Simon Stone
BBC Sport

On the Manchester United number situation.

The number seven and 21 have already been allocated this season – to Edinson Cavani and Dan James.

Even if Dan James joins Leeds as expected, the club would still have to make a formal application to the Premier League for Cavani to change numbers, which would allow Ronaldo to take the number seven shirt. Worth noting 21 is the number Cavani wears when he plays for Uruguay.

Everything you need to know about Manchester United, all in one place

Brighton & Hove Albion

Scott McCarthy, WeAreBrighton.com:

"Outgoings seem to have been the main priority for Brighton this summer with a list of departures longer than Tolstoy's War & Peace.

By releasing on free transfers or selling for nominal fees the likes of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Davy Propper, Bernardo and Maty Ryan, the Albion have cleared nearly £10m from their wage bill for players surplus to Graham Potter's requirements.

"£50m for Ben White was a great bit of business, especially as Brighton are well stocked for centre backs so his loss was nowhere near as devastating as other clubs might have found selling an England international defender.

"The concern though is the lack of incomings with only Enock Mwepu arriving so far. Marc Cucurella is set to join him imminently but what is really needed is a striker to put away the countless chances the Albion create and shake off that expected-Gulls tag."

Everything you need to know about Brighton & Hove Albion, all in one place

Brighton & Hove Albion

Time for another Premier League signing, this one at Brighton.

A club statement says: "Brighton & Hove Albion are delighted to confirm the signing of Marc Cucurella from Getafe on a contract until June 2026, for undisclosed terms and subject to international clearance.

"The 23-year-old, who can play at left-back or as a wide midfielder is the club's third addition to the senior squad of the summer transfer window, following the earlier arrival of Enock Mwepu and Kjell Scherpen."

They have some quotes from boss Graham Potter, who adds: "We have been keen to bring Marc to the club, and we are really pleased to finally welcome him here and are excited to begin working with him.

"He has had a fantastic education in the youth teams at Barcelona and he has gone onto make a real impression in La Liga and within the national set up. He is a versatile player, and he will add competition and options to the squad.”

Image source, Getty Images

Blackpool have signed Chelsea defender Dujon Sterling on a season-long loan deal and Nottingham Forest defender Jordan Gabriel for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal.

Sterling, 21, has also extended his deal with the Premier League side until the end of the 2022-23 season.

Gabriel, 22, spent last season on loan at the Seasiders as they won promotion to the Championship.

Both players could feature against Fulham on Saturday, 11 September.

Jerome Sale
BBC South Today

Oxford United have signed Fulham midfielder Ben Davis on a two-year deal.

The 20-year old is a Thai Under 23 international who grew up in Singapore. Oxford’s owners are all based in the far east. The chairman is based in Bangkok.

Leeds United

Dan Moylan, host of The Square Ball podcast:

"We look like getting Dan James, who ended up over the Pennines after we tried - and spectacularly failed - to sign him before, on deadline day in the January window of 2019.

"We were really excited by the prospect of signing him back then, but his subsequent struggles at Old Trafford have resulted in mixed opinions over this prospective transfer.

"His speed and directness will add something new to a Bielsa side that is at its best when it employs quick transitions. Being taught by a proper coach means he’ll hopefully add some much-needed end product to his game, too.

"With James on board, Raphinha could push inside and operate as a number 10; although as a free spirited young man he generally does what he likes anyway. We witnessed this when he aimed a celebratory kung fu kick at the back of team mate Patrick Bamford, after Bamford scored a late equaliser at Burnley.

"Regretfully, we did sing some mean things at young Daniel at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, but I’m sure we can put that behind us. We’d love a central midfielder, too, but that’s probably a bridge too far in this window."

Everything you need to know about Leeds United, all in one place

Steve: Tony Yeboah back to Leeds. Goal of the season guaranteed!!

Phil: For Leeds can we have the Chief back Lucas Radabe to sort our defence. Gary McAllister in midfield with Kalvin would be nice too.

Gordon: My favourite all time player - Billy Bremner He would fit perfectly into the Bielsa style and fill the problem slot we have in midfield Plus he knows how to win.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

Ross Mooring, Chelsea Football Fancast:

"Even if the only signing Chelsea make this summer is one Romelu Lukaku, it will have been an excellent transfer window for the club, providing a spearhead for the team that Thomas Tuchel can use to maximising a wealth of attacking talent behind the Belgian striker.

"The club is still looking to strengthen its backline having sold Kurt Zouma to West Ham and are pushing hard for Sevilla centre back Jules Koundé, while central midfield is also a target area to provide defensive cover for N'Golo Kanté. Declan Rice is again off the table meaning a loan for Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez could also be a late addition.

"Both moves would likely mean the loan departures of academy products Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Ross Barkley headlines a number of other squad players currently available who are unlikely to see first team football in blue."

Everything you need to know about Chelsea, all in one place

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Everton are pursuing a deal to bring in former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon and re-unite him with manager Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park.

Benitez is looking for attacking cover after Moise Kean returned to Juventus on loan and with James Rodriguez now not figuring in Everton's plans.

The 31-year-old Venezuelan played under Benitez on Tyneside and then again during his spell in China as coach of Dalian Yifang.

