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Chelsea are interested in a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this summer, and could take advantage of the Italian club’s financial situation to complete a transfer…

What’s the word?

Chelsea have been among the suitors for the Serbian striker this season, who has not quite found his feet since his £66.6m move to the Old Lady from Fiorentina in January 2022.

Previously according to CalcioMercato, Blues boss Graham Potter has been interested in a move for Vlahovic, with initial consideration being made to pursuing a concrete move this summer.

And now, speaking to Football FanCast, transfer insider Pete O’Rourke has shed some light on the situation, believing that his departure could be imminent following Juventus’ deeply concerning financial issues.

O’Rourke said: “Dusan Vlahovic is going to be an interesting option for a number of clubs this summer.

 “The move to Juventus hasn’t worked out probably as he expected. And with all of Juventus’ financial issues going on, it could be a key time for any club to strike and try and do a deal for Vlahovic.”

Perfect Lukaku heir

With Juventus indeed fraught with uncertainty at present, having been penalised for shady past transfer activity with a 15-point deduction which has left them languishing in tenth place in the Serie A after 21 matches, certain members of the squad could be moved on to combat the situation.

And Vlahovic, who commanded a high fee and is reportedly on a salary of £215k-per-week, might indeed find a departure from Turin forthcoming after failing to reach the same heights that earned him a move to the illustrious outfit.

After scoring 49 goals and registering eight assists from just 108 outings for La Viola in the maiden phase of his career, the 23-year-old has scored 18 times from 39 appearances for Juve.

And despite this, the Serbia international, who boasts a commendable ten goals from 19 caps, is one of the most sought-after forwards on the globe at present, with Serbian FA president, Nenad Bjekovic, once heralding him as “better and more complete than [Erling] Haaland”.

This season, Vlahovic has started to find his feet at the Allianz Stadium and netted eight times from only 12 league showings, and his rate of output could prove to be the tantalising factor that prompts Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to make a move.

Having spent over £550m already since last summer, Boehly is not one to shirk away from firing his full might at the transfer market, and while Vlahovic is valued at up to £71m by CIES Football Observatory, negotiations might prove fruitful in whittling down the price given Juventus’ requirement for funds.

Left-footed and an imposing presence at 6 foot 3, the “monster” – as heralded by Carlo Garganese – ranks among the top 20% of forwards in Europe for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 16% for total shots, and he could, in fact, be the perfect replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

The 29-year-old Belgian, who was previously on the Blues’ books years ago, has been a bitter failure since his £97.5m transfer from Inter Milan in 2021, managing just eight goals in the Premier League, and while he has since been loaned back out to Inter, it is unlikely that he will find his way back into contention after acrimoniously expressing his discontent midway through the previous term.

With both players left-footed, dynamic and possessing an innate goalscoring instinct, Vlahovic could take the baton from his positional peer and thrive where Lukaku has failed.

The powerhouse indeed arrived for an exorbitant fee after being sold to Everton years prior, and with Chelsea ostensibly prioritising the striking position this summer to complete Boehly’s opulent jigsaw, Vlahovic could be the man to fill a Lukaku-shaped hole and lead Potter’s Blues to glory.

A group Qatari investors are likely to make a bid for Manchester United in the coming days, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Friday deadline

The Glazers are overseeing takeover discussions without Old Trafford executives and have set a deadline of this Friday for bids to be made.

They value the club at around £6billion, which could see United become the most expensive sports team ever, should a takeover actually go through at that price.

Qatari investors have recently been linked with making their move for the Red Devils, and it looks as if that could well materialise before Friday.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said this on Monday afternoon regarding United and Qatari investors.

“We’ve been told today that private investors who are linked to the Qatari Royal Family are likely to make a bid to buy Manchester United this week.”

Solhekol then described it as “massive news for the future of Manchester United” due to the wealth of the potential buyers.

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The Verdict: One to watch

Erik ten Hag has got things back on track on the pitch in Manchester, so potential Qatari investors could help take the club back to the top off the pitch, should a takeover go through.

They appear to want to help Ten Hag immediately in the transfer window, which may already make a positive impact amongst supporters. A formal bid will need to be made in the next few days, though, and it’ll be interesting to see what opening offer they go in with in regards to the Glazers’ £6billion asking price.

Liverpool have opened talks with promising Colombian youngster Kevin Mantilla over a summer move to the club, according to a new transfer report.

The Lowdown: Mantilla a huge talent

The 19-year-old centre-back is considered a player of huge promise, having already become a key figure for club side Independiente Santa Fe, making 25 appearances in their first-team.

Not only that but Mantilla is also catching the eye at international level, winning 15 caps for Colombia’s Under-20 side and scoring once for good measure.

