Manchester City are maintaining a briefing on Mateo Kovacic, who is set to leave Chelsea this summer.
The 29-year-old is admired by Pep Guardiola and would like to join the election of Premier League champions. City will provide a squad update at the end of the campaign as Guardiola awaits a decision from Barcelona target Ilkay Gundogan on his contract offer, while Kalvin Phillips is also keen to stay.
City have also discussed the merits of West Ham’s Declan Rice, but his style could overtake that of Rodri who plays a hugely important role alongside Guardiola. Arsenal are seen as favorites but their concern over Rice is the price.
Manchester United are also huge fans and have players such as Scott McTominay whom West Ham would consider as part of a £120m package.
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to travel to London from Barcelona on Tuesday before signing his three-year contract, but expects departures with Kovacic, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Edouard Mendy among the main candidates.
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is a summer transfer target for Manchester City
Kovacic (blue top) is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and wants to move elsewhere
Chelsea scouts watched Napoli’s £130m-rated striker Victor Osimhen in Monza’s upset 2-0 victory over the Italian champions on Sunday. Pochettino also expects talks on Romelu Lukaku’s situation at the end of the month.
The passage of King Parejo rings Villa
Villarreal passing master Dani Parejo is eyeing a return to England at the age of 34. After playing 41 consecutive games for Villarreal this season, Parejo will miss the next game against Girona as he is suspended for accumulating yellow cards.
Parejo regularly tops the passing stats and has amassed nearly 2,000 completions. He had a brief stint with QPR in 2008 while on loan from Real Madrid and is now considering another attempt in England.
Aston Villa are among those probed over Parejo’s relationship with Unai Emery, but others are weighing up a bid.
Villa like Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso for his midfield, as previously reported in Confidential, and want a more technical presence on the flanks, hence their interest in Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.
The likes of Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Philippe Coutinho could all leave if they find the right offers.
The Clarets could change for the ex-United manager
Former Manchester United manager Warren Joyce is in the running to lead Burnley’s academy. The 58-year-old coached Nottingham Forest U18s and took them to the FA Youth Cup final against United last year.
However, despite the work put in by Joyce and academy director Gary Brazil, with four of their youngsters making their first-team debuts and several international call-ups, Forest have yet to offer new contracts.
With their future up in the air, it has alerted Burnley who are looking to revamp their academy following promotion to the Premier League.
Forest are expected to make a lot of changes this summer with the departure of staff and players. A new arrival is expected to be former Southampton player information manager Tom Stockwell.
Former Manchester United youth team manager Warren Joyce is in the running to lead Burnley’s academy
Rangers watch Pandur between the sticks
For Rangers boss Michael Beale this summer, the only need is to strengthen his defence. The club’s scouts therefore checked Fortuna Sittard goalkeeper Ivor Pandur against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.
The Croatia U21 international is on loan from Hellas Verona and is under consideration as Rangers look to add a new goalkeeper. The 23-year-old had a busy afternoon but couldn’t hold off PSV as they lost 2-1.
Rangers, who last week agreed a four-year deal with Chelsea right-back Dujon Sterling and want Arsenal centre-back Auston Trusty, have also maintained contact with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland, but this agreement so far remains too expensive.
Leeds love young City midfielder Breckin
Manchester City prospect Kian Breckin is becoming a target for Leeds United. The 19-year-old is the son of former Nottingham Forest and Wigan defender Ian ‘Breckinbauer’ Breckin and has shown some silky touches of his own midfield game for City’s U21s this season.
Breckin has four years left on his contract, but with a tough road ahead City could sell if the right offer arises. Leeds, who admire a number of City youngsters, could face competition from Newcastle United for Breckin.
Manchester City academy talent Kian Breckin becomes a target for Leeds United
Everton alerted to a Malian attacker as fast as an iguana!
Everton’s search for a striker led them to El Bilal Toure from Almeria. The Mali international missed the end of the season after tearing a muscle in his thigh which the Almeria doctor says happened when he sprinted at 35km/h – that’s also quick as a spiny tailed iguana for those of you wondering…
Either way, Everton have been assured the 21-year-old could recover just as quickly but fans will be wary. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was taken off as a precaution against Manchester City on Sunday and without him Everton carried little to no threat up front, leaving them dangerously close to the end.
Toure has also attracted interest from Brentford who are weighing the options as they fear a lengthy ban from Ivan Toney.
Gallagher could be a perfect fit for Toon
Newcastle United scouts checked Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai again on Sunday as he netted a spectacular late winner in their 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen.
However, it’s understood the Hungary international isn’t top of Eddie Howe’s menu. Howe would prefer Premier League experience and a deal that could yet emerge as the easiest is for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
Conor Gallagher’s Premier League experience made him a possible target for Newcastle
Newcastle face fierce competition from Spurs for Leicester City’s James Maddison and have greater financial restrictions than their five main rivals.
It’s still Rome sweet Rome for Smalling
Chris Smalling has signed his new two-year contract with Roma. Smalling’s agent, James Featherstone, flew to Rome on Thursday morning to complete the business and returned to England on Friday.
Now 33, claimed Vegan Smalling has made 42 appearances this season but has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hip flexor injury.
Chris Smalling stays at Roma after signing another two-year Serie A contract extension
Tanzania’s saint’s eye stays behind with exodus about to begin
Middlesbrough and Southampton checked 20-year-old Tanzanian international left-back Novatus Miroshi at Zulte Waregem.
Southampton will be looking to reshape their squad this summer with the likes of Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu among those set to go.
Gavin Bazunu became a target for Tottenham after Southampton’s relegation confirmation
Bazunu is among the keepers being considered by Tottenham as Hugo Lloris considers a move to Saudi Arabia. Saints centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap, meanwhile, is a target for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sunderland in pole position to land Jude’s younger brother
Birmingham City midfielder Jobe Bellingham was spotted in Sunderland’s play-off against Luton Town on Saturday.
Confidential readers will be aware of Sunderland’s interest in Jobe, Jude’s 17-year-old younger brother, and it is expected that he will become a permanent fixture at the Stadium of Light next season.
Jobe Bellingham – Jude’s youngest player – was spotted in Sunderland’s play-off with Luton
Arsenal kid would give Hammers a boost
West Ham are keeping tabs on former Arsenal trainee Yunus Musah at Valencia.
The super-fast Musah was at Arsenal between the ages of 9 and 16 before moving to Valencia where he made his first-team debut aged 17.
West Ham retain an interest in Bristol City’s Alex Scott, also wanted by Wolves, but they are reluctant to meet the £25million asking price.
Wolves are anticipating offers for Ruben Neves valued at £45m this summer but, despite links with Barcelona’s Nico Gonzalez, they would prefer cash over swap deals.
