Pete O’Rourke Column: Chelsea agree yet another signing, club move to stop Tottenham appointing their manager, Man United lead Dumfries race

Wed 15 March 2023 6:30, UK

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CHELSEA

It has been well documented that the contract talks between Mason Mount and the Blues have not progressed to the liking of either party.

The 24-year-old has now dropped the clearest signal yet that he could be leaving Chelsea in the summer.

From my understanding, Mount’s father – who acts as his representative – has mandated an agent to sound out any potential interest in the midfielder.

He is now looking at an exit this summer as Liverpool, Man United, Man City and Newcastle circle – and Chelsea are willing to sell if no contract can be agreed.

They won’t be able to ask for an astronomical figure, but with his contract situation I’m hearing a fee of around £60-70million is most likely.

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Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku‘s move to Stamford Bridge is 100% done.

He is considering himself a Chelsea player – but it remains to be seen if the RB Leipzig star can be a direct replacement for Mount.

MAN UNITED

I’m told that United lead the race for long-term target Denzel Dumfries ahead of the summer window.

Chelsea were also admirers but they moved to sign Malo Gusto from Lyon in January.

United considered moving for Dumfries in January as Erik ten Hag is a huge fan of his compatriot, but they couldn’t raise the funds for a permanent deal.

He will enter the final two years of his contract at Inter Milan in June.

Sources tell me it could take a fee of £40-50million to sign the Netherlands international, with Inter’s financial situation meaning they could be forced to settle for a lower fee than expected.

ARSENAL

The Gunners are also looking at a potential deal for Dumfries.

They want to strengthen in the right-back position in the summer. Ben White has done brilliantly in an unnatural position but Mikel Arteta wants a more natural option with Champions League games in mind.

Inter will be hoping for a bidding war between Arsenal and Man United as the free transfer exit of Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain has really hurt their balance sheet.

Denzel Dumfries standing on the sidelines with Inter Milan

TOTTENHAM

Marco Silva is one of the names mentioned in the list of Antonio Conte’s potential replacements – with it now looking extremely likely that the Italian will depart this summer.

Fulham want to end all speculation about him being lured away from Craven Cottage.

He’s just one of a number of targets for Spurs, and from my understanding, he is nowhere near the top of the list.

But due to his success this season, the north Londoners are just one of a number of clubs taking Silva more seriously.

FULHAM

The Cottagers have been in talks about a new contract for Silva but are trying to speed things up to put any interest to bed.

His stock has risen this season and a lot of clubs are looking at him.

The former Everton and Watford boss is currently out of contract in June 2024 – but I expect Fulham to pull out all of the stops to keep him.

They will look to back him if he agrees to stay on.

Not just in terms of a healthy transfer budget, but also keeping that core group of players together.

Joao Palhinha is attracting interest from Premier League clubs, while Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andreas Pereira have many admirers.

Silva will want the club to resist offers for that core group if he is to stay at Craven Cottage.

WEST HAM

The Irons are one of a number of clubs looking at Norwich’s Gabriel Sara.

Their scouts have made regular visits to Carrow Road to watch him and have been seriously impressed with his performances.

West Ham are aware they will need to strengthen in midfield this summer – with question marks over the futures of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.

RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid are also tracking the 23-year-old – who joined Norwich for a club-record fee last summer.

I’m told a fee of £25-30million could prise him away from the Canaries, who could be forced to sell if they can’t win promotion this season.

They will find it very hard to keep him – and the same is true for Max Aarons, who has been targetted by several Premier League clubs since his breakthrough.

West Ham have also sent scouts and officials to watch Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye in action – with the Senegal international also impressing several other Premier League sides, including Everton.

NEWCASTLE

The Magpies have also watched Ndiaye and their talent-spotters believe he fits their profile.

His versatility is seen as a major asset to top-flight clubs and his recent goal against Tottenham showed he can produce the goods against the top clubs.

Sheffield United are confident of securing the forward to a new deal if they can get promotion and push their takeover through.

But if that doesn’t happen, I’m told they will be vulnerable to summer offers.

Ndiaye will have just 12 months on his contract, and sources say an offer of between £10-15million could be enough to do a deal.

Interested clubs are keeping an eye on the top of the Championship and on the takeover at Bramall Lane.