Paper Talk: Chelsea to use Kepa as makeweight in stunning keeper swap

Chelsea are plotting a stunning swap deal in their bid to land a new goalkeeper, while Man City are keen on a shock move for a Tottenham star, according to Tuesday’s transfer gossip.

CHELSEA PLOTTING KEPA/OBLAK SWAP DEAL

Chelsea are reportedly set to use Kepa Arrizabalaga in a player-plus-cash transfer to land Jan Oblak.

The Atletico Madrid stopper is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he would command a record-breaking fee for the position.

Frank Lampard is currently undertaking a squad overhaul at Stamford Bridge, with Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner already arriving and Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz also on his radar.

But the west London outfit are also on the hunt for a new goalkeeper, with Lampard still unconvinced by the inconsistent Kepa.

The Spanish stopper, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £71million, has struggled for form since arriving in the UK.

A public fall-out with former manager Maurizio Sarri was followed by an embarrassing axing this season in favour of veteran Willy Caballero.

Lampard has subsequently recalled Kepa to the starting XI but is now ready to cut ties with the 25-year-old, according to the Daily Mirror.

The report states that Chelsea could use Kepa as a makeweight in a deal designed to secure the signing of Oblak from Atletico.

£120M BUY-OUT CLAUSE A MAJOR HURDLE

The Slovenian has a £120m buy-out clause, having put pen-to-paper on a new deal last year – which is now set to run until 2023.

In order to avoid setting out a new transfer landmark, Chelsea would look to get around paying a world record fee for a goalkeeper by including Kepa in the transfer.

The Blues value the 27-year-old Oblak at less than £100m and are hoping that Kepa’s inclusion pushes the deal’s worth into a region agreeable to Atletico.

The La Liga outfit do not wish to sell but may be tempted to cash in on a big offer due to the financial implications of the global coronavirus pandemic

AND MORE GOSSIP

Manchester City will offer boss Pep Guardiola a lucrative new long-term deal after overturning their Champions League ban (Daily Mirror)

Bayern Munich are reportedly closely monitoring Tanguy Ndombele’s situation at Tottenham as they consider making a bid for the player this summer (Daily Mirror)

Jurgen Klopp has responded to Adebayo Akinfenwa’s request to “hit me up” by sending the striker a congratulatory video message following Wycombe’s promotion to the Championship (Daily Mirror)

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has thrown cold water over speculation of Neymar moving to the Nou Camp but confirmed transfer talks with Lautaro Martinez (The Sun)

Manchester City will throw money at strengthening their squad after their European ban was scrapped on Monday (Daily Mail)

Premier League clubs have told fans they expect the Government to allow them to attend matches next season as the EFL cancelled plans for a limited trial of supporters in stadiums next week (Daily Mail)

Jack Grealish will not face any retrospective action from the Football Association for diving, leaving him available for Aston Villa’s crucial relegation run-in (Daily Mail)

Manchester City will accelerate plans to rebuild their squad and Kalidou Koulibaly could form the centre-piece of their new plans (Daily Telegraph)

CITY TARGET SHOCK VERTONGHEN SWOOP

City are also targeting Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen in a surprise free transfer swoop (Daily Telegraph)

Jose Mourinho will speak with Serge Aurier and allow him to decide whether or not he can face Newcastle United on Wednesday night after the right-back’s brother was shot dead (Daily Telegraph)

Jack Grealish will not face any retrospective action from the Football Association for diving, leaving him available for Aston Villa’s crucial relegation run-in (Daily Mail)

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté is likely to return from a hamstring injury for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Sunday (The Times)

Swiss league leaders St Gallen could jump ahead of Rangers and offer Florian Kamberi a passport into the Champions League (Scottish Sun)

Celtic have kicked off talks to keep Ryan Christie until at least 2023 (Scottish Sun)

Everton could be set to launch a bid to sign Rangers kid Cole McKinnon (Scottish Sun)