Tuchel ‘contacts £50m Sterling ahead of bid’, Chelsea ‘to make £38m De Ligt offer plus Werner’, Kounde transfer news

Lukaku ‘to raise Serie A standards’

Romelu Lukaku has been tipped to raise the standards of the Serie A if he returns to Inter Milan.

That’s the view of Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, who said: “I don’t think about records. I will certainly realise the extent of what I have done in the world of football once I stop playing. It’s clear that we mustn’t rest or give up.

“With Lukaku back in Italy, the level of our league is raised, I will have to continually do my best. Now I only have the next objectives in my head.”

Barca to ‘withdraw Dembele offer’

Barcelona are reportedly considering withdrawing Ousmane Dembele’s contract offer.

Dembele will be a free agent next week, and Barca want to keep hold of the winger.

But the Catalan giants may pull the plug on negotiations with Dembele because he’s in contact with other clubs, the report adds.

However, the issue is causing a split at the club as some personnel want Dembele to stay put, the report adds.

Chelsea and Man United are two of the team’s Dembele’s been in talks with recently.

Arsenal given Lukaku advice

Arsenal have been urged to sign Romelu Lukaku instead of Gabriel Jesus.

That’s the view of Darren Bent who reckons Lukaku is more prolific than Jesus.

He told talkSPORT: “Lukaku, I would.

“I’ve seen him score goals regularly. He’s in the 100 club!”

Jones urged to stay away

Isaiah Jones has been urged to stay with Middlesbrough amid interest from several Prem clubs.

Man United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all been linked with the full-back.

But Carlton Palmer reckons Jones should stay put as he won’t get regular playing time at any of the aforementioned clubs.

He said: “The clubs that he’s been linked with are fantastic football clubs, but he will not be playing and there’s no point going there.

“If the deal can be done, that he goes and then he comes back on loan to Middlesbrough, yeah, then do a deal like that, but he needs he needs to play.”

Chelsea receive Richarlison boost

Everton have to balance the books in the next five days in what could be a major boost for Chelsea and Tottenham’s pursuit of Richarlison, according to reports.

The Toffees ongoing battle with financial fair play (FFP) rules mean the London clubs could be best served by moving early.

The Athletic report that the “bulk” of Everton’s incoming transfer business will have to be done after June 30, which could explain the lack of transfers at Goodison Park so far.

The reason for the deadline is due to FFP, which is calculated until the end of June.

The Merseyside club has been under prolonged pressure over their finances, with rival clubs even attempting to use it against them during last season’s nail-biting relegation battle.

The free-spending start to Farhad Moshiri’s reign has left the club needing to balance the books.

Ziyech ‘hands in transfer request’

Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech has reportedly handed in a transfer request as he bids for a move to AC Milan.

The winger is believed to be frustrated with his lack of game time and sees a future with the Italian champions.

Sky Italia report Milan and the Blues are now in talks over a potential move as the attacking reshuffle at Stamford Bridge continues.

Ziyech could follow Romelu Lukaku in switching London for Milan, while Thomas Tuchel and the Chelsea hierarchy keeping tabs on a number of forward players.

Tuchel ‘makes contact with Sterling’

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has made contact with Raheem Sterling ahead of lodging a £60million bid, according to reports.

The Blues are keen to sign the Manchester City winger this summer and feel he could be available given his contract situation.

Sterling, 27, has just one year remaining on his City contract, and Chelsea believe they may be able to convince him to leave the Etihad.

According to the Telegraph, Tuchel has opened dialogue with Sterling’s camp ahead of a potential bid.

Entering the final 12 months of his contract, Sterling is open to all options — but wants to play regularly in the countdown to the winter World Cup.

Chelsea starlet set for Feyenoord

Feyenoord are on the verge of signing Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen, according to reports.

The left back has been on loan with Coventry who were keen on retaining his services for another season.

But the 20-year-old opted to return to boyhood club Feyenoord, 90min reported.

Werner ‘open to Juventus transfer’

Timo Werner is reportedly open to a move to Juventus this summer.

Werner’s being touted by Chelsea for a possible swap deal involving Juve star Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt’s said to be keen on a move to the Blues.

And reports from the Metro claim Werner has no objections against joining Juve.

Although he’ll have to lower his wages to complete the move, the report adds.

PSG close in on Skriniar

PSG are reportedly honing in on Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.

Skriniar’s already agreed personal terms with PSG.

And now the French giants have to agree a fee with Inter for Skriniar, according to Get French Football News.

