Manchester City beat Manchester United in Maguire race, Cech on brink of Chelsea return

Maguire wants City, not United 

Manchester City are poised to beat Manchester United to the signing of Leicester defender Harry Maguire, the Mirror reports. The England centre-back has long been linked with both Manchester clubs following two impressive seasons at the King Power Stadium, and the 26-year-old looks set to head to City for £65m in what will be a blow to United, who are desperately looking to transform their squad this summer after finishing sixth in the Premier League. 

The Wan they want 

Despite potentially missing out on Maguire, United are on the verge of brining Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the club for £60m – the Mail report. United and Crystal Palace will meet in the next 48 hours to finalise terms ahead of the full-back’s move to Old Trafford. Wan-Bissaka enjoyed a breakthrough season at Selhurst Park, although the right-back sampled heartache for the England U21s when scoring a late own goal in their 2-1 defeat to France in the Euros earlier this week. 

Cech back at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea will announce Petr Cech’s appointment as sporting director on Friday after he was pictured at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, the Mirror reports. Leaked photos showed the former Blues and Arsenal goalkeeper, who retired from playing last month, inside Chelsea’s stadium posing for photographs. Chelsea have not had a technical director since Michael Emenalo left in November 2017, and Cech is set to fill the role ahead of Frank Lampard’s appointment as head coach, which is also nearing confirmation. 

Liverpool’s £45m back-up?

Liverpool are eyeing Real Betis left-back Junior Firpo as a possible replacement for Alberto Moreno, the Mirror reports. Moreno left Anfield after his contract expired at the end of the season, and though Jurgen Klopp is not looking to displace Andy Robertson, the Reds boss is keen on a quality back-up – and has identified 22-year-old Firpo as the man to do just that.