Tottenham are ready to launch a surprise move for a Chelsea midfielder, Arsenal believe they are nearing a club-record signing this summer, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Newcastle are to raid Barcelona for a defender.
SPURS TARGET MOVE FOR LIVERPOOL TARGET MASON MOUNT
Tottenham are ready to join the hunt for Mason Mount this summer, despite Chelsea putting a huge asking price on his head.
The England midfielder is in the final 15 months of his deal at Stamford Bridge and talk is mounting he could depart.
Indeed, the player is reportedly one of 10 players earmarked by Todd Boehly to leave this summer. The Blues supremo is looking to claw back a portion of his £500m-plus transfer outlay at the club.
Of those who are pencilled in to leave, Mount is certainly garnering plenty of interest.
To that end, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among the clubs reportedly keen on his signature.
Now, according to The Athletic, Tottenham are ready to enter the race for his services.
They claim that Spurs have been monitoring his situation closely for the past 12 months. As a result, they look one of the more likely clubs to make a move.
And they believe the chance to stay in the capital could turn the tide in their favour.
Two issues present themselves, though, to Tottenham.
Firstly, the club are without a manager and it remains to be seen whether their next appointment will fancy a move for Mount.
And despite his deal entering its final 12 months this summer, Chelsea are still hoping to get £70m for the midfielder.
Mount decision to be made by Chelsea
Indeed, despite the widespread interest in Mount, the club will surely struggle to achieve that amount given his contract situation.
And it means Chelsea will either have to raise their initial contract offer to the player, or decide to sell for much less.
The midfielder, described in the past as ‘exceptional’ by England boss Gareth Southgate, is seeking a deal in the region of £250,000 a week.
Chelsea’s initial offer to the player is thought to be some distance below that amount. However, a final round of talks are scheduled in for early next month in an effort to reach common ground.
But failure to see an agreement reached will see Mount sold.
And it seems Spurs will be left to battle it out with Liverpool for his signature. That’s after a report claimed Bayern Munich were ready to walk away from a potential deal with Thomas Tuchel not keen.
ARSENAL CONFIDENT THEY CAN SEAL SIGNING OF DECLAN RICE
Arsenal have what is described as a ‘growing confidence’ they will win the race to sign Declan Rice this summer.
The England midfielder is ready to leave West Ham after expressing his wish to play at a higher level. And while the Hammers are ready to make him the highest-earner in their history on £250,000 a week, Rice’s mind appears to be made up.
Competition for his services is likely to be high. Indeed, Chelsea, Man Utd and Manchester City likely to be among those keen.
But it is seemingly Arsenal who are now leading the way.
And while the Hammers will demand a fee of around £100m for the 24-year-old, the Evening Standard claims Arsenal believe they can seal the deal.
Reports claim Rice is keen to stay in London and also wants to play in the Champions League. And that is where Arsenal have the edge.
Rice is viewed as the ideal addition to the Arsenal midfield this summer. And while there is an acceptance that his fee will cost them a new club-record, senior figures at the club are ready to put everything in to sealing his signing.
West Ham will undoubtedly make negotiations tough, but there is a belief that a price of £100m can be settled on.
NEWCASTLE VYING TO SIGN BARCELONA DEFENDER
Newcastle are reportedly trying to bring former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen back to the Premier League.
The Denmark defender left Stamford Bridge for Catalonia on a free transfer last summer. And the central defender has performed well, making 25 appearances so far for Xavi’s side.
However, with financial pressure still on at Barcelona, they are ready to offload around €200m worth of talent to balance the books.
And with a deal agreed to bring in defender Inigo Martinez on a free, Christensen has been earmarked to leave.
Indeed, of their current defensive options, he is the one they would rather sell. And Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia are all considered ahead of him in the pecking order.
As such, Sport claims they are willing to listen to offers for Christensen, with Newcastle keen to pounce.
Indeed, they reportedly value the 26-year-old at around £35m – a fee Newcastle could be willing to pay.
However, the report claims Christensen has already made his feelings clear about his future. And he has told Barca chiefs that he is happy where he is right now.
As such, Newcastle could find themselves in a scenario similar to what Manchester United did with Frenkie de Jong.
But with Barcelona eager to sell, Christensen may yet find himself forced out against his will.