Rondon, who also had a spell loan at CSKA Moscow last season, is seen by Benitez sees as an ideal low-cost addition to Everton's squad on a free transfer if financial issues at the Chinese end of the deal can be wrapped up.

Everything you need to know about Everton, all in one place

Southampton

Glen de la Cour, Total Saints Podcast:

"The clear out has enabled new recruitment to take place which, on the face of it, looks promising so far. Romain Perraud looks a competent replacement for Bertrand and Adam Armstrong likewise for Ings.

"The club have also implemented a policy to sign youngsters from bigger clubs, who previously had no pathway to the first team. That's enabled the likes of highly rated Tino Livramento and Dynel Simeu from Chelsea, and Thierry Small from Everton, to move to St. Mary's.

"Not only are these players hungry, but they provide the squad depth that was missing last year. They will also now have a much better opportunity to play Premier League football. Livramento has already made his mark and the other two will play at some point in the not too distant future.

"Armando Broja has come in on a season-long loan from Chelsea and will be the main competition for Che Adams and Adam Armstrong in attack. He'll certainly get game time as well - and made an impressive debut at Newport in the Carabao Cup.

"Vestergaard’s replacement is Lyanco from Torino, who is a bit of an unknown quantity. That one seems more of 'punt', but will hopefully work out. Ultimately, there is an element of risk about every signing in football, but particularly for Saints when shopping in a low-to-mid-end market.

"Overall, I feel the recruitment / departures have been handled with intelligence this summer and that we can (hopefully) look forward to a decent season."

Everything you need to know about Southampton, all in one place

Bournemouth

Cristiano Ronaldo has just posted on Instagram about his return to Manchester United.

He says: "Everyone who knows me, knows about my never ending love for Manchester United. The years I spent in this club where absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.

"I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. It’s like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man. United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands. This is absolutely 100% the stuff that dreams are made of!

"My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d’Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word!

"I’m right here! I’m back where I belong! Let’s make it happen once again!

"PS - Sir Alex, this one is for you…"

Everything you need to know about Manchester United, all in one place

• Man Utd confirm signing of Cristiano Ronaldo
• West Ham sign Croatia's Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow
• Moise Kean: Juventus re-sign Everton striker on loan
• Jordan Henderson: Liverpool captain signs new deal until 2025
• Leeds close to signing Manchester United and Wales winger Daniel James for club record £30m

Newcastle United

Alex Hurst from the True Faith podcast speaking on the Monday Night Club: "Steve Bruce hasn't improved the Newcastle squad at all from last season.

"Don't get me wrong, Joe Willock is a really good footballer, I think he's destined for great things at the highest level, but he's ultimately got the same starting XI as he did at the end of last season. I don't think a single other Premier League club has put themselves in that position, so that's definitely an issue.

"The whole club is in freefall. The crowd really turned on Bruce on Saturday at St James' Park. I was in the away end at Villa, I've seen Newcastle get beaten plenty of times away from home, but for the first time in my life there were boos, there were songs about Steve Bruce. There were 8,000 empty seats at St James' Park on Saturday.

"In Steve Bruce's whole tenure, we've come from behind to win a game away from home once. If you're playing at home against Newcastle and you score, you've won the game. This isn't a new manager, he's been here three seasons now."

Head this way for the full Monday Night Club episode.

Daniel: Martin Keown or Tony Adams in the Arsenal backline again. Someone with leadership and isn't scared to put himself about.

Andy: Dream return for Arsenal? Vieira, Gilberto or Petit. Any decent defensive midfielder would be great. So surprised we haven't signed one.

Gareth: Returning heroes? Arsene Wenger *sad face*

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Now Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United return has been confirmed, the next thing is what number he will wear.

Number seven currently belongs to Edinson Cavani.

However, his international number is about to become free as Daniel James (21) is in the process of being sold to Leeds.

If Cavani took the 21, Ronaldo could have seven. Simple.

Any change would need the approval of the Premier League.

Everything you need to know about Manchester United, all in one place

Aston Villa

Yesterday, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane was loaned to Sheffield United and he's just posted a classy Instagram message to the Villa fans.

He writes: "My time as an @avfcofficial , externalplayer has come to an end. An incredible four and a half years at the club.

"Arriving mid table in the championship and now the club going from strength to strength in the Premier League is something I’m proud to have been apart of. I gave everything for the club while I was there.

"From our play-off final defeat to our play-off final win. Our Carabao Cup loss to our final day great escape. It’s been an amazing journey. Special times and special memories that will stay with me forever.

"I wish the club nothing but the best moving forward and I'll be watching on now as a fan!"

Everything you need to know about Aston Villa, all in one place

Andy Bayes
Reporter, BBC Radio Lancashire

Understand that Tayo Edun (Lincoln, permanent) & Reda Khadra (Brighton loan) will both be Blackburn Rovers players by the end of play today.

Potentially more, but those two looking close.

Philip: Oh if Spurs were to sign late 70's/ early 80's Glen Hoddle for his passing I would be a very happy man indeed.

Dan: Gazza returning to Spurs would be my dream hero return. Imagine him playing behind Kane and Son! Would also be great to have such a huge character back in the Prem!

Kronus: Spurs have made some decent moves this window, but we're still crying out for a proper creative midfielder. I'd have van der Vaart or Modric back in a heartbeat.

Spudlud: An injury free, prime Ledley King at Spurs. Game changer.