Chelsea close in on Manchester City winger Cole Palmer as Marc Cucurella prepares to join United – Paper Round

Chelsea are near to signing Manchester City forward Cole Palmer, who is looking for minutes after facing competition at the Etihad.

“Mauricio Pochettino is close to completing a surprise late deal for the England under-21 international with Chelsea and City expected to reach an agreement on a transfer fee and the medical likely to take place on Thursday.

“Palmer has been on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s team and City have decided to sell the homegrown talent, who is keen for regular game time.

“Chelsea have moved for the 21-year-old as he ticks the box of being Premier League ready, after making 25 appearances last season in all competitions. Palmer has also scored in the Community Shield and Uefa Super Cup this season.”

Manchester United have failed in their opening bid to sign Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina but continue to hope talks will seal a transfer deal, reports the Mirror.

“The Red Devils have been linked with the Morocco international all summer but have spent the majority of the transfer window strengthening other areas of Erik ten Hag’s squad. But despite spending in excess of £170million, Ten Hag always had plans to add another midfielder before the window shut, and talks over a deal for Amrabat have now finally taken place.

“Unfortunately for United, their attempts to land the 27-year-old on a financially favourable deal have not gone down well in Italy.

“Manchester United offered the Serie A outfit a €2million (£1.7m) loan fee which would [be] payable in two instalments. However, the Red Devils also wanted a January break clause included in any deal which would kick in before the payment of the second instalment – meaning Fiorentina could have received just €1m (£859,000) for Amrabat’s services.

“Unsurprisingly, the proposal was rejected out of hand by Fiorentina, although talks between the two clubs are continuing. The Italian outfit value Amrabat at €35m (£30m) and would prefer a sale but are also open to a loan with an obligation.”

The Sun claims that Marc Cucurella is ready to join Manchester United in pursuit of first-team football after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

“Chelsea are pondering a bid from their rivals to take the Spanish defender on a season-long deal.

“Cucurella, 25, is up for going in order to get his career back on track at club and country level.

“He has not featured in any Chelsea game since the Champions League quarter final defeat to Real Madrid in April.

“Chelsea want a loan fee of around £6million.”

Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Ryan Gravenberch if they can agree terms with Bayern Munich, but the Dutchman is happy to move.

“The Dutch midfielder joined the Bavarian outfit in 2022 from Ajax, with the German side seeing the youngster as an attacking midfielder with huge potential.

“However, the 21-year-old struggled to make an impression in the last 12 months, earning just six starts in his 34 appearances in Germany.

“Now the player is keen to leave the club in the current transfer window, and has since agreed terms with Liverpool over a potential deal, although the two sides are still yet to agree a fee.”