Football transfer rumours: Atlético Madrid join hunt for Ronaldo?

There is no one in football like Diego Simeone. Only he would sign Álvaro Morata, a player who is the absolute opposite of him, to guarantee his maintenance of constant fury – for that can be the only way to explain the strangest transfer of all time. And now it seems that he is interested in pairing the temper-inducing striker with another: Atlético Madrid have, we are told, contacted the representatives of Cristiano Ronaldo. Though the Manchester United altruist feels sincere and profound love for the club that developed him, he would prefer to leave rather than lower himself to competing in a Europa League for which he was instrumental in qualifying them.

However, Erik ten Hag is disinclined to allow the move. Well, either that, or he’s desperate to rid himself of a slightly weird dressing-room influence who won’t do what he’s told – except he can’t say so because he’d like to extract as large a fee as possible. Definitely one of the two.

Related: Football transfer window summer 2022 – Europe’s top five men’s leagues

Meanwhile, “the Frenkie de Jong transfer saga rumbles onTM”, his protracted move to United reaching stalemate. Barcelona, it appears, are still refusing to pay him the €17m they owe him, for the sound and moral reason that they don’t want to. Verily, més que un club.

Further south, Jules Koundé might be leaving Sevilla for Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are interested, and the two parties have, it is said, agreed personal terms. An offer of £46.7m has been made to the Spanish club.

Nor is that the end of activity in Fulham. Napoli would like to relieve them of Kepa Arrizabalaga, either on loan or permanently; should that happen, and should a buyer, any buyer, also be found for Ross Barkley, it may be time to