Sport

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho believes he can offer something never seen before in the Premier League as the squad prepare to embrace the "wonderful work" of new boss Maurizio Sarri.

Italian tactician Sarri and his squad, along with new assistant first-team coach Gianfranco Zola, touched down in Australia on Thursday ahead of Chelsea's pre-season match against Perth Glory.

The signing of midfielder Jorginho on a five-year contract from Napoli, for a fee of around £50million, sees the Brazil-born Italian swiftly reunite with Sarri.

Jorginho is confident both he and Sarri - appointed on a three-year deal to replace compatriot Antonio Conte in the Stamford Bridge hot seat - can make an impact in their first campaigns in English football.

"Today everyone watches the Premier League so I have watched plenty of it in my time. It is a fantastic league, the best in the world I think," Jorginho said on the Chelsea website.

"Perhaps my style of play is not something that is seen in England, I really hope that it is a good fit for the game over here and I will certainly be doing everything I can to make sure it works out.

"I like playing just outside of my own penalty box, the player who receives the ball and organises the game."

Jorginho added: "Since I was little I was someone who always enjoyed challenges and for me this is just a huge challenge, professionally and personally.

"It really inspires me, this opportunity to really have an experience and I am really excited about that opportunity."

Alexis Sanchez appears set to join up with his Manchester United team-mates in the United States.

The forward was left back in Manchester when the rest of the squad headed across the Atlantic last weekend because of what the club said was a "personal administrative issue", which it was hoped would soon be resolved to allow him to join the party at a later date.

The administrative issue was assumed to be a problem with his visa after he accepted a 16-month suspended sentence in Spain over a tax issue.

Sanchez posted a picture on Instagram on Thursday accompanied by the caption: "The last training in Manchester, soon" followed by a picture of the US flag.

Speaking about the Chilean's absence at a press conference on Wednesday, United boss Jose Mourinho said: "It's really bad and he's really sad.

"It's not good for him and not good for me, or for the team. There is no-one to blame. I know the club is making the effort but the US authorities have their processes.

"Hopefully, he can at least join us later because it is important to work with

Juan Mata, Alexis and Anthony Martial, who we think are the players we have for the start of the season. There is no (Romelu) Lukaku, (Marcus) Rashford or (Jesse) Lingard (all of whom were involved in the World Cup semi-finals)."

United play the first match of their tour on Friday against Club America before taking on San Jose Earthquakes, AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Roma's sporting director Monchi has stressed selling Alisson "would not show a lack of ambition" as he confirmed the player was in Liverpool on Thursday.

Press Association Sport understands Liverpool have agreed to meet Roma's valuation of 75 million euros (approximately £67m) for Alisson, a figure which would make the 25-year-old Brazil international the most expensive goalkeeper in history.

On Wednesday, Italian website Forza Roma, which is affiliated to newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport, published a video which it said showed Alisson at Rome's Ciampino airport. It said he was preparing to board a private jet to Manchester and was on his way to Liverpool for a medical.

Speaking on Thursday at a press conference to present Roma's summer signing Justin Kluivert, Monchi was quoted on the Serie A club's official twitter feed as saying: "We haven't finalised anything yet (with Alisson).

"But it is true that the negotiations are advanced and he's over in Liverpool now."

Monchi, who took up his post at Roma in 2017, added: "When a very substantial offer comes in, you have to consider it.

"We weighed up the pros and cons and decided to speak to Liverpool.

"Selling Alisson would not show a lack of ambition. For me, ambition is about doing the right thing after thinking everything through.

"I came here to build a strong team, not just for one year but for many years to come - and I'm 100% sure that will be the case.

"I understand the fans' view. I want them to know we're working to build a stronger team.

"Some people never thought we'd be able to sign Kluivert. The same goes for (fellow summer signing Javier) Pastore.

"Perhaps today is tough for some fans, but we've brought in top players."

Mercedes have confirmed that Hamilton has agreed a two-year contract extension through to the end of the 2020 Formula One season.

Although Mercedes did not reveal specifics of the deal, Press Association Sport understands that the four-time world champion will earn up to £40-million-a-year.

The Englishman's new contract cements his status as Britain's biggest sporting earner as well as the best-paid driver in Formula One history.

Mercedes' announcement comes ahead of the team's home race in Germany, with Hamilton trailing Sebastian Vettel in the championship by eight points.

Hamilton said on the Mercedes website: "This contract extension has basically been a formality since Toto and I sat down during the winter, so it's good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.

"I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now.

"We are on the same wavelength both on and off track - and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three-pointed star. I'm very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years.

"Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever - from Dr Zetsche and the board members at the top of Daimler, through (team boss) Toto (Wolff) and the team management, to every single person I meet in the corridors of Brixworth and Brackley.