Jules Kounde nonetheless tops Chelsea’s wishlist with Kalidou Koulibaly, Pau Torres, Wesley Fofana as choices

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The summer season switch window is approaching, and there is loads of gossip swirling about who’s shifting the place. Switch Discuss brings you all the newest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, after all, done deals!

TOP STORY: Kounde, Koulibaly on Blues’ wishlist

Chelsea might want to rebuild their defence forward of the 2022-23 season and have already drawn up a shortlist that features Sevilla‘s Jules Kounde, Napoli‘s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester City‘s Wesley Fofana, in line with the Telegraph.

Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger will depart Stamford Bridge this summer season, whereas Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso might additionally observe them out the exit doorways. Due to this fact, the membership — which took one other step towards finalising its sale to the Todd Boehly-led group on Tuesday — have began work on filling in these roster spots.

Chelsea’s curiosity in Kounde has lengthy been reported, and the Frenchman continues to high the checklist after a earlier try in January fell via.

Additionally within the combine are Villarreal‘s Pau Torres — who has been strongly linked with Manchester United — and Atletico Madrid‘s Jose Gimenez. RB Leipzig‘s Josko Gvardiol is one other who has been linked, with it being felt that the Croatian might fill in for Rudiger within the left-centre-back place.

The Blues are additionally aiming to herald a midfielder — though West Ham United‘s Declan Rice appears out of attain — whereas a transfer could possibly be made for Manchester City‘s Raheem Sterling if he decides to search for a brand new problem.

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LIVE BLOG

17.04 BST: Mohamed Salah might have confirmed he’ll be at Liverpool subsequent season (see 15.04 BST), however is he simply delaying the inevitable?

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Stewart Robson thinks Mohamed Salah to Actual Madrid might nonetheless be on regardless of the ahead saying he plans to remain at Liverpool subsequent season.

16.19 BST: Luka Modric says he’s in talks with Actual Madrid over a contract extension and he feels sturdy sufficient to proceed enjoying for a number of years.

Modric, 36, turns into a free agent this summer season and is predicted to be supplied a brand new deal. The Croatian midfielder joked that he will not pull an ‘Mbappe’ and hold Madrid ready.

“The membership and I are speaking, however now we have a very good rapport,” he said. “Do the Mbappe factor? No. I will not, for certain. However I hope the membership would not do it to me. We have now a whole lot of belief between us, we get alongside very effectively and what has to occur will occur. However now it is the [Champions League] ultimate and that is crucial factor. I do not wish to take into consideration anything.”

Modric, who has been at Madrid since 2012, has give you 12 assists in 42 video games for Los Blancos this season.

“I’ve stated many occasions that I wish to end my profession at Actual Madrid,” he stated. “I really feel good, however I do not assume a lot concerning the future, I am targeted on the current. I wish to take pleasure in what I do and see what stage I am at little by little. If I can proceed at this stage… As a result of at Actual Madrid you need to be at a really excessive stage. If I really feel sturdy, I want to proceed right here and hopefully in a number of years I can end my profession right here.”

15.37 BST: Manchester Metropolis have introduced that Caroline Weir and Karima Benameur Taieb will depart the membership this summer season following the top of their contracts.

Weir, 26, was anticipated to depart this summer season with a number of experiences linking her to a transfer to Actual Madrid. The Scotland worldwide joined Metropolis 4 years in the past and had turn out to be a daily starter in Metropolis’s midfield.

She made 124 appearances in all competitions, discovering the again of the online on 38 events and was nominated for FIFA’s Puskas award.

Taieb joined from Paris FC in 2019 however made simply 24 appearances throughout all competitions as Ellie Roebuck was favoured as No. 1.

15.04 BST: Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will not leave Liverpool this summer, giving the membership a significant enhance forward of Saturday’s Champions League ultimate in opposition to Actual Madrid.

The 29-year-old, who shared this season’s Premier League Golden Boot award with Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-Min, is out of contract at Anfield on the finish of subsequent season and has but to decide to a brand new cope with Jurgen Klopp’s crew.

