Raphael Varane was handed his Manchester United debut in Sunday's Premier League clash with Wolves, while Jadon Sancho was included in the starting line-up for the first time.

United officially completed the signing of Varane from Real Madrid two weeks ago and the centre-back was an unused substitute in last week's 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Sancho had made two substitute appearances since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, playing a combined 46 minutes in the Red Devils' opening two league games.

Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial dropped out of the side from the draw at St Mary's to make way for Varane and Sancho respectively.

The omission of Daniel James was the third change made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Nemanja Matic coming into the side for the showdown at Molineux.

Paul Pogba once again started and was looking to build on an impressive start to 2021-22 that included five assists in his first two outings – the most by a Premier League player at this stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to wait to make the first appearance of his second spell for United as his high-profile switch from Juventus has yet to officially go through.

Edinson Cavani was in contention to feature for the first time this season at Molineux as a substitute after being given an extended break following his Copa America exertions with Uruguay.

Wolves boss Bruno Lange named the same starting line-up that fell to a 1-0 loss to Tottenham last week, meanwhile, but Willy Boly and Daniel Podence were back among the substitutes.

United had lost just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with Wolves heading into Sunday's contest, going down 2-1 at Molineux in April 2019.

Could the Kylian Mbappe transfer saga be nearing a conclusion?

Long linked with Real Madrid, Mbappe is out of contract at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain's attempts to re-sign Mbappe have been fruitless up until this point and the Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to cash in.

 

TOP STORY – MBAPPE NEARING MADRID?

Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to accept an offer for Kylian Mbappe should one arrive from Real Madrid before the end of the transfer window, according to RMC.

PSG have been fighting to re-sign Mbappe, who is in the final year of his current deal in the French capital.

However, PSG have reportedly accepted defeat in their efforts to retain Mbappe beyond the 2021-22 season as Madrid look to lure the Frenchman to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Premier League pair Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked.

 

ROUND-UP

- The Mirror writes United are prepared to offer cash plus a player-swap – believed to be Jesse Lingard – to sign West Ham's Declan Rice.

- Atletico Madrid are closing in on a deal to sign Hertha Berlin's Matheus Cunha, says Fabrizio Romano. LaLiga champions Atletico had been linked with Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic – also wanted by the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham, Inter and Arsenal – but have so far failed to reach an agreement.

- The Daily Telegraph reports Tottenham are preparing a £40million bid to reunite Nuno Espirito Santo with Wolves star Adama Traore.

Napoli are eyeing unwanted Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, per Correire dello Sport. Pjanic had looked set to return to Juventus.

- Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira will move to Fiorentina after turning down Eintracht Frankfurt, according to Romano.

Chelsea are continuing to eye Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, claims Romano. The Frenchman is ready to swap Seville for London after agreeing personal terms on a deal until June 2026.

- Inter are monitoring Torino star Andrea Belotti as they seek to replace Romelu Lukaku, says Calciomercato. The Serie A champions have also been linked to Lazio forward Joaquin Correa.

Nuno Espirito Santo was happy with Harry Kane's display as a substitute in Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Wolves on Sunday.

Dele Alli's penalty – the midfielder's first Premier League goal since March 2020 – proved decisive at Molineux as Nuno got one over on his former club.

Spurs talisman Kane, a transfer target for Manchester City, missed the opening two games of the season – a win over the champions and a defeat to Pacos de Ferreira in Europa Conference League qualifying – but returned to a rapturous welcome from the travelling support.

Kane came on in the 72nd minute, and perhaps showed just why Nuno has been reluctant to call on him so far, away from the transfer speculation.

It has been widely reported that Kane would like to join City, but the 28-year-old has also only had one week of training since returning from an extended break following Euro 2020.

Kane had 14 touches, attempted nine passes and had one shot during his time on the pitch – Jose Sa closing down a close-range effort from the England captain.

