Top stories and transfer rumors from Friday’s newspapers

Top stories and transfer rumors from Friday’s newspapers, Liverpool remain interested in Anthony Gordon, Unai Emery wants Joao Felix at Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain target Josh Acheampong.

Liverpool maintain a strong interest in England and Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon. A deal to buy the 23-year-old collapsed in June and Gordon’s price will likely be elevated. (Liverpool Echo), external

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery wants to sign 24-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix, who is keen to leave Atletico Madrid. (BirminghamLive), external

Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain are looking at highly-rated Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, 18, as a potential option at right-back. The Englishman is a graduate of Chelsea’s academy. (Independent), external

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is expected to have a medical with Shabab Al Ahli after a deal for the 29-year-old Frenchman was agreed. (Sky Sports)

Leicester are nearing a loan deal for 19-year-old Argentina and Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte. (Mail), external

Real Sociedad are trying to convince 25-year-old Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi to reject a move to Anfield. The Spain midfielder has a £51m release clause. (Times – subscription required), external

Liverpool have rejected multiple offers for 22-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg. Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen are all interested. (Sky Germany)

Brentford have agreed a loan deal, with a clause to buy which could become mandatory and worth around £10m, to sign 24-year-old Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste from Napoli. (Fabrizio Romano)

Valencia sporting director Miguel Angel Corona says Atletico Madrid tried to cancel their move for Chelsea’s 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher in order to prioritise a deal for his club’s Spanish midfielder Javi Guerra, 21. (Athletic – subscription required)

Birmingham City have agreed a deal with Rennes over a potential transfer of Wales midfielder Jordan James, 20. (Independent), external

Marseille retain an interest in 25-year-old England and Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah. (Sky Sports), external

Bournemouth are in advanced talks with Barcelona to sign Mexico defender Julian Auraujo, 22, in a 10m euro (£8.56m) deal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

French defender Billy Koumetio, 21, is on the verge of a move from Liverpool to Dundee. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Fulham have stepped up their interest in Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos. The 31-year-old Brazilian is expected to leave before the transfer window shuts and Villa are open to offers. (Telegraph – subscription required)

THE TIMES

Wilfried Zaha is open to returning to Crystal Palace after just one year in Turkey with Galatasaray.

American anti-doping chiefs reportedly allowed three athletes caught for doping to go unpunished if they became informants and have accused their counterparts at the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) of “going soft” amid criticism of the decision.

Real Sociedad have launched a charm offensive to try to keep Martin Zubimendi at the club amid Liverpool interest.

THE SUN

Former Manchester United player David de Gea has been contacted by Serie A side Fiorentina who are looking to sign a new goalkeeper.

Liverpool are reportedly set to miss out on Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier as the 21-year-old snubbed interest from Anfield in favour of staying in the Bundesliga, with a move to Borussia Dortmund on the cards.

Lithuanian athlete Mykolas Alekna broke his dad’s 20-year-old Olympic record during the discus throw final in Paris.

Formula 1 chiefs are set to hold talks with representatives of Rwanda next month over a Grand Prix bid that would bring the sport back to Africa for the first time in three decades.

THE ATHLETIC

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling says he wants to play for England under the team’s new head coach after almost two years in the wilderness under previous manager Gareth Southgate.

Former Tottenham and Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is a top target for the US men’s national team.

Lamare Bogarde is close to finalising a new long-term contract at Aston Villa.

THE GUARDIAN

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder calls for patience as he undertakes a rebuild at the club following the departure of 16 players this summer.

Former Team GB Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies has encouraged the women beaten by the two boxers embroiled in the Olympics gender row to challenge the results of their bouts.

Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma regained consciousness and was able to speak after a sickening fall in the Olympic 3,000m steeplechase final in Paris on Wednesday night.

THE TELEGRAPH
Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of England legend Andrew, played his first significant hand as a professional cricketer in top-scoring with 88 for Lancashire against Middlesex.

A police investigation has been launched to ascertain how Medhi Narjissi, a 17-year-old rugby player affiliated with Toulouse, went missing at sea while on tour with France U18s in South Africa.

THE INDEPENDENT

Ex-Chelsea and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be open to replacing Gareth Southgate with Lee Carsley expected to take over on an interim basis.

THE DAILY MAIL

Atletico Madrid reportedly tried to pull out of a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Manchester United were close to breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) last season but managed to comply with the restrictions after two ‘exceptional allowances’ were granted to the club.

Top stories : Chelsea announced their eighth signing of the summer on Thursday when Aaron Anselmino joined a growing list.

Osimhen’s Transfer Talk Top Stories

Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas has agreed a new deal at the Anfield club after an impressive season where he broke into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans and the 18-year-old is now close to sealing a loan with a Championship side.

THE INDEPENDENT

Olympic swimmers, some of the healthiest people on the planet, are turning to an unlikely, unscientific solution to ward off getting sick from competing in the polluted waters of the Seine in Paris: drinking cans of Coke. Top stories

THE SCOTTISH SUN

Top stories : Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski is reportedly close to signing for Spanish side Girona.

Celtic are finally on the verge of signing Norwich City striker Adam Idah after reportedly launching an improved bid of £5.5m.

Celtic are interested in Ben Doak returning to the club as part of a double Liverpool swoop including midfielder Bobby Clark.

Rangers manager Phillipe Clement is prepared to let Ianis Hagi leave the club for free despite his Euro 2024 performance.

Top stories News compiled by Folami junior