Uncertainty over the Egypt worldwide’s future had led to hypothesis that Salah might depart Liverpool with the intention to keep away from him leaving as a free agent in 12 months’ time.

Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have each been linked with the previous Chelsea and AS Roma ahead because of his failure to agree new phrases at Liverpool.

However though he stopped in need of saying he would signal a brand new deal at Anfield, Salah has now stated that he’ll see out the ultimate yr of his contract.

“I’m simply targeted on the crew and do not wish to discuss my contract,” Salah stated at Liverpool’s pre-Champions League media convention. “However I’m staying subsequent season for certain, that is for certain.

“In my thoughts, I do not focus concerning the contract in the mean time. I do not wish to be egocentric. I stated two months in the past, it is all concerning the crew now.

“It is a actually necessary week for us, so I’m simply targeted on the crew. I wish to win the Champions League once more.”

14.15 BST: Karim Benzema says he’s “not indignant” over Kylian Mbappe‘s resolution to not be part of him at Actual Madrid however added that “now it isn’t the time to speak about little issues.”

Benzema was eager to have his France teammate arrive on the Bernabeu this summer season however Mbappe turned down a proposal from Madrid to signal a brand new contract with PSG.

Mbappe said this week he would “explain” to Benzema the explanations for his resolution when the 2 meet up with for nationwide responsibility subsequent week.

Benzema appeared to provide an ironic smile and stated: “We’re enjoying on Saturday a Champions League ultimate and it isn’t the time to speak about these little issues … No, no, I am not indignant, I am targeted on the Champions League ultimate. It is extra necessary to attain within the Champions League than to take heed to one thing else.”

Benzema would not consider Madrid must signal reinforcements contemplating the season they’ve had. He stated: “Everybody talks about the necessity to carry this participant or that participant, or a striker, however ultimately, we completed high of the league with a 15-point benefit and we’re within the Champions League ultimate.”

Benzema praised Vinicius and wouldn’t ask for one more associate in assault.

“After we discuss the very best gamers on this planet, we do not discuss Vinicius,” he stated. “But for me, not as a result of he performs with me, he’s within the high 5 proper now. He scores objectives, necessary ones, he supplies assists, he can win you a sport alone, he will get the ball and runs for 30 metres.

“He can do a whole lot of issues. He has a whole lot of confidence, he’s younger, however younger of age, not on the pitch as he has performed greater than 100 video games for Madrid. Why would I alter him if he’s within the high 5 of the world?”

13.27 BST: Jesse Lingard is in talks with West Ham over a free switch to the London Stadium, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

Lingard is ready to depart Manchester United when his contract expires on the finish of June. Sources have instructed ESPN that West Ham made contact with the 29-year-old’s representatives following the conclusion of the Premier League season on Sunday and negotiations are actually underneath manner.

There’s confidence on all sides {that a} deal will be agreed though there stays curiosity from different Premier League golf equipment and Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus.

Lingard is one in every of David Moyes’ high targets at West Ham this summer season after a formidable mortgage spell on the London Stadium throughout the second half of the 2020-21 season, scoring 9 objectives in 16 video games to assist West Ham to a sixth-place end within the Premier League.

12.39 BST: Marco Asensio says he has not sat down with Actual Madrid for contract renewal talks regardless of his present deal ending in June 2023.

“Proper now, I am solely enthusiastic about the ultimate,” he said. “There’s nothing else in my thoughts. We are going to see after the Champions League ultimate. I’ve nonetheless have not had a dialog with the membership. We are going to consider the scenario and we’ll do what’s greatest for either side.”

Requested if Kylian Mbappe’s resolution to stay at PSG and never signal for Actual Madrid could have an affect in his renewal, Asensio stated: “I do not know as a result of I have not spoken to the membership. Right here there has at all times been competitors and that is inevitable on this membership. I am able to compete with anybody.

“My job is to do the very best I can, as I’ve executed this yr. That is my greatest season by way of objectives. I am the third greatest goalscorer of the crew and my objectives have helped us achieved two titles (La Liga and the Spanish Supercopa) this season and hopefully a 3rd.”

