Secret £80m bid for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo throws Chelsea transfer plans into doubt – Paper Round

The Mirror reports that Brighton are keeping the club that bid £80 million for Moises Caicedo secret, which could throw Chelsea’s plans into disarray.

“Chelsea are trying to sign the Ecuador international, 21, from the Seagulls this summer after a breakthrough campaign. He played 37 Premier League games last season and was part of his country’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar, scoring against Senegal.

“Brighton have already rejected several bids from Chelsea for Caicedo, including their most recent offer of £80m. Yet the Seagulls are now thought to have received a bid in excess of that amount. The only snag is they haven’t named the bidder, with it being reported that Brighton are keeping it “confidential” for now. It’s believed it could be a club in Saudi Arabia.”

Despite little news of late, the Daily Mail believes that talks are ongoing over the potential sale of Manchester United, with the Glazer family talking to more than one suitor.

“With the season rapidly approaching, concerns had been raised that a long-running process which started last November might be paused to allow the club’s owners, the Glazer family, to reassess their options.

“However, Mail Sport understands that the current situation is that discussions are continuing with a number of groups with a view to a full sale or partial investment.

“The two frontrunners to take over at Old Trafford are Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Both have lodged bids which value United at around £5bn. While Sheikh Jassim’s offer is for a total buyout, the Ratcliffe proposal is for a staged takeover which would allow members of the Glazer family to retain their interest for a set period.”

Josko Gvardiol could soon finally become a Manchester City player, according to The Telegraph, with the RB Leipzig defender set to fly to Manchester in the coming days.

“The 21-year-old Croatian international is due to arrive in Manchester by the end of this week for a medical and to finalise the terms of his contract.

“Gvardiol is expected to be offered a five-year deal with the option for another 12 months and is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.”

“Xavi admitted to being disappointed with the departure of Ousmane Dembele to PSG. Although it is not yet official, it is already a done deal and should materialise before the end of the week,” the paper begins.

“’I am disappointed (Xavi says). We couldn’t compete with PSG’s proposal. I tried to keep him, but he told me that he had already spoken to [PSG president] Nasser and [PSG coach] Luis Enrique and that there was no going back. It is the law of the market. The proposal they are making to him is totally out of our hands. We can’t compete with it right now. It’s a pity. Good luck to him.

“’We asked him why and he didn’t know how to answer. I guess it’s something personal. Disappointed? Yes. The important thing is that he has been clear. I wish him luck.’”