Six minutes into the UEFA Super Cup, Marcos Alonso got in behind Villarreal's defence and fired a 'tap me in' ball along the six-yard line. Kai Havertz was on his heels and Hakim Ziyech had not started his run into the danger area quickly enough. Minutes later, Havertz flashed another ball into Villarreal's area which Timo Werner (inset) missed before N'Golo Kante's eventual shot was saved. In Chelsea matches to come, those sort of opportunities may well end with manager Thomas Tuchel having a couple of goals to celebrate instead. They were the sort of openings a 'real No 9,' as Tuchel called him, would anticipate and that the incoming Romelu Lukaku (main) is being purchased to finish off. Chelsea's lack of cutting edge, particularly in a first half they dominated, was on display again in Belfast.

The 28-year-old landed at Biggin Hill airport on Wednesday evening ahead of his move back to Stamford Bridge, after leaving the club back in 2014. Lukaku passed the main part of his medical in Milan on Monday before flying to Nice for meetings with his agent Federico Pastorello in Monaco on Tuesday.

Chelsea have reportedly accepted Roma's offer of £34million for Tammy Abraham and have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal.  As reported by goal, Abraham has spoken to Roma manager Jose Mourinho but has yet to agree personal terms with the Italian club. Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the 23-year-old, who found himself out of favour at Chelsea towards the end of last season. 

The Germany international's current deal expires next summer though he has confirmed that he has begun talks with the club over a new contract. Rudiger though will reportedly weight up his options, with both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid monitoring his current situation.

Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of signing Sheffield United and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.  The Gunners and the Blades have been in protracted negotiations over bringing Ramsdale to north London, but are close to agreeing an upfront fee of £24million, according to Football London. Mikel Arteta had initially baulked at United's £40m demand for Ramsdale, believing an offer of £30m was more appropriate, but the Championship outfit rejected that as well.

Sergio Romero is holding discussions with LaLiga club Granada after leaving Manchester United in June after his contract expired. Romero, who was Argentina's No 1 in their run to the 2014 World Cup final, spent the last six years at United but never managed to rival David de Gea for the No1 spot. A report in The Athletic said Granada, who faced United last season in the Europa League quarter-finals, are expected to make an offer to Romero and his representatives.

Dzeko, 35, was given the green light by his club to complete his switch to the San Siro, and was spotted at the airport before his flight to Milan. Sky Sport Italia claimed that the frontman was poised to jet out for the final checks, and he is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year deal. Questioned by journalists on his way to wrap up the transfer, Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, said: 'Greetings to the fans? Let's talk later.' But with the final details believed to have been completed on Roma's part, Dzeko will join their Serie A rivals today and is said to be earning €5million (£4.2m) per season. This in turn may spark a merry-go-round that sees Tammy Abraham leave Chelsea - and he could be the man to fill the void Dzeko has left at Roma.

The Foxes are attempting to sign at least one centre-back before the transfer window closes and have moved again for Vestergaard (main), who is in the final year of his contract. Leicester are in the market for defenders due to injuries to Wesley Fofana (inset), who will not play again before 2022 after breaking a leg and damaging knee ligaments, and Jonny Evans, out until at least mid-September with a foot problem.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted no Financial Fair Play rules have been breached by the club signing Lionel Messi on a staggering £1million-a-week deal. Messi was officially unveiled as a PSG player in a press conference on Wednesday morning after he left Barcelona, with the Argentine star set to earn £30m per year at the Parc des Princes. While there is no transfer fee for Messi as his Barcelona contract had expired, questions have been asked as to how PSG could add his enormous salary to their wage bill and comply with UEFA's financial rules.

Tottenham are continuing their rebuild under Nuno Espirito Santo and are looking at Portugal international Joao Palhinha to bolster their midfield, according to reports in the Portuguese media. Palhinha was a crucial part of Sporting Lisbon's run to the Portuguese title last season, their first in 19 years, and was named in Portugal's squad for Euro 2020, making two appearances including starting in their 1-0 defeat by Belgium in the last 16. Nuno, who was Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes' first ever client, was renowned for signing players from his home country for previous club Wolves and is now looking to the same market to improve Tottenham's squad for the new season.

Manchester United and Arsenal are set to battle it out over signing Bayern Munich and France midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to reports. The Frenchman (left), who was part of Didier Deschamps Euro 2020 squad, is set to leave the German giants after being signed with much fanfare for £38million from Lyon in 2017. Tolisso, 26, has one year left on his contract and as such, Bayern are willing to part with the France international for a hugely reduced fee of around £8.5million in order to recoup some value and get his wages off their books, according to Bild. Ole Gunnar Solksjer (top right) is looking for a successor to Paul Pogba, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (bottom right) hopes to bolster his midfield and get his side back in the top four.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (inset) has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe (left) will be staying at the club for the 2021-2022 season. The Frenchman's future has been up in the air this summer, given he has one year remaining on his deal at the Parc des Princes and has gained attention from Real Madrid and their coach Carlo Ancelotti (right).  However, Al-Khelaifi has dismissed claims that the 22-year-old could leave the French capital this summer - claiming that he 'is a PSG player' and that there are 'no doubts or excuses of any other kind' - with the Ligue 1 side now an attractive proposition after snapping up the epic signing of Lionel Messi from Barcelona.

Odsonne Edouard is ready to run down his Celtic contract and leave the club in a free transfer if a move fails to materialise this month. The France Under 21 international has entered the final year of his contract and wants to go. While English Premier League Brighton are keen, however, hopes of a quick deal have diminished.

Real Madrid are biding their time before a deadline-day swoop on August 31 for Kylian Mbappe, according to a report in Spain, with president Florentino Perez looking to take advantage of Paris Saint-Germain's inflated wage bill after signing Lionel Messi.  Perez has a habit of making audacious signings on deadline day, such as plucking World Cup Golden Boot winner Ronaldo Nazario from Inter Milan in 2002 or snapping up Sergio Ramos in 2005 following a bitter wrangle with Sevilla. Tottenham are well aware of the Madrid's chief knack for getting late deals done, too, after Real signed Luka Modric in 2012 and Gareth Bale in 2013 on deadline day after weeks of tough negotiations with chairman Daniel Levy.

Liverpool are set to win the race to sign Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches (left) ahead of rivals Barcelona. The 23-year-old is expected to leave French champions Lille this summer, where he was a key player in their title success after reigniting his career following a terrible loan spell at Bayern Munich. Lille have set a £40million price tag on Sanches, and Liverpool are in 'pole position' to buy the midfielder given Barcelona's well-documented financial crisis, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Lionel Messi revealed Neymar and Mauricio Pochettino played major roles in his move to Paris Saint-Germain during his press conference that unveiled him as a Parisien player. The 34-year-old, who left Barcelona last week in a shock exit via a free transfer, took part in a press conference at the Parc des Princes before he was presented to the club's raucous supporters and ultras outside the stadium. Reports claimed former Barcelona team-mate Neymar was messaging Messi continuously over recent months over a move to France, with the former Barcelona captain revealing that he was influenced by the Brazilian forward.

PSG have released an all-access video of Lionel Messi's first day as he travelled from Barcelona to Paris and met his new team-mates and manager. The 34-year-old put pen to paper on a mega £1million-a-week two-year deal on Tuesday amid much clamour and excitement in the French capital.  And the Ligue 1 giants have released a nine-minute long behind-the-scenes video showing Messi's dramatic 24 hours, including his plane journey, medical and meeting the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Mauricio Pochettino in the evening.