Chelsea plan clearout
There are seven first-team squad players that Chelsea want to get rid of this summer, The Sun reports.
There are also aims to see out-on-loan pair Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelo Lukaku move on permanently, while Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and Thiago Silva could depart.
“And seven current stars may have just two months to save their Stamford Bridge futures.
“It’s now reckoned Boehly will make another big push in the market to cover specialist areas.
“He wants to land a free-scoring striker, with SunSport exclusively revealing Chelsea’s interest in Brentford star Ivan Toney.
“Boehly hopes to offload wantaway flops Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku to Saudi Arabian sides once their respective loans at Real Madrid and Roma end.”
United draw up manager shortlist
The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United have nine candidates in mind to replace Erik ten Hag.
Gareth Southgate is not ready to discuss any deal, but there are many other names in the frame.
“England boss Gareth Southgate had emerged as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preferred choice as United manager, but the 53-year-old said he will not talk to any clubs while he is in charge of the Three Lions.
“Potential options include former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter.
“Current Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is also on the shortlist along with Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
“Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is being considered by United, as is ex-Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui.
“Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann complete the shortlist.
“An ambitious move for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou also hasn’t been ruled out.”
Barcelona hopes to keep duo
Joao Cancelo of Manchester City and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix are both on loan at Barcelona until the end of the season, and president Joan Laporta wants to keep them.
Laporto said that a loan deal could be arranged for both players if necessary.
“Defender Cancelo, 29, is on loan from Manchester City, while forward Joao Felix, 24, is on loan from Atletico Madrid.
“Laporta thinks that the Portuguese duo will remain at Barca after their loan deals expire this summer.
“‘We have an agent there who is working on the issue, Jorge Mendes, and he knows our intention to continue with the players. What I can’t tell you now, because it will depend a lot on the amounts, is whether we’re going to sign them or extend the loan.’”
Bayern confident over Alonso
Xabi Alonso is wanted to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but the Mirror reports that the Spaniard might instead move to Bayern Munich.
The current Bundesliga champions are looking for a replacement for Thomas Tuchel as he prepares to leave.
“The Spaniard is wanted by the Reds to replace Jurgen Klopp while Bayern are also eying him up with Thomas Tuchel set to leave at the end of the season. Alonso’s Leverkusen sit top of the Bundesliga table, 10 points clear of second-place Bayern and are unbeaten in 38 matches this season.
“Alonso played for both Liverpool and Bayern during his storied playing career and the temptation to return is obvious, though he could stay at Leverkusen and lead them into the Champions League. However, if he does choose to leave BayArena, then Bayern have a better chance of securing his services for next term.
“Bayern are ‘optimistic’ about luring Alonso over to the Allianz Arena, despite being yet to enter negotiations.”