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Palmer 'exit clause': Is Blues' future in doubt as contract details emerge?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F49%2Fcole-palmer_1.jpg "Chelsea's Cole Palmer on December 8, 2024")
Chelsea may reportedly be forced to sell Cole Palmer due to a clause in his contract that is set to become active if they miss out on Champions League qualification.
The Blues were beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday, and the loss saw them drop to sixth in the Premier League table behind fifth-placed Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca's side have now lost four, drawn three and won just two of their last nine in the top flight, whereas they had won their prior five in the league.
Chelsea are now one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, but it is hard to see them overhauling Pep Guardiola's team if their poor form continues.
'Revealed': Gunners planning on beating Reds to Premier League striker in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fmikel-arteta_1.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on December 21, 2024")
Arsenal have reportedly decided to make a formal offer for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and wish to beat Liverpool to the forward's signature.
The Gunners were given hope in the Premier League title race when the Reds drew 2-2 with Aston Villa on Wednesday evening, with Mikel Arteta's side now able to close the gap on the league leaders to five points should they win their game in hand.
However, question marks remain about whether the manager's current group of attackers can help close the gap given Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard are the team's only available senior forwards.
The club were criticised for failing to reinforce in the January transfer window, and with Kai Havertz joining Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the treatment table, catching Liverpool looks like a difficult task.
Is Brazilian forward Roque about to leave Barcelona for Palmeiras?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F30%2Fvitor-roque.jpg "Barcelona's Vitor Roque in action on May 19, 2024")
Barcelona have reportedly set an asking price of €27m (£22m) for Vitor Roque, with Palmeiras said to be pushing to sign the attacker before the Brazilian transfer window closes on February 28.
The 19-year-old made the move to Barcelona from Athletico Paranaense in January 2024, and he featured on 16 occasions for the Catalan outfit in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign, scoring twice.
Roque made the move to Real Betis on loan last summer, though, and he has featured on 31 occasions for the Seville outfit during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring seven goals and registering two assists in the process.
As it stands, the Brazilian is set to spend the remainder of the season with Real Betis before returning to Barcelona, but it is understood that Palmeiras are pushing to sign him before the closing of the Brazilian transfer window at the end of the month.
Santos confirm deal for Chelsea prospect: Terms of loan agreement revealed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fdeivid-washington.jpg "Chelsea's Deivid Washington pictured on May 2, 2024")
Chelsea youngster Deivid Washington has finally completed his loan switch to Santos.
The 19-year-old departed the Brazilian giants back in 2023 in a deal that was said to be in the region of £17.7m.
However, having initially contributed just two goals in 16 matches for Santos as a teenager, Washington has been provided with just 25 minutes of first-team football at Stamford Bridge across three appearances.
None of those outings have come under Enzo Maresca, the Italian recently reiterating that he had no plans to use the prospect as an alternative to the injured Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
Man City overhaul: Seven Citizens stars 'set to leave' Etihad Stadium this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Fpep-guardiola.jpg "Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on December 11, 2024")
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to sanction the exits of as many as seven first-team players this summer.
The Citizens were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday night, with the Premier League champions suffering a 6-3 aggregate defeat to the holders of the competition.
Man City are fourth in the Premier League table, meanwhile, some 17 points off leaders Liverpool, while they are only one point ahead of fifth-placed Bournemouth in the race for the Champions League spots.
Pep Guardiola's side are only three points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle United, meanwhile, so it is possible that the club could miss out on Europe altogether next term, unless they triumph in the FA Cup.
Two for Toon: Howe "delighted" as Newcastle announce double deal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Feddie-howe.jpg "Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates on March 30, 2024")
Newcastle United have announced that both Martin Dubravka and Emil Krafth have extended their contracts at St James' Park.
Dubravka was due to see his original deal expire in the summer and was strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January after allegedly receiving a lucrative offer from Al Shabab.