He shone at the recent South American Under-20 Championship, and that appears to have alerted Liverpool.

The Latest: Liverpool begin talks

According to Football Insider, the Reds have ‘opened preliminary talks’ over the potential signing of Mantilla after being impressed with his international performances.

The club had officials at the Under-20 Championship and were blown away by what they saw, with a summer transfer now potentially in the works.

The Verdict: One for the future

Liverpool could do with fresh blood at centre-back from next season onwards, considering both Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have been linked with summer exits.

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The 6-foot tall Mantilla clearly wouldn’t be seen as an immediate key man but he could come in as fourth choice and learn from the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, playing in domestic cup games and maturing as a player along the way.

Building for the future is absolutely essential and Jurgen Klopp and the transfer experts at Anfield could see the Colombian as a long-term regular with a high ceiling.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool are keen to continue with Jurgen Klopp in charge and will attempt to back him in the summer transfer window.

What’s happened to Liverpool this season?

After competing for the quadruple last season, Klopp’s side have struggled as they find themselves eighth in the league and on the verge of being knocked out of all the cup competitions.

A 5-2 home defeat by Real Madrid was the worst of a bad set of results which has seen the German take criticism, as well as the owners for the way the Liverpool squad has been built.

However, it seems that the club will stand by Klopp, and aim to help him rebuild his side to compete at the top again.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano hinted at a number of names Liverpool could look at in the transfer window, as well as confirming that the club intend to help Klopp start a new era at Anfield.

“What we can say is that Liverpool are already planning for an important summer together with Jurgen Klopp,” he stated.

“They know Jude Bellingham is going to be the top priority of course for the summer, but they also have other names in the list. We know about Matheus Nunes from Wolves, we know there’s interest for Mason Mount, let’s see the contract talks with Chelsea, how they will proceed in next months.

“So Liverpool know that they need to refresh the midfield and also keep an eye on defensive positions. They probably need something in those positions, and this is why it’s going to be a crucial time and Liverpool, because this is probably the end of the first era of Jurgen Klopp, but they want to continue with him.

“He signed the new contract just a few months ago and so the intention is to continue with Klopp, and to support the manager with a long-term project.”

Does Klopp deserve criticism?

Although the squad, and the midfield in particular, is in desperate need of a rebuild, which may stem back to transfer decisions made by the Liverpool hierarchy, Klopp should arguably take some blame for Liverpool’s collapse this season.

Even though he hadn’t been backed with similar levels of transfer funds as the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United, Klopp’s loyalty to ageing players has meant that Liverpool’s team has become stale.

The likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson were given contract extensions under Klopp, and both players are beyond their best years. Younger upgrades in that area of the pitch were neglected, whilst even the likes of Fabinho and Naby Keita are nowhere near the levels they hit last season.

Sacking Klopp may not be a solution at all, but the long-serving manager is certainly not blameless for the rapid deterioration of what was an outstanding team less than a year ago.

The club will need to back him heavily in the summer window, but with Liverpool on course to miss out on Champions League football, this horror show of a season could impact their ability to make big signings such as Bellingham or Mount.

West Ham’s signing of Andriy Yarmolenko in 2018 would sadly prove to be a financial and footballing disaster for the club, as the experienced winger struggled to impress before leaving on a free transfer last summer.

Was West Ham’s signing of Yarmolenko a disaster?

When West Ham signed the Ukraine captain from Borussia Dortmund on a deal worth £17.5m nearly five years ago, it was seen as something of a coup by the Hammers.

He was only 28 at the time and had shone with Dynamo Kyiv in his home country, notching a remarkable 137 goals and 90 assists in 340 appearances for the Ukrainian side.

The winger also managed a modest six goals and six assists in just 26 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, so arrived with some experience playing at the top level in Germany.

Unfortunately for the Hammers, his goal record on English soil was far less impressive, as in 86 appearances in West Ham colours, the wide man would manage just 13 goals and seven assists, which was a disappointing return from the forward.

His lack of game time was perhaps the biggest factor in his signing going down in the bad books for West Ham, as injuries plagued him throughout his time in the Premier League, as he only managed more than 20 league appearances in one of his four seasons at the club.

A ruptured Achilles tendon in his first season at the club certainly didn’t help matters but it was arguably his plethora of minor injuries that prevented him from ever really enjoying a run in the team which may have frustrated fans, and no doubt David Moyes, the most.

Last season saw Yarmolenko muster just three goals and one assist for the Hammers in 27 appearances in all competitions, so it was perhaps no surprise that Moyes opted against giving the 33-year-old a new contract at the London Stadium.

