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    Chelsea in Rafael Leao transfer blow as PSG set to swoop for AC Milan star if Lionel Messi quits this summer

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have identified AC Milan star Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for Lionel Messi, according to reports.That poses as a significant blow for Chelsea, who have also been keeping tabs on the Portugal ace ahead of the summer transfer window.
    Paris Saint-Germain are eyeing AC Milan star and Chelsea target Rafael LeaoCredit: Getty
    Paris Saint-Germain rate Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for Lionel MessiCredit: EPA
    According to Calciomercato, PSG have a “serious” interest in the winger and are willing to match his £132million release clause.
    The winger’s deal with Milan runs out next year and technical director Paolo Maldini is hoping to finalise an extension soon.
    However, negotiations between the 23-year-old and the Rossoneri may drag until the end of the season.
    In the meantime, PSG executive Luis Campos is keeping tabs on Leao as he sees him as the ideal candidate to succeed Messi in Christophe Galtier’s frontline.
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    Leao, though, remains focused on the reigning Italian champions but is not “completely indifferent”.
    Chelsea are also monitoring the Portuguese star’s situation as they are looking to rebuild in the summer after a turbulent first season under new owner Todd Boehly.
    Messi’s contract runs out in June and he appears likely to leave amid a hapless two-year stint in Paris.
    The star forward was signed in 2021 after he rolled credits on his glittering 17-year stint at Barcelona to lead the Parisians to Champions League glory.
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    However, the Argentina captain has failed that mission with PSG crashing out in the last 16 in the last two years.
    The 35-year-old has been linked with a dramatic return to Barca despite the club’s financial woes.
    Messi’s former Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero is confident he will go back and retire at the Nou Camp. More

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    Declan Rice is destined to play for ‘top side’ amid Arsenal and Chelsea transfer links, says Marco Verratti

    ITALY international Marco Verratti expects Declan Rice to join a “top side” after heaping praise on the West Ham captain.The two midfielders faced off last night as England beat Italy at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in their opening 2024 Euro qualifier.
    Declan Rice and Marco Verratt battled in England’s match against ItalyCredit: Getty
    Rice impressed in the game and scored the first goal of the gameCredit: Getty
    Afterwards Verratti said that Rice will join a ‘top side’Credit: Getty
    Rice starred for the Three Lions and was named man of the match after dominating the midfield.
    The Hammers man also bagged his third international goal as he opened the scoring with a good finish in the first half.
    And after the game, his performance was noticed by PSG star Verratti, who believes that the 24-year-old will get a big move.
    He said: “I really like him as a player.
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    “He provides great balance and shape to the team, and he’s got wonderful physical attributes.
    “He really helps his team out a lot.
    “He’s a number six, a defensive midfielder that England really need.
    “I’m sure that he will end up at a top side because I’ve played against him many times, he never gives up.
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    “He’s got a wonderful attitude, and he’s still very young so he’s got a huge room for improvement.”
    Rice has been linked with an exit from West Ham over the last couple of seasons, with many top clubs interested in his services.
    Arsenal are believed to be his most likely destination with the Gunners planning a summer move.
    Chelsea are also in the running to sign Rice as they look to lure him back to the club after originally releasing him as a teenager from the youth academy.
    Rice has been linked with a move away from West HamCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea and Newcastle in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia transfer blow with Napoli winger set to stay put

    CHELSEA and Newcastle will miss out on Kvaratskhelia with Napoli determined to keep him, according to reports. The 22-year-old Georgian star had been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Newcastle being tipped as a possible destination.
    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is considered to be one of the best young players in the worldCredit: Getty
    Kvaratskhelia was also linked with Chelsea towards the end of last year.
    However, as interest grows from Real Madrid and PSG, the Serie A leaders are ready to act fast.
    According to Calciomercato, Napoli are prepared to hand the player a substantial pay rise that would see him earn £2.6m per season.
    The club would only consider his departure if they receive an offer, including a transfer fee, of more than £100m.
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    Since signing for Napoli for £8.8 million last summer, Kvaratskhelia has scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists in 30 games across all competitions.
    Along with striker Victor Osimhen, the young winger has Napoli on the verge of their first Serie A title since Diego Maradona was in Naples.
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    In fact, he’s the first player – ever – to achieve both 10 goals and 10 assists, in his inaugural Italian season.
    Only four players have been more productive in Europe’s top five leagues this season: Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Osimhen.
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    Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio also reported: “I don’t think Kvaratskhelia can leave Napoli. He has only been there for one season and it is really unlikely that the club will sell him”.
    He added that if Osimhen, whose contract expires in June 2025, leaves, then they “do not need to sell Kvaratskhelia”.
    Osimhen leaving Napoli is a real possibility, with Manchester United the favourites to take him.
    Playing in the Champions League is likely to be a priority for the young star.
    With Newcastle in the race for the top four, and Chelsea sitting 10th in the Premier League, it seems that he should stay put. More