The opportunity, teed up brilliantly by Steven Bergwijn, had an expected goals (xG) estimation of 0.336, making it the second-best chance of the game from open play, after an attempt which Adama Traore drilled straight at Hugo Lloris at the other end.

While a fully firing Kane would no doubt have converted the opportunity, Nuno was nevertheless pleased with what the striker showed in his cameo.

"I think he did well. He helped the team. He had a good chance," Nuno told a news conference. 

"Harry is still in the process of increasing and improving his level of fitness, but because he's one of the best players in the world you could see the way he helped the team in terms of possession and the fine lines. We need everybody, we need everybody."

Asked if Kane would be involved on Thursday, in the home leg of Spurs' tie with Pacos de Ferreira, Nuno replied: "I cannot answer that, it's too soon.

"Now we are going to recover and prepare for the next one. Like we always do the same way and make the decisions that we should take."

While Kane made his comeback, it was Alli who was the difference. After an impressive showing against City last week, the midfielder coolly converted the ninth-minute spot-kick that he won.

Tottenham have now only lost one of their 45 Premier League games in which Alli has scored (W35 D9 L1), and Nuno hailed the 25-year-old's performance.

"He's working very hard. I think all the team is working hard," Nuno said.

"We still have a long way to go and are working very hard to improve, the relationship between players and being very versatile enough.

"He scored in the beginning of the game and in the last minutes of the game he was running all over the pitch so that shows the level of fitness that he has and the belief that he has. A huge, huge help."

Harry Kane made his Tottenham return as Dele Alli's first Premier League goal since March 2020 secured a 1-0 win over Nuno Espirito Santo's former club Wolves.

Kane, a target for Manchester City, did not feature in Spurs' opening day defeat of City or their loss to Pacos de Ferreira in midweek, though the England captain came on as a 71st-minute substitute at Molineux.

While speculation will no doubt continue to mount as the transfer window draws to a close, Kane received a warm welcome from the travelling Spurs fans as he helped Nuno maintain his winning league start.

With Kane missing a gilt-edged chance to settle the contest late on, Alli's ninth-minute penalty ultimately proved decisive – Adama Traore wasting Wolves' best opportunity.

Having dealt admirably with Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish last week, Japhet Tanganga was tasked with keeping track of Traore this time around, though he had an early scare when the winger cut inside, only to blaze wide.

Wolves' bright start was swiftly punctured – Jose Sa colliding with Alli, who stepped up to slot home the resulting spot-kick.

Making his first Premier League appearance at Molineux since November 2020, Raul Jimenez went close to equalising before the half-hour mark, his first-time effort skimming over, before Alli was inches away from tucking in Steven Bergwijn's cross.

Nelson Semedo – who had earlier had a hopeful penalty appeal dismissed – tried his luck from range as Wolves started the second half with intent, the full-back's venomous strike whistling wide.

Spurs could have been 2-0 up soon after, Son Heung-min having raced clear, but Maximilian Kilman got across to block the forward's path.

Traore should have made Spurs pay as he went through one-on-one with Hugo Lloris, only to send his finish straight at the goalkeeper.

Kane's introduction drew chants of appreciation from the Spurs fans, though he showed rare profligacy when put through by Bergwijn – Sa making a smart double stop to keep Wolves in it, yet the goalkeeper's efforts were not enough to inspire a comeback.

Harry Kane could be set to make his first appearance of the season after he was named in Tottenham's squad for their visit to Wolves.

Kane, a target for Manchester City, last played for England in the Euro 2020 final on July 11.

The Spurs talisman – who scored 23 Premier League goals last season to win the Golden Boot – only returned to training on August 13 and was not involved as Nuno Espirito Santo's side defeated City in their first game of the season last Sunday.

He was included in the 25-man squad for the Europa Conference League qualifier against Pacos de Ferreira but did not make the trip to Portugal for the first leg. Tottenham lost 1-0.

