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Blues 'priority' for Maresca revealed as club eyeing numerous exits in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fnicolas-jackson.jpg "Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson in action on January 25, 2025")
Chelsea's priority in the summer is said to be the purchase of a new striker, while a new winger is also expected to join the club.
The Blues were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, and Enzo Maresca's side struggled in the final third without talisman Cole Palmer.
There have been question marks about whether the team can continue to rely on Palmer's brilliance, and it is concerning that defender Marc Cucurella is the team's joint fourth-highest scorer in the league (4).
The team are currently in fourth place with 49 points after 29 matchweeks in the Premier League and have lost three of their last five games in the division, but it is difficult to see their form improving given forwards like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are also injured.
'Keen to bid': United set to receive offer from European giant for winger
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F49%2Fruben-amorim_1.jpg "Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on December 7, 2024")
Bayern Munich have reportedly decided to bid for Manchester United winger Antony, who is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Betis.
The Red Devils emerged as 3-0 winners against Leicester City on Sunday evening, extending their unbeaten streak in all competitions to four games.
Despite the victory, United ended the weekend in 13th place with just 37 points, and it looks like they will finish the campaign in the bottom half of the table.
One of the reasons for their struggles this season has been their performances in the final third, with their return of 37 goals making them the top flight's seventh-worst offensive team.
Bundesliga defender seen as 'replacement' for Van Dijk as Slot prepares for exit
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F32%2Fvirgil-van-dijk.jpg "Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in action on August 11, 2024")
Liverpool have reportedly identified Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk should he leave Anfield.
The Reds were beaten 2-1 at Wembley by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, with the Magpies regularly threatening the Merseysiders' backline.
Boss Arne Slot admitted that Newcastle were deserving winners, but the club do have the opportunity to win the Premier League in the next months and put the disappointment of the final behind them.
However, with Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk all out of contract in the summer, there are fears that the team's success on the pitch could be overshadowed by their departures.
Transformative signing: Man United 'make stunning offer' for Barcelona superstar
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Frapyal.jpg "Barcelona's Raphinha and Lamine Yamal pictured on December 11, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly put a €70m (£59m) offer on the table for Barcelona attacker Raphinha.
The 28-year-old has been in stunning form for his Catalan side during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 27 goals and registering 19 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions, including 11 goals and five assists in 10 Champions League outings.
Raphinha made the move to Barcelona from Leeds United in July 2022, and he has represented his current side on 128 occasions, scoring 47 goals and registering 44 assists, being viewed as one of the club's most important players.
However, Hansi Flick's side could be forced to make some difficult decisions this summer for financial reasons, which may lead to one of their standout players making the move away ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
David battle: Which club will win the race for Man United, Barca-linked forward?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fjonathan-david.jpg "Lille's Jonathan David on January 21, 2025")
Six clubs are reportedly in the running for Lille forward Jonathan David, with the Canada international set to become a free transfer at the end of June.
The 25-year-old has been in excellent form for his French club during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 23 goals and registering 10 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals and four assists in the Champions League.
David recently confirmed that he intends to leave Lille this summer in search of pastures new.
"Yes, I will be free at the end of the season. And as for my future, I hope to grow, to become a better player, and to play for the biggest clubs in the world, if I can," David told Onze Mondial.
"I am very happy" - Man United attacker drops major hint over future plans
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F29%2Fantras.jpg "Manchester United's Antony and Marcus Rashford pictured in May 2024")
Manchester United attacker Antony has suggested that he wants to complete a permanent move to a team in Spain this summer amid suggestions that Real Betis and Real Sociedad could go head-to-head for his signature.
Antony joined Real Betis on loan during the latter stages of the January transfer window, and he has been in excellent form the Seville club since his arrival, scoring four goals and registering four assists in 11 appearances.
As it stands, the Brazil international will return to Old Trafford this summer, but Antony has said that the warmer weather and nicer city has been vital to his upturn in form, suggesting that he has no desire to head back to Manchester.
"The city has also played a lot, which is better [than Manchester] and good here," Antony told Spanish TV.
Athletic Bilbao targeting reunion with Championship striker?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Fborja-sainz.jpg "Norwich City's Borja Sainz on September 28, 2024")
Athletic Bilbao have reportedly identified a top-performing Championship attacker as a potential summer transfer target.
