Julian Nagelsmann: Chelsea and Real Madrid could join Tottenham in summer fight for head coach – Paper Round

ByMichael Hincks

Updated 28/03/2023 at 07:37 GMT

Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Tottenham’s search for a new manager, with Julian Nagelsmann the frontrunner but also of interest to Real Madrid and Chelsea. Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka is set to become one of Arsenal’s biggest earners in their history, Ilkay Gundogan wants a move to Barcelona, and Real Madrid may not spend big this summer – putting other clubs on Jude Bellingham alert.

The battle for Julian

“Nagelsmann fight,” reads the Daily Mail’s back page, with Tottenham’s No. 1 target Julian Nagelsmann also a potential option for Chelsea and Real Madrid in the summer. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is waiting to hear if the German would be interested in the managerial role, but after his sacking by Bayern Munich, Nagelsmann will be highly sought-after this summer.

“Real Madrid are among the clubs already interested in the 35-year-old and joining a team already set-up for instant success may suit Nagelsmann,” the Mail adds.

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“Likewise, Nagelsmann has admirers at Chelsea and would interest the club if they decided to replace Graham Potter. The Blues have had an upsurge in results recently, which has helped ease the pressure on Potter following a largely disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge. But further negativity between now and the end of the season could still leave Chelsea’s owners with a decision to make, and the fact Nagelsmann is readily available may be a factor.”

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Arsenal’s best

Bukayo Saka will become Arsenal’s biggest earner when signing his new contract, the Mail reports. The England international, who scored in Sunday’s win over Ukraine, is set to earn £300,000-a-week, £15m a year, and that would go down as one of Arsenal’s most lucrative deals in their history.

“The 21-year-old has become a vital player for club and country over the past 12 months,” the Mail adds.

“A host of clubs, including Manchester City, have been monitoring Saka's future given his current deal is due to expire at the end of next season. But Saka has privately made clear that he wants to stay in north London having been convinced of the club's direction under Arteta.

“The forward is eager to start his Champions League career and barring an almighty collapse; Arsenal will qualify for the competition for the first time since the 2016-17 season.”

Bukayo Saka

Image credit: Getty Images

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Gundogan to Barca?

Negotiations are progressing for Ilkay Gundogan to join Barcelona in the summer, Sport reports. The Germany midfielder is expected to leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, and though the club would be eager for the 32-year-old to stay on, City would only offer a one-year extension, while Barca would look to tie him down for two.

“They believe he does not want to continue and has decided to join Barca, a team he has always wanted to play for and admired for their style. In addition, his wife seems to be fed up with living in England, preferring a change of scenery and Barcelona would be an ideal destination,” Sport writes.

“Contact between Barca and Gundogan has been going on for months and negotiations are progressing at a good pace.”

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Real's quiet summer?

Real Madrid will enter next season without making any major reinforcements, Marca reports, and that is a move which the Mirror claims could open the door for other clubs to approach Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham – a target for several Premier League teams including Liverpool.

The Mirror writes: “Bellingham's starring role in the recent World Cup for England had also led to Liverpool stepping up their interest in signing the midfielder, whose transfer valuation continues to increase. Yet Madrid have signed Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in successive summer transfer windows – and are not keen to splurge a huge sum on the England star at this stage.”

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