Chelsea have irked Sunderland with a low first bid for Granit Xhaka, while the Blues are stepping up their interest in Maxence Lacroix. Marco Palestra is set to finalise his move to Stamford Bridge as the first new arrival of the Xabi Alonso era, with Pep Chavarria now eyed as a Marc Cucurella replacement amid reports that Malo Gusto has agreed to join Manchester City. Manchester United have planned a medical for wonderkid Cristian Orozco as they continue to battle Spurs hard for the signing of Mateus Fernandes.
