Chelsea have ‘shortlisted’ a potential Tottenham signing and could cause their London rivals serious problems by getting to him first, Liverpool chiefs are at serious risk of falling out with Jurgen Klopp amid a decision over a player’s new contract, while a club is ‘resigned’ to losing a 19-goal striker wanted by Everton.
CHELSEA, TOTTENHAM GO TO WAR OVER BUNDESLIGA MAN
Tottenham are not the only Premier League side interested in snapping up manager Julian Nagelsmann, with Chelsea having identified him as a potential replacement for Graham Potter, according to one insider.
Tottenham finally got rid of Antonio Conte as head coach on Sunday evening. The Italian’s job had become untenable following his incredible outburst in the aftermath of the 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Mauricio Pochettino has widely been viewed as the frontrunner to take over from Conte. But on Friday, Spurs were given the opportunity to land Nagelsmann instead.
The highly rated German has been axed by Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga giants sit second in the table, a point behind rivals Borussia Dortmund. A 3-0 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 was not enough to save Nagelsmann’s job.
On Monday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano explained how Spurs chairman Daniel Levy can convince Nagelsmann to join. He revealed that the 35-year-old prioritises a ‘very good project’ when deciding on a club, rather than simply money.
However, Romano did state that Nagelsmann will take some time out of the game before returning to management this summer.
As per German outlet Bild, Bayern have released Nagelsmann, rather than outright firing him. This means Spurs must pay Bayern a significant fee if they want to snare the tactician, although the exact amount has not yet been revealed.
Spurs have now been handed another blow in their managerial hunt. According to Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Nagelsmann has been ‘shortlisted’ by Chelsea.
Julian Nagelsmann may end up at Chelsea
Blues chairman Todd Boehly is drawing up plans to hijack Spurs’ move for Nagelsmann, in what would be a massive setback for Levy.
Plettenberg states that Boehly has supported Potter so far. However, the Englishman ‘has to deliver now’ as Nagelsmann is seriously being looked at as a potential replacement.
Should Potter be sacked, then Chelsea would appoint an interim manager to see them through until the end of the season. After that, Nagelsmann would take charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea pursuing the former RB Leipzig coach alongside Spurs is a big new twist. It means Spurs must act fast to secure his services, or risk him going to a fierce Premier League rival.
Despite Nagelsmann being on Chelsea’s radar, it is more likely he will go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the end. Potter has turned his situation at Chelsea around somewhat with wins over Leeds, Dortmund and Leicester before the international break.
This means Chelsea are in less need of a new boss than Spurs. But this is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, with the race for Nagelsmann’s signature hotting up.
KLOPP, LIVERPOOL FIGHT OVER NEW CONTRACT
Jurgen Klopp will be unhappy after learning that Liverpool have yet to begin contract talks with versatile star James Milner, despite the manager specifically asking them to do so.
Milner has been on Liverpool’s books since July 2015. During his time at Anfield, Milner has played 321 times and helped the Reds to win illustrious trophies such as the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Milner has not been a regular starter under Klopp for several years now. But Klopp loves the 37-year-old thanks to his ability to play in a variety of positions.
In recent seasons Milner has been selected at right-back, left-back and his usual position of central midfield.
In June last year, the player signed a new one-year contract to keep him at Liverpool until the end of this season.
According to an update from trusted journalist David Ornstein, Klopp wants Milner to remain as part of his squad by agreeing another one-year extension. This would see Milner carry on playing until he is 38, which would be a great achievement.
But Ornstein has revealed that Liverpool are yet to actually enter talks with Milner and his camp. As the former England international wants to continue playing, there is a possibility he could leave Liverpool if discussions do not begin soon. English clubs lower down the Prem table would be more than willing to snap him up.
Klopp would be very frustrated if Milner was allowed to depart Merseyside. He has proven to be an important squad player when midfielders or defenders pick up injuries.
Milner would also be disappointed if he was forced to find a new team. Ornstein writes that he would ‘ideally’ like to continue playing for Liverpool. But if club chiefs refuse to offer him a new deal, he will have no choice but to move on.
EVERTON, LEEDS TARGET EDGES CLOSER TO MOVE
Championship club Coventry City are reportedly ‘resigned to losing’ striker Viktor Gyokeres if they fail to gain promotion, with Everton and Leeds on his trail.
Gyokeres has been in sensational form this term, bagging 19 goals in 38 matches so far. 18 of those goals have come in the Championship, with only Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom scoring more in the competition.
Gyokeres’ goals have helped Coventry hugely in their promotion push. They sit in eighth spot, three points off the play-off places.
Mark Robins’ side are fully focused on getting into the play-offs and potentially giving their fans a first Premier League season to shout about since 2000-01.
But if Coventry fail to go up, they will likely lose star attacker Gyokeres. According to Football Insider, remaining in the Championship will result in the Sky Blues being ‘resigned to losing’ him.
Everton and Leeds are the clubs pushing hardest to capture the Swede. Both teams have had problems with their strikers in the last two seasons, and signing Gyokeres would help them to score far more goals.
And in a welcome boost for the Premier League sides, Gyokeres should not cost too much to sign – if Coventry stay in the Championship – as his contract expires in June 2024.
It is not all bad news for Coventry, though. If they leapfrog Norwich and Millwall into the play-offs and then gain promotion, Gyokeres could pledge his future to the club. Promotion will convince him to enter into contract talks with Coventry. They will have to offer him a big pay rise to ward off his top-flight suitors, but this should be possible thanks to the money earned from going up.
Whatever happens, it is clear that Gyokeres has the ability to start testing himself in the Prem from next season onwards. Whether that is with Coventry, Leeds or Everton depends entirely on how the Championship table looks by the end of the season.