Nuno suggested on Friday that Kane could be involved after getting a full week of training under his belt and, despite speculation over his future continuing, the 28-year-old has made the Tottenham squad, taking a place among the substitutes. 

Given he has not played in well over a month, it is unsurprising to see Kane only named on the bench for Nuno's reunion with his former side.

Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn and matchwinner Son Heung-min spearheaded Spurs' attack against City and the trio lead an unchanged starting XI at Molineux.

In all competitions, this will be the 100th meeting between Wolves and Spurs. Tottenham won the previous encounter and are looking for consecutive Premier League wins over Wolves for the first time since winning both games in 2003-04.

Wolves have lost each of their past four Premier League games, scoring just one goal in the process. It is their longest losing run in the top-flight since a run of seven between March and April 2012, though this is Bruno Lage's first home game in charge.

Harry Kane is under consideration to face Wolves on Sunday, Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed.

The England captain has been strongly linked with a £100million-plus move to Manchester City in the current transfer window and is reported to be keen to leave Spurs.

However, for now Kane remains a Tottenham player, and Nuno would want to make the best use of the 28-year-old if he is ready for match action, having yet to feature this season.

After training through the week, Kane was again working under the close eye of Nuno on Friday, with Tottenham having returned from an unsuccessful Europa Conference League trip to Portugal.

Speaking the day after a 1-0 loss to Pacos de Ferreira in a play-off to reach UEFA's tertiary club competition, Nuno stressed Kane was in his thinking, along with every player that featured in first-team training.

"He trained today. He trained good. He's going to train tomorrow, and tomorrow we're going to make a decision," said Nuno.

"I'm so sorry to keep saying the same things, but this is how we work. It's a day-by-day situation. The decisions are made when we feel that we should make them.

"We're going to take the decision on who's going to travel tomorrow."

Nuno, who had four years as Wolves boss before departing at the end of last season, was asked whether the uncertainty surrounding Kane was fair on him, as coach of the team.

"Honestly it's not unfair for me or fair, it's the reality. The reality needs to be taken care of with wise decisions," Nuno said.

"The decisions that we make, we go day by day, and all the players that are involved in training sessions are options for us."

Kane has scored three goals in his five previous Premier League appearances against Wolves, and Nuno said he was being updated "every day" on the striker's situation.

Sunday's game will be the 100th meeting between Wolves and Spurs. In their last meeting in May, Spurs won 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and this weekend they will go in search of consecutive Premier League wins over Wolves for the first time since winning both encounters in 2003-04.

Spurs won 5-2 and 2-0 in that campaign against a Wolves side who finished at the foot of the table in what was their debut Premier League season.

Wolves began this term by losing 1-0 at Leicester City, and they have not lost their first two games of a league season since that disappointing 2003-04 campaign.

Wolves forward Raul Jimenez has revealed doctors told him it is a miracle that he survived his fractured skull suffered after a clash of heads in November.

Jimenez made his return to Premier League action in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Leicester City after eight months out following the sickening accidental collision with Arsenal's David Luiz.

During a lengthy on-field delay, the Mexican was put on a stretcher and given an oxygen feed, before he was taken to hospital for emergency surgery.

There were initial fears that the 30-year-old may never play again but he revealed the concerns were greater than that when he fronted the media on Tuesday.

"With the skull fracture, the bone broke and there was a little bit of bleeding inside the brain," Jimenez said. "It was pushing my brain to the inside and that is why the surgery had to be quick.

"It was a really good job by the doctors. The skull fracture did take a little longer to heal than we all expected but it is a miracle to be here with you."

He added: "Since the first moment they told me what happened and the risks. They told me it was like a miracle to be there. Because they are doctors they have to tell you the truth and you have to take it. Sometimes this is not what you want to hear but it's their job."

The Mexican has no re-collection of the incident and spent 10 days in hospital after the emergency surgery.

Jimenez outlined the long road back to competitive football, having resumed training with team-mates in May, insisting he always felt he could get back.