The report states PSG’s latest offer for the defender is £51m.

Chelsea were also said to be tracking Skriniar.

Raphinha over Richarlison

Ray Parlour reckons Raphinha will be a better signing for top Prem clubs over Richarlison.

Both Brazilian stars are being tracked by the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.

But Parlour reckons Raphinha will be better value for money.

He said on talkSPORT: “I think Richarlison is a top player, don’t get me wrong, but he’s a little bit inconsistent at times.

“Raphinha has shown he’s a top player and I’m sure lots of clubs will be in for him.”

Boehly to hold direct talks

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is on a personal mission to stop Reece James leaving the club this summer, reports claim.

The full-back currently receives £70,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.

And Boehly’s willing to raise that significantly to avoid James going elsewhere, the Metro reported.

Although talks between Boehly and James will unlikely begin before the end of the summer as the club look to secure six new signings.

Chelsea hold Ziyech exit talks

Chelsea and AC Milan have reportedly held tals over Hakim Ziyech.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is open to getting rid of the winger to make space for new arrivals, and trim down his squad in the process, according to The Guardian.

And Ziyech’s also interested in a move away from Stamford Bridge to relauch his career, the report adds.

However, he will have to work out a salary with Milan who do not want to pay the current wage packet he receives from Chelsea.

Beckham reveals moment of redemption

David Beckham reckons his goal against Greece for England vindicated him in the eyes of fans across the country after his red card in World Cup 1998.

Beckham even claims Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea supporters were among the list of forgiving fans.

He said when asked about his favourite goal: “I think it has to be the goal against Greece.

I think that was, possibly, the moment for me where most of the nation forgave me for what I did four years before.

“I think that was probably the moment England fans – whether it West Ham, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – went, ‘okay, enough is enough’.

“It was a special moment, to play in a game that was so important for our country – at Old Trafford – it has to be the best [goal].”

Gazza reveals brutal Chelsea snub

Paul Gascoine has revealed that he brutally snubbed Chelsea in 1995.

Reminiscing alongside former Gers team-mate Ally McCoist on talkSPORT, Gascoigne said: “I remember speaking to [then Lazio boss] Dino Zoff and asking him what clubs were interested in me at the time and he said Chelsea.

“I said ‘I ain’t going there, what’s the other one?’ He replied Aston Villa.

“And I said I ain’t going there either, and then he said Rangers. So I’m walking out of the door and I turned around and said ‘I ain’t going to Queens Park Rangers’.

“No, Glasgow Rangers. I slammed the door and said to Dino get them over quickly.”

Three centre-back shortlist revealed

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that De Ligt is on a three-man centre-back shortlist.

He he has stated that Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Manchester City ace Nathan Ake and Sevilla’s defensive stalwart Jules Kounde.

Romano tweeted: “Chelsea are genuinely interested in Matthijs de Ligt, confirmed.

“Juve will ask for a big fee as they’re discussing to extend Matthijs’ contract, but still no full agreement.

“De Ligt is appreciated by Thomas Tuchel – part of the list with Koundé and Nathan Ake.”

Gift of the Gab

Mikel Arteta is reportedly set to bolster his attacking options by sealing the transfer of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus in the next seven to 10 days.

The Gunners are in desperate need of a striker or two and Arteta and Co are moving quickly to get their targets through the door.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are nearing a £50million agreement with City for striker Jesus, who was also linked with Chelsea.

There is growing confidence that the deal will be completed within 10 days.

Jesus’ arrival would follow hot on the heels of Fabio Vieira’s confirmation.

The midfielder joined Arsenal from Porto in a £30m deal as Arteta looks to bolster his squad ahead of a push to return to the Champions League.

Tuch and go

Thomas Tuchel has said he wishes Reece James could clone key player James.

In April, the German said: “I would love to have two of Reece James, that would solve the problem, it’s like 50% towards wing-back and 45% towards the back three.

“It depends a little bit on how the opponent plays against us.

“Do we expect a lot of possession, how is their structure for their offensive transition.

“For this it can sometimes be helpful for Reece to play in the back three and be the first guy to cover in the transition and to not be involved in the attack.

“We have his speed and physicality in the protection of the opponents counter-attack.

“I’m a bit more into that his very best position is the wing-back position where he is perhaps even more decisive, more useful but it is more demanding.

“The next step is to be a regular player over 50, 55, 60 matches and from there we have to decide that those positions are filled with top quality with him.”