{"id":19490,"date":"2026-07-21T07:56:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19490"},"modified":"2026-07-21T07:56:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T07:56:28","slug":"chelsea-surprise-as-man-utd-deal-agreed-footballtransfers-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=19490","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea surprise as Man Utd deal agreed: FootballTransfers recap"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p>                                            Updated: 20 Jul 2026 18:21 BST                                                                                            <span class=\"article-publish-date__separator\">|<\/span><br \/>\n                                                5 min read                                                                                    <\/p>\n<figure class=\"large-img\">\n                                                <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/552367e5-ff89-48fe-48e6-2c7fc6e71400\/w=1200,h=675,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/552367e5-ff89-48fe-48e6-2c7fc6e71400\/w=640,h=360,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso Chelsea\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/552367e5-ff89-48fe-48e6-2c7fc6e71400\/w=1200,h=675,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO <\/figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"author\">\n<figure class=\"author-thumb\">\n                                                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"not_specified\" class=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"112\" alt=\"Tom Weber\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/footballcritic\/tticnnxhimovyjvdrvt8\/w=112,h=112,quality=75,fit=cover,format=auto\"\/>                                                    <\/figure>\n<div class=\"article-author-info\">\n<p class=\"article-author-desc\">\n<p>                                                        Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.                                                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"google-favorite-cta__icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 48 48\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"#EA4335\" d=\"M24 9.5c3.54 0 6.71 1.22 9.21 3.6l6.85-6.85C35.9 2.38 30.47 0 24 0 14.62 0 6.51 5.38 2.56 13.22l7.98 6.19C12.43 13.72 17.74 9.5 24 9.5z\"\/><path fill=\"#4285F4\" d=\"M46.98 24.55c0-1.57-.15-3.09-.38-4.55H24v9.02h12.94c-.58 2.96-2.26 5.48-4.78 7.18l7.73 6c4.51-4.18 7.09-10.36 7.09-17.65z\"\/><path fill=\"#FBBC05\" d=\"M10.53 28.59c-.48-1.45-.76-2.99-.76-4.59s.27-3.14.76-4.59l-7.98-6.19C.92 16.46 0 20.12 0 24c0 3.88.92 7.54 2.56 10.78l7.97-6.19z\"\/><path fill=\"#34A853\" d=\"M24 48c6.48 0 11.93-2.13 15.89-5.81l-7.73-6c-2.18 1.48-4.97 2.31-8.16 2.31-6.26 0-11.57-4.22-13.47-9.91l-7.98 6.19C6.51 42.62 14.62 48 24 48z\"\/><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0 0h48v48H0z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"google-favorite-cta__text\">Make us your Google favourite<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Monday delivered some huge transfer news as an unexpected Chelsea decision was revealed.<\/p>\n<p><center class=\"p-1 light-grey-bg\">Article continues under the video<\/center> <\/p>\n<p>Plus, Man Utd announced a surprising signing and the truth behind Arsenal&#8217;s failed Morgan Rogers pursuit emerged. There&#8217;s plenty to cover, so let&#8217;s jump right in.<\/p>\n<h2>  Exclusive: Rogers truth <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/154a7f7e-ddd2-4571-2fe7-3f32eeeed700\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/154a7f7e-ddd2-4571-2fe7-3f32eeeed700\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Morgan Rogers\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/154a7f7e-ddd2-4571-2fe7-3f32eeeed700\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Morgan Rogers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>FootballTransfers understands that Chelsea did not hijack Arsenal&#8217;s signing of Morgan Rogers &#8211; because there was no deal to hijack.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Jackson wants to stay <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/03792817-43fc-433b-a27e-afaa0d319100\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/03792817-43fc-433b-a27e-afaa0d319100\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nicolas Jackson\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/03792817-43fc-433b-a27e-afaa0d319100\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Nicolas Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nicolas Jackson wants to stay at Chelsea despite previously being deemed surplus to requirements.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Man Utd sign Thompson <\/h2>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OFFICIAL: Man Utd have signed teenager Tynan Thompson from Tottenham \u2705 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XdLWw76kp6\">pic.twitter.com\/XdLWw76kp6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 20, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/center><\/p>\n<p>Man Utd have surprisingly signed Tottenham teenager Tynan Thompson.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Arsenal want Stones <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c23f4b2d-8419-4b6d-dab0-f0c021421f00\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c23f4b2d-8419-4b6d-dab0-f0c021421f00\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"John Stones\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c23f4b2d-8419-4b6d-dab0-f0c021421f00\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; John Stones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Arsenal are interested in former Man City star John Stones.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  \u20ac100m sagas <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/cbffe138-765c-47bf-942e-59c612e70500\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/cbffe138-765c-47bf-942e-59c612e70500\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Julian Alvarez\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/cbffe138-765c-47bf-942e-59c612e70500\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Julian Alvarez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez is one of several superstars caught in the midst of \u20ac100m+ transfer sagas.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Guardiola in talks over Italy job <\/h2>\n<p>Pep Guardiola had a secret meeting with new Italy technical director Paolo Maldini over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Tzolis deal confirmed <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c485d568-fb7c-4902-a497-436ea7d43f00\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c485d568-fb7c-4902-a497-436ea7d43f00\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Christos Tzolis\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/c485d568-fb7c-4902-a497-436ea7d43f00\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Christos Tzolis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Arsenal&#8217;s signing of Christos Tzolis has been confirmed by Club Brugge&#8217;s manager.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Liverpool step up Barcola chase <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/73db85a5-1ef7-4212-c073-c4fd977f6700\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/73db85a5-1ef7-4212-c073-c4fd977f6700\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bradley Barcola\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/73db85a5-1ef7-4212-c073-c4fd977f6700\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Bradley Barcola<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Liverpool are getting serious over their pursuit of PSG winger Bradley Barcola.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  PSG&#8217;s Diomande decision <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/494ec837-cfac-4c0c-b622-776289672200\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/494ec837-cfac-4c0c-b622-776289672200\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Yan Diomande\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/494ec837-cfac-4c0c-b622-776289672200\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Jan Diomande<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>PSG have made a major decision on whether or not to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Wrong for Besiktas? <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/e18caffe-0108-4b50-1630-b8d3aeb9fb00\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/e18caffe-0108-4b50-1630-b8d3aeb9fb00\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mohamed Salah\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/e18caffe-0108-4b50-1630-b8d3aeb9fb00\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Mohamed Salah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Besiktas&#8217; president has claimed that there was an agreement with Mohamed Salah &#8211; but the deal is now seemingly off.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>  Celtic make new Hassan bid <\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12 p-0 d-flex image-container\">\n<figure class=\"article-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/5654a6a4-6ee9-42ae-c3fc-5242e7c19000\/w=1200,h=674,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/5654a6a4-6ee9-42ae-c3fc-5242e7c19000\/w=640,h=359,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-image-size=\"retina\" class=\"lazyload\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Haissem Hassan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.footballtransfers.com\/images\/cf\/image\/upload\/5654a6a4-6ee9-42ae-c3fc-5242e7c19000\/w=750,h=422,quality=95,fit=cover,format=auto,q=95\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption>\u00a9 IMAGO &#8211; Haissem Hassan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Celtic have made a &#8220;huge&#8221; second bid for Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan.<\/p>\n<p><b>READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated: 20 Jul 2026 18:21 BST | 5 min read \u00a9 IMAGO Multilingual sports writer&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}