Asensio, 26, has scored 12 objectives in 42 appearances for Madrid this season.

11.56 BST: Bayer Leverkusen look to have secured the signing of Adam Hlozek, the thrilling Czech Republic attacker, SPORT1 in Germany experiences.

Leverkusen are set to finish a €22m deal for the 19-year-old and he’ll signal a five-year-deal till 2027.

Hlozek, who has been capped by Czech Republic and was referred to as as much as their Euro 2020 squad, is very rated and was linked with a giant transfer to a number of golf equipment this summer season, with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund most not too long ago talked about as potential suitors.

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11.21 BST: Joan Laporta has stated Paris Saint-Germain duo Neymar and Lionel Messi‘s only chance of returning to Barcelona would be on a free transfer.

The Barca president stated it will make “no sense” to pay cash for gamers that each beforehand performed for the membership.

“Who would not like Ney?” Laporta instructed L’Esportiu when requested if he’s a fan of the ahead following experiences he might come again to Barca. “He’s an distinctive participant, however he has [three] years on his contract with PSG. He’s successfully enslaved to cash.

“The one manner he might come again to Barca is at no cost. It could be irrational to pay a switch price for a participant you might have already had.

“Leo left how he left. We might all have appreciated him to finish his sporting profession right here, however due to [LaLiga’s] honest play guidelines and due to PSG’s supply, it was to not be.

“If he needs to return sooner or later, it must be at no cost. And the technical employees must determine if he matches the brand new venture or not.”

Neymar, 30, signed a brand new cope with PSG final summer season however his long-term future on the membership has come underneath scrutiny following Kylian Mbappe’s resolution to signal a contract extension. ESPN has reported that Mbappe would love a extra balanced squad than what’s there now given their lack of success in Europe, whereas the French membership’s house owners haven’t been glad by his performances or his way of life.

Neymar has been at PSG since 2017, when the Ligue 1 champions paid a world report switch price of €222 million to activate his launch clause and prise him away from Barcelona.

Messi, who will flip 35 in June, has one yr to run on his contract in Paris after becoming a member of from Barca final summer season.

10.38 BST: Tottenham Hotspur’s owners ENIC agreed a £150m ($187.64m) cash injection into the club to assist supervisor Antonio Conte’s facet problem for honours after securing a return to the Champions League subsequent season.

ENIC Group, owned by 85-year-old British businessman Joe Lewis, introduced the capital enhance for Spurs, who completed fourth within the Premier League this time period, through the problem of convertible A Shares and accompanying warrants in a membership assertion.

“The fairness injection supplies the Premier League membership with higher monetary flexibility and the flexibility to additional make investments on and off the pitch,” Spurs stated in a press release.

Conte’s facet returned to European soccer’s elite membership competitors with a 5-Zero win over Norwich Metropolis on the ultimate day of the season on Sunday.

Nevertheless, the Italian coach, who took cost in November, has persistently stated the squad wants bettering if the membership are to problem for the highest prizes.

“The supply of a world-class residence was at all times a key constructing block in driving diversified revenues to allow us to spend money on the groups and assist our ambitions to be persistently competing on the highest ranges of European soccer,” chairman Daniel Levy stated.

10.02 BST: Real Madrid are close to signing AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni on a five-year contract, sources have instructed ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez and Julien Laurens.

The participant needs to hitch Madrid, who had confronted competitors from Liverpool, and the ultimate particulars of the deal are actually being labored on, with the LaLiga membership anticipated to pay a switch price of round €80 million.

Tchouameni, 22, is the second participant lined up by Actual Madrid this summer season, having already agreed the signing of defender Antonio Rudiger on a free switch from Chelsea.

ESPN reported on Monday that Madrid and Liverpool have been the 2 golf equipment greatest positioned to signal the in-demand midfielder, whereas Kylian Mbappe, who snubbed a move to Madrid last week, had additionally requested Paris Saint-Germain to maneuver for his buddy Tchouameni.

