A statement from Brighton, who are denying that an agreement has been reached for Cucurella.

“Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella,” the club said.

Chelsea are close to completing a £52.5million deal for Brighton wing-back Marc Cucurella, according to the PA news agency.

The Blues are thought to have signalled their intent to pay the big-money fee Brighton had held out for, inching the west Londoners close to completing the 24-year-old’s signing.

Brighton are understood to be pushing hard towards a separate deal for Chelsea’s highly-rated centre-back Levi Colwill.

Talks between the two clubs are understood to be ongoing over whether the deal for the 19-year-old would be a loan a permanent transfer.

Manchester United left back Alex Telles appears to be close to joining Sevilla on a season-long loan.

The Spanish club will cover his wages, according to reports, but there are no further conditions in the deal.

United signed left back Tyrell Malacia earlier in the window, putting Telles down the pecking order behind Luke Shaw.

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has signed a new contract with the club until 2026 while Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino has joined Blackpool on a season-long loan.

Chelsea will sign Brighton defender Marc Cucurella after the clubs reached agreement for a fee of around £50m, according to several reports tonight.

Cucurella should sign a contract until 2028 after agreeing a six-year deal with the club earlier this week. Chelsea moved quickly after Manchester City backed out, having balked at Brighton’s asking price.

Chelsea are in discussion with Barcelona over the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, with the London club now looking the likeliest club to sign the midfielder. Manchester United are currently weighing up whether to continue their interest in the signing.

The Old Trafford hierarchy had agreed a deal in principle with Barcelona a month ago, but the Catalan club have become frustrated with its progress, especially as the player himself has proved obstinate over both the issue of €17m in deferred wages and the very fact he is being forced out.

While there have been repeated claims from Spain that is most bluntly down to the fact he does not want to go to United, there has been a strong belief within Old Trafford that he is willing to come.

All the latest on Frenkie de Jong from the Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney:

Top flight players in England will no longer take the knee before every fixture in the competition, the Premier League have confirmed.

However, the anti-racism gesture will still be on show across the opening weekend of the 2022/23 season, which begins on Friday night, and ahead of specific other fixtures.

A statement from the league read:

“Premier League club captains have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination.

“The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society. The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”

More here on the league’s decision:

Schmeichel leaves Leicester as one of their greatest ever players and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said of his departure: “Throughout his time with us and particularly as a captain and vice-captain, Kasper has always been a player willing to stand up and take responsibility, leading the team with distinction. His influence and his leadership on and off the pitch speak volumes about him as a professional, as a football player and as a human being.

“I know Leicester supporters share the respect we all have for a player of Kasper’s standing after all his accomplishments as a footballer and captain and will join me in wishing him the very best for the next stage of his career in France with Nice.

“It’s clear to everyone who has watched him perform that Kasper has given everything to Leicester every time he has played and the experiences shared between him, the club and our supporters over the last 11 years mean he will always remain a part of this family.”

As expected, Kasper Schmeichel has completed his move to French side nice, ending an 11-year stay at Leicester.

It’s the end of an era for a goalkeeper who was a crucial part of Leicester’s Premier League title win and FA Cup triumph last year.

Schmeichel became one of Europe’s top goalkeepers during his time at the club and his departure is a blow ahead of the new season.