After only a couple of months away, the Premier League roared back into life this weekend as a host of new signings made their debuts.
There were wins for Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle while Chelsea and Liverpool played out a pulsating draw and Tottenham began life without Harry Kane with a point at Brentford.
The first round of matches will have also highlighted to managers the areas they still need to strengthen before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Moises Caicedo will have been an interesting spectator at Stamford Bridge, with the Brighton midfielder set to make the move to Chelsea for a British record fee despite late interest from Liverpool.
Manchester United are still working on new recruits and have had scouts in France over the weekend but may have to sell a few more players first, with Harry Maguire yet to complete his move to West Ham.
Man Utd scout Thuram
Whilst Liverpool have been strongly linked with moves for both Lavia and Caicedo over the past few weeks, one of the early names to potentially be drafted in was Nice star Khephren Thuram. Unfortunately for the Reds, it appears that they now have more competition should they revive their interest in the Frenchman.
As per Get French Football News, the Red Devils sent scouts to Nice to watch Jean-Clair Todibo in action against Nice – the defender potentially being eyed as a replacement for Harry Maguire. Whilst there, they also kept a close eye on Thuram.
Man Utd target open to move
Manchester United have contacted Bayern Munich to register their interest in signing Benjamin Pavard – who is open to leaving the German champions.
The France international started Bayern’s German Super Cup clash against RB Leipzig on Saturday but he could leave in the coming weeks to end his four-year stay in Munich. United boss Erik ten Hag rates Pavard’s experience and versatility – comfortable playing at right-back or in the heart of defence.
Chelsea beat Liverpool to agree Caicedo transfer
Chelsea have struck an agreement with Brighton to sign midfielder Moises Caicedo in a British club record transfer deal worth £115million – which includes £15m in add-ons.
A medical test has been booked for the Ecuadorian international with an announcement from the clubs scheduled to be confirmed later in the day. It is anticipated Caicedo will sign an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further year – through to the summer of 2032.
The mammoth fee comfortably beats the £106m Chelsea paid to land Enzo Fernandez from Benfica back in January, and gives new boss Mauricio Pochettino a top class defensive midfielder for his new Blues side.
It follows days of high drama as the Liverpool had a British record transfer fee of £111million accepted by the Seagulls for the 21-year-old. It had been Chelsea who were long considered to be the frontrunners for Caicedo’s signature, but it was the first of many twists with the Blues ultimately getting their man.
