€40m Chelsea transfer set to collapse with Pochettino’s imminent snub to ‘frustrate’ wantaway striker
According to reports, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is ‘not keen’ to sign Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic as part of a swap deal with Romelu Lukaku.
One of Pochettino’s priorities this summer was always going to be to sign a new forward or two after they scored just 38 Premier League goals last season.
They have already spent around £30m to sign Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and they are now being linked with Juventus forward Vlahovic.
The former Arsenal and Tottenham target made a positive impact at Juventus last season but they are reportedly willing to sell him this summer as a result of their financial difficulties.
Vlahovic is being heavily linked with Chelsea and it has been suggested that he could join the Premier League club as part of a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Lukaku.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Chelsea’s move for Vlahovic “will come down to Pochettino”.
“There will be a new round of talks between Chelsea and Juventus over a Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku swap deal soon,” Romano told Caught Offside.
“The next meeting has already been booked but will be done through intermediaries, who will talk to both sides of the deal. In addition to Lukaku, Juve want €40m in order to part ways with Vlahovic and this will be discussed in the near future.
“Chelsea are still discussing internally whether they want to make the deal happen and it will come down to Mauricio Pochettino, who is a key player in this game. The Chelsea manager’s answer will determine whether the deal goes further.”
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The Guardian meanwhile have suggested that ‘some figures at Chelsea admire Vlahovic, but Pochettino is believed to be less keen on the Serbia striker’.
It is also stated that ‘the deal is unlikely to go through without Pochettino’s approval and could lead to more frustration for Lukaku, who is desperate to leave’.
Chelsea are also being linked with PSG superstar Neymar and Romano has indicated that there is a “long way to go” before the Brazil forward’s future can be decided.
“Despite reports on Monday, Neymar hasn’t officially told PSG that he wants to leave the club this summer,” Romano added.
“There’s been a feeling since June that he could leave Paris, with both the club and the player’s side knowing that very well; but from Neymar’s side, this communication has not been confirmed.
“Barcelona are one club Neymar would like to join, should he leave PSG, and Barca already knows all the numbers needed to make this deal happen.
“The player would like this possibility but that is where we are at at this stage, nothing else, as concrete talks or negotiations have not started yet at this point. It’s still being considered by Barcelona but there is a “long way to go” before we know Neymar’s future.”
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