Transfer Gossip: Boehly sanctions unthinkable Chelsea sale with Liverpool set to pounce; Leeds want ‘legendary’ boss called ‘incredible’ by Guardiola
Liverpool are ready to launch a bid to sign a hugely-popular Chelsea star, Leeds are to turn to a legendary boss after another rejection, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Tottenham are to sign a free agent keeper after injury to Hugo Lloris.
CHELSEA READY TO SELL MASON MOUNT – AND LIVERPOOL ARE KEEN
Tod Boehly is willing to sanction what many at Chelsea feel is the ‘unthinkable’ sale of Mason Mount this summer.
The homegrown Chelsea star has been locked in talks over a new deal for some time – but is still nowhere near reaching an agreement. And with just a year left on his deal come the summer, the Blues are ready to show Mount the door if an agreement cannot be reached.
Blues co-owner Todd Boehly has launched a mammoth £500m transfer spree since taking charge at the club. That has seen 17 new faces brought into the club, leaving Graham Potter with a tough task of finding his best team.
And with a swelled squad now on their books, Boehly is looking to reduce the numbers – and claw back some of their expenditure.
According to the Evening Standard, Mount’s future at Chelsea is now in serious doubt. Boehly has been leading the negotiations himself and is reportedly getting increasingly frustrated at their inability to reach common ground.
And with Boehly ‘inclined’ to cash in, speculation is already ‘Mount-ing’ (pardon the pun) on where he will end up next.
Liverpool to make Mason Mount move
As a result, Liverpool are reportedly ready to ‘test Chelsea’s resolve’ to hang on to the player. Mount, an attacking midfielder, looks a perfect replacement for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will leave this summer as a free agent.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wants to rebuild his side and especially his midfield this summer. And the chance to land Mount for what could be a discounted fee could be too good an opportunity to miss.
Mount currently earns around £70,000 a week but wants to earn parity with some of the club’s top earners.
And with Chelsea still nowhere near matching that, a parting of ways appears extremely likely this summer.
Meanwhile, Thiago Silva – also linked with Liverpool – is close to agreeing a new one-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
LEEDS TARGET MOVE FOR GALLARDO AFTER IRAOLA SNUB
Leeds United’s search for a new manager is becoming increasingly frantic after being snubbed by yet another target.
The Whites parted company with Jesse Marsch on Monday after just under a year in charge. He had overseen just four Premier League wins all season and none in seven games when the axe fell.
But landing a replacement has proved far from easy for Leeds.
The first candidate linked with the post, Carlos Corberan, has since signed a new deal with West Brom.
And while he may not have been their No 1 choice, reports in Spain claim their top target, Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola, has rejected Leeds.
Indeed, as per Onda Cero journalist Raul Granado, Iraola has said ‘no’ to the managerless Premier League side. With his side currently fifth in LaLiga, he wants to see the season through and complete his contract that finishes in June.
And while a future move to Leeds cannot be ruled out, he is ready to reject that opportunity mid-season.
As a result, The Times claims Leeds are ready to turn to Marcelo Gallardo.
The 47-year-old Argentine has been out of work since leaving River Plate last year. He led them to two Copa Libertadores titles and left the club as a legendary figure. He was recently linked with Southampton before they plumped for Nathan Jones.
But a move to Leeds might have more sway.
And Pep Guardiola reckons Gallardo should be regarded as one of the elite managers in the game.
Speaking in 2019, Guardiola said: “What Gallardo has done with River is incredible.
“Every year three coaches are named as the best in the world, and he’s never among them. I can’t understand it. It’s as if there’s nothing else in the world apart from Europe.”
TOTTENHAM LOOK TO BRING IN KEEPER COVER AFTER LLORIS INJURY
Tottenham are considering a move for a new goalkeeper after losing Hugo Lloris to injury.
The French goalkeeper is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after injuring his knee against Manchester City on Sunday. That leaves Spurs with Fraser Forster – a summer signing from Southampton – coming in from the cold.
Forster will start for Tottenham in this weekend’s game against Leicester – and will also now take on AC Milan next week in the Champions League.
And he can now expect a lengthy and somewhat unexpected run in goal.
Beyond that, though, Spurs have little experience. They do have both Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman on their books. But despite the pair being 24, neither have much first-team experience.
As a result, the Daily Mirror claims Tottenham are readying an approach to Ben Foster.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement in June after a 22-year career could be the man they turn to.
Available as a free agent, he could come out of retirement to become back-up Tottenham keeper for the remainder of the season.
Any move, though, would need special dispensation from both the Premier League and UEFA.
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