Transfer Gossip: Pochettino finds perfect £70m fix for massive Chelsea problem position; Everton to accept £50m for Man Utd target on one condition
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Mauricio Pochettino is ready to turn to a fellow countryman to solve a glaring Chelsea problem this summer, while Everton are willing to accept £50million for a top Manchester United midfield target and Leicester and Fulham both want a Serie A centre-back – all in Sunday’s Transfer Gossip.
POCHETTINO TO ADD FINAL PIECE OF CHELSEA JIGSAW
Chelsea have agreed terms with Mauricio Pochettino to become the club’s new coach and despite a contract not yet being signed, the Argentine is reportedly close to fixing a major problem at his new club.
According to ESPN, transfer options for the summer have already been discussed with the former Tottenham manager, who is expected to be officially unveiled soon.
The Daily Mail also adds that Pochettino wants a striker, midfielder and goalkeeper, while a number of stars will also be offloaded to balance the books.
And it appears that Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who is also a major target for Manchester United, is the man Pochettino wants to fill a gaping need in the Chelsea team.
The Blues have struggled without an out-and-out No.9 for the majority of the season, having allowed Romelu Lukaku’s loan exit to Inter.
The absence of a natural central striker has clearly proved troublesome and, with a move for top target Victor Osimhen looking virtually impossible, Chelsea have targeted Martinez instead.
And while Christopher Nkunku will be arriving in a £63 million deal from RB Leipzig, the Frenchman is viewed more as an attacking midfielder than a striker – much like Kai Havertz.
Pochettino to lure Martinez to Stamford Bridge
It’s claimed that Pochettino can convince his fellow countryman, who is valued at around £70m, to join him in west London in what would be a significant coup for Todd Boehly.
However, Pochettino will have plenty of work to do over the off-season, with the Blues still chasing former academy star Declan Rice, while they also want Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo along with Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.
The former PSG boss will also try and convince Mason Mount to pen a new contract and discussions will take place over Lukaku’s desire to either have a fresh start the Bridge or walk away again.
As for Pochettino, he’s expected to bring assistant Jesus Perez and his usual coaching team to Stamford Bridge but will not officially start in his new role until the end of the season.
EVERTON OPEN TO £50M OFFER FOR TOP MIDFIELDER
Everton are reportedly willing to sell midfielder Amadou Onana this summer, with Manchester United heavily linked with the player.
The 21-year-old has had an impressive first season at Goodison, despite the club’s struggles to beat relegation, having moved from Lille in a £33million deal last summer.
His performances in a struggling side have not gone unnoticed, with Erik ten Hag reportedly giving United transfer chiefs the green light to try and strike a deal.
And now Football Insider claims that the Toffees are ready to do business, but only if they go down and if United are willing to stump up £50m.
However, even if they stay up, it’s thought Everton will have a tough time convincing Onana to stay – especially if United make their interest abundantly clear.
The player is currently tied down to a contract until 2027 which gives the Merseysiders good leverage to demand a significant transfer fee.
Onana has made 32 appearances for Everton this season, including 29 starts, and has contributed one goal and two assists from midfield.
LEICESTER, FULHAM CHASING FIORENTINA CENTRE-BACK
And finally, Fiorentina centre-back Igor has emerged as a top target for Premier League rivals Leicester and Fulham this summer.
The defender has been a regular for the Serie A side, making 37 total appearances this season. However, he was an unused substitute in his side’s 2-1 defeat to FC Basel in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
And according to Firenzeviola, his ‘not-so-certain situation’ in Florence has ‘attracted interest’ from the Foxes and Cottagers, among others.
The report adds that both clubs are ‘making concrete moves’ to secure the 25-year-old’s services in the summer, although clubs from Spain and France are also keen.
Igor currently has a deal until 2024 but Fiorentina do have an option to extend it by a year.
Indeed, the Serie A side plan to contact the Brazilian’s entourage in the summer to try to agree a deal for the renewal, but their plans could change if the defender ‘asks to be sold’.