TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Chelsea make call on Romelu Lukaku
TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Chelsea make call on Romelu Lukaku – and could sell TWELVE players – Man United eye a £65m upgrade to Jadon Sancho… plus the latest on Newcastle, City and Liverpool
- Chelsea are planning a summer clear-out for Mauricio Pochettino’s first season
- Meanwhile, Man United are looking up a left wing upgrade on Jadon Sancho
- To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as a newsletter to your inbox every Monday go to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential
Hello and welcome to another edition of our transfer newsletter, brought exclusively to you.
My name is Simon Jones and, as well as writing regularly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline, I’m aiming to give you insight, news and the latest chat from across the globe on all the deals taking shape in this summer’s transfer window.
It promises to be busy once again in the Premier League as the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea look to splash further millions in a bid to close the gap on champions Manchester City while those teams who were relegated will be in fear of the proverbial vultures preparing to swoop for their best players.
Below, I bring you the latest news from across the globe.
Chelsea offer Lukaku a Stamford Bridge return
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Chelsea will tell Romelu Lukaku they are happy to work with him next season.
However, the Belgium international is expected to say he wants to leave.
The Stamford Bridge club are due to assess their bloated playing squad on Tuesday with new manager Mauricio Pochettino to determine who can be dispensed with.
Key will be the decision of Lukaku who has intimated he wants to stay at Inter Milan. But, with their finances tight, the 30-year-old could yet be sold elsewhere to help Chelsea fund a replacement.
Chelsea do hold an interest in Inter keeper Andre Onana and there will be talks about Kepa Arrizabalaga’s role too while Valencia’s highly-rated Giorgi Mamardashvili is another option.
Chelsea will tell Romelu Lukaku they are happy to work with him next season
Chelsea plan mega summer clear-out
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is expecting Manchester City to agree a fee for his transfer in the coming days. The 29-year-old has held positive talks with City after being given permission to speak to them last month.
City want to bolster their midfield as they await Ilkay Gundogan’s imminent decision over his future and await a serious bid from Paris St Germain for Bernardo Silva. Gundogan has a contract offer from City plus offers from Arsenal, Barcelona and Saudi Arabia.
City would listen to offers for Kalvin Phillips but he wants to stay and p[rove himself. City also want to sign Kovacic’s Croatia team-mate, centre-back Josko Gvardiol from Red Bull Leipzig and are willing to sell Aymeric Laporte and Arsenal target Joao Cancelo.
Chelsea are looking to offload Mateo Kovacic (left) Mason Mount (middle), Kai Havertz (right) and nine other players this summer
Kovacic apart, Chelsea are looking to sell £80m-rated Mason Mount to Manchester United, want £65m for Kai Havertz and £50m for Conor Gallagher.
Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, Eduoard Mendy, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nathan Baxter and Ian Maatsen all have interest too.
Their sales, plus N’Golo Kante’s departure to Al Ittihad last week, would allow room for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
Saint-Maximin wants to stay at Newcastle
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has decided he wants to stay and play Champions League football.
Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin has decided he wants to stay and play Champions League football
The 26-year-old had been earmarked as an asset Newcastle could sell to boost their transfer budget but with interest limited, the French flyer wants to fight for his place.
Saint-Maximin signed a lengthy contract under the Mike Ashley regime and would still like new terms to bring him in line with the club’s new signings but, for now, has been convinced the best way of achieving that is to play.
With him on the left and Anthony Gordon on the right, Saint-Maximin believes the Champions League can provide him with the platform to make the France squad also.
Newcastle are expected to make a move for Leicester City’s James Maddison this week but with Tottenham’s interest the value is closer to £60m so they are juggling alternatives on their list.
The merits of AC Milan’s Italy international Sandro Tonali have been floated again while they know Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has a £65m release clause, even though they would hope to negotiate.
United eye £65m upgrade on Jadon Sancho
Manchester United have posted an interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.
Left wing is not considered a priority for their transfer plan but with concerns over Jadon Sancho’s form and other options relatively inexperienced, they have considered an upgrade.
Leverkusen want around £65m for the 23-year-old Diaby, long linked with Arsenal and Newcastle.
Any United transfer activity is expected to be delayed by their takeover talks, though there is talk of an imminent low offer for Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
Newcastle do not expect to make an offer for Harry Maguire as things stand.
United are eyeing a £65m upgrade to Jadon Sancho (right) in the form of Moussa Diaby (left)
Brentford standing firm on £40m asking price for Raya
Brentford are willing to play hardball to get their valuation on goalkeeper David Raya.
Despite interest from Chelsea, Tottenham remain in pole position for the £40m-rated keeper.
As Confidential reported, talks have begun but with Tottenham looking to come in low, Brentford have made it clear they will hold Raya to his final year of contract if a suitable bid closer to their price-tag does not arise.
Brentford have already signed Mark Flekken so have a ready-made replacement and could leave Raya on the bench to make their point.
Brentford are maintaining contact over Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres but are aware the Sweden international has interest from Sporting Lisbon and Fulham. Strasbourg’s Habib Diallo is another contender to be brought in to fill the void left by Ivan Toney’s suspension.
Brentford are willing to play hardball to get their valuation on goalkeeper David Raya
The ‘Polish Viking’ could be heading for English shores
Hirsute goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, known as the ‘Polish Viking’ could be heading for these shores.
The Spezia shot-stopper is on the lists of Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Southampton as they all look for cover.
Dragowski, who grew his beard in homage to his favourite TV show ‘Vikings’, has long been on the radar of British clubs having had interest from the likes of West Ham, Tottenham and Everton in recent years.
He has a £9m release clause and the 25-year-old has two caps for Poland. Forest have a deal in place for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, as Confidential readers will know, but want a back-up option too.
