Chelsea face competition from Barcelona for Bosnian RB Salzburg defender Amar Dedic - Paper Round

The Sun reports that Chelsea face a battle to sign Bosnian 21-year-old Amar Dedic from Red Bull Salzburg.

There is also interest from teams such as Arsenal and Barcelona, too.

The Sun reports: “Chelsea must beat off strong competition from former manager Jose Mourinho to land Bosnian wonderkid Amar Dedic.

“But Newcastle are also in the transfer tussle for the 21-year-old Red Bull Salzburg star.

“And Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan have all made approaches for the exciting right-back, too.

“SunSport can now reveal Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Dedic's progress ahead of the January transfer window.

“The Blues sent a scout to all of his Champions League games this season - plus at least four league matches since November as well as Euro 2024 qualifiers for Bosnia.

“Similarly, Newcastle are tracking 12-cap Dedic and had someone in the stands at Red Bull Salzburg's last three Champions League games plus a few Bosnia fixtures.”

Manchester United could make a move for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo.

Antony has been a disappointment on the right wing and the Japanese player could be the man to step in.

“Manchester United are weighing up a move for former Real Madrid wonderkid Takefusa Kubo as they consider replacements for the underperforming Antony,” the Mirror writes.

“The Japanese international, who has been at Barcelona's academy and then Real Madrid, left the Bernabeu last season to sign for Real Sociedad. At the Spanish side, he's gone from strength to strength and United have sent scouts to watch him at least seven times this season.

“Antony has greatly underwhelmed since his mega-money move from Ajax last season and Erik ten Hag may have to cut his losses. Sociedad have been able to get the best from Kubo, who has scored 15 times and provided 13 assists in 67 games since his £5.5million move.

“The 22-year-old never featured for Los Blancos and was serially loaned out, but now has United interested. Sociedad, who are into the knockout stages of the Champions League, turned down a £26m offer from Napoli in the summer with the player under contract until 2027.”

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips wants to be assured of action before he decides to leave Manchester City.

The Telegraph reports that the England international will seek guarantees from Juventus and Newcastle before deciding on his next move.

The paper states: “Kalvin Phillips will seek guarantees over his playing time before choosing which club to leave Manchester City for in January.

“That might put Juventus at a slight advantage over Newcastle United in the race to sign Phillips, with the two clubs currently at the front of the queue.

“Phillips knows he must leave City, either on loan or permanently in the January transfer window, and believes he can still move to a top club – which Juve and Newcastle are rated as being.

“Despite Newcastle’s injury crisis, Juventus’ need is rated as being bigger than the Premier League club’s because of the long-term absences of Nicolo Fagioli and Paul Pogba.

“Newcastle are without Sandro Tonali, who, like Fagioli, is banned, but still have Bruno Guimares and Joelinton, who manager Eddie Howe said he hoped would not be out long with injury.”

Chelsea are set to sign Senegalese wonderkid Pape Daouda Diong, the Evening Standard claims.

The teenager is wanted as Chelsea continue to collect the best young talent around.

The paper writes: ”Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Senegal Under-17 midfielder Pape Daouda Diong.

“The AF Darou Salam youngster was pictured in Chelsea's directors' box during the 4-2 penalty shootout win over Newcastle on Tuesday night.

“Diong witnessed Chelsea's progression through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup alongside 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez, who has already signed a £17.2million pre-contract deal to join Chelsea from Independiente del Valle in 2025.”

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