Transfer gossip: Chelsea rival Man Utd for £70m striker as Prem club moves for Martial
Chelsea are willing to pay £70million for Dusan Vlahovic, with one report suggesting Todd Boehly has already made his move. Man Utd are keen on the Juve star and another Serie A striker…
BLUES, RED DEVILS EYE JUVE HIT-MAN
Chelsea struggled to compete with Manchester City reserves yesterday, mainly because Frank Lampard’s players have been phoning it in for weeks, but partly because they haven’t got a fit-for-purpose centre-forward to finish the chances they are creating.
Todd Boehly is certain to splurge on a striker this summer, with one report suggesting he has already made an offer to Juventus for £70million for Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbia striker is set to leave Juve this summer, 18 months after joining from Fiorentina. The Old Lady paid around £66million and, according to ESPN, Chelsea have offered them a slight profit on the 23-year-old who has scored 14 goals this season.
Fabrizio Romano suggests that report is slightly premature and Chelsea haven’t yet submitted an offer but they are keen on Vlahovic. So too are Manchester United and, according to Football Transfers, they are preparing an offer.
Read more: Top scorers in 2023: Haaland v Mbappe set up to be the battle of the year
UNITED TARGET £40M DENMARK STRIKER
United’s need for a centre-forward is almost greater than Chelsea’s and they can offer Champions League football, unless something goes catastrophically wrong in their final two home games against mid-table opposition.
The Red Devils would love Harry Kane to join them but they remain wary of dealing with Daniel Levy. Vlahovic is a potential alternative, as is Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in Serie A and 15 in all competitions since moving from Sturm Graz for around £15million last summer. The Times says United are among a number of clubs keen on the Denmark international who could be available for £40million.
While seeking strikers, United will look to offload Anthony Martial. Football Transfers reckons Aston Villa are interested in taking the Frenchman on loan, which is probably the best offer he’s going to get.
ARSENAL KEEN TO TEMPT CITY SKIPPER
Ilkay Gundogan lifted the Premier League trophy as part one of Manchester City’s Treble pursuit on Sunday. Amid a mad three weeks, the City skipper will also be considering where his future lies after the Champions league final on June 10.
Barcelona want the Germany international and there is an offer on the table at the Nou Camp for Gundogan. Fabrizio Romano says City will also look to renew the 32-year-old’s contract, but Arsenal are also hoping to tempt him to north London.
David Ornstein, writing for The Athletic, says the Gunners’ interest is being driven by Mikel Arteta, who wants Gundogan to follow the path travelled by Gabriel Jesus and Kieran Tierney last summer. Arsenal are also keen on Joao Cancelo but even if City want rid of the Portugal international, with his contract running to 2027, the champions may be reluctant to sell to this season’s closest title challengers.