Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Friday, July 1.
Chelsea hopeful on de Ligt
Thomas Tuchel's ability to coax the best out of defenders is central to Chelsea's pursuit of Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt, the PA news agency understands. Chelsea are thought to have been encouraged to continue negotiations with Juventus due to the Netherlands defender's admiration for Blues boss Tuchel. De Ligt is understood to be keen to work under Tuchel, having seen how the German coach helped the likes of Toni Rudiger thrive at Chelsea.
The Blues have emerged as favourites to sign De Ligt should the 22-year-old leave Juventus this summer, with the Old Lady hierarchy accepting his desire for a new challenge. Chelsea are thought to be ready to include either Christian Pulisic or Timo Werner in their bid package for De Ligt, with talks with Juventus expected to continue. De Ligt's keenness on Chelsea is also thought to have softened Juventus' stance on a fee, with the Italians aware they cannot hold out for the 38-cap centre-back's £102million release clause.
Europe's top clubs have tracked De Ligt ever since he broke through as a precociously talented teenager at Ajax. Chelsea have long since had eyes on De Ligt, who joined Juventus in 2019, but the Blues are understood only to have acted on that interest since Todd Boehly's takeover. Chelsea's new owners Boehly and Clearlake Capital are determined to reshape the Blues squad in manager Tuchel's image this summer.
READ MORE: Leeds United's Raphinha 'makes Chelsea decision' as he outlines transfer desire
New chairman Boehly has thrust himself to the fore of transfer negotiations as interim sporting director after the regime change radically altered the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. Chelsea need two centre-backs this summer, after Rudiger's free-transfer switch to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen's Barcelona move. Long-term target Jules Kounde remains on Chelsea's radar, but Manchester City's Nathan Ake has also emerged as another target.
The former Blues defender is understood to be of genuine interest to Chelsea, who are known to be pushing hard in tandem on a string of targets. Chelsea remain hopeful of pulling off a deal to bring Brazil forward Raphinha to Stamford Bridge, with a £60million fee understood to have been struck with Leeds. Raphinha has long since hoped for a Barcelona move this summer, but Chelsea have agreed a deal with Leeds that the Catalan giants are understood not to be able to match yet while administration and finance problems are being resolved.
Chelsea are thought to continue to push to convince Raphinha to make the Stamford Bridge switch, with Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele facing an anxious wait in the meantime. Dembele's Barcelona contract has now expired, and the France international has long hoped for Chelsea to step in with a big-money offer. Dembele is thought to have an offer on the table from Barcelona, which he will be expected to sign if Raphinha is lured to Chelsea. A deal for Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling remains in the offing for Chelsea, with all parties thought to be confident of the move going through.
Spurs land Richarlison
Tottenham have completed the £60million signing of Richarlison from Everton. The Brazil forward has signed a five-year deal at Spurs, moving to London after four years at Goodison Park. Richarlison has now become Tottenham's fourth summer signing, following Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma into the north London club.
Football managing director Fabio Paratici has wasted little time in handing Spurs boss Antonio Conte the kind of squad reinforcements the Italian so craved this summer. "We are delighted to announce the signing of Richarlison from Everton, subject to a work permit," Tottenham confirmed in a statement. The Brazil international has signed a contract with us until 2027."
Tottenham are expected to continue pushing for new recruits, with moves for Middlesbrough's Djed Spence and Barcelona's Clement Lenglet both mooted. Spurs are understood to have fended off competition from both Arsenal and Chelsea to complete the high-profile deal for Richarlison. The 25-year-old will add further competition and depth to Tottenham's attacking ranks, with Spurs having been keen to recruit a forward who could play right across the frontline for some time.
Tottenham are expected to continue pushing for new recruits, with moves for Middlesbrough's Djed Spence and Barcelona's Clement Lenglet both mooted. Spurs are understood to have fended off competition from both Arsenal and Chelsea to complete the high-profile deal for Richarlison, who notched 53 goals in 152 games in four years at Everton having joined them in 2018 after a year at Watford.
City land Ortega
Manchester City have signed Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper Stefan Ortega on a three-year deal. The 29-year-old joins the Premier League champions as back-up to Ederson after his deal expired with the recently relegated Bundesliga side. United States international Zack Steffen was number two last season but is reportedly set to join Middlesbrough on loan. Ortega is City's second summer signing following star striker Erling Haaland's high-profile arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
"This is a fantastic move for me," German goalkeeper Ortega said. "Manchester City are an amazing team - a squad with world-class quality in every area. To be given the chance to join this group of players and help continue the club's success is a dream for me. I have enjoyed my time in Germany and I want to thank the Arminia Bielefeld fans for their support. But this new challenge of coming to City and playing in the Premier League is too good for me to ignore. I can't wait to get started, meet my teammates and begin working with Pep (Guardiola) and his backroom staff."
