Chelsea ‘ready to part’ with Kante as they plan £50m transfer

Chelsea are prepared to let N’Golo Kante leave for Real Madrid in the next transfer window, while they are planning a bid for Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell, according to reports.

The France international hasn’t been at the top of his powers this season with injuries on three separate occasions leading to time out this campaign.

Kante is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in world football and he’s been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the past.

And now 90min claim that Chelsea are ‘ready to part’ with the 29-year-old and that Real Madrid have a ‘close eye on Kante’.

PSG ‘would make a serious bid of their own’ if they realise Kante could be available for transfer with Chelsea willing to let ‘him to leave at the end of the season if an acceptable bid is received’.

90min adds that Chelsea ‘remain more than happy with Kante’ but they ‘believe they have other good options in midfield moving forward’.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claims that with Emerson Palmeiri ‘likely to depart for either Juventus or Napoli’ this summer, Chelsea will make an offer for Leicester left-back Chilwell as they look to improve their squad.

Frank Lampard wants Chilwell to fill a ‘problem position’ with both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso playing there over Emerson this season.

Emerson could leave for £25m, while any deal for Chilwell could set Chelsea back ‘around £50m’ with the Foxes keen to get a good price.

Manchester United receive incredible Juventus offer for Paul Pogba

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is a frustrating player. The Frenchman oozes quality. On his day, he glides around the pitch eloquently and beats his opponents with ease. His exquisite vision and distribution enables him to unlock any defence in the world. He is a game-changer, the man for the big occasions.

Yet throughout his United career, the Red Devils faithful have rarely witnessed Pogba’s unique ability.

More often or not, the Frenchman has been below par. And whilst last season, Pogba enjoyed a stellar campaign it was tainted by his antics off the pitch.

Paul Pogba social media presence has often been criticised. His choice to be represented by infamous super-agent, Mino Raiola has raised concerns.

The cajoling agent’s words, have clearly had a profound impact on the choices Pogba has made in his career so far as well as his desire to now depart Old Trafford.

Having been sidelined for the vast majority of the season, much of the talk about Pogba has been about his future at United.

With Real Madrid relentlessly pursuing the midfielder in the summer and United staying firm and resolute, Pogba was forced to stay at Old Trafford.

In January, Pogba’s recurring injury thwarted his chances of departing the club.

However in the summer that could all change. With Paul Pogba expected to be fit and ready for action, some of Europe’s elite clubs could be lining up moves for the World Cup winner.

One of his suitors could be Juventus, Pogba’s former club.

And it seems the Turin based club are desperate to bring back their former protege in the summer.

So desperate in fact that according to Italian outlet Tuttosport via Manchester Evening News, Juventus could offer one of their star players, Paulo Dybala or Miralem Pjanic as well as a fee in the region of £55 million in order to land the United midfielder.

That could be an incredibly lucrative offer and one hard to resist for the Red Devils

Chelsea submit transfer offer for Lautaro Martinez that outguns Barcelona proposal

Chelsea have tabled a transfer offer for Lautaro Martinez that is reportedly more attractive than Barcelona’s attempt to sign the Inter Milan striker. Both clubs are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements and are prepared to battle it out for the Argentine frontman.

But Chelsea appear to have taken the initiative in the transfer tug-of-war, according to reports from Spain.

Sport claim the Blues have submitted a ‘very high financial offer’ for the 22-year-old in an attempt to hijack Barcelona’s pursuit.

The La Liga giants had been considered leading contenders to sign Martinez as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, who is 34 next year.

But the latest report suggests Barca have experienced ‘nervousness’ surrounding the deal as Chelsea step up their interest.

The Blues and Manchester City are supposedly considering triggering Martinez’s £102million release clause and offer the striker a £169,000-a-week contract.

This release clause is only valid in the first 15 days of July, so Chelsea will need to move fast if they want to secure the signing with a minimum of fuss.

Their contract proposal is said to be much better than what Barcelona are prepared to offer, but it will be up to Martinez to decide where he wishes to play his football next season.

Sport claim that Barcelona believe the striker will either opt for a move to the Nou Camp or remain in Italy with Inter, ruling out the possibility of a Premier League switch.

This is because they do not believe his decision will be motivated by money, and will instead be based purely on footballing reasons.

Interestingly, the report suggests Martinez does not see Champions League football as a priority but then claims Man City have the handicap of not being able to compete at the top table of European competition if their UEFA ban is upheld.

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League and on course for Champions League qualification if and when the season resumes following the current postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Blues are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window with Frank Lampard set to sign reinforcements in several departments.

Moussa Dembele and Victor Omishen have been touted as other potential attacking additions while Chelsea are battling Manchester United for the services of Jadon Sancho.

The Stamford Bridge club are also reportedly in talks with Philippe Coutinho while Alex Telles has emerged as the Blues’ preferred left-back target following Leicester’s £85m valuation of Ben Chilwell.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are one of four clubs to have bids accepted by Lille for 22-year-old centre-back Gabriel Margalhaes.

There is also confusion surrounding Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future at the club with the Spaniard having fallen out of favour under Lampard this season.

A host of high-profile goalkeepers have been linked as potential replacements, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Manuel Neueur, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson, Andre Onana and Juan Musso.