Chelsea are planning to raid Brighton for three of their top players in January to follow Graham Potter, a Man Utd star could sign a new deal after a sparkling start to the season, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip has good news for Wolves over a deal for Diego Costa.
BRIGHTON BRACED AS GRAHAM POTTER FANCIES SIGNING TRIO FOR CHELSEA
Graham Potter will reportedly look to bring three stars with him from Brighton to Chelsea, according to a report.
The Englishman, 47, is on the brink of being named new Chelsea boss in succession to Thomas Tuchel. The German was fired on Tuesday morning, amid a poor run of form. However, it’s claimed a disagreement over the signing of a Manchester United man hastened his downfall.
As it stands, Potter is ready to accept the challenge of reviving Chelsea’s poor start to the season. Having held talks with Todd Boehly on Wednesday afternoon, he is expected to soon reach a full agreeement on the move. Indeed, he may even be in the dug-out for Saturday’s short trip across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Potter is also looking to bring with him three key members of his backroom staff at Brighton. Top of that list is recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay – the man who spotted Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo among several others.
The incoming new Chelsea boss also wants to bring assistant Billy Reid and coach Bjorn Hamberg along with him.
Potter’s departure to Stamford Bridge will hit Boehly hard in the pocket. He comes with a £16m compensation package. It will also likely cost more to bring his three assists with him.
While the transfer window is currently closed and not open for business again until January 1, Potter is also reportedly looking to sign three Brighton stars.
Potter also keen on three Brighton players
Per the Daily Express, the Englishman will look to further raid the AMEX for three of their leading lights.
Top of his list will be all-action midfielder Pascal Gross. The 31-year-old German has been a pivotal figure in the Brighton set-up under Potter. His form this season has been excellent too. He already has three goals in six games this season.
Potter is also reportedly keen on his fellow midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and winger Leandro Trossard.
Mac Allister has taken time to adjust to English football since his arrival in 2019. But he played a leading role in the club’s ninth-placed finish last season. Now a regular, he has four goals to his name this season.
Trossard, meanwhile, is a Belgium international who has been linked with Manchester United in the past.
A tricky performer, he has 20 goals in 110 appearances.
Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy is amazed bigger teams have not snapped them up already.
“For me, I would go straight for Graham Potter,” Cundy told talkSPORT. “I’ve seen what he’s done, I’ve seen with Trossard and Gross – I’m amazed those two players are still there.
“I thought United would go in for at least one of those. He gets good players and turns them into brilliant footballers.
“Look at what he’s done for [Marc] Cucurella. Cucurella hasn’t been the same player since he came to Chelsea!
“What he has done for some of these players, and the style of football and the way they play. You look at some of these players now.
“I can’t wait to see when he gets his hand on this squad, what we look like. If we’re anything like Brighton, then we are in for a treat.”
NEW MAN UTD DEAL FOR MARCUS RASHFORD
Manchester United are ready to open new contract talks with Marcus Rashford following his incredible start to the season.
The England forward lost his way last season, but now looks back to his best under Erik ten Hag. Indeed, he has three goals in his last four appearances.
Despite his loss of form, he has been linked with a move to PSG, who are big admirers of the 24-year-old.
With just a year left on his deal, United do hold a one-year option on that. But The Sun claims plan to safeguard themselves from a low-cost exit – as well as securing his future to the club – by offering him a new five-year deal.
That would tie Rashford to Manchester United until 2027 – and keep him at Old Trafford throughout his twenties.
Ten Hag has also made clear his wish to tie Rashford down.
He said: “Definitely. United control the situation.
“I see a happy Marcus Rashford, I see some phases in his game we could improve and we worked really hard the last two and a half months with him on different aspects and he really likes it.
“He wants to transfer it to the pitch. It starts with happiness, he comes in every day smiling.”
WOLVES CLOSE ON DIEGO COSTA
Wolves can soon expect to seal the signing of Diego Costa after winning their appeal to overturn his work permit denial.
The veteran former Chelsea striker is the subject of interest from Wolves after they lost summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic to an ACL injury.
However, their efforts to sign him were denied after the Home Office denied the application. On a points-based system, potential signings require 15 points through various assessments. Costa only qualified for 13.
However, Wolves believe they have a strong case and on appeal, that has now been granted.
The 33-year-old former Atletico Madrid striker will now undergo a medical with the Old Gold on Thursday morning. If he passes that OK, he will likely sign an initial one-year deal to bring him back to the Premier League.
Bruno Lage’s side may even get clearance to select Costa for their trip to face Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Costa scored 59 goals in 120 appearances for Chelsea over three seasons and was regularly seen as a Master of the Dark Arts.
