Transfer gossip: Man Utd target Prem skipper as Chelsea consider Conte return
Manchester United are keen to spare James Ward-Prowse from being relegated with Saints, while Chelsea seek a conversation with one ex-boss after turning to another on an interim basis…
CONTE, ALONSO ON CHELSEA’S LIST AS LAMPARD RETURNS
It emerged last night that Frank Lampard is set to return to Chelsea to take over until the end of the season while Todd Boehly gets his sh*t together. Football, eh?
Lampard buys Boehly some time to get his second permanent appointment right unless, of course, another interim boss wins Chelsea the Champions League. It’s happened before and Chelsea are just ridiculous enough for us not to rule it out.
Regardless, the Blues have to prepare for a new man and talks are already said to have taken place with ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique.
The Guardian reckons Chelsea have also added Xabi Alonso to their candidate list even if the former Liverpool midfielder and current boss of Bayer Leverkusen is regarded as an outsider because of his relative inexperience. On that list are also Mauricio Pochettino, Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner and Sporting’s Ruben Amorim.
The Independent have also thrown Antonio Conte’s name in the mix after he was axed by Tottenham last week. Apparently, the Chelsea hierarchy are willing to overlook that because, well, Spurs. They see the ex-Blues boss as ‘a winner who can potentially bring structure to a huge squad’.
SPURS TOLD TO PAY £50M FOR ENGLAND STAR
As well as looking for a new manager, Tottenham are also preparing to bolster their midfield this summer.
According to The Telegraph, Spurs are currently favourites to land James Maddison, despite competition from Newcastle. The England playmaker won’t come cheap, however, with Leicester set to demand around £50million.
Reports in Italy also suggest that Spurs are interested in Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul. Inter Live suggests they are the leading contender of four Premier League clubs, with Brentford, Everton and Villa completing the quartet, though Inter and AC Milan are also eyeing the £25million-rated Argentina international.
Read more: RANKED: All 14 Premier League manager changes this season with Graham Potter bottom
UNITED EYE SAINTS SKIPPER
Manchester United are also chasing midfielders. Indeed, Erik ten Hag is ‘hell-bent’ on bolstering his engine room…
That’s the word according to Football Insider which has James Ward-Prowse pinned as a summer target for the Red Devils. Ward-Prowse is set to leave Southampton if they are relegated, which appears likely since they are currently bottom of the pile. Aston Villa and Newcastle are also keen on the Saints skipper.
United could also look to seal a permanent deal for Marcel Sabitzer and Sky Germany says the Austria midfielder would be open to the idea, despite the prospect of returning to Bayern Munich to prove himself to Thomas Tuchel. Indeed, a return to Bayern is said to be ‘unlikely’, prompting ‘many’ Premier League clubs to make enquiries over a possible summer move.