Chelsea have made a £29 million bid for Leicester’s France international midfielder, N’Golo Kanté, and want to push the deal forward this weekend. Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, has made his move for the player, with a formal offer being considered by the Premier League champions. Leicester’s hierarchy were discussing Chelsea’s bid in Austria on Wednesday night yet remain hopeful of persuading the 25-year-old to stay for at least another season. Kanté has already turned down one contract proposal since the end of last season but Leicester are prepared to make another improved offer in a bid to keep him at the King Power Stadium. The new offer will make him the club’s best-paid player and is expected to be worth over £100,000 a week. Chelsea, … [Read more...]
Skrtel passes medical ahead of Fenerbahce move
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has passed a medical ahead of his move to Turkish side Fenerbahce. It was reported last week that a fee of around £5 million had been agreed and that Skrtel was given permission to enter discussions with Fenerbahce. The centre-back arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to finalise his move with last season’s Super Lig runners-up. Skrtel, who signed a new contract with the Reds in July 2015, fell out of favour under manager Jurgen Klopp and found his game time limited. The arrival of Joel Matip from Schalke and the near return of promising youngster Joe Gomez meant that competition for a place in the heart of the defence at Anfield had increased. The Slovakian defender joined Liverpool in January 2008 and made 320 appearances … [Read more...]
Arsenal look to sign Napoli striker but won’t meet release clause
Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Gonzalo Higuain but will not remotely consider meeting the Napoli striker’s £78.8million release clause. The Italian club have indicated to the Gunners that Higuain is available this summer as manager Arsene Wenger scours Europe to find a top class centre-forward to spearhead Arsenal’s Premier League title push next season. Higuain has a release clause of 94.4m euros, which due to the slump in the value of the pound since Britain’s referendum vote to leave the European Union, now equates to approximately £10m more than earlier in the year. Sources in Italy claim Arsenal have expressed an interest in pursuing a deal for the 28-year-old and that due to Napoli’s desire to sell, they could drop the asking … [Read more...]
Conte set to be unveiled as new Chelsea boss
Antonio conte will be unveiled as Chelsea coach on thursday, with fans hoping he can deliver the goods at Stamford Bridge. Conte was appointed Chelsea boss on April 4 and takes up his role after leading Italy at Euro 2016, where they suffered a penalty shootout loss to Germany in the quarter-finals. The Godfather – his nickname among the Italy players, according to Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci – is the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who is now boss of Manchester United. As well as having a new man at the helm, Chelsea are expected to be more active than usual in the transfer market this summer. Michy Batshuayi is Conte’s sole signing to date, but Leicester’s N’Golo Kante, Bonucci , Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan and numerous others … [Read more...]
Arsenal and Chelsea look set to bring Roma defender to England
With contract talks seemingly set to break down and defensive reinforcements on their way, Roma could be set to offload centre-back Kostas Manolas. The impending arrival of Juan Jesus could signal the end of Kostas Manolas’ time at Roma , with the defender being monitored by Arsenal and Chelsea. With a deal agreed with Inter for an initial loan, followed by a mandatory purchase, of their Brazilian centre-back, it has fuelled further rumours that Manolas will depart the Giallorossi. Although he is contracted until 2019, considerable interest from the Premier League could force Roma’s hand and lead to a sale this summer, according to GazzaMercato. With the Giallorossi also looking to bring in Real Madrid’s Nacho and free agent Martin Caceres, who most … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Arsenal battle for Kante as Chinese club shows interest
Chelsea's attempts to sign N'Golo Kante are complicated by interest from China and the efforts of several Leicester players to convince him to stay. Kante’s £20m release-clause is not prohibitive to Manchester United, Arsenal or Juventus, who are among those monitoring the situation, but Chelsea have shown the greatest willingness to act. Progress is expected this week now France have completed their Euro 2016 campaign but Chinese club Shanghai SIPG have raised the stakes by indicating they are prepared to pay £35m. Kante is thought to be undecided on his future, with his team-mates pleading with him to stay for one more year. Although the 25-year-old is keen to join Chelsea, they cannot offer him Champions League football and Leicester hope the lure of … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough in talks to sign former Man City striker
Middlesbrough are trying to finalise a deal to bring back Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo to the Premier League on loan. The newly-promoted Teessiders are understood to have opened talks over the 30-year-old former Manchester City frontman as head coach Aitor Karanka looks to boost the firepower at his disposal in the Premier League. However, the negotiations are proving painstaking with Boro seeking an initial loan agreement without taking on full responsibility for the player’s existing financial package. Discussions are understood to have been ongoing for some time and, while progress has been made, any deal remains distant. Madrid-born Negredo scored 23 goals in his one season at City before returning to Spain to join Valencia, initially on loan … [Read more...]