Transfer news LIVE: Mac Allister cries on Brighton farewell as Liverpool transfer imminent, Ugarte to Chelsea – updates

Good morning footy fans

Mauricio Pochettino has officially signed a contract to become the new Chelsea manager.

Pochettino has put pen to paper on deal for up to three years with the Blues.

The ex-Tottenham boss, though, will not start work officially until July 1 because he is still running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, who sacked him in July.

Confirmation of the Argentine tactician’s arrival as the permanent new head coach is expected within 24 hours.

The 51-year-old is likely to bring his usual backroom staff with him when he moves to Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino’s coaching team will be comprised of assistant boss Jesus Perez, as well as Toni Jimenez, Miguel D’Agostino and son Sebastiano.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Liverpool are both preparing to battle it out for Southampton star Romeo Lavia.

Lavia has shone at St Mary’s during his 33 appearances despite Saints being relegated from the Premier League.

With Euro 2024 on the horizon, the Belgium international is unlikely to want to drop down to the Championship and seems one of the players certain to leave the south coast once the transfer window re-opens.

According to The Times, Southampton see the midfielder as “their most valuable asset” as they plot a rebuild and are likely to demand at least £40million.

And Real Madrid will have to pay Borussia Dortmund a whopping £108m to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer.

According to The Mirror, Real will submit a guaranteed £87m, with another £21m to potentially come in as performance-paid add-ons.

The midfielder has been offered a six-year deal, with Los Blancos paying Dortmund between £1.75m and £3.5m a season in extras.

An agreement between Real and the Bundesliga giants could be finalised within the next two weeks.

The LaLiga outfit have agreed personal terms with the 19-year-old star, who could land a pay package worth more than £17m-a-year.

Finally, Chelsea are the front-runners to sign Sporting Lisbon star Manuel Ugarte.

According to Uruguayan journalist Franco Fernandez, Ugarte could join the Blues as early as next week.

The midfielder’s current deal is understood to possess a £52m asking price, which the West Londoners would be expected to meet.

The Uruguay international is claimed to want to play in the Premier League and is on the cusp of agreeing a six-year deal with Chelsea.

But the 22-year-old has also attracted interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, while PSG would love to bring him to the French capital.