Chelsea tipped to foil Liverpool for Kepa replacement after insider leaks
Chelsea have been boosted in their efforts to finally resolve their goalkeeping conundrum after a former Blue has reportedly been passing them information about frequent Liverpool target Ugurcan Cakir.
The Turkish goalkeeper, 23, has been regularly linked with a move to Anfield to provide stiff competition to Alisson Becker.
Despite receiving early plaudits, back-up stopper Adrian has been prone to a blunder or two, with his latest error costing the Reds dearly in their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Frank Lampard’s men.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are experiencing goalkeeping issues of their own, with world record goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga recently losing his place in the side to veteran Willy Caballero.
Despite reportedly taking his demotion well, rumours abounded that Lampard would replace the Spaniard by splashing the cash in the summer with a move for an Italian superstar.
However, the latest report from British newspaper the Daily Express (which cites Turkish outlet Fotospor) has revealed that the Blues could be set to pip Jurgen Klopp’s men to the signing of Trabzonspor number one Cakir due to the workings of ex-Blues assistant manager Eddie Newton.
Newton, who played at Stamford Bridge throughout the entirety of the 1990s, left his role as Lampard’s assistant in February to take up a similar role with the Turkish side.
The Express article states that he ‘has been ‘constantly’ passing information about Cakir to his former employers,‘ and has ‘kept close ties with the Chelsea hierarchy.‘
The Blues are described as being ‘keen on bringing Cakir to Stamford Bridge,‘ and Newton’s intervention may the factor that tips the scales in Chelsea’s favour.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan will reportedly make a concerted effort to sign Marcos Alonso in the summer.
Italian paper Tuttosport states that Antonio Conte is focused on signing the Spaniard in the summer as he looks to strengthen his rearguard.
Inter Milan tried to get Alonso in January with former Chelsea boss Conte a firm fan of the 29-year-old full-back, but they will return with an offer for him in the summer, according to the paper.
The report claims “personal problems” with Chelsea as one of the reasons why the transfer did not happen in January with Chelsea apparently demanding €40m for the left-back.
Alonso has his best years at Chelsea under Conte and it’s understood he does favour a move back to Italy.