Latest Premier League News and Transfer Rumours

Here is our EPL transfers and news round-up from today’s papers.

Matchweek 1 Referees

As the kick-off for the new season nears, the Premier League has released the names of all match officials for the first 10 games of the season, which make up the first matchweek.

The Friday night opener between Manchester United and Fulham will have referee Robert Jones on the pitch, assisted by Ian Hussin and Simon Bennett, while the fourth official will be Anthony Taylor. In the VAR room, Jarred Gillett will be taking charge, assisted by Darren Cann.

In the heavyweight clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, it will be Anthony Taylor leading the team of officials, with Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn on the touchlines and Darren England acting as fourth official. VAR will be Michael Salisbury, assisted by Dan Cook.

You can find the full list of referees for all 10 games of matchweek 1 by clicking here.

EPL Transfers

Cole Palmer has signed an extension to his Chelsea contract, committing his next nine years to the Stamford Bridge club. His previous deal was slated to end in 2031, but the new one runs until 2033. (Chelsea official announcement)

Manchester United have completed the transfers of Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, going some way to easing their seemingly permanent defensive injury crisis. The rumoured transfer fees are £38.5 million (plus £4.3 million in add-ons) for de Ligt and £12.8 million (with a further £4.3 million in add-ons) for Mazraoui. (Manchester United official announcements: Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui)

Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Barcelona right-back Julian Araujo, who signed a five-year deal with the Cherries yesterday, on his 23rd birthday. It is understood that the south coast club paid £8.5 million to Barca. (Bournemouth official announcement)

There was also an outgoing transfer from Manchester United yesterday, with right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka joining West Ham in a deal rumoured to be worth £15 million. The Englishman’s contract with his new club runs for the next seven years. (West Ham official announcement)

There is no shortage of drama in the dealings between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. After a collapse in the negotiations for Samu Omorodion’s transfer to the Blues, Sky Sports tells us that Conor Gallagher is now headed back to London after spending five days in limbo in Madrid. He had agreed personal terms with Atletico and is now forced to see his potential transfer in great jeopardy. Chelsea are also still in talks with Atletico for bringing in Joao Felix. Will any deal be done between these two clubs this month?

Fabrizio Romano reports that Leicester are close to sealing a season-long loan move for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Adam Hlozek. As things stand, the deal includes an obligation to buy the player for £17.2 million next summer, if the Foxes are not relegated.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is looking to leave Selhurst Park due to losing his starting XI place to Dean Henderson last season. Leicester, Southampton and Wolves have all enquired about Johnstone’s availability. (Fabrizio Romano)

Adrien Rabiot is still without a club after his contract with Juventus ran out at the end of June, but would be interested in joining Manchester United, according to 90min. However, he is in no rush to do so and it might take until close to deadline day before we see him in another team’s shirt.

Marc Guehi will stay with Crystal Palace unless a club is prepared to offer “superstar money”, according to a Sky Sports interview with Palace chairman Steve Parish. Newcastle are understood to have had three bids for the centre-back rejected (highest at £55 million), while Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a move.

The Independent says that Brentford’s £60 million price tag for Ivan Toney is putting off most suitors, but Chelsea and Manchester United are considering making loan offers with obligations to buy.

From TEAMtalk we learn that due to Pep Guardiola planning some tactical changes for Manchester City ahead of the new season, the Cityzens might make an offer for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

As Barcelona are still working to bring in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, they are making plans in case the deal does not come to fruition. Currently their plan B is Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, who the Reds are not willing to sell for anything less than £51.4 million. Barcelona might offer Frenkie de Jong in a player-plus-cash deal. (El Nacional)

Aston Villa might offer Trevoh Chalobah a way out from an overcrowded Chelsea squad, as they are considering making a £20 million offer for the 25-year-old Englishman. (Football Insider)

Lastly, talkSPORT reports that West Ham are looking to trim down their wage bill, so they are open to the idea of letting Danny Ings and Kurt Zouma leave the club on free transfers.