After being turned down by Mbappe, Tchouameni was subsequent on the checklist of Madrid’s switch priorities for this summer season, as they regarded to herald a defensive midfielder as a substitute for Casemiro.

09.25 BST: Arsenal have introduced that midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a brand new contract on the membership.

The Gunners didn’t affirm the size of the deal, however the Egypt worldwide instructed the membership’s official web site that he want to retire with them.

The 29-year-old said: “I really feel like once you play in one of many greatest groups on this planet and you’ve got a tremendous household and the followers are actually wonderful as effectively – they make me really feel particular.

“You’re feeling like you might be particular for this membership and this membership is particular for you. In fact, I wish to keep right here till I end my profession truly.”

08.43 BST: Serie A membership Salernitana have recognized Edinson Cavani and Marko Arnautovic as two strikers they want to signal this summer season.

Cavani, 35, made his ultimate look for United on Sunday, and might be out of contract this summer season whereas Arnautovic scored 15 objectives in 34 appearances in his debut season at Italian membership Bologna.

Salernitana narrowly prevented relegation from Serie A, however membership president Danilo Iervolino is hopeful that some skilled forwards may help them stabilise subsequent season.

“I might like to signal Edinson Cavani as free agent,” he said. “Cavani could be an unimaginable present for town, as Salernitana are staying in Serie A.

“I’ll say two names that appear unattainable, but when they have been attainable and the coach appreciated them, I might attempt to signal Edinson Cavani, who has left unforgettable reminiscences on this area, and Marko Arnautovic, who embodies the soccer of warriors.”

08.00 BST: The UK authorities introduced on Wednesday that it has issued a licence that grants the sale of Chelsea to the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Consortium.

The membership have been put up on the market after Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the federal government for his hyperlinks to Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Late final night time the UK authorities reached a place the place we might concern a licence that allows the sale of Chelsea,” a authorities spokesperson stated in a press release on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Premier League formally authorized the Boehly-led takeover that’s price £4.25 billion ($5.33 billion).

As soon as the sale is confirmed, Chelsea will as soon as once more have the ability to conduct switch enterprise and supply gamers new contracts.

PAPER GOSSIP

– L’Equipe has reported that Paris Saint-Germain are keen to let Neymar transfer on in the event that they obtain an acceptable supply. The membership, recent off signing Kylian Mbappe to a blockbuster extension, might endure modifications with sources previously telling ESPN that Luis Campos might be tabbed new sporting director and Mauricio Pochettino’s future as supervisor remaining cloudy.

– Marca has reported that Barcelona are rising impatient with Ousmane Dembele, who nonetheless hasn’t signed a contract extension regardless of his deal ending this summer season. Xavi Hernandez needs the Frenchman to remain, however the administrators insist the winger isn’t important and that he should compromise in negotiations. The report states Dembele’s stalling might decelerate a transfer for Leeds United‘s Raphinha. PSG and Bayern Munich have beforehand been linked to Dembele.

– With Erling Haaland on the cusp of finishing his transfer to Manchester Metropolis, the Premier League champions are additionally taken with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, experiences BBC Sport. Pep Guardiola is very eager to strengthen his midfield as a result of confirmed departure of Fernandinho. It’s believed that Leeds staying up will probably make the deal tougher to finish.

– Based on the Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Antonio Conte needs to herald Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Filip Kostic as a left-wing-back, with this coming after the membership introduced a capital increase of £150 million. Along with filling that function, additionally they hope to herald two centre-backs, a right-wing-back, a midfielder and a striker.

– Mason Mount will talk about a brand new cope with Chelsea within the coming months, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, who provides that the midfielder has already been ready for months. His present contract ends in 2024. Chelsea’s board may even be discussing the futures of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, amongst others.

– Diego Simeone has made Udinese‘s Nahuel Molina the precedence as Atletico Madrid intention to strengthen at right-back, in line with Sky Sports Italia. That is unlikely to be a easy deal to finish because of Udinese asking for €30m, as Atleti would want to dump some gamers earlier than making their transfer. Arsenal are stated to be one in every of varied different golf equipment exhibiting an curiosity within the Argentine.



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