Paper Round: Paris Saint-Germain want £90m N'Golo Kante
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Updated 16/06/2018 at 07:01 GMT
PSG want N'Golo Kante, Manchester United to keep David de Gea, Maurizio Sarri could bring four Napoli players to Chelsea, and Newcastle bid for Andros Townsend.
France's national football team midfielder N'Golo Kante attends a press conference
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Chelsea face battle to keep Kante
Paris Saint-Germain want to bring N'Golo Kante to France as their latest Galactico. He would be expected to team up with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the first team, as a defensive midfielder. The sum mentioned is £90m, a figure that PSG could afford after it was confirmed that they were meeting the standards required by Financial Fair Play.
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N'Golo Kante.
Image credit: Eurosport
Paper Round's view: Although PSG appear to have been given the green light regarding FFP regulations, they have been told that they are still under scrutiny. It would be a surprise if this season that they were able to spend such a huge figure on yet another player. If Kante were to leave - and there is no indication that he wants out at Stamford Bridge - then presumably PSG would have to sell some of their other players to balance the books.
De Gea signs new United deal
Manchester United look set to keep their Spanish international goalkeeper, David de Gea. The 26-year-old stopper has long been rumoured to be a target for Real Madrid, but when asked this week, told the press: "I don’t think Florentino Pérez has my number. I don’t know if I’ll be the goalkeeper at Real Madrid." It is said that he has agreed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, putting an end to speculation early in the summer.
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David de Gea, España-Portugal, Mundial Rusia
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Paper Round's view: De Gea is United's best player by some distance, and he has not become any less important despite two new players, Diogo Dalot and Fred, arriving. Until at least one central defender with experience arrives at the club, then he will be called in to action against even the poorest Premier League and European sides. He might not see out the full five years, but it is crucial he is kept on for at least one more season.
Sarri arrival could spark Chelsea spending spree
Next week is crucial for Chelsea's plans to appoint Maurizio Sarri as their new boss. A compensation deal has yet to be agreed with Antonio Conte, and Sarri's agent is expected to drive through a deal at Napoli which would make his client an affordable target for the London club. If the switch does happen, then a host of Napoli players with low release clauses, such as Dries Mertens, Raul Albiol, Faouzi Ghoulam and Jose Callejon could follow.
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Napoli's Italian coach Maurizio Sarri looks on during the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs FC Crotone
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Paper Round's view: If Chelsea were able to get the deal done before the end of the World Cup, then it would allow them to start swiftly adjusting their squad to the tastes of the new manager. As the players above have such easily met release clauses, then it might make sense to activate them at a stroke, and bring in some familiar faces without too much haggling.
Newcastle want to bring back Townsend
Newcastle United are interested in bringing Andros Townsend back from Crystal Palace. Townsend joined Newcastle for a spell in early 2016, but made the move to London in the summer when Newcastle were relegated. A sum of £20m has been discussed, but Palace are expected to ask for more for the England international. With Leicester City considering Townsend as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who could join Manchester City, the price may rise.
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Andros Townsend of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring the first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on March 5, 2018 in London, England.
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Paper Round's view: Townsend has Premier League experience, and at 26 would offer value over the course of his contract with the potential to increase his resale price if he does well for a season or two. However, Leicester will receive a huge sum for Mahrez if he leaves, so it is difficult to see why they would bring in Townsend, who is limited compared to the winger. Newcastle appear to be on the hunt for bargains as Mike Ashley watches the pennies.
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