Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal sign Odegaard and Ramsdale, Chelsea make Chalobah decision and Kane latest

James Rodriguez has revealed he will return to Everton training next week, and made the startling admission that he doesn’t even know who his team will face this weekend without him.

The Colombian is expected to secure a move away before the transfer deadline, having joined the club primarily due to Carlo Ancelotti’s presence as manager. As he has now returned to Real Madrid, Rodriguez does not appear to be part of the plans of Rafa Benitez – or, judging by his comments on Twitch, Everton are not part of the playmaker’s plans.

“I will start training on Monday, I think”, Rodriguez said on a video stream on the social media platform.

“On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing. I don’t even know. Can you please tell me?

“I think it’s away because the last game was here at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa’s team, a difficult game, let’s see what happens, hopefully they win.”

Brighton are targeting Benfica striker Darwin Nunez for a reported fee of £25 million, according to the Daily Mail, in what would be a record signing for the Premier League side.

Nunez, 22, scored 14 times for the Portuguese side last season and added another two for his country, Uruguay. Benfica signed the striker for £21.8m from Spanish side Almeria last summer.

Jurgen Klopp has said there have been no developments over captain Jordan Henderson’s contract situation but has stressed he is not concerned over the situation.

Henderson has two years left on his Anfield contract and there have been reports this summer that talks have broken down over agreeing an extension.

The Liverpool manager said last week that he was confident the situation will be revolved and added today: “Still all good. Nothing to be concerned about.”

Everton manager Rafa Benitez has said James Rodriguez remains in his plans despite rumours linking the Colombian with a move away from Goodison Park.

James was unavailable for Everton’s opening win over Southampton last weekend and Benitez said he does not expect him to return to the pitch until next week at the earliest.

When asked if the forward was in his plans for the season, Benitez replied: “Until the 31st of August, yes, he’s in my plans.

“Hopefully he will be fine for next week and he can carry on with training sessions, and we can see what happens until the end of the transfer window.

“A lot of speculation. We have to work with the players that are here. “There’s a lot of speculation and we have to work with the players that are here.”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Everton’s match against Leeds on Saturday, Rafa Benitez confirmed that the club have signed 37-year-old goalkeeper Andy Lonergan on a free transfer.

Lonergan was part of the Liverpool squad who won the Premier League title in 2019/20, although he didn’t play a game for Jurgen Klopp’s side. He has signed with Everton following an injury to youth goalkeeper Harry Tyrer.

He had spells with Stoke and West Brom last season and at Everton will provide back up to Jordan Pickford and Asmir Begovic, who arrived on a free transfer this summer.

Arsenal are still hopeful of receiving bids for Willian, Lucas Torreira and Hector Bellerin before the end of the transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Manager Mikel Arteta said his club’s transfer business is not finished following the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale, with Arsenal now focussed on offloading those names of the fringes of the Spaniard’s plans.

“There’s still 11 days to go and there’s still things to be done,” Arteta said. “There are still players in the squad where it’s going to be difficult for them to find game time.”

Manchester United will not get involved in a transfer battle over highly-rated French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after Chelsea emerged as a frontrunner for the 21-year-old.

The Monaco midfielder was named Ligue 1’s player of the season last campaign but the Manchester Evening News reports that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will not be making a move for Tchouameni, who is valued at £35m, this summer.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have been linked with the France international all summer and the 22-year-old has been tipped to be a long-term option for the Blues in the right centre back slot.

The surprise emergence of Chalobah has not changed their plans, however, but the report claims the European champions will have to sell another centre back, such as Kurt Zouma, to make the deal possible this summer.

The Italian, who spent last season out on loan at Genoa, has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

After signing Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea’s attentions have turned to trimming their squad.

Emerson Palmieri signed with Lyon last night and Zappacosta is close to joining his compatriot in leaving the club this summer.

Bernardo Silva will turn down a move to Tottenham Hotspur if Manchester City include the Portugal international in a deal for striker Harry Kane, report the Athletic.

Kane is City’s top transfer target this summer but Spurs are holding out for £150 million for the England captain, which Pep Guardiola’s side have been so far unwilling to meet.

With less than two weeks to go until the end of the window, City are expected to step up their pursuit and are willing to include Bernardo as part of the deal.

City will allow the midfielder to move on if another club comes in with a suitable offer, according to the report, but the 27-year-old does not want to join Spurs.