Gossip: Chelsea consider teenage keeper; Everton’s Zaha package
DONNARUMMA DEAL POSSIBLE FOR CHELSEA
It was reported on Thursday that Chelsea, quite sensibly, would refuse to sell Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid until they had their replacement. Friday brings news of who the Blues are considering…
Petr Cech and Kasper Schmeichel are on the list of candidates and so too, apparently, is Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Evening Standard suggests the 19-year-old could be offered an escape route out of AC Milan, where despite becoming the youngest player to reach 100 games for the Rossoneri, the keeper has struggled for form and favour with the fans after initially bursting on the scene almost two years ago.
It is all very convenient. AC Milan are said to be keen on Blues striker Alvaro Morata, though the Evening Standard‘s story values the £58million striker as more expensive than the teenager widely acclaimed as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon’s throne in the Italy goal.
Donnarumma would be a risk. Firstly, it involves dealing with Mino Raiola, which has rarely gone well before for Chelsea. But the goalkeeper is still very raw. Schmeichel seems a safer option but the Blues would probably meet more resistance from Leicester than Milan, even if the Foxes have agreed a deal to sign Danny Ward from Liverpool.
WILF AND WELBZ WANTED AT EVERTON
If Everton aren’t panicking yet, they probably should be. With less than three weeks remaining of the window, they have yet to sign anyone and it can’t be forgotten how wretched they were last season.
They have been linked with plenty of talent but Marco Silva is yet to make a decisive move. They may or may not have been interested in Malcom depending on who you listen to, while one of Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Michy Batshuayi is also being eyed up.
Wilfried Zaha has also been mentioned as a target and that link has resurfaced, with The Mirror claiming Everton want to put a £60million part-exchange agreement together for the Crystal Palace winger, with £15million-rated Yannick Bolasie being chucked in to sweeten the deal. The Sun claims Zaha has told Palace he would like to leave but their guess is that the Ivory Coast star is rated closer to £70million.
The Sun also reports that Silva wants Danny Welbeck to come to Everton and scuff in a few goals. The Arsenal striker could be one of the biggest names to be culled by Unai Emery and the Toffes might be able to get their hands on the England striker for £15million.
AND THE REST
Man City will sell Raheem Sterling next year doesn’t agree terms on a new contract… Sterling fears his World Cup performances have weakened his bargaining position…Fabinho is trying to convince former Monaco team-mate Kylian Mbappe to join him at Liverpool…Arsene Wenger is the top target for Japan…Keylor Navas will stay and fight for the number one spot at Real Madrid even if Courtois arrives…Chelsea will pay around £44.2m for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani…Willian still wants to leave Stamford Bridge…Valencia want Timothy Fosu-Mensah on loan from Man Utd with a view to a permanent deal…Fulham have increased their offer for Espanyol midfielder David Lopez to £17.88m.