Ernesto Valverde's side are currently focused on trying to end an encouraging season with a top-four finish in La Liga and a Europa League trophy.
As well as sitting with a five-point advantage in the race for Champions League qualification in the La Liga table, Bilbao have also set up a quarter-final showdown with Rangers in Europe.
However, with the club sitting just seven points adrift of third, Valverde and club officials may sense an opportunity to start planning for 2025-26.
Man Utd receive 'glowing reports' on teenage record-breaker wanted by 10 clubs
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fayyoub-bouaddi.jpg "Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi pictured on March 4, 2025")
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are supposedly among the clubs keeping a watchful eye on Lille's teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The French side could be raided by their Premier League counterparts this summer, as two of their high-profile stars - Jonathan David and Angel Gomes - are due to leave on free transfers.
Canadian striker David is understood to favour a move to England despite interest from Barcelona, while Gomes has apparently attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
The England international was also linked with a return to Man United, whom he represented between 2006 and 2020, but the Red Devils supposedly have no interest in re-signing him as a free agent.
A Bellingham bargain? Chelsea, Spurs 'learn asking price' for midfielder
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Fobjud.jpg "Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham pictured on June 1, 2024")
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learned what it will take to prise Jobe Bellingham away from Sunderland in the summer transfer window.
The brother of Real Madrid and England sensation Jude Bellingham is making a name for himself in the Championship, where Sunderland are firmly in control of their playoff destiny as they lie fourth in the table.
The 19-year-old has registered four goals and three assists in 34 second-tier matches for Regis Le Bris's side this season, starting every single one of those contests and playing in a multitude of positions.
Jobe Bellingham has acted as a number six, number eight and number 10 during the 2024-25 Championship season, and even if the Black Cats do not earn promotion, he could very well end up in the Premier League next season.
Could Liverpool sign 'the next Arjen Robben' to replace Mo Salah?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fsindre-walle-egeli.jpg "Nordsjaelland's Sindre Walle Egeli pictured on December 2, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly weighing up an approach for 18-year-old Nordsjaelland winger Sindre Walle Egeli, who has been likened to Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben.
The Reds could win the first trophy of the Arne Slot era when they collide with Newcastle United in Sunday's EFL Cup final at Wembley, but three high-profile contract situations are still proving an unwelcome distraction.
As well as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially leaving on free transfers, Liverpool remain at risk of losing the indomitable Mohamed Salah for nothing when his contract runs out in June.
The Egypt international - who is on course for the greatest individual season in Premier League history - has issued several 'get-on-with-it' messages to the club's board, and he is believed to be open to staying if an agreement can be struck.
Four-way fight emerges as Man United 'make checks' on £34m Onana replacement
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Flucas-chevalier.jpg "Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier on October 18, 2024")
Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has reportedly 'grabbed the attention' of Manchester United, who are debating whether to pursue an Andre Onana upgrade this summer.
Ex-Ajax goalkeeper Onana was brought to Old Trafford to reunite with Erik ten Hag in 2023, but his time in Manchester has been marred by a series of high-profile mistakes.
The Cameroon international has nevertheless received the public backing of new boss Ruben Amorim, but his shaky displays have contributed to Man United's unacceptable 15th-placed ranking in the Premier League table.
Further down the goalkeeping pecking order, Onana's number two Altay Bayindir has done little to suggest that he could take on number one duties next season, while the veteran Tom Heaton could leave at the expiration of his contract this summer.
Another regeneration project? Arsenal 'express shock interest' in Liverpool man
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fluidaw.jpg "Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez pictured on February 15, 2025")
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly expressed a shock interest in signing Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, who is expected to be given the boot by Anfield chiefs this summer.
The Uruguay international has shown flashes of quality without ever hitting a consistent streak of goalscoring on Merseyside, and he is expected to be left out of Arne Slot's starting XI for Sunday's EFL Cup final with Newcastle United.
Nunez has not had a disastrous season, managing a respectable seven goals and seven assists in 39 appearances for the Reds, including one strike and one helper in the 3-1 Premier League success over Southampton last weekend.
However, the 25-year-old has also been lambasted for missing numerous gilt-edged chances since joining from Benfica in 2022, in a deal that could eventually make him Liverpool's most expensive player of all time.
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