Chelsea closing in on Mauricio Pochettino and Andre Onana deals for summer transfer window - Paper Round
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Updated 06/05/2023 at 09:08 GMT
Chelsea are closing in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as manager and could also sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan this summer. Elsewhere, Barcelona are struggling to make the numbers stack up to bring Lionel Messi home, Hugo Lloris could have played his last game for Tottenham, and Arsenal defender William Saliba is running down his contract.
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Chelsea to seal deal for Pochettino and Onana
The Telegraph believes that Chelsea are closing in on two signings for the summer.
The first is Andre Onana, who is expected to replace Edouard Mendy, who is set to be sold.
The second is potential new manager Mauricio Pochettino, with talks progressing for the former Tottenham man.
“Chelsea are trying to manoeuvre themselves into pole position to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan this summer and remain confident of concluding a deal for Mauricio Pochettino to become the club’s permanent head coach,” the piece begins.
“Onana has been linked with a host of European clubs, with Chelsea understood to be particularly keen on the Cameroon international.
“Chelsea are expected to sell Edouard Mendy after failing to agree a contract extension with the 31-year-old, who has lost his number one spot to Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“Any bids for Kepa are likely to also be considered, but the Spaniard’s big wages mean he is less likely to leave for Stamford Bridge which means Chelsea must plan for a scenario in which he could stay.
“While Chelsea may have to pay Inter around £40million to sign Onana, the 27-year-old’s salary is likely to fit within the club’s wage structure. Chelsea are currently negotiating the final details of Pochettino’s contract to become the club’s next permanent head coach.”
Messi’s chances of Barca return look slim
Barcelona are far from certain to bring Lionel Messi back to the club, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
There are a number of obstacles, the outlet explains, with money tight and competition fierce.
The paper writes: “There are several factors that at the moment almost definitively keep the Argentine away from the Catalan club, even though the board of directors continues to fuel the possibility.
“The main stumbling block is Financial Fair Play. Barcelona haven't managed to reduce expenses nor increase income sufficiently to make room for the Argentine. And it is not a problem that is limited to Messi, it also affects the rest of possible signings such as Inigo Martinez or Ilkay Gundogan.
“Then there is the matter of the inscriptions of players like Gavi, [Ronald] Araujo, [Alejandro] Balde and Inaki Pena. All of them are in line to join the first team and this aspect is fundamental for the club.
“There is also plenty of competition for his signature, with clubs from the US and Saudi Arabia able and willing to pay over the odds for him.”
Lloris may have played last game for Spurs
Spurs’ 36-year-old goalkeeper Hugo Lloris could never make another appearance for the club after a muscle injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.
The Sun believes that Tottenham are looking at a new ‘keeper this summer, either David Raya or Jordan Pickford.
“Doubts had already been raised that Lloris could end his 11-year stay at the club after a difficult season where he has made a number of errors,” the report states.
“Tottenham are keen to sign a new stopper in the coming months with Everton’s Jordan Pickford and David Raya of Brentford under consideration.
“The Frenchman’s current contract expires next summer but if he is to depart during this close-season, it would mean his last game would unfortunately be that thrashing on Tyneside.
“Asked about Lloris’s future, Mason added: ‘I can't speak about that but we need him as our captain for the remainder of this season’.”
Arsenal hope for Saliba future
Arsenal hope to keep William Saliba at the club with the player running his contract into its final year, according to the Mirror.
The paper writes: “Arsenal have activated a 12-month extension option on Saliba’s current deal securing him until 2024 but there has so far been a stalemate on the 22-year-old’s contract talks.
“The Gunners will not want to risk Saliba running his deal down and walking away for free so the pressure will be on him to sign.
“Arsenal have tried to tighten up on players and not allow them to go into the final two years of their deal for fear of being held to ransom on contract negotiations.
“But [Mikel] Arteta insisted that technical director Edu is confident of reaching agreement and rewarding Saliba’s performances this season with a big-money long term deal.”
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