The 36-year-old goalkeeper was seen in tears after Newcastle's 2-0 first-leg win at Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals last month as he appeared to wave goodbye to the travelling Magpies supporters ahead of an anticipated exit.
However, Dubravka has been persuaded to stay at Newcastle, and although the length of his new contract has not been officially disclosed by the Magpies, it is understood that the Slovakia international has penned a new one-year deal that runs until the summer of 2026.
Onana replacement? Man United 'set their sights' on 30-year-old goalkeeper
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fjuan-musso.jpg "Juan Musso in action for Atletico Madrid on February 4, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing experienced goalkeeper Juan Musso this summer.
Musso, 30, joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Atalanta BC last summer, but he has only featured on six occasions for Diego Simeone's side this season, with Jan Oblak the undisputed number one at Wanda Metropolitano.
The two-time Argentina international has played just once in La Liga this term, keeping a clean sheet against Athletic Bilbao at the end of August, but he has played every minute of Atletico's 2024-25 Copa del Rey campaign to date.
Musso has been impressive in his limited appearances, conceding just once in his six outings for Atletico, and he is set to continue between the sticks in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona.
Prem clubs 'circle' as Real Madrid 'make' key midfielder 'available for purchase'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Feducam.jpg "Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni pictured on June 1, 2024")
Real Madrid are reportedly open to selling Eduardo Camavinga during this summer's transfer window, should a suitable offer arrive for the central midfielder.
Camavinga, 22, made the move to Real Madrid from Rennes in August 2021, and he has represented the Spanish and European champions on 166 occasions, scoring three goals and registering nine assists in the process.
The France international has had a number of injury problems this season, though, missing the start of the campaign with a knee issue before spending time out with two separate muscular injuries.
Camavinga has been restricted to only 10 appearances in La Liga this term, while he was only used as a late substitute against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
A game changer? Derby sign former Leeds, Rangers star on free transfer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fkemar-roofe.jpg "Rangers forward Kemar Roofe in December 2023.")
Derby County have moved to strengthen their squad with the signing of versatile attacker Kemar Roofe.
Earlier this month, the Rams moved to replace head coach Paul Warne with John Eustace, who left promotion-chasing Blackburn Rovers to take the reins at Pride Park.
Having opened up with a 4-0 defeat away at Queens Park Rangers, Eustace is under pressure to ease Derby's relegation concerns in the Championship.
The first step taken by the Englishman is to hand a short-term contract to former Leeds United and Rangers star Roofe.
Who is the 'big wish'? Barcelona's five attacking transfer targets 'revealed'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fmarcus-rashford.jpg "Marcus Rashford in action for Aston Villa on February 9, 2025")
Barcelona have reportedly drawn up a five-man shortlist of wide attacking options for the summer transfer window as Hansi Flick seeks to bolster his side's offensive options.
No team in La Liga has scored more goals than the Blaugrana's 65 in the current campaign, and Flick's men lead the way at the top of the division over Real Madrid on head-to-head points.
The scintillating form of attacking trio Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski has been critical to Barcelona's success both domestically and continentally, as the Blaugrana also strolled into the last 16 of the Champions League.
However, Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Flick has 'demanded' that club president Joan Laporta sign a new left-winger, who can both keep Raphinha on his toes and provide cover when the Brazilian is unavailable.
Blues 'plotting' move for Spurs-linked Premier League centre-back in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fenzo-maresca_1.jpg "Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca on September 14, 2024.")
Chelsea are reportedly determined to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window and beat Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
Guehi was the subject of a failed bid from Spurs in the January window thought to be in the region of £70m, and they are expected to demand a similar fee at the end of the season.
The England international has also previously attracted interest from Newcastle United, and with 18 months left on his Palace contract, it would be surprising if suitors did not return for his signature in the summer.
Given Chelsea were forced to recall Trevor Chalobah from his loan deal at Selhurst Park, signing a centre-back would make sense, while Spurs must address their defensive issues if they are to compete for silverware in the coming seasons.
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