Pete O’Rourke transfer column: Liverpool frontrunners to sign Guardiola favourite, Chelsea put £22m star up for sale, Wolves fire sale

Thu 23 March 2023 6:30, UK

Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

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CHELSEA

My understanding is that the Blues will be open to offers for Edouard Mendy this summer.

There have been talks about a new contract between him and Chelsea, but all parties have decided a parting of ways is for the best.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is now the number one goalkeeper for Graham Potter, and Mendy has no intention of staying as number two.

I’m told a move is most likely for the Senegal international in the off-season as he searches for first-team football once again.

Chelsea are in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper this summer.

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They have a number of targets on their shortlist and will likely have to go toe-to-toe with clubs like Man United and Tottenham, who are also looking for a shot-stopper.

The situation of Robert Sanchez at Brighton has alerted a lot of clubs. He’s got a lot of admirers in England, including Chelsea, and has just been dropped from the side by Roberto De Zerbi.

I’m told another target could be Brentford’s David Raya, who has turned down a new Bees contract.

Other names mentioned are Gregor Kobel at Borussia Dortmund, Illan Meslier at Leeds United and Jan Oblak at Atletico Madrid – who has been a long-term target for a lot of English sides.

Meanwhile, I’m told Chelsea are in no rush to give Arrizabalaga a new contract. His current deal expires in June 2025.

There is a possibility of him also moving on this summer. He is on big wages after his world-record move from Athletic Club in 2018.

Chelsea have to trim their squad and get the wage bill down, so there is a lot to weigh up with regard to his future – especially if a new number one comes in.

The next step for young shot-stopper Gabriel Slonina is likely to be a loan move.

The 18-year-old is highly regarded at Chelsea, as well as in Major League Soccer – where he made his breakthrough.

The Blues believe he can be their long-term number one but feel he is not quite ready to make the step up just yet.

Away from goalkeepers, the future of Romelu Lukaku hangs in the balance.

It is my understanding that Inter Milan are unlikely to sign him up again for next season, while Chelsea do not want him back at Stamford Bridge.

Even though Chelsea need a number nine, sources tell me Potter has no faith in Lukaku being the man to solve their problems in front of goal.

He’s on a huge wage, and he was signed for a huge fee – and that has narrowed down the list of potential suitors for the 29-year-old.

His form this season has put off a number of top European sides – and opened the door to a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi officials are trying to raise the profile of their league and a big name like Lukaku is an attractive proposition for a number of top clubs.

I’m told Chelsea are unlikely to get a big fee for him. It’s likely they will have to resign themselves to taking a massive loss just to get him off the wage bill.

They want to trim the squad and balance the books, and offloading Lukaku on a cut-price deal would go a long way towards doing that.

ASTON VILLA

Reports have surfaced suggesting Villa or Everton could come in for Lukaku this summer, but I’m told there is not likely to be a landing spot for him in the Premier League.

Antonio Conte is a huge fan of his and he could have made the move to Tottenham – but that door is set to close with the Italian on his way out of the club.

Aston Villa are not likely to come anywhere near what it would take to sign the Belgium international. The wages involved are just too high unless Chelsea were willing to heavily subsidise another loan.

WOLVES

It is now more and more likely that Ruben Neves will be leaving Molineux this summer, sources tell me.

The 26-year-old is ready for a new challenge and wants to play at the highest level after a long spell at Wolves.

His contract expires in less than 18 months and there have been talks about a potential renewal, but negotiations have not progressed to the liking of the Midlands club.

They are now expecting him to move on this summer, and Barcelona are long-term admirers of his – but a deal could be complicated by their financial situation.

In terms of incomings, all focus is currently on preserving the club’s Premier League status. It does look like it will be a big summer for Wolves.

Matheus Nunes is attracting interest, while Joao Moutinho isn’t getting any younger and is out of contract this summer.

I’m told if Wolves go down, Moutinho is likely to move on. If they stay up, there is a possibility of another 12-month contract for the veteran.

Nelson Semedo is likely to see his contract option activated, keeping him at the club for another two years. His deal is currently set to expire in June.

There could well be a bit of a fire sale at Molineux if they drop to the Championship. Sources tell me there are a lot of players attracting interest, and the club certainly have a number of sellable assets.

LIVERPOOL

The Reds are leading the chase for Wolves’ Neves, I’m told.

Anfield is an obvious landing spot for the Portugal international, who has five Premier League goals from central midfield this season, with Jurgen Klopp clearly wanting to reshape his midfield in the summer.

Man United are also monitoring his contract situation ahead of the summer. He’ll have just 12 months left, and both clubs are very keen to land a player of his calibre – Pep Guardiola once call him an “excellent player” – on what could be a cut-price deal.

Matheus Nunes, also of Wolves, is another target for Liverpool. The Merseysiders are looking at a number of players inside the Premier League and in Europe to bring into that new-look midfield.