He would make the move to UAE side Al-Ain, joining a long list of players who make the move to the Middle East in the twilight of their careers, and has contributed an impressive eight goals and five assists in 22 appearances for his new side.

Considering his lack of influence in the top flight during his time at West Ham, as well as the significant loss the Hammers made on his transfer, Yarmolenko must sadly go down in the history books as another transfer disaster from the east London outfit.

Chelsea are still battling Manchester United for the signing of Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen this summer, according to a report from Italy.

The Lowdown: Chelsea linked with Osimhen signing

The Nigerian is having a magnificent season for Napoli currently, spearheading their relentless Serie A title charge and scoring 19 goals in as many league starts.

Osimhen has been linked with a move to Chelsea recently, with a new centre forward surely at the top of their shopping list during the summer transfer window.

The move still potentially looks on the cards, following an intriguing new update.

The Latest: Offer ready

According to Calciomercato, Chelsea are still in the hunt for the signing of Osimhen, with the Blues now ready to table an offer to the player.

Todd Boehly is apparently personally ready to double the Nigerian striker’s current salary of €4.5m per year, which would mean an offer of about £153,000 per week, while Napoli are set to demand up to €130m (£115m).

United are also strong contenders to snap him up, however, with manager Erik ten Hag seeing him as a primary transfer target.

The Verdict: Could be a sensational signing

If Chelsea managed to pip United to Osimhen’s signature this summer, it could end up being a masterstroke of a signing, considering he is one of Europe’s top strikers currently.

Not only is he flying for Napoli but 15 goals in 23 caps for Nigeria further outlines his attacking pedigree, with his pace, power and cool finishing making him a defender’s nightmare.

Jose Mourinho has even compared Osimhen to Chelsea legend Didier Drigba, which is high praise indeed, while Walter Mazzarri has hailed him as ‘phenomenal’ in the past.

At 24, the Napoli ace should only improve further, too, and he could transform the Blues’ attack next season, improving those around him and supplying regular end product.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing a return to Spurs, but the club’s hierarchy are apparently divided.

The Lowdown: Conte exit inevitable?

After the club’s last 16 Champions League defeat to AC Milan, Antonio Conte’s days at Spurs could be more and more numbered.

The Italian was already linked with a potential exit upon the expiry of his current deal, which is set to run out at the end of this Premier League season.

With it being unlikely Spurs are going to take up the 12-month extension option, there have been many names mentioned as Conte’s possible successor, including Pochettino.

The Latest: Spurs chiefs split over Pochettino…

According to The Evening Standard, Pochettino is in fact eyeing a return to Spurs, with there being little issue in terms of the Argentine’s desire.

However, it is also believed that the Tottenham hierarchy are ‘split’ over whether to bring him back to N17.

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The Verdict: Perfect manager…

Already knowing the club and holding a good relationship with the Spurs fanbase, we believe Pochettino is by some way the standout candidate to take over.

Currently a free agent, the move would represent a low risk one financially and the South American would also return to N17 with some medals under his belt – including a Ligue 1 title with PSG.

Pochettino now also has experience managing some of the biggest names in football like Lionel Messi and Neymar.

The 51-year-old encourages open, expansive attacking football and a philosophy which could steer Spurs away from Conte’s more pragmatic approach.

Liverpool have joined the race to sign clinical Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, who is touted by a multitude of top Premier League and European outfits, according to reports.

What’s the latest on Vlahovic to Liverpool?

Previous claims from Italy at the backend of last year suggested that the Reds were hoping to lure the 23-year-old to Anfield at the end of the campaign, but the £35m January transfer of Cody Gakpo calmed rumours of further offensive incomings.

And now, according to CalcioMercato, Liverpool are continuing their interest and now actively pursuing a move for the Serbian striker, who is discontented with life in Turin following the club’s financial struggles and subsequent 15-point deduction.

Vlahovic is currently valued at £75m as per the report.

Is Vlahovic similar to Haaland?

The Merseyside outfit’s manager Jurgen Klopp will be all too aware of the burning need for reinforcements after a testing campaign that has left the formerly unrelenting squad facing a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Hailed as “prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vlahovic has made a resounding start to his life on the major stage, emerging to prominence with Fiorentina and scoring 49 goals from 108 appearances before making the £67m switch to Juventus, where he has found fortunes somewhat harder to come by in plundering just 19 strikes from 47 games.

Regardless, he is a dangerous tool and one who has netted ten goals from his first 19 international appearances, with journalist Carlo Garganese even going as far as proclaiming the phenom to be a “monster”.

As per FBref, the £220k-per-week gem ranks among the top 14% of attackers in Europe for total shots per 90, indicating he bears a relentless and hungry nature that would suit the robust and high-voltage football Klopp seeks to implement.

