Paper Talk: Chelsea in the hunt for exciting attacking duo

Federico Bernardesci: Chelsea link

Liverpool have been linked with an Inter Milan keeper and Chelsea want Alvaro Morata and Federico Bernardeschi, all in today’s papers.

CHELSEA TO PIP ARSENAL TO MORATA

Chelsea are believed to be in front of Arsenal and heading the queue to sign Alvaro Morata in the summer.

The Daily Telegraph claims Morata, 24, has “told friends that he expects to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer”.

Real Madrid striker Morata is the man Antonio Conte wants to replace Diego Costa, who remains a big-money target for Chinese clubs and his old club Atletico Madrid.

Costa is believed to have reached a £30million-a-year pre-agreement to move to Tianjin Quanjian in the summer, according to radio station Cadena Ser.

Morata is eager to leave the Spanish capital after making just six La Liga starts since his return from Juventus at the start of the season.

It’s understood that Zinedine Zidane will listen to bids in the region of £50million for Morata, who was a target for Chelsea last summer.

 

AND THE REST

Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, both 31, and Marouane Fellaini, 29, will all leave Manchester United in the summer in order to free up funds to sign Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. (Independent)

Chelsea are interested in Fiorentina forward Federico Bernardeschi. The 22-year-old Italy international has nine Serie A goals this season.(Calciomercato)

Recent Paris St-Germain signing Julian Draxler, 23, says if he could pick one of his Germany team-mates to move to the French champions it would be Ozil. (Bein Sports)

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists his side have “no need to worry” about Europe’s top clubs targeting Dele Alli. Bayern Munich have become the latest club to be linked with a move for the 20-year-old England midfielder. (London Evening Standard)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, 28, still has a big future at the club, despite the emergence of Gabriel Jesus. (Daily Express)

Guardiola will look to overhaul his defence in the summer, with a centre-back and two full-backs his top priority.(Manchester Evening News)

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has become increasingly distant from members of his backroom team and is in danger of losing his grip on the dressing room.(Guardian)

Liverpool are monitoring Inter Milan’s Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, 32. (Corriere dello Sport)

Stoke City’s on-loan defender Bruno Martins Indi, 24, is likely to make his move from Porto permanent in the summer, with Potters boss Mark Hughes saying talks over a long-term deal for the Netherlands international are ongoing. (Stoke Sentinel)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he needs to leave Borussia Dortmund if he is to “go to the next level” – and the 27-year-old Gabon striker says Real Madrid “is still a dream”. (RMC Radio)

 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given Yaya Toure fresh hope he could yet get a new deal at the club after praising the 33-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder’s attitude. (Manchester Evening News)

Hull manager Marco Silva has banned days off for his players as he attempts to guide them to Premier League survival. (Daily Mirror)

The Tigers are still hopeful of signing Guingamp’s French midfielder Yannis Salibur despite the transfer window closing. They have appealed to Fifa to force through a £9m deal for the 26-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Valencia’s Italy striker Simone Zaza, 25, has cited “environment, culture, training” and “nutrition” as some of the reasons he failed while on loan at West Ham from Juventus. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona have put Arsenal contract rebel Mesut Ozil on their summer transfer wish list. (Daily Mirror)

Bayern Munich are also monitoring developments with Ozil. (Mirror)

Manchester City are set be at the very front of the queue to sign William Carvalho after he joined a new agency run by Pep Guardiola’s brother, Pere. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United will sell Wayne Rooney to free up funds for the £100m signing of Antoine Griezmann. (The Sun)

Chelsea could miss out on James Rodriguez because Cristiano Ronaldo wants him to stay at Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Cesc Fabregas is not ruling out a stint in the Chinese Super League.  (The Sun)

Manchester United have reportedly struck a deal in principle to sign Benfica defender Nelson Semedo for £35m.  (The Sun) P.S. Keep up we had it on Thursday

Marco Veratti’s agent has warned Premier League teams that “all the gold in the world” won’t be enough to sign the PSG midfielder.  (The Sun)

Patrice Evra has revealed he was stopped from making a January return to Manchester United. (Daily Star)

Claude Puel has taken a swipe at Jose Fonte ahead of his return to Southampton by telling his former captain: I don’t regret selling you. (Daily Mail)

Claudio Ranieri insists Leonardo Ulloa will play for Leicester again despite accusing his manager of betraying him. (Daily Mail)

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has ruled out summer move for Manchester City exile Joe Hart. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has confirmed he wanted to sign Craig Gordon as a replacement for Asmir Begovic – but had the door slammed in his face by Celtic. (Daily Record)