Paper Talk: Chelsea striker swap; Reds’ final £8m offer
Atletico Madrid still keen on Diego Costa as Chelsea keep tabs on Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, while Liverpool plan left-back solution, according to Monday’s papers.
ATLETICO STILL DREAM OF COSTA REUNION
Atletico Madrid have not given up hope of being reunited with Brazilian-born Spanish international striker Diego Costa, report the Daily Mirror.
The La Liga club are still desperate to land a new striker ahead of the new season and still believe a move for their former hero is still possible as long as the Blues retain an interest in signing Morata, who has a big admirer in Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
The Italian recently described Costa as someone of “fundamental importance” to the Chelsea team, but Real Madrid still continue to ponder whether Morata fits into their plans or decide to cash-in on the forward they brought back from Juventus.
And while that continues to be the case, there is still the possibility of a re-shuffle in the striking department at Stamford Bridge.
LIVERPOOL IN TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT OFFER
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will make a final £8million offer to champions Leicester City for the services of highly-rated defender Ben Chilwell.
The Reds are set to be a little light in the left-back area with Brad Smith closing in on a £6million move to Bournemouth, but The Sun believe he will act quickly to sign a replacement.
The Foxes are believed to have offered the 19-year-old, who spent part of last season on loan at Championship side Huddersfield Town, a five-year contract to stop him following the likes of N’Golo Kante and perhaps Riyad Mahrez out of the exit door at the King Power Stadium.
However, Liverpool believe they can still tempt the young full-back into making the switch to Anfield by offering a contract of a similar length.
AND THE REST
Juventus are lining up a move for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, 27, as a replacement for Manchester United-bound Paul Pogba (Daily Mail)
New Liverpool signing Georginio Wijnaldum says manager Jurgen Klopp persuaded him to join the Reds, rather than Tottenham or Merseyside rivals Everton (Echo)
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe wants to buy a new central defender this summer (Guardian)
New Sunderland manager David Moyes will contact former club Manchester United over a possible loan move for winger Adnan Januzaj, 21 (Daily Mail)
Stoke City are set to secure the £13m signing of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, 26, after Swansea City fail to match their bid (The Sun)
A Chelsea fan believes his club is set to beat Arsenal to the signing of Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez after claiming he saw the forward’s new Chelsea shirt up for sale on a sports brand website (Metro)
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial reportedly un-followed his own club on social media after they gave his number nine shirt to new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Metro)