Chelsea eye Leny Yoro and Milos Kerkez to strengthen defence in summer transfer window - Paper Round

Chelsea are looking to recruit Leny Yoro from Lille, according to the Evening Standard.

The 18-year-old central defender is seen as a potential replacement for Thiago Silva, as the Brazilian nears the exit at Stamford Bridge.

The paper writes: “Chelsea are interested in a summer move for talented young Lille centre-back Leny Yoro as they weigh up defensive options to replace Thiago Silva.

“Yoro has enjoyed a brilliant season in France and the 18-year-old is also attracting interest from other big European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

“Chelsea want to sign new a centre-back this summer when Silva, who turns 40 in September, is out of contract and could leave on a free transfer.

“Mauricio Pochettino has dropped Silva to the Chelsea bench for their last two Premier League matches, despite an injury crisis leaving him with limited defensive options.”

Chelsea are also keen on Bournemouth’s left-back, Milos Kerkez, as they broaden their defensive search.

The Mirror reports that the Serbian left-back could be on the move with Chelsea undergoing another squad overhaul this summer.

“Chelsea are chasing Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez, with Mauricio Pochettino ready to overhaul his defence,” the paper says.

“The Argentine has endured a difficult debut season in the Stamford Bridge dugout. His side currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, having also lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool.

“Given their disappointing performance this term, Pochettino is likely to pursue a major rebuild in the summer transfer window. Defence will be one of the positions he will look to boost, with his side having conceded 45 goals this campaign.

“Specifically, Pochettino is set to upgrade the left-back position, with three players in the current squad capable of playing that position. One of those, Ian Maatsen, is currently out on loan at Borussia Dortmund, having struggled for chances in the first-half of the season.”

The Mail is the latest newspaper to suggest that Paris Saint-Germain have identified Luis Diaz as a transfer target for the summer.

The French club are looking to find someone to step in when Kylian Mbappe leaves for his expected move to Real Madrid.

The paper claims: “Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has emerged as a summer target for Paris Saint-Germain.

“With talisman Kylian Mbappe destined to join Real Madrid, the French league leaders are examining the market for players with the potential to replace their captain.

“Diaz, who joined Liverpool for a relative bargain £37.5 million from Porto, is under contract until 2027 and understood to be happy at Anfield.”

Newcastle United are prepared to let Dan Ashworth leave for Manchester United ahead of schedule, and are also considering the future of Joelinton.

The Telegraph writes that the Brazilian needs to agree terms on a new deal by June or he will be moved on.

The paper reports: “Newcastle want to speed up Dan Ashworth’s exit as Paul Mitchell heads a shortlist of candidates to replace the Manchester United-bound sporting director.

“Newcastle remain adamant they want a large compensation fee for Ashworth after losing one of their key appointments since the Saudi Arabian-led takeover, but are willing to negotiate after Telegraph Sport revealed they were initially asking for as much as £20m to reduce the length of his gardening leave.

“Although the Newcastle hierarchy are extremely reluctant to let Ashworth - whose gardening leave is due to run until the end of 2025 - start work before the summer, they would consider a deal that will see him begin his new role at Old Trafford before the end of the year if Manchester United pay suitable compensation.

“In turn, having initially thought they would wait until later this year to appoint Ashworth’s replacement, there is now a desire to find someone who can come in to start work as soon as possible.

“Newcastle are still trying to agree a new contract with Brazilian midfielder Joelinton and some progress has been made with both sides expressing a desire to agree terms.

“Joelinton will have to agree to an extension - potentially with a release clause similar to the one inserted into his compatriot Bruno Guimaraes’s new deal last year - before June or he will be made available for transfer.”

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