Paper Talk: Chelsea to push for world-record deal in January

Chelsea are willing to back Maurizio Sarri with some serious cash in January, with a Milan star at the top of his wanted list, while a Man Utd and Tottenham target faces some key talks over his future, according to Tuesday’s newspapers.

 

CHELSEA MAKE CHECK ON MILAN DEFENDER

Chelsea sent scouts to watch AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli ahead of a possible January move, according to reports.

The Daily Mirror claims that the Blues are ready to back Maurizio Sarri with some serious transfer cash in January to follow up on what has been an impressive start to his reign.

Saturday’s last-gasp equaliser earned a 2-2 draw against Manchester United and ensured the Blues stayed unbeaten and in among the title-chasing pack.

Sarri is said to have instructed Chelsea’s hierarchy that he wants to sign a new striker and a new centre-half in January – with either Mauro Icardi or Krzysztof Piatek fitting the bill in attack.

And the Italian seems content to turn again to Serie A in his hunt for a new centre-half, with Milan’s Romagnoli – who is also wanted by Manchester United – at the very top of his wanted list.

Any deal for Romagnoli will not come cheap, however. The 23-year-old was appointed Milan captain in the summer following Leonardo Bonucci’s return to Juventus and he is contracted to the club until 2022.

Furthermore, Milan did not insert a release clause in his current contract, meaning Chelsea would have to offer a ridiculous fee – and one to match the £75m Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk last January – to convince Milan to sell.

However, Chelsea are ready to at least put the question to Milan and show Sarri they are willing to match his ambitions for the side.

 

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AND THE REST

Ryan Sessegnon TEAMtalk

Fulham are set to open contract talks with prized asset Ryan Sessegnon, who has been linked with Man Utd and Tottenham (Daily Mail)

Chelsea are prepared to back Maurizio Sarri’s impressive start to the season by raiding the transfer market to sign a new centre-forward in January, with Mauro Icardi and Krzysztof Piatek targets (Daily Mail)

Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is a shock name on England manager Gareth Southgate’s watch-list (Daily Mail)

An England fan who gained access to the behind-closed-doors match in Croatia earlier this month has been suspended by the FA’s official England Supporters Travel Club (Daily Mail)

Antonio Conte is top of Real Madrid’s wanted list – but that could end their chances of signing Eden Hazard (Daily Mirror)

Gareth Southgate has asked for regular updates on Arsenal whizz-kid Reiss Nelson (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have changed their team hotel on the eve of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Juventus (The Sun)

Chelsea have finally lost patience with Alvaro Morata and will try to sign a new striker in the January transfer window (The Sun)

Mike Ashley, the Newcastle United owner, took around £10m out of the club over the summer, depriving manager Rafa Benitez of much-needed transfer funds (Daily Telegraph)

A controversial plan for a new global club competition backed by Saudi money is set to be revived by FIFA this week (The Times)