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    Chelsea ‘to offer outrageous FIVE players in sensational swap transfer to sign £68m-rated Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic’

    CHELSEA are ready to name as many as FIVE players in a swap deal for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, reports in Italy say. Incoming Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to prioritise signing a star striker this summer.
    Dusan Vlahovic is linked with a move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
    It comes amid the news that Juve are also being forced to sell players in a bid to balance their books.
    Vlahovic – who has 23 goals in 62 games with the Italian giants – is believed to be unsettled with the Old Lady.
    And according to Gazzetta, Chelsea discussed signing the forward in a meeting with Juve director Giovanni Manna.
    It is further claimed manager Massimiliano Allegri was informed that the Blues are willing to include players in the package.
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    Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly are all believed to have been offered.
    Chelsea look likely to sell both Kai Havertz and Lukaku this window to make space for a new No9.

    Lukaku – who has spent the past year on-loan at Inter Milan – previously revealed that he was unhappy at Stamford Bridge.
    So he could seal a permanent transfer before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off and has held talks for a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
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    Meanwhile, Havertz has been linked with both Arsenal and Real Madrid.
    Juventus value Vlahovic at £68million and club chiefs are desperate to sell him this summer.
    The Serbian joined the club in a £62m transfer from Fiorentina in January last year, but he struggled with just 10 league goals last season.
    Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz could be sold by ChelseaCredit: Reuters More

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    Chelsea set for talks with Juventus over £68m striker with Italian giants needing to sell

    CHELSEA are set to open talks with Juventus over the potential transfer of Dusan Vlahovic, according to reports.New Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to sign a new striker this summer, with Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz expected to move away.
    Chelsea are set to open talks with VlahovicCredit: Getty
    Lukaku – who has spent the past year on-loan at Inter Milan – previously revealed that he was unhappy at Stamford Bridge, so he could seal a permanent transfer before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off.
    Meanwhile, Havertz has been linked with both Arsenal and Real Madrid.
    With Chelsea in desperate need of a new frontman, Pochettino has set his sights on Juventus ace Vlahovic.
    And according to Italian football journalist Rudy Galetti, the Blues are expected to open talks with the Serie A side over a potential transfer.
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    Juventus value Vlahovic at £68million and club chiefs are desperate to sell him this summer.
    The striker joined the club in a £62m transfer from Fiorentina in January last year, but he struggled to find his form.
    Some Chelsea fans are now doubting if he will be an upgrade from Lukaku.
    One person tweeted: “Vlahovic has flop written all over it, not even scored that many this season either. I’d rather give Lukaku another go until we can go for Toney when his ban is up.”
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    While another added: “Is Vlahovic even really much of an upgrade on Lukaku?”
    The Blues are set to let go of several first team players this summer in order to make way for more signings.
    Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic are on the verge of joining Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, while N’Golo Kante’s move to Saudi Arabia has been all but confirmed. More

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    Fans convinced Christian Pulisic has dropped MAJOR hint about transfer with Chelsea keen to ship £58m flop

    FOOTBALL fans believe they know where Christian Pulisic is going following his latest Instagram post.The Chelsea star, 24, has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge amid a difficult season with the club.
    Christian Pulisic is being heavily linked with a move away from ChelseaCredit: Rex

    He registered just one goal and two assists in 30 appearances for the Blues during the 2022/23 campaign.
    According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan are interested in agreeing a deal for the American forward.
    It is understood he has the “green light” to seek a switch away from West London.
    And there are other clubs in the race for the ex-Borussia Dortmund man.
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    But football fans are convinced Milan will land Pulisic after studying his latest social media post.
    He has linked up with the US national team for their games against Mexico and Jamaica later this month.
    And a photo he shared with his American training top on showing the red and black colours of AC Milan.
    He then added the caption: “⚫️🔴US.”
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    In response, one follower replied: “AC Milan confirmed with that caption.”
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    Another added: “Welcome to AC Milan ⚫🔴.”
    A third said: “Those are AC Milan colours 👀👀.”
    While a fourth responded: “You’re definitely going to Milan!!”
    Pulisic joined Chelsea from Dortmund for £57.6million in January 2019.
    He has contributed 26 goals and 21 assists in 145 appearances for the Blues, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
    But Chelsea are keen to offload players from their inflated squad after spending £600m across the last two transfer windows. More

