Chelsea transfer news: Zinedine Zidane, Mauro Icardi, Boubacar Kamara, Nicolo Barella
Will Sarri get the board’s backing or are Chelsea eyeing a swoop for Zidane?
With speculation mounting that Maurizio Sarri could be gone before long, the Daily Star claims that the Chelsea boss has told his board “to back him in the transfer market this summer or sack him”.
That suggests Sarri believes he won’t lose the confidence of owner Roman Abramovich - despite rumours claiming the Blues are “eyeing” former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
But if Italian Sarri is given another season at the helm at Stamford Bridge who will he bring in to strengthen his desperately fragile squad?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Caught on Kamara
TalkSPORT reports that Chelsea scouts were recently in France to cast an eye over the Marseille star labelled the “new Thiago Silva”.
The youngster in question is 19-year-old defender Boubacar Kamara, who talkSPORT says “has caught the eye with the Ligue 1 club this season”.
His mature performances for the Mediterranean outfit have impressed a host of top European clubs, and Arsenal are known to have made enquiries. But apparently Chelsea have taken it a step further by sending their spies to watch Kamara in action against Dijon last Friday night.
With Gary Cahill and David Luiz both out of contract at the end of the season, Chelsea are on the hunt for fresh blood and it’s claimed that Marseille will be willing to let him go for a suitably astronomical sum.
Battle for Barella
Arsenal are also ready to rival Chelsea for the signature of Cagliari sensation Nicolo Barella.
The 22-year-old midfielder is spoken of very highly in Serie A circles and Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb says that the two London clubs are both tailing the playmaker.
Chelsea were first alerted to Barella last month, and although they didn’t make a bid they are continuing to monitor him. But so now are Arsenal, and the Gunners have recently had their scouts run their rule over Barella as they prepare for life after Aaron Ramsey.
Icardi impasse
Finally, Football.London says that Mauro Icardi’s future at Inter Milan “remains a topic of much conversation in Italy”, with reports suggesting the Argentine striker could be tempted by a move to Stamford Bridge.
Talks with Inter over a new deal are going nowhere and Chelsea are said to be “one of the clubs chasing his signature”.
Inter boss Luciano Spalletti is becoming so concerned by the contract impasse that he recently made a public plea to his board.
Spalletti said: “The directors agreed to start talking about the contract, so now they need to go there and conclude it.”
This afternoon is was also reported that Inter had stripped Icardi of the captain’s armband.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s financial charges: what next for the Premier League champions?
feature The club is alleged to have breached financial rules around 100 times over a nine-year period
By Mike Starling Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published