The latest rumors and gossip from Thursday’s back pages, including Mark Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly and a possible Chelsea exit for the future of Erling Haaland.
Chelsea are set to spend the summer again with at least six high-profile players potentially leaving Stamford Bridge, including 2022 signings Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Boss Graham Potter has been dismissed from the Champions League squad as restrictions were given to new player registrations amid reports club owners would not demand immediate results after an expensive January window. Expect to leave talent worth £116.5m (all The Sun).
But failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League would put Chelsea in danger of breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules (The Times).
The Blues have secured a low profile Deadline Day takeover by signing 17-year-old striker Jimmy Jay Morgan from Southampton for around £6m (Daily Mail).
Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has calmed rumors that the Norwegian player is leaving Manchester City early, saying her client is “married” to the club until 2027.
The Athletic Club’s decision to sign Ander Herrera to a full contract has allowed Nottingham Forest to sign PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas on loan.
Dean Henderson has rejected Eric ten Hag’s request to consider cutting his loan term at Forest to return to Manchester United (Daily Mirror).
United have rejected a slow approach from their first-team five fringe members in the January window, but are expected to change their stance in the summer (Daily Mail).
Everton turned their attention to free agent Isco after failing to reinforce Sean Daichi’s squad on Deadline Day (Daily Express).
The Toffees want free agent striker André Ayew to have his contract restored as he prepares for direct talks with two Premier League clubs.
Forrest is watching Everton’s bid as he considers a move for the 33-year-old forward, whom Steve Cooper worked with at Swansea (all via the Daily Mail).
At EFL, the African billionaire is about to complete his £90m takeover of Sheffield United (The Times).
On the continent, Niccolò Zaniolo’s family has filed a lawsuit against AS Roma over the ‘psychological pressure’ put on him when he failed to secure a transfer from the club in the January transfer market. hinted that it could happen (The Sun).
Barcelona claim their $4million transfer fee target and LA Galaxy right-back Julian Araujo’s paperwork were delayed by 18 seconds, but the La Liga giants are now questioning whether they can officially sign him. I look forward to hearing from FIFA (Daily Mail).