Hirsute’s Bartlomiej Dragowski, known as the ‘Polish Viking’, could be heading for England
Forest eye up Carlos Augusto as they target even more signings
Nottingham Forest face competition from Inter Milan for Monza left-back Carlos Augusto.
Forest want around six new players this summer with goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, defensive midfield, winger and striker their objectives.
Dean Henderson is their number one option for keeper while, as Confidential reported last week, Wolves’ Conor Coady and Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams are also admired by Steve Cooper.
Brennan Johnson has interest building from several clubs including Aston Villa.
Nottingham Forest face competition from Inter Milan for Monza left-back Carlos Augusto
Brighton and Brentford show interest in Bayern’s Tillman
Bayern Munich are ready to recall Malik Tillman from his loan at Rangers amid interest from Premier League clubs
Bayern Munich are ready to recall attacking midfielder Malik Tillman from his loan at Rangers amid interest from Premier League clubs.
The 21-year-old USA international has made an impact scoring 12 goals and earning the Scotland PFA Young Player of the Year and Rangers’ Young Player of the Year Awards.
Rangers are understood to hold an option to sign him for £5m but Bayern believe they can get more with Brighton and Brentford among his admirers.
Staying in Glasgow, Brighton are also monitoring developments with Celtic’s Denmark U21 international midfielder Matt O’Riley, formerly of MK Dons.
Clarets consider another offer for Anderlecht’s keeper
Burnley are weighing up another offer for Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after having a £12.8million bid rejected.
Anderlecht need the cash but Burnley’s bid was understood to consist of staggered payments and add-ons. Verbruggen is open to leaving to join up with Vincent Kompany but Anderlecht want closer to £17m and more guaranteed payments.
Burnley also have an interest in Manchester City’s James Trafford who was on loan at Bolton last season. However, Trafford would not be viewed as a No 1.
Burnley are weighing up another offer for Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (right)
Premier League clubs show interest in Bristol City star Alex Scott
Bournemouth have joined the list of clubs to express interest in Bristol City’s talented teen Alex Scott but the £25m asking price is putting them off.
Wolves and West Ham have also kept a regular check on the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ who showed his ability once again for England during the recent U20 World Cup in Argentina.
Bristol City starlet Alex Scott, dubbed the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, is attracting top-flight interest
West Ham set to meet with Arsenal over Declan Rice
A Premier League chief executives meeting could prove to be the setting for Arsenal’s talks with West Ham over Declan Rice this week.
West Ham manager David Moyes is understood to have had a convivial meeting with David Sullivan on Friday to discuss his role and the club’s state of play with discussions still ongoing over a technical director being appointed.
Rice’s sale price will play a major part in their final budget. West Ham’s recruitment department are still going over plans and deals for prospective targets such as James Ward-Prowse and Harvey Barnes are likely to be agreed later in the summer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has agreed new four year contract despite offers from Aston Villa and Brighton.
Arsenal are set for talks this week with West Ham over signing their captain Declan Rice
Arthur Melo wants Premier League return
Arthur Melo wants another crack at the Premier League following his inauspicious stay with Liverpool
Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo wants to have another crack at the Premier League following his inauspicious stay with Liverpool.
The Brazilian tore a thigh which blighted his loan at Anfield but is keen to leave Italy and has two Premier League sides waiting in the wings.
Liverpool have been sounded out about Bayern Munich’s versatile right-sided defender Benjamin Pavard.
The Frenchman, 27, has interest from Paris Saint-Germain also but Liverpool ideally want a left-side centre-back and could give a breakthrough chance to right-back Conor Bradley who impressed many on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season.
Liverpool’s other right-back Calvin Ramsay is a loan target for Preston North End.
Palace hope £50m Olise price-tag will ward off PSG interest
Crystal Palace are hoping a price tag of around £50m on winger Michael Olise will act as suitable deterrent for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Palace are also waiting on another PSG target, Wilfried Zaha to decide his next step.
Palace have made him an outstanding contract offer and, PSG apart, the 30-year-old soon-to-be free agent has Atletico Madrid, Marseille and a Saudi Arabian club to consider.
Crystal Palace have put a £50m price-tag on Michael Olise in a bid to ward off PSG interest
Gray weighs up his Everton future
Demarai Gray is considering his future at Everton.
The winger, who has interest from Fulham, was not entirely happy with his starting opportunities under Sean Dyche towards the end of last season and wants to establish where he stands before making a decision.
Midfielder Andres Gomes is returning to Everton following the end of his loan at Lille while Dyche has a decision to make over returning centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 20-year-old is valued around £20m following his loan at PSV Eindhoven and has interest from several top clubs including Roma who are expected to lose Roger Ibanez this summer.
Demarai Gray is considering his future at Everton after a lack of opportunities last season
No Chelsea move for ‘The Monster’
Chelsea will miss out on ‘The Monster’, aka teenage centre-back Mikayil Faye, as he is in talks to join Barcelona.
The 18-year-old from NK Kustosija was a target for Chelsea but would not have qualified for a work permit.
Chelsea would have needed to send him out on loan and had no ready-made club for him. Barcelona have stepped in with a £4m offer.
Chelsea will miss out on ‘The Monster’ Mikayil Faye (left) as he is in talks to join Barcelona
Barca willing to listen to offers for Ansu Fati
Premier League clubs are on alert with Barcelona willing to listen to offers for Ansu Fati.
The 20-year-old left winger has had issues with knee injuries and Barca coach Xavi believes Fati needs to play regularly so would be prepared to sanction a loan or a transfer with a low buy-back option.
Fati can play across the front line and has scored ten goals this season. Manchester United and Wolves have been credited with interest in recent months with Fati’s dad Bori demanding that his son be allowed to leave back in March.
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