"I always felt it was maybe like an ankle injury or a knee injury and that after my recovery, I'll be back doing what I love to do," the former Benfica and Atletico Madrid forward said.

"I never thought about finishing my career or stopping playing. There was a chance of that but I was always confident I was going to return."

Jimenez has been a sensation for Wolves since their promotion to the Premier League, netting 30 top-flight goals across his first two full seasons at the club.

He had scored four goals in 2020-21 prior to his injury at Emirates Stadium, with Jimenez's absence dealing a big blow to Wolves last term.

Paul Pogba assisted four of Manchester United's goals as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side started their 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Leeds United.

Bruno Fernandes netted three of them, with Mason Greenwood and Fred also getting in on the action as United issued a statement of intent.

Chelsea followed up that victory with a 3-0 win over Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool rounded out the day by beating newly promoted Norwich City by the same scoreline.

Leicester City, Everton, Watford and Brighton and Hove Albion also claimed wins to get their seasons started in style.

Using Opta data, we take a look at the key statistics from across Saturday's fixtures.

 

Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United: Pogba and Fernandes leave Whites reeling

Pogba became the seventh player in Premier League history to assist four goals in a single game on Saturday, as he and Fernandes helped United seal a record 20th opening-day win. 

Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Santi Cazorla and Harry Kane had previously teed up four goals in a Premier League match.

Two of Pogba's assists were for Fernandes, whose hat-trick was the 10th scored on the opening weekend of a Premier League season, while the playmaker was the first United player to achieve the feat since Lou Macari in 1977.

Mason Greenwood benefitted from a sublime Pogba pass shortly after Luke Ayling's sensational equaliser – the full-back's first top-flight goal – and he is now the fifth-highest scoring teenager in the history of the competition with 18 goals.

United netted five goals in their opening game of a Premier League game for only the second time, after beating Fulham 5-1 in August 2006, while Leeds shipped five in an opener for the first time.

Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool: Records tumble as Salah stars

Liverpool might have relinquished their Premier League title last season, but Mohamed Salah picked up where he left off last term as he scored and provided two assists in Liverpool's 3-0 win at Norwich.

Salah teed up both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino before netting himself in the 74th minute. It means he has scored on matchday one in all five of his Premier League seasons with Liverpool, while he is the first player in the competition's history to find the net on five consecutive opening weekends.

Norwich have now lost 11 successive top-flight games – only Sunderland have had a longer losing streak in the competition.

Firmino came on from the bench to score Liverpool's second. It was the 49th league goal scored by a substitute under Jurgen Klopp, the most of any side in the competition since the German joined in 2015, while the Brazil international also brought up the Reds' 8,000th league goal in the process.

Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace: Pulisic predictably punishes Eagles again

This trip to Stamford Bridge played out in painfully familiar fashion for Palace, who have lost more Premier League games against Chelsea (19) than versus any other side in the competition's history.

In a routine 3-0 opening-day victory, the Blues became the third team – after Tottenham (nine) and Liverpool (eight) – to win eight in a row against Palace in the Premier League era.

The nature of the first two strikes was predictable, too, with Marcos Alonso netting Chelsea's 50th direct free-kick goal in the competition – trailing only United (64) – before Christian Pulisic grabbed his fifth in five games against Palace, more than versus any other opponent.

The third was slightly more surprising, as centre-back Trevoh Chalobah's superb strike made him the second youngest Chelsea player to score on their Premier League debut for the club after Paul Hughes (22y 40d for Chalobah, 20y 274d for Hughes against Derby County in 1997).

Everton 3-1 Southampton: Benitez off to a winning start

Rafael Benitez was a contentious appointment at Everton but his tenure started with a 3-1 win over Southampton. It was the first time the Toffees have won a league match in which they trailed at half-time since September 2015.

On the other hand, since Ralph Hasenhuttl took over at Southampton in December 2018, they have lost 60 points from winning positions in the Premier League, more than any other side.