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    Chelsea transfer target Mike Maignan posts cryptic Instagram message in pointed dig at current club AC Milan

    CHELSEA transfer target Mike Maignan has posted a cryptic Instagram post in a pointed dig at current club AC Milan.The French goalkeeper has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
    Mike Maignan has appeared to aim a dig at current club AC MilanCredit: Alamy
    Mike Maignan shared a cryptic Instagram post after Paolo Maldini’s exit
    Maignan’s future at Milan is currently up in the air following a turbulent few days at the San Siro.
    The dismissal of technical director and club legend Paolo Maldini after four years in the role has angered several key players.
    Theo Hernandez, Sandro Tonali, Rafael Leao and Maignan are all reportedly disgruntled by the decision, with sporting director Ricky Massara also leaving.
    Maignan now appears to have made his feelings known in a cryptic social media post featuring Maldini.
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    He shared a pair of images from his Milan unveiling in 2021, showing the Frenchman holding his shirt and signing his contract next to Maldini.
    Alongside the images, he wrote: “Sempre Milan”, meaning “Always Milan”. He also placed a question mark on the “I” in Milan.
    Football Italia report that Maldini had been set to offer Maignan a new deal prior to his departure.
    His exit has now thrown the 27-year-old’s future into doubt, despite him still having three years left on his current contract.
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    The disruption comes as a boost for Chelsea, who have Maignan at the top of their list of goalkeeping targets.
    Maignan caught the eye in his second season in Italy, conceding just 27 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.
    Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign a new number one this summer, with Andre Onana and David Raya also identified as targets.
    Current Chelsea stoppers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy were less than impressive last term, leaving doubts over their ability moving forward.
    Mike Maignan is one of Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsCredit: Getty More

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    Serie A in shock rebranding with league given NEW NAME as boss claims Italy has had best top flight in world for decades

    THE Serie A CEO has confirmed that the top division in Italy will adopt a new name abroad.Boss Luigi De Siervo has discussed their plans to grow the overall stature of Serie A through a number of different avenues.
    The Serie A has been rebranded – with a new name abroad for next seasonCredit: Getty
    Italian football has enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years, with four different winners in the last four consecutive campaigns.
    This season, Italian teams reached the finals of all three European club competitions – Inter in the Champions League, Roma in the Europa League and Fiorentina in the Conference League.
    And now bosses want to build on that success by creating a more attractive brand to investors.
    Speaking to AS, De Siervo said: “Our league abroad will be called ‘Serie A: Made in Italy’. We have begun the journey to regain international leadership.

    “Funds have started to deal with Italy because we are the league with the most potential, having been the best for decades”.
    The 54-year-old added: “We have to improve the stadiums, but the beauty of our cities and the history they bring is unique.
    “It’s not just a league, it’s a country. Italy is a dream for many people, beyond football”.
    The CEO also spoke about the importance of TV rights and revenues.
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    He said: “Piracy costs us about €1 billion every three years. We’ve finally got a law that we had been asking about for 3 years.
    “Parliament passed it unanimously. We have confidence in the new platforms that can close IP addresses in half an hour”.
    He also discussed the league’s fight against racist abuse in stadiums.
    He declared: “No tolerance. The 170 fans who insulted Lukaku will never again enter a stadium”.
    This comes as both Serie A and La Liga have been criticised for their handling of racism towards players. More

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    Ethan Ampadu to miss Wales’ training camp in Portugal in a bid to keep Spezia in Serie A

