Transfer Gossip: Pochettino goes to war with Man Utd by putting supreme striker on three-man Chelsea shortlist; Leeds blow as attacker reveals ideal next move

Theo Hernandez, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot

Chelsea and Manchester United will do battle over the signing of an incredible France striker who has bagged 22 goals this season, Leeds could lose one of their best players after he spoke about his desire to play for a Champions League club, while Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea could lose a midfield target to Bayern Munich.

POCHETTINO, TEN HAG BOTH WANT SAME STRIKER

Eintrahct Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani looks set to be the subject of a bidding war this summer as both Chelsea and Man Utd are ready to move for him after an exceptional season, according to reports.

Kolo Muani has emerged into one of Frankfurt’s most important players, despite it being his first season in Germany. He has managed 22 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, with 14 of those strikes coming in the Bundesliga. Only Werder Bremen ace Niclas Fullkrug has scored more in the German top flight this campaign.

Kolo Muani’s Frankfurt contract runs until June 2027, but is very unlikely he will be there that long. The attacker has proven he can cut it at the top level and may therefore join an elite club later this year.

Man Utd have been heavily linked with Kolo Muani. Should Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane prove to be too expensive, then manager Erik ten Hag will prioritise a move for Kolo Muani.

While Osimhen and Kane will both cost over £100m, the France star is valued at €100million (£88m) by Frankfurt. This is clearly still a lot of money, but a deal at this price would save Ten Hag some money to improve other parts of his squad as well.

There have been rumours Man Utd have already begun talks with Frankfurt over Kolo Muani by launching a ‘concrete bid’. However, the Red Devils will now face competition from Chelsea for him.

Transfer reporter Rudy Galetti (via Sport Witness) has revealed Mauricio Pochettino has drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential striker signings for Chelsea. The Argentine will soon be announced as Chelsea’s new head coach after the two parties reached a full agreement.

Pochettino is not content with Man Utd taking Kolo Muani to Old Trafford and is eager for Chelsea to get him first. It seems both Premier League giants could send offers to Frankfurt this summer, with the German club set to make a huge profit after capturing the player on a free transfer last summer.

Man Utd may have advantage thanks to UCL football

Kolo Muani would want to challenge himself at a higher level if given the opportunity. Of course, at Chelsea there will be concern that he might prefer a move to Man Utd due to Ten Hag being able to offer him Champions League football.

However, Pochettino will speak with the player himself and explain how he is going to become the focal point of the Chelsea attack. Pochettino will also reveal to Kolo Muani his plan for getting the Blues back into the Champions League, where they belong.

Interestingly, Kolo Muani is not the only centre-forward Chelsea and Man Utd may converge on. Galetti reinforces the fact they are both interested in Osimhen as well.

On Monday, reports coming out of Italy revealed Man Utd were leading the race for Osimhen, although Chelsea have sent scouts to watch him recently.

And the third player on Pochettino’s striker shortlist is Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus. He only joined the Italian giants in January last year, but there has been talk Juve may sell him after an underwhelming 18 months in Turin.

Vlahovic’s signing would come with more risk than that of Kolo Muani or Osimhen though as it would take more work from Pochettino to get him back in form. Currently, Kolo Muani and Osimhen are two of the most lethal forwards in Europe.

LEEDS MAY LOSE STAR PLAYER TO INTER MILAN

Leeds may have to fend off Inter Milan in the near future after Willy Gnonto admitted he supports the Nerazzurri, setting up a potential move back to Italy.

Gnonto is a product of the Inter academy. However, he did not actually play for their senior side before moving to FC Zurich in search of regular game time in July 2020.

Following two impressive years of development in Switzerland, the winger took the next big step in his career by moving to Elland Road.

He has become something of a fan favourite at Leeds thanks to his exciting performances and huge ability.

However, Gnonto has been tipped to move back to his native Italy by joining Juve if Leeds drop down to the Championship.

And the impressive 19-year-old has done little to quash rumours of a transfer back to Serie A. During an interview with Chronache Di Spogliatoio, Gnonto has reiterated his love for Inter.

Rather than joining Juve, it seems the player could sign for Inter if Leeds’ relegation is confirmed.

“Like any kid, I have a favourite team. As a child it was stronger than now, now I follow Inter and the Italians with pleasure,” Gnonto said. “But yes, I think that in the end it was and is a dream that I keep inside and I don’t know if I will be able to make it come true. Having reached these levels is already incredible.

“By committing myself I can do something more and maybe one day play for Inter or at that level. San Siro was beautiful. A few years earlier I was there in the grandstand and then I played there.”

When asked about his departure from Inter, Gnonto added: “I grew up in Italy, I had been at Inter since I was 8, it had never crossed my mind. At some point I had to think about what was right for me. Going to Switzerland was not the most obvious choice, but the right one at that moment.

“I was lucky that my parents accompanied me, I didn’t go to another country by myself. The choice was difficult because it wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I’m happy with it.”

If Leeds manage to stay in the top flight, then they should be able to keep Gnonto for an extra season or two. However, it seems inevitable he will go back to Italy one day.

BAYERN, DORTMUND IN FOR CHELSEA-LINKED MIDFIELDER

Chelsea could miss out on midfield target Edson Alvarez after it emerged Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are vying for his services.

Both Chelsea and Man Utd were interested in signing the Ajax midfielder last summer. Chelsea submitted a bid worth £43m for him, but this was rejected by Ajax.

Having already lost important players such as Antony and Lisandro Martinez, Ajax did not want to decimate their squad completely by allowing another integral star to leave.

In October, Alvarez revealed how he has ‘very disappointed’ about his Premier League transfer falling through.

However, the Mexican set up a future move by adding that he is ‘convinced that one day a big club will come’.

Chelsea remain interested in Alvarez and may come forward with another proposal this summer, should Pochettino give it the green light.

But Chelsea may be beaten to the capture by one of Germany’s biggest clubs. As per journalist Mike Verweij, Bayern and Dortmund are ready to battle it out over Alvarez.

Bayern and Dortmund have yet to open discussions with Ajax, although it is claimed this will happen ‘in the short term’.

Ajax have told the midfield enforcer he will be allowed to leave this time around, but only if their asking price is met. This has reportedly been set at €40m (£35m).

The value of Alvarez’s transfer could go up if both Bayern and Dortmund get into a bidding war for him.

However, Verweij notes that there is also the possibility of Ajax not actually getting as much as the £43m Chelsea previously offered.

Chelsea could still storm in with a massive offer and disrupt the bidding process completely. Ultimately, it is down to Pochettino.

If he prefers an alternative midfield signing, such as Moises Caicedo, then Blues chairman Todd Boehly will likely put up enough money to snare the Brighton man instead.