Chelsea players in no hurry to leave
The Evening Standard reports that Conor Gallagher and three other players at Chelsea will not be rushed into a decision to leave the club.
Gallagher, Trevor Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja are all in line to leave, but would need to do so by June 30 to help the club’s bottom line for profit and sustainability rules.
“Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja could all be sold to ensure Chelsea avoid the threat of financial breaches.
“Chelsea reportedly need to raise £100million in player sales by June 30 so the sales can be included in their financial accounts for 2023-24.
“The Blues insist they continue to stay in line with Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) rules, but player sales would help them fund further transfer signings after spending more than £1billion since being taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. They hope to sign a striker, centre-back and left-back this summer.
“Academy players represent ‘pure profit’ on the balance sheet and many young players in the squad fear they will be at the front of the queue of players the club look to sell. But it is understood Gallagher, Chalobah, Maatsen and Broja have insisted they will wait for the right opportunity.”
Spurs eye swift deal for Gallagher
While the Standard suggests that Gallagher is in no hurry, The Sun believes that Tottenham will use Chelsea’s financial pressure to force through a deal for the midfielder.
The player has been linked with Tottenham for some time and their need to raise cash might force them to sell up.
“England midfielder Gallagher, 24, has been a long-term target for Spurs.
“Chelsea need to flog players to raise funds before July 1 to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules after massively overspending during the Todd Boehly era.
“That boosts the chances of a Gallagher sale – which would be deemed as pure profit for the Blues given he is a homegrown player – early in the close season.”
Patino set for Arsenal exit
The Mirror reports that Arsenal are considering the sale of Charlie Patino, despite early suggestions that Mikel Arteta was a big fan of the player.
After spending his last two seasons out on loan, he could be sold to Spanish sides who are tracking his availability.
“Patino, who scored on his senior debut back in December 2021, was widely viewed as the most exciting talent to come out of the Gunners academy for quite some time. An England under-21 international, Patino has been the subject of both Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas comparisons, as well as being heralded as the ‘next Frenkie de Jong’.
“He has spent the last two seasons out on loan, firstly with Blackpool, before joining Swansea for the campaign this term. For the most part, he has impressed while in Wales, but clearly not enough in the eyes of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
“The Arsenal manager is now ready to try and cash in on Patino in the coming summer. Clubs in Spain are monitoring the situation closely, given Patino’s Spanish passport means he is able to avoid some of the issues that have arisen when buying young talent post-Brexit.”
Man City still want Paqueta
The Athletic reports that Manchester City still hope to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.
The Brazilian almost joined last season before he was investigated over potential betting rule breaches, but City could return in the summer.
“Everything was heading towards a transfer last summer before a Football Association investigation was launched into allegations of betting rule breaches by the Brazilian, but City have him in their sights again.
“West Ham are at risk of losing the 26-year-old this summer as an £85million ($106.8m) release clause becomes active in June.
“City have seen plenty of transfers fall through over the years and it is generally the case that they move on to somebody else the year after, if the initial target has not already gone elsewhere: after missing out on Harry Kane in 2021, they signed Erling Haaland in 2022, for example.”
