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Real Madrid announce Jude Bellingham, Mbappe race, Chelsea eye Vlahovic
Latest transfer gossip
Declan Rice’s imminent move to Arsenal overshadows new developments over Harry Kane, Dusan Vlahovic and Mason Mount.
West Ham captain Rice is understood to be nearing a huge-money move to the Gunners ahead of Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are ready to drop their pursuit of top target England team-mate Kane.
United chiefs believe Tottenham will do all they can to avoid seling the striker to a Premier League rival.
And it’s claimed Chelsea could offer Juventus up to FIVE players for Serbia frontman Vlahovic.
The stars concerned are Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Arsenal are rated odds-on to sign Stamford Bridge attacker Kai Havertz.
And Chelsea have rejected Man Utd’s opening offer of £40m for Three Lions’ playmaker Mount.
New Blues’ boss Mauricio Pochettino will reportedly come in for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
It’s suggested incoming Poch wants the £55m-rated Belgian to partner Enzo Fernandez.
Liverpool are said to have had a £51m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde rejected.
It’s understood Real would only consider selling the Uruguayan for close to £85m.
And Man Utd could pull off a £90m double swoop on Bayer Leverkusen for winger Moussa Diaby and right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
New figures show Prem’s financial dominance
The Prem’s financial dominance has been underlined by the latest study of European football finance, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Sports money experts Deloitte says the Prem’s 20 clubs had record revenues of £5.5bn in the 2021-22 season.
That was up 12 per cent on the previous campaign and nearly double the gross income of nearest challenger La Liga.
Deloitte also found that Prem gate revenue reached an all-time high of £763m, with attendances averaging a fraction under 40,000 per match and clubs sharing commercial revenue from fan spending of £1.7bn.
While total wage costs did increase, up six per cent to a total £3.6bn, seven of the clubs who were in the top flight the previous year reduced wages.
That did not prevent cumulative losses of £607m as the game recovered from the pandemic impact, with the purchases of Chelsea and Newcastle helping reduce net debt by 34 per cent to £2.7bn.
Deloitte’s Tim Bridge said: “Growing international interest and the commercial prowess of playing in the English top-flight continues to drive revenue growth.
“As new owners join the top-tier and cost regulations continue to evolve, sustainable operating, funding models and acting with integrity as the custodians of a football club should continue to be top of mind for all stakeholders to ensure the longevity and ultimate success of the Premier League and its member clubs.”
Hammers accept Declan is off to Gunners
West Ham are resigned to the fact that Declan Rice has set his heart on a move to Arsenal, writes MARK IRWIN.
And plans to start a bidding war with Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are likely to be shelved by the Europa Conference League winners.
Hammers boss David Moyes is understood to prefer a deal with Chelsea involving Conor Gallagher in part-exchange.
But Rice has made it clear that he is not interested in a return to the club who released him at the age of 14.
German champions Bayern have already dropped their pursuit of the 24-year-old England star after being told Rice wants to remain in the Premier League.
And Manchester United are reluctant to spend huge money on another holding midfielder after buying £60million Casemiro last summer.
That has left the way clear for Arsenal to complete their priority signing of the summer and negotiations with West Ham are now at an advanced stage.
The Gunners are looking to pay a club record £90m for Rice, while the Hammers value him at £110m.
