Pete O’Rourke transfer column: Chelsea chase six big-money targets, Man City plot £90m raid, Everton want £70m for Arsenal target

Sun 2 April 2023 20:01, UK

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CHELSEA

My sources tell me that the Blues are preparing to fend off Real Madrid‘s interest in Reece James this summer.

The 23-year-old right-back recently signed a six-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge, but it hasn’t deterred the La Liga giants, who have made James a priority signing.

Chelsea are feeling confident about James staying at the club despite Madrid willing to offer as much as £90million for the England international.

Chelsea are also at risk of losing Mateo Kovacic at the end of the season.

The Croatian midfielder’s contract expires in 2024 and he could be put up for sale at £40-50million this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

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Kovacic is set to hold face-to-face talks with Chelsea to discuss his future at the club and whether to open contract negotiations, but clubs around Europe have already begun to circle.

Bayern Munich lead the race, with ex-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel pushing his new club to sign Kovacic this summer, while Man United and Man City are also monitoring his availability.

Kovacic is in the same contract situation as Mason Mount, and the midfield duo could both leave Stamford Bridge to help the club raise funds – it is understood that Chelsea are hoping to pocket £100million across both sales.

Funds need to be raised at Stamford Bridge to help the club abide by financial fair play rules.

The club reported losses of £121million in their latest report.

If they are to plan another summer of spending, they need to balance the books and Kovacic and Mount could be their route to doing just that.

Graham Potter and Todd Boehly are both planning for another busy window, and a central midfielder has risen to the top of the priority list.

Chelsea have shortlisted Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Declan Rice, Ansu Fati, Amadou Onana and Manu Kone as potential targets.

Barcelona’s Raphinha is also on Chelsea’s radar should the Catalan club make the Brazilian winger available.

ARSENAL

The Gunners are also in the market for a central midfielder this season, and Declan Rice is their top target.

The West Ham captain has rejected multiple contract offers at the London Stadium and a summer move now seems inevitable, but Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal are all set to battle for his signature.

A fee north of £100million will be needed to sign Rice this summer – a jaw-dropping price tag Arsenal are willing to meet.

Mikel Arteta’s a huge admirer of the 24-year-old and he believes winning the Premier League title this season will put Arsenal in the driving seat to sign him.

But Rice isn’t Arsenal’s only midfield option – the North London side are also long-term admirers of Moises Caicedo and Amadou Onana.

It is understood that Arsenal are also monitoring the availability of Raphinha, with Barcelona’s financial struggles forcing them to cash in on players this summer.

Arsenal attempted to sign the 26-year-old last summer when he departed Leeds United, but ended up losing out to the Spanish side.

Barcelona want to at least break even on their £55million investment for Raphinha should he be sold.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another star with long-term links to Arsenal, and they could make a move for him if Everton are relegated this season and he becomes available at a slashed price.

EVERTON

I’m told Everton face a fire sale this summer if they suffer relegation.

The Merseyside club are struggling financially and recorded losses of £120.9million in their latest accounts alongside their latest financial fair play charges.

Demotion to the Championship would put the club on the brink of financial ruin, and a handful of stars would be sold to raise funds.

Amadou Onana, Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ben Godfrey will all leave Goodison Park in the event of relegation, with all four players among the highest earners at the club.

Everton have put a £70million asking price on Onana, who I understand has no relegation clause in his contract.

That fee will be slashed to around £40-50million if relegated, but Chelsea and Arsenal are showing interest in the Belgium international and could submit a bid regardless of Everton’s position.

Sean Dyche is a huge fan of Onana and would love for him to stay put in Merseyside, but the Everton boss is aware of the club’s financial situation and understands the decision will likely be taken out of his hands.

Pickford is a target for Spurs and Chelsea, and both clubs could look to snap him up if Everton face the drop.

Both London clubs are in the market for a new goalkeeper and are admirers of the England international.

Calvert-Lewin is being monitored by long-term admirers Arsenal, and Godfrey is being watched by Premier League clubs in the bottom half of the table.

LEEDS UNITED

Despite rumours floating around about a potential return to Elland Road for Raphinha, it won’t be happening this summer.

Leeds still have a great relationship with the Brazilian winger and would jump on the opportunity for him to return, but they consider a move financially impossible in their current situation.

The Whites face the threat of relegation and cannot commit to a deal worth over £50million.

Raphinha is keen on returning to the Premer League if he is put up for sale by Barcelona, but his destination will likely be either Arsenal or Chelsea as opposed to Leeds.

MAN CITY

It is understood that City have been put on red alert over Ansu Fati‘s availability this week.

The 20-year-old Barcelona star is frustrated with his game time at Barcelona, with his father publicly speaking out about his anger towards his lack of minutes.

My sources inform me that Fati would prefer to stay at the Catalan club if he is given guarantees over game time, but he is intrigued by a Premier League move.

City, Man United and Chelsea are all monitoring Fati’s situation.

Barcelona could put Fati up for sale to help balance their books, and it is believed that a £90million bid would be accepted.

He has a contract until 2027 with a release clause worth around £1billion, but Barcelona are ready to cash in on him if he remains unhappy with his role in the squad.

Should Fati be sold, it is believed that Barcelona will accelerate their interest in signing Ilkay Gundogan as a free agent this summer.