Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Graham Potter decides on his ultimate Chelsea striker with Aubameyang to be replaced; Newcastle prepare talks over new club-record deal

Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz

Chelsea want to sign a Ligue 1 striker in brilliant form to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front, Newcastle are plotting discussions over an expensive deal, while Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip claims a Premier League manager is set for a new contract.

GRAHAM POTTER EYES LIGUE 1 MARKSMAN

Chelsea boss Graham Potter is hoping to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and has set his sights on talented Lille striker Jonathan David, according to a report.

Aubameyang was signed by Chelsea on transfer deadline day to solve their striker problems, following Romelu Lukaku’s loan back to Inter Milan.

Aubameyang arrived at Stamford Bridge with the hope of reigniting his great relationship with Thomas Tuchel and making a big impact in west London.

However, the former Arsenal captain only played 59 minutes under Tuchel before the German was sacked by Chelsea chiefs on September 7.

Potter is now in charge. And he has got Aubameyang firing, with the Gabon international bagging three goals in six Chelsea appearances.

But Potter has a long-term plan at Chelsea and 33-year-old Aubameyang doesn’t fit into it. As such, he could be let go by the Blues in a 2023 transfer window and replaced by a new talisman.

As per Sport Witness, who cite French outlet Jeunes Footeux, this is where David comes in. Their report claims Potter ‘wants to sign a new striker’ as early as January and has put David high up on his shortlist.

It seems the 22-year-old is his ultimate striker to spearhead the Chelsea attack over the next few years.

David is deadly in front of goal right now

And given David’s exceptional form this season, it’s no surprise Potter wants to bring him to England.

He is by far Lille’s top scorer, having found the net nine times in just 11 outings. This includes Ligue 1 braces against AJ Auxerre, Montpellier and Strasbourg. Lille’s next top scorer is on three goals, which shows just how important David is to the French club.

David has previously been linked with a host of Premier League sides, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham. But it is now Chelsea who will push to land his signature.

He will not come cheap as Lille are desperate to keep hold of arguably their prized asset. The report states they have put a €60million (£52.1m) price tag on him.

This is relatively big money for a 22-year-old, though Chelsea can easily match this sum. Their chairman Todd Boehly is keen to prove his lofty ambitions and capturing David would demonstrate this.

David, a 34-cap Canada international, will have to keep shining at Lille for the next few months. If he remains Potter’s top striker target, then expect Chelsea to launch a move for him this winter.

NEWCASTLE PLAN CLUB-RECORD CONTRACT

Newcastle are preparing to enter contract talks with Bruno Guimaraes to ward off potential suitors Real Madrid and Manchester City, according to reports.

Guimaraes has been a revelation for Newcastle since joining the Magpies in January. He is now one of the first names on the team sheet under manager Eddie Howe.

The midfielder scored twice during Newcastle’s recent 5-1 victory over Brentford at home. And it seems some big clubs are sitting up and taking notice of his exploits.

City have been named as the only Prem side who represent a real ‘step up’ from Newcastle, given Howe’s huge ambitions.

Real, meanwhile, are supposedly keeping tabs on Guimaraes ahead of making a bid in the future.

Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle

Newcastle have already told Real that signing the Brazilian will cost them more than the £103m they spent on Eden Hazard in 2019.

And the Tyneside outfit are now taking more steps to ensure Guimaraes doesn’t go anywhere.

According to Newcastle World, who cite reports coming out of Brazil, Newcastle will begin renewal talks with Guimaraes in the coming days.

And they will offer him the chance to become the highest paid player in the club’s history. His weekly wage could rise from £120k to £200k.

This would reward Guimaraes for his top performances in the Prem. It would also show interested clubs that Newcastle will not be pushed around.

BRENTFORD MAN ALSO IN LINE FOR PAY RISE

Guimaraes isn’t the only Prem competitor who could soon be given a new deal. The Daily Mail state Brentford have begun negotiations with their boss Thomas Frank over fresh terms.

Frank signed a contract extension with the Bees in January, and it should keep him at the Community Stadium until 2025.

Nevertheless, Brentford want to tie him down to an even longer contract, which will include a pay rise too.

They have started talks with Frank and his entourage amid other clubs eyeing up Frank. Leicester and Aston Villa could swoop for him if they sack their current managers.

Frank is also a candidate for the Denmark national team job, given he is from the country and his previous work in their youth setup.

Thomas Frank Brentford 2022 TEAMtalk21

Brentford, though, view the 49-year-old as their long-term manager. And they will aim to stave off all advances with a new contract.

The Daily Mail understands no agreement has been reached just yet. But the club will work hard until confirmation is achieved.

It will be interesting to see if Brentford turn to Ivan Toney once Frank’s contract is done. His deal expires in 2025 and Man Utd are reportedly hoping to sign him as Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement.

Meanwhile, a transfer insider thinks Man Utd, Arsenal and Tottenham are the ‘right projects’ for an Eredivisie attacker.