The summer transfer window has moved up a gear as clubs prepare for the 2021-22 Premier League season. Manchester United finally ended their lengthy pursuit of Jadon Sancho on Friday, with the winger completing an initial £73million move from Borussia Dortmund. Manchester City remain keen to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham and Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, but will need to pay huge fees for both players. There might also be an update on Chelsea’s quest to sign a striker, having targeted Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku. Arsenal and Liverpool are also exploring deals. Express Sport brings you all the latest transfer news throughout the day.

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Raphael Varane’s Man United medical set

6pm update: Raphael Varane will undergo his medical to join Manchester United in 48 hours’ time, per reports.

Gianluca di Marzio claims the deal with Real Madrid is officially done at a starting fee of £42million and the player will be in England in the coming days.

Man Utd aim to make two more signings after Varane 

5pm update: Fabrizio Romano says Manchester United could make another two signings this summer – if opportunities arise.

“I think it’s not the end. I’d never say that it’s the end of July. Transfer markets are about opportunities. I can’t predict opportunities but we have to wait and see what happens,” he said on the The United Stand YouTube channel.

“I’m sure it’s time for United to think about the outgoings, they need to decide about Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic, and many things to decide. Let’s see what happens with Paul Pogba.

“After that, they can think about a potential right-back if Dalot leaves and also a midfielder if some of the players leave, if Matic or Van de Beek leave, let’s see what happens.

“I’d say a midfielder or a right-back are something that could happen for United this summer if they have the right opportunity.”

Man Utd suspicious of Leon Goretzka chances

4pm update: Manchester United have been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, but club sources suspect his representatives are using United to secure an improved contract, according to reports.

The German’s current contract at Bayern expires at the end of next season.

And the Manchester Evening News suggests that linking him to United could be a ploy from his people to secure a new and improved contract at his current club.

The 26-year-old played a key part for Hansi Flick’s side last campaign, making 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists.

Liverpool name Virgil van Dijk return date

3pm update: He’s not a new signing – but he’ll feel like one. Virgil van Dijk will make his return for Liverpool in their friendly against Hertha Berlin on Thursday.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has said: “I hope, I am not sure, that there is the opportunity that Virgil could play a few minutes.

“He looks really good in training, and maybe we can bring [him in], but I need to have some final conversations. He looks ready, and we will see.

“If you see the games now as part of their rehab training, that makes sense.”

Arsenal eye another Portugal transfer bargain

2pm update: Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing young Portuguese winger Matchoi Djalo.

The Gunners have already signed a top prospect from Portugal this summer, bringing in left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica. And now they are targeting a bargain deal for Djalo.

The Sun says the 18-year-old winger could join the north London club for as little as £1m.

Tottenham make first signing under Nuno Espirito Santo

1pm update: Spurs have confirmed the signing of Sevilla starlet Bryan Gil, with long-serving midfielder Erik Lamela moving in the other direction. 

The Spaniard becomes new boss Nuno’s first signing since being appointed as Jose Mourinho’s successor. 

Gil, 20, is a speedy winger and his arrival perhaps suggests that Nuno will continue with the 4-3-3 formation that he has used in pre-season. 

The deal means that Spurs will part ways with Lamela, who signed for the club in the immediate aftermath of Gareth Bale’s first departure in 2013. 

Gil is currently with Spain’s squad at the Tokyo Olympic Games. 

John Terry leaves Aston Villa role and eyes managerial job

11.30am update: Chelsea legend Terry has left his role as assistant manager at Aston Villa and has said that he will be taking a job in management. 

The only job available in the top two divsions of English football is at Swansea City, who saw Steve Cooper exit over the weekend. 

Terry has been assistant to Dean Smith for three years but has decided to depart as he is unsure that he would see out the upcoming Premier League season without moving into another job.

He said: “My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.”

Tottenham sent Harry Kane transfer warning by Man City

10.30am update: Man City have reportedly told Spurs that they will not be paying £160m for Kane this summer. 

The North Londoners value the striker at that price and do not want to sell.

But it is unlikely that they will receive such a premium fee in future transfer windows as Kane turns 28 on Wednesday and enters the final two years of his contract in the summer of 2022. 

City want to sign Kane – and England team-mate Grealish – but have told Spurs that they will not meet their price tag, according to the Daily Mail.  

Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has ‘dream date for Lionel Messi’s contract announcement

9am update: Barcelona have earmarked a date to announce the contract renewal of legendary forward Messi. 

Club president Laporta is hopeful of the confirming the deal despite Barca’s off field troubles.

Messi returns to pre-season training with Ronald Koeman’s side on August 2 and Laporta hopes that fresh terms will be confirmed on that date.

Barca are understood to need to reduce their wage bill to meet La Liga salary requirements but have reportedly secured a new five-year agreement with Messi. 

Manchester City ‘hoping for good news’ on Kane and Grealish transfers 

8:30am update: Man City remain hopeful of completing transfers for Harry Kane and Jack Grealish this summer and expect to hear news on both players this week. 

The pair are set to join the pre-season preparations of Tottenham and Aston Villa, respectively, in the coming weeks after being involved in England’s sensational Euro 2020 campaign.  

Pep Guardiola wants a combined £250m deal to be finalised for the pair to boost his plans for the upcoming Premier League season, according to the Sun. 

The Spaniard has had a frustrating summer due to so many first-team players still being on holiday.  

Manchester United ‘closing in’ on second major transfer 

8am update: Not content with signing Sancho for £73m, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly moving closer to his dream centre-back signing.  

Solskjaer has long wanted a new partner for defender Harry Maguire after having his defensive frailties exposed last term.  

Neither Victor Lindelof nor Eric Bailly have sufficiently convinced the Norwegian that they can be trusted to be Maguire’s permanent sidekick and the Old Trafford hierarchy have targeted Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.

French newspaper Le Parisien has reported that the Red Devils are close to a £39m deal that could even be finalised this week.

Chelsea suffer Romelu Lukaku transfer blow 

7.30am update: Boss Thomas Tuchel’s pursuit of a new Chelsea striker has been frustrating this summer.  

The Blues could be priced out of a £150m deal for Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and could instead opt to trigger the £64m release clause that becomes active in the 21-year-old’s contract next summer.  

They have also learned Inter Milan’s tough stance on selling Chelsea’s former player Lukaku.  

“From our side, we can yes absolutely, Lukaku is not for sale,” Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has said.  

“Lukaku is an important piece on the chessboard available to Simone Inzaghi.” 

Furthermore, Express Sport has learned that Lukaku is content to remain with the Serie A champions.