Adam Armstrong opened his Southampton account to put the visitors ahead at Goodison Park. Since the start of 2019-20, only Ivan Toney (55) has scored more goals in the top four tiers of English football.

Fresh from Olympic glory with Brazil, Richarlison scored the equaliser and has now netted in each of his last four league games against Southampton.

With Abdoulaye Doucoure lashing Everton ahead, Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 3-1 with a diving header. He has now netted 12 headed goals in the league since the start of 2019-20, four more than any other player.

Elsewhere, Leicester City saw off Wolves 1-0 thanks to Jamie Vardy's first-half effort. The Foxes have lost just one of their last 25 home league games against the Midlands club.

Only Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer (all eight) have scored more goals on the opening weekend of Premier League campaigns than Vardy (seven).

Watford 3-2 Aston Villa: Ings on the spot but post-Grealish era starts in defeat

Watford have now lost their opening league match in just one of the past 15 campaigns (W8 D6), after the Hornets overcame Aston Villa 3-2.

Emmanuel Dennis became the fourth different Nigerian player to score on his Premier League debut to put Watford ahead, with Ismaila Sarr registering his 20th goal for the club before Cucho Hernandez became the first Colombian to net on his debut in the competition.

John McGinn scored his second goal in the space of four league appearances, as many as he had in his previous 55, to pull one back, before Danny Ings converted a late penalty.

He is the 24th player to score on his Premier League bow for Villa, while his spot-kick was the 2,000th penalty scored in Premier League history.

Meanwhile, Burnley are now winless in their last 11 home league games (D5 L6) since beating Villa 3-2 in January, equaling their longest run without a win at Turf Moor, after Brighton came from behind to win 2-1.

Rafa Mir believes he would fit in well at Atletico Madrid but will wait until after the Tokyo Olympics to discuss his future with Wolves.

The 24-year-old has failed to settle since moving to Molineux from Valencia in 2018 and has spent the last three seasons on loan with Las Palmas, Nottingham Forest and Huesca.

Mir has less than a year to run on his contract and has been touted as a target for LaLiga champions Atletico, who are seeking further back-up for first-choice striker Luis Suarez.

Reports in Spain on Sunday, meanwhile, suggest the former Barcelona youth product has been offered to the Catalan giants by agent Jorge Mendes.

And with his stock high after scoring a hat-trick for Spain in their Olympic quarter-final win against the Ivory Coast on Saturday, Mir is not ruling out a transfer before the window closes.

"Things are happening. I have not asked to know much until the Games are over," he told AS.

"We will see how things progress. I still have one more year at Wolverhampton and calmly we will decide what is best for me.

"I want to be at a place I'm happy, as I was at Huesca. I want to feel loved by the people and the club. With those ingredients I can play at my best.

"I arrived in England during a difficult situation and then I was injured for a couple of months. My level of English also isn't good, but it's been improving.

"English football is a style I like and that's why I chose to go there after Valencia. Things have not gone as I wanted but I think I can do well there. 

"I'm still young and have many more years of my career to go, so we'll see what happens."

Asked about the links with Atletico in particular, Mir added: "They are a great club. I think the way they play suits me very well because of my characteristics. We'll have to see.

"Right now I'm focused on the Games. When they come to an end then we will see."

 

Mir was brought on as a substitute against the Ivory Coast and forced extra time just 58 seconds after being introduced from the bench, netting from his first touch of the ball.

He added two more goals in the additional period to earn Spain a 5-2 win and set up a semi-final with competition hosts Japan in Saitama on Tuesday.

That made the Murcia-born forward the first player to score a hat-trick in a knockout-round game in the tournament since Beijing 2008.

"I'm very happy with those goals and to help the team progress," Mir said. "You wake up with the same desire and enthusiasm which we cam with, which is to get a medal. 

"I've had the matchball signed by all my colleagues. I have a space at home for all my football possessions, such as shirts and balls from other hat-tricks I've scored."