    ETHAN AMPADU will miss Wales’ warm weather training camp this week in a bid to keep Spezia in Serie A.The Dragons are off to Portugal on Thursday to prepare for this month’s Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey.
    Welshman Ampadu will be involved in the relegation play-off in Serie A this weekendCredit: Getty
    Ampadu’s international team-mates will be in Portugal preparing for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and TurkeyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    But Chelsea’s on-loan defender Ampadu, 22, will be involved in the relegation play-off between Spezia and Verona scheduled for Sunday in Italy.
    Both clubs finished the regular Serie A season level on 31 points following final-day defeats to Roma and AC Milan.
    So that means there will be a play-off for the first time since Bologna faced Parma in 2005.
    The one-legged match will take place at a neutral venue with the kick-off time and stadium yet to be confirmed.
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    Wales have used Portugal for a number of years as their favourite warm weather training camp prior to their summer fixtures.
    But Ampadu, who has 41 Welsh caps, has club commitments rather than training with his international pals.
    Robert Page’s side, with four points from their opening Group D fixtures against Croatia and Latvia in March, host Armenia in Cardiff on June 16.
    Then Wales face Turkey in Samsun three days later.
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    Ampadu, who joined Chelsea from Exeter in 2007, has had loan spells at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia before his second stint in Italy.
    He signed a new three-year contract with the Blues in 2021.
    Ampadu signed for Spezia on a season-long loan last August. More

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    AC Milan chaos as ‘FOUR stars eye exit after Maldini departure’ including top Chelsea transfer target

    FOUR AC Milan stars including Chelsea target Mike Maignan could chase a move amid turmoil off the pitch.Some senior players are reportedly unhappy at directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara being sacked.
    Mike Maignan is said to be on a list of keepers eyed by ChelseaCredit: Getty
    The Blues are also thought to be interested in Milan frontman Rafael LeaoCredit: Rex
    Keeper Maignan and his France team-mate, left-back Theo Hernandez, are said to be pondering their future.
    Portugal striker Rafael Leao – despite just signing a new long-term contract – and Italy anchorman Sandro Tonali have also been mentioned.
    But it’s Maignan’s situation that might excite Chelsea.
    New Blues’ boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to want a new No1.
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    Inter Milan’s Andre Onana followed by Brentford star David Raya are regarded as further up the list than Maignan.
    But the 27-year-old, who has won seven French caps, could be an easier player to land.
    The saga at Milan comes just as legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires.
    The Swedish hitman, 41, won Serie A three times with Inter and twice apiece with Juventus and Milan, also picking up silverware with Ajax, Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United.
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    La Repubblica name Maignan and Hernandez as possible departures to follow.
    And Italian journalist Daniele Longo suggests Tonali could be another.
    But Leao is perhaps the biggest surprise.
    Last month Chelsea were said to have offered both Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
    But it’s claimed the Italian giants want close to £130million for the former Lille and Sporting Lisbon hero. More

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    Napoli ultras reward departing boss Spalletti for title by giving back his STEERING WHEEL two years after stealing it

    NAPOLI fans have rewarded departing manager Luciano Spalletti by returning the steering wheel they stole from him two years ago.The Italian is leaving the Naples side after leading the club to their first Serie A title since 1990 this season.
    Luciano Spalletti was greet by Napoli’s Ultras as he left Napoli
    They gave him a present as a thank you for winning the title
    And he was given back the steering wheel and CDs that were stolen from him two years ago
    He led the club to its first Serie A title since 1990Credit: Reuters
    Napoli stormed to the league title, with Lazio the closest to them while still being 16 points behind.
    After lifting the trophy, Spalletti will leave his post as manager and take a sabbatical.
    Club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed that he was asked by the 64-year-old if he could take the break and admitted that he could not refuse him the chance.
    It all came despite Spalletti having one year left to run on his contract with Napoli.
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    But club fans have continued their support of the Italian and even gave him a parting gift.
    The club’s ultra group presented him with the steering wheel from his Fiat Panda and CDs they stole from him in 2021.
    The group took the manager’s car in October 2021 after he first arrived at the club.
    They promised that he would get them back when he left the club.
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    And they have now stuck to their word and gifted the items to Spalletti.
    The moment was captured on video, as Spalletti opened his present and revealed the gifts inside could not contain his excitement.
    The departing manager burst out in laughter and held them up to the ceiling.
    In the background, the Ultras are holding up the same banner that they displayed back in 2021, which read: “Spalletti, your Panda will be given back, as long as you leave!”
    The ultras then hugged the manager before removing their balaclavas. More