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As reported by The Evening Standard, Chelsea are planning a massive summer raid on Southampton for two defenders that could add serious quality and depth to their squad.

What’s the story?

As the Blues close in on a superb English Premier League title win, Antonio Conte is already planning how to build on that success and create a squad good enough to compete in domestic football and in Europe at the same time.

To help with that goal, The Evening Standard reckon that the Stamford Bridge side are in for not just Virgil van Dijk but also former player Ryan Bertrand, who have both showed superb form at Southampton over the past two seasons.

With competition from Liverpool and Man City expected to provide stern competition, Antonio Conte is still said to be confident of securing their signatures this summer, according to the report.

Bertrand no stranger to Blues

Ryan Bertrand is of course a former Chelsea player, helping them win a UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012 when he made his European debut in the final. However, the majority of his time at the Blues was spent out on loan, with the left-back never quite fitting into first team plans.

Since joining Southampton he’s developed into a proven Premier League talent, putting in performances on a consistent basis and featuring regularly for England.

A return to Stamford Bridge certainly makes sense with clubs always on the look out for home grown talent to boost their squad quotas. Adding quality and depth at the same time would be a significant bonus.

Van Dijk – a future Chelsea colossus?

With John Terry in the twilight of his professional career, Chelsea are on the look out for the next generation of centre-backs that can dominate English football.

Given Virgil van Dijk is already doing that at Southampton, it makes sense that in a more talented squad he would continue to be one of the best defenders in the country.

Currently injured with an ankle problem, there’s a chance he doesn’t make it back into the Southampton team before clubs start launching bids for his talent, but he’s already shown enough in his short time in English football that he has what it takes to excel in the Premier League.

Can Chelsea be the club where he turns potential into medals?

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Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson does not believe that Crystal Palace will earn another scalp when they face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

Sam Allardyce’s side have stunned Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks, and they host Tottenham at Selhurst Park on the back of a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

Spurs are not in such high spirits themselves as they failed to make it into the FA Cup final after losing 4-2 to Chelsea at Wembley last Saturday.

The result especially stung for Mauricio Pochettino’s men as they came from behind twice and still lost the game.

It would have knocked the players’ confidence, but they need to re-focus their minds as they hope to keep putting pressure on Chelsea in the Premier League title race.

So far, they sit second, seven points adrift of the leaders with six games left to play, so they cannot afford to slip up against Palace tonight.

Despite the Eagles’ recent results, Merson thinks that Spurs will not capitulate like they did last season and will instead come away as 3-1 winners.

In his predictions for Sky Sports, Merson said:

“Palace got a superb result at Liverpool which means they are safe and they will go and play with confidence and no fear. Spurs have everything to lose but I have to back Tottenham because I think they are a very good team. They have been playing so well and that will continue at Selhurst Park.”

Manchester United need a new midfielder this summer. Well, they have needed a new midfielder for pretty much every summer in living memory. Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini have all been signed in the post-Ferguson Old Trafford bubble, but still they are left short of quality in the middle third.

This has disturbed successive managers, with Jose Mourinho suffering from similar team balancing issues that David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were all too familiar with. Peculiar combinations, dysfunctional systems and the subsequent poor performances have been all too frequent since Ferguson left the club. Since the days of Paul Scholes’ return from retirement, the illness suffered by Darren Fletcher and the best of Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s midfield has been teetering on the brink of sheer mediocrity.

Investment has been slapdash throughout, which has only made the situation worse. Names like Thiago Alcantara and Toni Kroos have briefly been touted, but only Pogba comes close to rivalling the reputations of the aforementioned duo. Neglected in Ferguson’s latter years, the club are still paying a steep price for a bodged squad, something that is no more obvious than in the centre of the team.

One of the best possible options for the club this summer will be on the opposition’s side on Thursday night.

Anderlecht’s Youri Tielemans is understandably renowned as a delightful prospect. The Belgian’s age would be held against him in a Mourinho squad, however, which directly undermines any link there could be to the player. Tielemans, though, has a ceiling higher than almost anyone around European football right now.

In a Manchester United side that has often looked lumbering and without an injection of pace, Tielemans would be an ideal igniter. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been able to provide similar bursts of energy into the side, but Anderlecht’s boy wonder could do so from a deeper position, driving forward with the ball and playing hard passes into the feet of his team-mates.

