Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea make huge Delap breakthrough, hijack Arsenal’s Gyokeres bid – UK Times

Chelsea have triggered Liam Delap’s £30m release clause and is now on the verge of completing the move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester City will not utilise their buy-back clause, with Delap having already accepted the Chelsea project.

This one has been Here We Go’d!

A route back into the Manchester United first team looks unlikely for Antony given the impending arrival of Matheus Cunha to bolster the options in forward areas for Ruben Amorim. Richard Jolly explains why the Wolves man could be an ideal signing.

Miguel Delaney, The Independent’s chief football writer, reported last week that Antony’s impressive performances for Betis are set to spark a summer bidding frenzy.

Antony’s time at Real Betis came to an end last night as the Spanish club were beaten by Chelsea in the Conference League final. The Brazilian has rebuilt his reputation since a January loan to Seville, but will now return to Manchester United facing something of an uncertain future.

“My work is playing and I’m doing that well,” Antony told CBS Sports after the final in Wroclaw. “I have a lot of affection for Betis, for everyone but I have a contract with Man United and I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“Now I will go to the national team and then on holiday then we will see what happens in the future. I’m very happy here, everyone knows that but I have a contract.”

The battle for Florian Wirtz could be one that runs and runs all summer – though a pretty persuasive suitor appears to have joined the list of interested parties. AS in Spain suggest that Real Madrid are hoping that the Bayer Leverkusen creator will follow Xabi Alonso to the Spanish capital.

The Guardian report that interested clubs have been set a fee of €80m (£67m) for Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal among those expected to enter the market for the Sporting striker.

The club’s vice-president, Francisco Zenha, recently told the Portuguese media that he is yet to receive an offer for Gyokeres, who is heavily coveted.

The Athletic add that Gyokeres is preferred by Arsenal over Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, who is reportedly valued at £93m by the German club.

It appears Marcus Rashford will not be staying at Aston Villa, then – and Unai Emery’s side look to have a bit of a quandary after missing out on Champions League football, as Richard Jolly explores.

Napoli are close to finalising terms to sign Jonathan David, despite uncertainty surrounding the future of Antonio Conte, reports Sky Sports.

The Italian coach guided Napoli to the Serie A title, yet he remains uncommitted to the future at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

But Napoli are close to agreeing personal terms with the Lille forward, and move ahead of Juventus in the race to bring the 25-year-old to Italy.

Al Nassr are intent on keeping Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the Portuguese sparking speculation of a move away.

Ronaldo stated earlier this month: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”

And sporting director Fernando Hierro provided an update on his future: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence from the beginning is a national project”.

“He is a huge phenomenon in the history of football, has helped the league grow. We are in contact to renew his contract and hope he continues with us”.

Chelsea could reshuffle their wide options this summer with Jadon Sancho not certain to join in a permanent move.

While the Blues are tracking Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, reports the Guardian.

Arsenal are also keen on the Spanish winger, though Real Madrid may make a move should Rodrygo, a target for Man City, depart the Bernabeu this summer.