Chelsea want a double Bundesliga raid to leave a trio’s future unclear, while Nottingham Forest eye Steve Cooper replacements – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.
CHELSEA WANT GVARDIOL AND NKUNKU
RB Leipzig could in fact lose two players to Chelsea, who are reportedly after Josko Gvardiol as well as Christopher Nkunku.
The Blues, led by new part-owner Todd Boehly, orchestrated the most expensive summer transfer window of any Premier League club ever this year.
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana was the costliest acquisition, while Raheem Sterling was another eye-catching signing.
And Boehly has wasted no time in getting Chelsea’s 2023 transfer plans in motion. Indeed, he has almost wrapped up a deal to bring Leipzig’s French attacker Nkunku to Stamford Bridge next summer.
According to 90min, though, Chelsea also want to sign Croatian defender Gvardiol from Leipzig. And they want both deals wrapped up and signed off before the World Cup.
Boehly spent all summer trying to get centre-backs in, leaving it until the last few days to pay a premium for Fofana.
As such, 90min says he is learning from such frustration by putting the wheels of Chelsea’s 2023 spending firmly in motion now.
The report adds that Chelsea have ‘almost’ agreed personal terms with Nkunku and 20-year-old centre-back Gvardiol. Although, Leipzig feel reluctant to sell both before the World Cup, where the duo will look to shine.
The Telegraph, meanwhile, claims that Leipzig have set Gvardiol’s release clause at about £43.8million.
And his arrival would reportedly put the futures of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja in further doubt.
The trio had strong links with moves away this summer and they all face a battle to prove themselves to Chelsea manager Graham Potter.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST EYE RAFAEL BENITEZ
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is identifying potential successors to manager Steve Cooper and could turn to Rafael Benitez or Sean Dyche.
Marinakis could not hide his elation in May, when Cooper guided Forest to Premier League promotion via the play-offs.
And he added over 20 signings in a bid to make the Midlands club competitive upon their return.
Although, Cooper has endured a tough start, with Monday’s 4-0 loss to Leicester leaving them bottom of the table with a fifth straight defeat.
As a result, the Daily Mail reports that Forest are scouring the market for potential successors.
They could reportedly turn to former Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard did not get a full chance to steer the Toffees away from relegation. But, he kept Newcastle afloat before then.
Another candidate in the frame for Forest is ex-Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
The 51-year-old made himself the Premier League’s longest-serving coach at one point after masterminding Burnley’s survival – and progress into the top half at times – despite a shoestring budget.
For now, though, Cooper has vowed to fight on and try to gel in the raft of new signings at his disposal.
TRANSFER GOSSIP – PREM TRIO EYE SHEFF UTD MAN
Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth are keeping close tabs on rising Sheffield United star Rhys Norrington-Davies, a report claims.
The 23-year-old left-back has impressed at Bramall Lane this term, playing all but one game in all competitions so far.
Football Insider reports that the Premier League trio are ‘regularly’ sending scouts to watch Norrington-Davies in action.
United reportedly want to keep hold of the full-back as they eye another promotion push after losing out in the play-off semi-finals last season.
But, Palace, Bournemouth and Leicester fancy their chances of going after the Welshman in January.
Norrington-Davies is also quickly becoming a senior Wales international. He has 12 caps for his country and added to that tally in the September international break.