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    Man Utd FAVOURITES to land Victor Osimhen but told they must smash Premier League transfer record for Napoli striker

    MANCHESTER UNITED are favourites to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen, according to reports.United are in the market for a new striker this summer.
    Manchester United are favourites to land Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
    And Osimhen fits their criteria after scoring 25 goals in 29 games this season, including four in the Champions League.
    The Red Devils are leading the race to sign the striker, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
    But the transfer guru claims it could take a Premier League record fee for United to get their man.
    Napoli are reportedly willing to sell Osimhen for a fee in the region of £115-£130million.
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    That is a little more than the £107m Chelsea paid to sign Enzo Fernandez in January, which set a new Prem record.
    Di Marzio also reports Paris Saint-Germain could make a move for Osimhen.
    They would likely be able to afford the Nigerian, as would Chelsea who have also been linked.
    Osimhen says he dreams of playing in the Premier League at some stage.
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    However, it appears PSG could be set to leapfrog the competition during the international break.
    It is believed transfer guru Luis Campos has arranged a meeting with Osimhen’s representatives.
    And talks are already underway in the background over structuring a potential deal for July.
    PSG are bracing themselves for the possible exit of Lionel Messi, whose contract expires shortly. More

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    Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City in Wilfried Gnonto transfer battle with Leeds star available for a bargain

    WILFRIED GNONTO is at the centre of a transfer battle as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City eye the Leeds star, reports say.The Italian has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Elland Road, producing a few jaw-dropping moments.
    Wilfried Gnonto in full flight has given defenders much to worry about this seasonCredit: Getty
    Despite his form, Leeds find themselves in one of the Premier League’s most competitive relegation battles ever.
    And whether or not they escape the bottom three could impact on Gnonto’s future at the club.
    Relegation may mean the club could have to sell the 19-year-old winger at a bargain price and there are no end of Premier League clubs interested in him.
    Gazzetta dello Sport report that City, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the Italian, who could come up against England in the Euro qualifier tonight.
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    Leeds bought Gnonto for a reported fee of just £4million from FC Zurich last summer and they could now make a tidy profit for him if they do opt to sell.
    Gnonto has two goals and three assists in the league this season, including a very early goal at Old Trafford that left Manchester United stunned.
    The youngster has made early strikes a specialty of his and he managed to also catch Cardiff cold with a belter in the FA Cup back in January.
    Leeds will need Gnonto at his best when the Premier League enters its final stretch next month.
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    Nine clubs are separated by just four points in the desperate scrap for survival.
    Javi Gracia has managed to bag a couple of big results since replacing Jesse Marsh but the Yorkshire club have Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and Tottenham on the horizon. More

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    ‘Confirms what we all know’ – Fans convinced Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice is off in summer after West Ham tweet

    FOOTBALL fans have been left convinced that Declan Rice will be on the move this summer.This is after Rice was NOT included in promotional pictures for West Ham’s pre-season tour.
    Declan Rice was left out of West Ham’s pre-season promoCredit: PA
    We are pleased to announce we will travel to Australia in pre-season! 🇦🇺— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 23, 2023

