Football News

Paper Talk: Chelsea ‘seriously considering’ surprise £50m Real Madrid raid; Man Utd leapfrog Arsenal in midfielder chase

A shock Chelsea return could be on for a struggling Real Madrid star, while Thursday’s transfer gossip claims that Man Utd have jumped ahead of Arsenal in the race to land a Wolves midfielder.

SHOCK CHELSEA RETURN ON CARDS FOR PLAYMAKER

Chelsea are reportedly contemplating the idea of a shock return for Eden Hazard to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid this summer.

The Belgian playmaker has endured a difficult two seasons in Spain since joining Real from the Blues in an initial £88million deal. Indeed, the 30-year-old played just 21 times for the Spanish giants last season in another injury-hit campaign.

Hazard has scored just five goals for Real in two seasons. He managed to hit double-digit goal tallies in six of the seven seasons he spent in west London.

And according to Spanish news outlet AS, as cited by the Daily Mail, intermediaries are trying to sound out a potential Chelsea return for Hazard – with Real Madrid happy to sell the winger for around £51m this summer.

The report adds that while Los Blancos would be keen to cut ties with the player, they accept that it will be difficult to convince the Blues the stump up that sort of money.

That is especially given that Thomas Tuchel’s men are also chasing £170m-rated Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

Hazard has not only frustrated the Real supporters with his inconsistent performances and fitness record. He is also angered his own fans for laughing when his side were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Chelsea earlier this year.

The forward – who returned to the  Bridge for the first time since his huge transfer to Spain in 2019 – was seen smiling and laughing with Kurt Zouma and Edouard Mendy at full-time.

Hazard took to Instagram straight away to issue an apology, saying it wasn’t his ‘intention to offend Real Madrid fans’ and that it is a ‘dream’ to play for the club.

MAN UTD IN POLE POSITION FOR WOLVES ACE

Manchester United have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Wolves star Ruben Neves. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea have held initial talks with Robert Lewandowski’s agent over a summer move from Bayern Munich. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle have opened talks with Southampton over a £4m deal for midfielder Mario Lemina. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona’s cash crisis continues to take hold. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto have all rejected requests to take pay cuts. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United are nearing agreement on terms with Raphael Varane. The Real Madrid defender will double his current wage. (Daily Star)

Chelsea have made an enquiry about Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi after failing to get anywhere in their efforts to bring in Italy team-mate Federico Chiesa. (Daily Star)

Lukas Nmecha, who recently joined Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, says one of the main reasons for his decision to leave Manchester City was because they will be “getting another top striker”. (Daily Star)

PREM TRIO CHASING ARSENAL STAR

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is wanted by Leicester, Southampton and Burnley as Mikel Arteta shakes up his Arsenal squad. (The Sun)

Chelsea are willing to let English striker Tammy Abraham join Premier League rivals Arsenal on loan. Tottenham and West Ham are also keen on the 23-year-old. (The Sun)

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson vowed to reclaim his place in the England squad insisting he has “unfinished business”. (The Sun)

Arsenal pulled out of their pre-season trip to America because they feared being forced to quarantine in Orlando. (The Sun)

Manchester United are lining up German star Leon Goretzka amid mounting fears they will be forced to sell Paul Pogba. (The Sun)

Liverpool are targeting a transfer for West Ham ace Jarrod Bowen, according to reports. (The Sun)

Everton have joined the list of clubs interested in Jesse Lingard’s situation at Manchester United. (The Sun)

MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP

Crystal Palace are negotiating with Schalke over a deal for Turkey defender Ozan Kabak, 21. He could cost £10m-£12m. (The Guardian)

Chelsea are reportedly still in secret talks behind the scenes over the signing of former player Romelu Lukaku. (Daily Express)

Barcelona are preparing to make an offer for Lille and Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches. However, Arsenal are at the top of the list of clubs trying to sign him. (Daily Express)

Liverpool have made signing a new midfielder a priority after Jurgen Klopp’s change of heart about his transfer plans this summer. (Daily Express)

Manchester United star Donny van de Beek will reject offers from other clubs this summer as he’s determined to stay at the Red Devils. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United have told Arsenal they will need to raise their offer for England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to £32m after two previous bids were rejected by the Championship club. (The Times)

Sheffield United full-back George Baldock remains a priority target for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, who has also asked Derby about the availability of Nathan Byrne. (Daily Record)

Rangers transfer target Joey Veerman has hit out at his club Heerenveen over their £8m asking price for him. (Scottish Sun)

Former AEK boss Manolo Jimenez has urged Ange Postecoglou to stick by blunder keeper Vasilis Barkas. (Scottish Sun)

 

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