Paper Talk: Man Utd set to beat Chelsea to big-money Leicester star

Kelechi Iheanacho, Ben Chilwell, James Maddison, Demarai Gray,

Manchester United have emerged as favourites to sign a talented Leicester star, while Newcastle will rival the Red Devils for a £60m Italy winger, according to Saturday’s transfer gossip.

 

MAN UTD PLOT SWOOP FOR BEN CHILWELL

Manchester United will battle it out with Chelsea and Manchester City for Ben Chilwell, claims a report.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a huge admirer of the left-back and is now in pole position to sign him.

The report in The Sun claims Solskjaer sees the addition of Chilwell as a major priority this summer. Furthermore, they state his arrival will cast doubt over Luke Shaw’s long-term future at Old Trafford.

Chilwell is rated at around the £60m mark, but the interest in the player could push a deal close to £75m.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is also very much keen on Chilwell. However, the Blues’ pursuit of Kai Havertz appears to have swung the battle in United’s favour. That comes after reports of tension between Lampard and and Blues director Marina Granovskaia over their summer plans.

Leicester, however, appear in no hurry to sell Chilwell either. Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers has, as you’d expect, taken a tough stance on his future.

“There’s no need to comment on it. He’s come back, he looks fantastic,” Rodgers said. “He’s come back refreshed and in everything he’s done he’s looked exceptional.”

 

 

Asked again about Chilwell’s future, Rodgers added: “We’re relaxed on it. It’s a sequence the club is used to. When you have a talented group of players they’re going to make the headlines, but I’m pretty relaxed on it.”

Chelsea, however, do plan to offload Emerson Palmieri this summer and an initial £15m deal appears to have been agreed.

Should Chelsea miss out, Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico and Porto’s Alex Telles are other potential options.

 

READ MORE: Chelsea lead Tottenham in race for Stoke City teenage sensation

 

NEWCASTLE, MAN UTD BATTLE FOR CHIESA

Manchester United are close to agreeing a fee with Fiorentina for Italy winger Federico Chiesa. (Daily Star)

Newcastle plan to rival Manchester United for Chiesa, who is rated at £60m. (The Sun)

 

EXCLUSIVE: Jurgen Klopp rules out move for Thiago Alcantara

 

 

Manchester City could use Nicolas Otamendi and Oleksandr Zinchenko in a swap deal for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. (The Sun)

Tottenham have offered Chelsea star Willian a huge signing-on fee to join Tottenham. (The Sun)

Arsenal face competition from AC Milan, Valencia and Real Betis over a permanent deal for Dani Ceballos. (Daily Express)

Chelsea are tracking the progress of Monaco’s French winger Malamine Efekele, 15. (Daily Mail)

Leicester are planning a £31m swoop for Real Madrid forward Luka Jovic. (Daily Mail)

John Terry is the latest high-profile candidate to express interest in the vacant Bristol City post. (Daily Mail)

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Kevin De Bruyne TEAMtalk

Kevin De Bruyne plans to stay at Manchester City even if their two-year Champions League ban is upheld. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United and Liverpool have “made contact” with Napoli over Kalidou Koulibaly, though Manchester City could yet swoop in. (Daily Star)

Pep Guardiola is ready to battle Jose Mourinho over the signature of Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. (Daily Record)