Chelsea has sent Ross Barkley to Aston Villa on a season-long loan.

"Capturing a player of Ross's quality is a real coup for our club, and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team," Villa boss Dean Smith said.

Barkley failed to make the starting lineup in any of Chelsea's opening Premier League matches against Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool or West Bromwich Albion. Last season he made 13 appearances in the Premier League, scoring three and assisting four goals.

Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Thiago Alcantara has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines," Liverpool said in a statement.

"The club has, and will continue to follow, all protocols relating to COVID-19 and Thiago will remain in self-isolation for the required period of time."

Thiago moved to Anfield from Bayern Munich earlier this month.

Borussia Dortmund has rejected a $117 million offer from Manchester United for Jadon Sancho. 

United has been consistent in their pursuit of Sancho this summer.

Manchester City have agreed to sign Ruben Dias from Benfica for €68 million ($79.3 million) plus add-ons. 

City will send Nicolas Otamendi to Benfica in a separate transfer for €15 million.

Dias, 23, has made 137 appearances during a four-year spell with Benfica, winning the league title in 2018-19.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has been dropped by Chelsea in favor of Willy Caballero but Frank Lampard insists he still has a future with the club.

Chelsea also bought Edouard Mendy from Rennes for approximately £20 million.

Kepa has been ridiculed for a series of high-profile mistakes.

"I certainly won't go to the point of [saying] he's played his last game for Chelsea," said Lampard.

"I think it has been a difficult time for Kepa. That's been well documented. I know it, he knows it, but we certainly shouldn't jump to that conclusion.

"Also, [something] which I felt quite strongly about in the last week, is to understand that Kepa is a young man and an awful lot of the highlight or spotlight on him has become slightly unfair.

"I have to protect him because I know he is a good lad and playing with absolute professionalism and intent to do the best he can, as all the squad have done. That's all I want to say about him now."

Manchester United continue to pursue a transfer for Jadon Sancho as the closing of the window is one week away.

Borussia Dortmund have maintained Sancho is not for sale and will stay with the club at least one more year.

United have an agreement in principle with Sancho's representatives over wages and agent fees.

Dortmund is asking for €120 million for Sancho.

David Wagner was sacked by Schalke two matches into the Bundesliga season.

Schalke lost 8-0 in their opening match against Bayern Munich, and lost 3-1 to Werder Bremen over this weekend.

Schalke have not won in 18 Bundesliga matches.

"We had all hoped that we could improve on the pitch together with David Wagner. Unfortunately, we haven't seen the right performances and results from the first two games of the season for this to happen," said Jochen Schneider, Schalke's sporting director.

"We have therefore decided to make a fresh start. Despite the disappointing results, this wasn't an easy decision for us to make."

Ruben Dias is close to signing with Manchester City, according to ESPN.

Nicolas Otamendi could join Benfica as part of the deal.

Jules Kounde, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Jose Gimenez have also been considered for the centerback role. 

The 23-year-old Dias is set to arrive in Manchester this week to negotiate a deal. 

Frank Lampard lamented the amount of errors Chelsea made during their 3-3 draw against West Brom.

Chelsea trailed 3-0 at half-time, featuring mistakes from Marcos Alonso and Thiago Silva.

"You can do as many meetings as you want -- if you're going to make those mistakes, you're going to give yourself a mountain to climb ... it is a big lesson for us. We will get a lot better. We're still finding our way with new players and a lack of pre-season. Today is part of the process of getting better," said Lampard after the match.

Chelsea currently have four points from their opening three matches.

Lampard added that Chelsea won't hit their stride until after the international break.

"In terms of team fitness, it won't be until after the international break [in October] that I expect to see us up to our real level, especially in terms of on the ball, because we haven't had time to work on that yet."

Lionel Messi has accused Barcelona of disrespecting Luis Suarez and essentially kicking him off the team.

Suarez had wanted to stay with Barcelona this season, but he was told by Ronald Koeman he wouldn't be part of their plans.

Barcelona allowed Surarez to join Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.

"It will be strange to see you in another shirt and even stranger to play against you," Messi wrote on Instagram on Friday, a day after he bid farewell to Suarez in an event at Camp Nou.

"You deserved to depart for who you are: one of the most important players in the club's history, winning things as part of a group and individually. Not for them to kick you out as they have done. But the truth is nothing surprises me anymore."

Suarez and Arturo Vidal, two of Messi's closest friends on Barcelona, have been forced out this year.

"How hard it'll be not to share each day with you, both on and off the pitch," Messi added on Instagram.

"We're going to miss you so much. So many years, so many mates [a South American caffeine-based drink], dinners... So many things that will never be forgotten, every day together. I wish you all the best in this new challenge."