsea starlet Christian Atsu this week. The Ghanaian is a tip-toeing, agile winger, a veritable bundle of dribbling and swerve. In terms of injuries, Bournemouth have no one of any critical importance laying prone and convalescing.
AFC Bournemouth Expected XI (4-1-4-1): Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; O’Kane; Atsu, Tomlin, Surman, Gradel; Wilson.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have not met in a competitive fixture since 1999, so their head-to-head record throws precious little light on the predicted outcome of this match.
Prediction
This is a dangerous home fixture for the Hammers; a win here will be nothing more than what is expected, whereas a loss would be a highly uncomfortable result, just two weeks after their raucous victory at the Emirates. A 1-1 draw seems likely, with both teams playing it a little too safe for entertainment.
West Ham United 1 AFC Bournemouth 1
Sakho wins Senegal recall after nixing Nations Cup
DAKAR Aug 21 (Reuters) - West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho has won a recall to Senegal's squad for the first time since missing the African Nations Cup finals at the start of the year.
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly has also been called up for the first time for the Nations Cup qualifier against Namibia next month, the Senegal Football Federation said.
Sakho angered Senegal by pulling out of their squad for January's tournament in Equatorial Guinea because of a back injury that meant he could not fly but then, while the tournament was proceeding, turned out for West Ham.
His recall was confirmed on Friday by the FA who also said Koulibaly from Napoli had committed to an international future with the west African country after winning junior caps for France, where he was born.
Senegal play in Windhoek on Sept. 5 in Group K of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers.
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