    West Ham announced on Thursday they will be going on tour to Australia to tune up for the next campaign.
    The picture they used to advertise the tour included Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Nayef Aguerd.
    But the noticeable omission of club captain Rice has left fans convinced he will not be at the club in the summer.
    One fan wrote: “Haha admin knows Rice is off and won’t be featuring in the tour 🤣.”
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    A second said: “No Rice also in the promo video or picture already confirms what we all already know. That he won’t be here for that tour.”
    A third typed: “Where’s your captain? Does it mean that he will leave the club in the summer?”
    While a fourth commented: “Without DR,” with another adding: “No Rice then?”
    London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are two of the most heavily interested parties in a transfer for the England star.
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    It has been reported Rice could be sold for around £80million.
    Arsenal are keen to bolster their midfield, having previously seen two offers for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo rejected.
    Chelsea splashed out an English-record £107m on Enzo Fernandez, but remain keen on bringing their former academy prospect back to Stamford Bridge.
    The Rice omission comes after Tottenham talisman Harry Kane was left out of the clubs own pre-season tour promo amid links to Manchester United. More

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    Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah in incredible six-month body transformation as he shows off new ripped figure

    TREVOH CHALOBAH has shown off his incredible new ripped physique after six months of hard graft.The Chelsea star has committed to getting himself into better shape and is now reaping the rewards.
    Trevoh Chalobah started putting in more fitness work six months agoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jr_athletesedge/
    And the results are now clear to seeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jr_athletesedge/
    Working with football performance coach James Ralph, the defender has massively developed his body.
    James uploaded a post to his Instagram showing the progress Chalobah has made in the last six months, in which he praises the player’s recent commitment.
    He wrote: “When Hypertrophy and Body Composition wasn’t even a goal.
    “I know this picture will get a lot of traction, and rightly so – the progression that can be seen is phenomenal for a ‘normal’ person in six months, let alone an elite athlete IN season who does a lot of cardio and when Hypertrophy wasn’t even a thought.
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    “The reason I would want this post to get traction, though is to highlight things you cannot simply see on a picture.
    “Trevoh’s attitude is incredible – he (I don’t think he would mind me saying this) has in the past not been as consistent.
    “As soon as he was, and was able to commit to the long-term plan, his results have skyrocketed on all fronts – strength, power and speed.
    “Always a pleasure to work with, Trevoh has been through so much to get to where he is now.
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    “Multiple loans, played in various positions and often thrown in and excelling after periods of not being involved.
    “Consistency pays off.”
    The 23-year-old will be hoping his improved fitness can help him earn a regular spot in Graham Potter’s Chelsea side.
    This season Chabolah has played 41 per cent of available minutes in the Premier League as he is behind Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly in the pecking order.
    And his fans were full of approval for his progress, as one commented: “Serious gains.”
    A second wrote: “Man like Trev 👏.”
    A third said: “The difference is clear 🔥.”
    While a fourth added: “This is hard enough to achieve, even being a pro athlete. Respect.” More

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    Chelsea frontrunners to hire scout who discovered Man Utd transfer target Jeremie Frimpong at Bayer Leverkusen

    CHELSEA are reportedly keen on hiring ex-Bayer Leverkusen chief scout Tim Steidten.The 43-year-old recently left the Bundesliga outfit.
    Chelsea are reportedly keen on ex-Bayer Leverkusen scout Tim SteidtenCredit: Getty
    Steidten is reportedly responsible for recruiting Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong at LeverkusenCredit: Getty
    And Chelsea are the frontrunners to recruit him, according to Foot Mercato.
    It was reported by Bild last week that Steidten left Leverkusen in order to pursue a new challenge next season.
    He is said to have left with immediate effect in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest in any future transfers.
    The Blues have been linked with Steidten in the past.
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    And reports suggest owner Todd Boehly is keen on bringing in the esteemed talent spotter.
    AS Monaco and Liverpool are also said to be interested in Steidten, although it’s claimed Chelsea are the current frontrunners for his signature.
    Get French Football News say Steidten is credited with recruiting current Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong from Celtic in 2021.
    It’s also thought he is responsible for discovering Arsenal and Newcastle linked winger Moussa Diaby, as well as the likes of Florian Wirtz and Edmond Tapsoba.
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    The Red Devils are reportedly keen on signing Leverkusen right-back Frimpong.
    The 22-year-old has scored seven goals and laid on nine assists in 35 games this season from right-back. More