Serbian FA president Nenad Bjekovic even said the ace is "better and more complete than Haaland", with Manchester City’s Norwegian sensation scoring a remarkable 34 goals from 35 fixtures since his £51m release clause was paid to Borussia Dortmund last summer, ranking among the best 1% of strikers in Europe's top five leagues for goals per 90.

Haaland has been a machine in front of goal, possessing a clinical prowess that has somewhat evaded the Reds this term, who have scored 20 goals fewer than the Cityzens in the league this season.

It’s also worth noting that stalwart Roberto Firmino is expected to depart from Anfield upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the term, having been instrumental in the side’s recent success, scoring 108 goals and serving 79 assists from 355 outings.

While Liverpool’s seasonal signings of Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, the latter signing for a club-record £85m, there is a discernible lack of fluidity and verve that was once so innately embedded in Klopp’s system, and Vlahovic might just be the ‘prolific’ and Haaland-like presence to rekindle the fire.

Journalist Dean Jones says that Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is ‘unplayable’ on his day.

The Lowdown: On form

Isak is a man on form at the moment, with two goals in his last outing away at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Friday night, which came after a goal at home to Wolves in the previous matchday.

He was subsequently named in Magpies striking legend Alan Shearer’s recent Team of the Week as a result, as the club-record £63m signing continues to show the Toon Army what he is made of.

The Latest: ‘Unplayable’ on his day

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones says that Isak is ‘unplayable’ on his day, but still needs to prove himself further after missing a large chunk of the season with injury:

“On his day, Isak is unplayable. He just has to show it more often. Now that he’s fit again, let’s see the real deal. Let’s see what we’ve got for the rest of the season because he’s got to prove himself.”

The Verdict: Must keep starting

Isak has already shown not just in his recent run of form, but in his streak before his injury at the start of the season where he scored two in his first three appearances, including on his debut at Anfield against Liverpool, that he is deserving of more starts.

On the contrary, Callum Wilson has only scored history.

Aside from his goals, the £120,000-per-week gem’s overall game is dangerous, as he ranks in the top 11% for a number of key metrics for forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, including progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches and progressive passes received.

As such, Isak is being linked with a shock move to Juventus in a swap deal that would see Dusan Vlahovic move the other way, which the Tynesiders should not even look to entertain.

Nonetheless, if the Magpies want to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the top four come the end of the campaign, then they must keep starting Isak.

Eddie Howe deserves a huge amount of praise for the way he has transformed Newcastle United over the past year, taking them from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls since arriving at St James' Park.

While the Toon were always expected to pick up after the financial boost that came with the takeover, Howe has worked unbelievably well with members of the Newcastle squad who had often underperformed under Steve Bruce.

Miguel Almiron and Joelinton are perhaps prime examples of players who have completely changed fan opinion this season. Indeed, the former has notably tossed aside criticism from Jack Grealish to register 11 goals and three assists in 2022/23, a far greater tally than that of the one goal he fired home last term.

However, another who deserves the plaudits is Fabian Schar who has been transformed compared to previous campaigns at the club.

How has Schar performed this season?

Schar would sign for Newcastle back in 2018, joining for a measly £3m from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna after the Toon activated his release clause.

The Swiss defender, who earns £40k-per-week, has been a regular at St James' Park in the five years since but at 31, we are now seeing some of his best form at the club, as he has been a crucial part of the Newcastle defence that has conceded just 19 goals in the top flight so far this campaign, the fewest of any side.

After an incredibly promising first year in the north east, which saw the centre-back notch four goals and one assist in 24 Premier League appearances, achieving a superb 7.30 rating from WhoScored, the defender's form would steadily decline over the next few years, particularly under Bruce.

There looked to be no real way back for the experienced centre-back after a woeful 2020/21 campaign, which saw him make just 18 top-flight appearances, averaging a shocking 6.39 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Before Howe's arrival, Schar was seemingly not content with life at Newcastle, and a departure was seemingly on the cards, with the Newcastle staff describing him as "disillusioned" to the former Bournemouth boss.

However, he quickly became a key player under the English manager and after playing a big part in their impressive rise up the Premier League table last season, he could find himself playing at the top level in Europe with the Toon in the 2023/24 campaign.

This season has seen the 31-year-old average a superb 7.07 rating for his Premier League performances, which sees him ranked as the fourth-best performer (of those to make at least one start) in Howe's squad so far this campaign.

He also ranks top for interceptions, clearances and aerials won in Newcastle's squad, which is an extremely impressive return and emphasises just how important he has become in that back four.

Therefore, while people will look towards the transformation of Almiron this season because of his goalscoring exploits, Schar's inspired defensive form has also been key to Newcastle's success.