Transfer gossip: Man Utd explore move for Chelsea star; Arsenal in ‘pole position’ for midfielder

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Man Utd target Mateo Kovacic celebrates scoring a goal with Kai Havertz

Man Utd are looking into the possibility of signing a Chelsea star this summer, while Arsenal are in ‘pole position’ to land a Premier League midfielder…

 

MAN UTD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHELSEA POLICY?
Premier League side Man Utd are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Croatia international joined the Blues in 2019 from Real Madrid and has gone on to make 211 appearances for the West London club, winning the Champions League and Europa League in the process.

Kovacic will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season and talks over a new deal have not yet progressed to the advanced stages.

And now 90min claims that Man Utd are ‘exploring the potential signing’ with Man City and Liverpool also interested in the Croatian.

Chelsea have made 17 signings over the past year with owner Todd Boehly spending around £600m in the last two transfer windows and now the Blues ‘are looking to address the balance of their squad this summer by offloading a number of players’.

Chelsea have introduced ‘new practices’ recently with the Blues ‘looking to ensure no player leaves on a free transfer in future seasons’ after losing Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger for nothing last summer.

And 90min add that players inside the final two years of their contract will be ‘sold if new contract agreements are not reached’, which means Kovacic could now be on his way.

Chelsea still see the ‘ideal scenario’ as Kovacic renewing his contract ‘but the prospect remains that if no agreement is reached that rival clubs may be able to pick up Kovacic for a fair market price’.

Man Utd are ‘in the market to sign a ball-playing number eight’ with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong still believed to be of interest to them. But the Red Devils ‘are exploring other options’ with Kovacic ‘understood to fit the profile and is of active interest to United’.

England vs Italy

ARSENAL LEADING THE WAY
Arsenal are leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer amid interest from fellow Premier League side Chelsea, according to reports.

It looks extremely likely that the England international will leave the London Stadium in the summer market after expressing his desire to play Champions League football as soon as possible.

West Ham have taken a step backwards this season with David Moyes struggling to steer them away from relegation after guiding them to European qualification last term.

And now Football Insider claims Arsenal are ‘still in pole position’ to sign Rice in the summer transfer window but that Chelsea are ‘still interested in pursuing a deal’.

Rice, who was named man of the match as England beat Italy 2-1 in Naples earlier this week, wants ‘to remain in London as he prepares to quit West Ham in the summer’.

With Arsenal currently on course to win the Premier League title and qualify for the Champions League next season, the Gunners look a safer bet than tenth-placed Chelsea.

 

AND THE REST…
Tottenham have made  Julian Nagelsmann – sacked as Bayern Munich manager – the number one candidate to replace Antonio Conte as their new boss…Spurs are willing to part ways with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, the club’s captain, this summer…Barcelona are interested in signing Man City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and those involved in negotiations over his future believe a move to Spain is likely…Arsenal will sell their record signing Nicolas Pepe, currently on loan at Nice, this summer but may have to pay the Ivory Coast international to leave…Newcastle have held talks with the representatives of Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram as they prepare to rival Inter Milan for the 25-year-old’s signature.