Isco interest
Chelsea are very interested in signing Real Madrid playmaker Isco, according to a report in Spain.
El Desmarque claim that Real want to offload the striker to fund a bid for Kylian Mbappe and have caught wind that Chelsea are keen.
There is also said to be interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Paris Saimt-Germain.
Isco’s Bernabeu contract runs until June 2022; the player is enduring a tough season with just two goals and no assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.
Sancho verdict
Jamie Carragher believes Jadon Sancho will be worth every penny of his £100m+ fee this summer as Liverpool enter the race for the Borussia Dortmund winger.
Liverpool have reportedly informed Dortmund of their interest in Sancho ahead of a summer bid but they face competition from Manchester United and Chelsea, among other clubs.
The interest will allow Dortmund to demand a high price for the 19-year-old, but Carragher thinks it is an investment worth making.
“Sancho is one of the best young players at the moment in world football, especially when you look at his actual stats for Borussia Dortmund,” he told the Sky Sports Football Weekend Preview Podcast.
“He’s an English player who I think will be desperate to come back, so I think he’ll be the hottest thing everyone in the Premier League will be looking to bring in.
“Will he be a hit? I think so. It’s a no-brainer, look at how well he has played in a top league with a top club under pressure. He’s playing week in, week out, his numbers are fantastic and his age is just perfect.”
Bellingham response
Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly in the hunt to sign Birmingham starlet Jude Bellingham for £50m and his manager is not surprised by the touted figure.
The 16-year-old has made 28 Championship appearances this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists from the base of midfield.
Blues boss Pep Clotet reacted to the speculation, telling talkSPORT: “I’m a head coach, I’m not in the transfer business of the club. But, I can imagine that it could be a possibility, because you see the talent in there.
“You see how he conducts himself on the pitch and off the pitch, and the massive value that he’s adding to himself. He takes every opportunity to help the team and grow, and he’s one of our main players.
“I think he always had something special. The way he takes in information and changes himself is unbelievable.”
Aubameyang price
Arsenal want £70million for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he leaves the club the summer.
The Gabon striker is contracted to Emirates Stadium until June 2021 but has garnered interest from Inter Milan and Barcelona.
Express Sport understands, though, that Barcelona want to sign Inter frontman Lautaro Martinez in the off-season, leaving a gap in Antonio Conte’s squad.
The Nerazzurri boss is keen for Aubameyang to fill that hole but it will cost him £70m to bring the 30-year-old back to San Siro.
£50m Firmino replacement
Liverpool are tracking Benfica striker Carlos Vinicius, according to a report on Spain.
AS claim that the Brazilian has caught the eyes of several scouts this season but the Reds are following him particularly closely.
Liverpool chiefs are said to see him as a potential replacement to Roberto Firmino should the unique No 9 leave Anfield.
Vinicius has a (€100m) £83m release clause but is valued at nearer £50m (€60m).
The 24-year-old joined Benfica from Napoli in the summer for £15.3m and has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 18 Primeira Liga games this term.
Pogba loss
Manchester United are willing to cut their losses on Paul Pogba and flog the midfielder for £83m, according to the Guardian.
United signed Pogba for £89m in August 2016 – a then-world-record fee – and the Frenchman has gone on to score 31 goals and provide 31 assists for the club while winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
The 26-year-old expressed a desire to leave last summer but United scared off interested clubs with a startling £160m price tag.
Pogba’s contract is set to expire in June 2021 but the club have an option to extend his deal by 12 months; Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is due to talk about the club’s plans over contract extension plans in the coming months.