Mir scored 13 goals in 38 LaLiga appearances last season – only seven players netted more – but he could not prevent Huesca from suffering relegation to the second tier.

Those 13 goals came from 120 shots, including blocks, which was the third highest tally in the Spanish top flight last season after Karim Benzema (123) and Lionel Messi (196).

Raul Jimenez was handed his long-awaited return for Wolves as the Mexico forward started in Saturday's friendly against Crewe Alexandra.

Jimenez has been out of action since he sustained a fractured skull in a clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz in November.

The 30-year-old former Benfica striker returned to full training in May, six months after undergoing surgery for what Wolves described as a "major traumatic brain injury and skull fracture".

He was declared ready for his comeback against Crewe, making the starting XI for Wolves' first game under new boss Bruno Lage.

Jimenez has been a sensation for Wolves since their promotion to the Premier League, netting 30 top-flight goals across his first two full seasons at the club.

He had scored four goals in 2020-21 prior to his injury at Emirates Stadium, with Jimenez's absence dealing a big blow to Nuno Espirito Santo's team last term.

Barcelona youngster Francisco Trincao has joined Premier League side Wolves on loan for the duration of the 2021-22 campaign.

Wolves have the option to sign the Portugal international permanently at the end of the season for a reported fee of £25million (€29.12m).

Trincao arrived at Barcelona from Braga 12 months ago in a €31m deal and made 42 appearances for the Catalan giants in his first season at Camp Nou.

He created six big chances in 28 LaLiga appearances – an average of 0.79 per 90 minutes, which was bettered only by Lionel Messi (0.83) and Phillippe Coutinho (0.96).

 

The 21-year-old scored three goals in all competitions and earned the first of his six caps for Portugal last September, though he was not included in their Euro 2020 squad. ​

Wolves confirmed the capture on their website on Sunday, with Trincao becoming their second close-season signing following the arrival of defender Yerson Mosquera.

Trincao previously scored or assisted 22 goals in his 48 games for Braga and has already played alongside as many as six of his new Wolves team-mates for Portugal.

Tottenham's search for a new head coach is finally over after Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed as Jose Mourinho's successor.

Ryan Mason filled in as caretaker boss following Mourinho's sacking in April, steering the club through to the end of the 2020-21 season.

Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was linked with a sensational return, while Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso were all rumoured to be on the verge of filling the vacancy at different stages in the process.

However, the London club have instead turned to Nuno after his four-year spell with Wolves came to an end in May.

The 47-year-old Portuguese has signed a deal until 2023 with Tottenham, where he will work alongside new director of football Fabio Paratici.

"When you have a squad with quality and talent, we want to make the fans proud and enjoy," Nuno said following his appointment.

"It's an enormous pleasure and honour [to be here], there's joy and I'm happy and looking forward to starting work. We don't have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as pre-season starts in a few days."

Nuno earned promotion to the top flight in his first season in charge at Wolves, then followed that achievement with successive seventh-place finishes in the top tier.

He also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the 2019-20 season but, following an underwhelming 2020-21 campaign – not helped by a long-term injury sustained by Raul Jimenez in November, plus the sales of Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota – he left by mutual consent.

Nuno starts his new role amid uncertainty over the future of England captain Harry Kane, with Manchester City reportedly bidding £100million for the prolific striker.

"First of all, I'd like to welcome Nuno to the club," Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said. "We should like to thank our supporters for all their patience throughout this process. 

"I've spoken already about the need to revert back to our core DNA of playing attacking, entertaining football and Fabio and I believe Nuno is the man who can take our talented group of players, embrace our young players coming through and build something special."

Tottenham's search for a new head coach is finally over after Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed as Jose Mourinho's successor.

Ryan Mason filled in as caretaker boss following Mourinho's sacking in April, steering the club through to the end of the 2020-21 season.

Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was linked with a sensational return, while Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso were all rumoured to be on the verge of filling the vacancy at different stages in the process.

However, the London club have instead turned to Nuno after his four-year spell with Wolves came to an end in May.

The 47-year-old Portuguese has signed a deal until 2023 with Tottenham, where he will work alongside new director of football Fabio Paratici.

"When you have a squad with quality and talent, we want to make the fans proud and enjoy," Nuno said following his appointment.

"It's an enormous pleasure and honour (to be here), there's joy and I'm happy and looking forward to starting work. We don't have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as pre-season starts in a few days."

Nuno earned promotion to the top flight in his first season in charge at Wolves, then followed that achievement with successive seventh-place finishes in the top tier.

He also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the 2019-20 season but, following an underwhelming 2020-21 campaign – not helped by a long-term injury sustained by Raul Jimenez in November, plus the sales of Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota – he left by mutual consent.

Nuno starts his new role amid uncertainty over the future of England captain Harry Kane, with Manchester City reportedly bidding £100million for the prolific striker.

The Premier League's big-money clubs are circling for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish.

The England midfielder is drawing interest from multiple suitors keen to lure him away from Villa Park.

Could a move be on the cards after the Euros? 

 

TOP STORY – BLUES WANT GREALISH

Chelsea are strong contenders to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, Football Insider reports. 

The England international has also drawn interest from Manchester City, but the Blues' involvement could change the dynamic. 

Football Insider claims owner Roman Abramovich has approved the type of expenditures that would be necessary to land players like Grealish, and winning the Champions League will only loosen the reins on Chelsea's spending. 

 

ROUND-UP

- Kylian Mbappe wants to move on from Paris Saint-Germain, according to RMC Sport, which says the France international will depart on a free transfer when his contract expires next year if he does not move during this window. 

- Lionel Messi's long-anticipated new contract with Barcelona could be announced as soon as Thursday, according to Le 10 Sport. 

- If Man City are to complete a deal to land Harry Kane from Tottenham, they will need to do it without using Raheem Sterling in a swap deal. Sterling has no interested in joining Spurs as part of the reported £100million move for Kane, ESPN said. 

- Sergio Ramos plans to join PSG, AS reports, spurning interest from City and Manchester United

- Chelsea see Villarreal's Gerard Moreno as a fall-back option if they cannot sign Erling Haaland, according to Fichajes. 

- Milan are looking at Rafinha of PSG as a potential addition as Hakan Calhanoglu moves on, Calciomercato reports. 

- England defender James Tarkowski is drawing interest from Wolves and West Ham, the Telegraph reports, while the Mail says Leicester City also are eyeing the Burnley man. 

- Scott Parker is set to depart Fulham and become Bournemouth's new manager, The Athletic reports. 

Bruno Lage has been confirmed as Wolves' new head coach, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno, who guided Wolves from the Championship to an established Premier League team, left his role by mutual agreement at the end of 2020-21.

Having led Wolves to successive seventh-placed finishes, Nuno's efforts were curtailed by injuries to key players Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto this season, while Diogo Jota was sold to Liverpool with the club eventually finishing 13th.

Nuno did look set to takeover at Crystal Palace, but talks with the Portuguese – who has also been linked with Everton – have reportedly broken down.

While it remains to be seen where Nuno's next job will be, Wolves have moved to hire a compatriot in the form of ex-Benfica boss Lage.

He spent 18 months at the helm in Lisbon, with his Benfica team, which included teenage sensation Joao Felix, winning 18 games from 19 to win the title in his first half-season at the club in 2018-19.

Lage, 45, left Benfica in 2020, and has previously coached in England, acting as an assistant to Carlos Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

"I'm very happy. It's a big opportunity. I'm very happy because I've returned to this country, and to be the manager of a big team," said Lage.

"It's a team and a club that wants to do history and a chance to compete in the Premier League. So, I'm happy, excited, with a big ambition to do great things for this club."

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