Where Pogba’s role is undetermined, Tielemans would bring flexibility. His age means he can be moulded into whatever United would desire, too. With the engine he possesses and eye for goal, playing as an eight or a more defined attacking midfield role would be ideal. Either of these could work in a three man midfield with Pogba, but it leaves Mourinho still in dire need of his long-term Carrick replacement that has been the real bane on the side.

Tielemans might be ideal for United at this juncture. But he does not offer a solve-all solution in midfield. He would simply be a better component than the current available, but one that may step on Pogba’s toes. Without addressing the need for a natural deep-lying playmaker, United are only thinly papering over the greatest cracks from the post-Ferguson era.

According to reports on Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan are ready to go all out to sign Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Milan have endured another disappointing Serie A season and currently sit in sixth position with just five fixtures of the campaign remaining.

The Italian giants are said to be considering making huge changes to their squad this summer in order to make a significant improvement next term and one player they are understood to be targeting is Blues star Fabregas.

How has Fabregas done this season?

Even though he has made 31 appearances in all competitions he has only completed the full 90 minutes on six occasions in the Premier League this term and he could look to leave Stamford Bridge this summer in order to get more regular first team football.

A central midfield partnership of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic has often been the preferred one for Antonio Conte while Pedro and Eden Hazard have regularly been selected in the forward positions.

Would Chelsea be willing to sell him?

It’s difficult to say.

Considering he is approaching his 30th birthday and is struggling to get regular first team starts, the Blues could choose to cash in on the Spaniard this summer in order to give the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah more opportunities next term.

However, they would still demand a sizeable fee for the former Arsenal man who continues to be a creative force having provided eight assists in 24 top flight outings this season.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, while Antonio Conte may be keen to keep Fabregas for at least one more season, if the player wants more playing time and AC Milan make a huge effort to sign him it could be a move that does go through.

Earlier this week, Everton captain Phil Jagielka admitted his future at Goodison Park beyond the summer transfer window remains uncertain.

The England international has been a near-permanent fixture in Everton’s defence for the last decade and remains a phenomenal servant to the Merseyside club.

But he’s now 34 years of age and although there has been an uplift in his form recently, he’s certainly not the dominant force he was a few seasons ago.

Likewise, Ronald Koeman admitted in January that he is eyeing defensive additions for the summer, not least including Burnley’s highly-rated, in-demand centre-half Michael Keane.

So, Everton fans, with the 40-cap defender’s contract due to expire at the end of next season, how would you approach Jagielka’s situation this summer? Would you keep him on the books and let him see out the remainder of his deal, or sell to the highest bidder?

Let us know by voting below…

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Jose Mourinho’s gamble paid off and his Manchester United side have lifted the Europa League, completing a cup double and earning a cheeky Champions League spot to boot. Not bad for a “poor season” was it? Although the final score on Wednesday night was Man Utd 2-0 Ajax, you could also read that as Man Utd 42-41 Liverpool, as the club have now overtaken their rivals as the most trophy-laden outfit in English football. Indeed, Old Trafford has moved to the top of the priority client lists of cabinet-makers nationwide who will be hoping their silverware-heavy storage unit collapses soon.

OCD completists across Manchester will already be drooling at the fact they’ve just won the one artefact missing from their collection and it gets even better for them as the Red Devils have just joined a very exclusive club. They are now one of only 5 sides to win the Champions League, the UEFA Cup/Europa League and the super-shiny-and-totally-rare European Cup Winner’s Cup. For the record the others are Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus and their opponents from Wednesday’s final; Ajax.

Watch the video below to see how Man Utd managed to overhaul the huge deficit of silverware between them and their bitter rivals in just 27 years.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to be stepping up his efforts to sign a new right-back this summer with the Evening Standard claiming the club is interested in Ajax’s Joel Veltman, while French media outlet RMC Sport claim that Spurs have made an enquiry for Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier.

With Kyle Walker continuing to be linked with a move to Manchester City, the Spurs boss obviously feels that he needs to provide more cover in that position for Kieran Trippier next season if the 27-year-old does go as the north London outfit once again look to compete for the Premier League title, as well as progress through the group stages of the Champions League.

While Trippier performed admirably against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and Arsenal in the final ever north London derby at White Hart Lane having been preferred to Walker, Pochettino must believe that he needs another body to compete with the former Burnley man.

Veltman looks set to leave Ajax this summer after helping them reach the Europa League final, while Aurier has turned his PSG career around following a number of issues and Unai Emery is keen to extend the Ivory Coast international’s current deal.

Here are three reasons Tottenham should sign Veltman over Aurier…

Price tag

Because his contract is due to run out next summer and there is little chance of him signing a new one, it is suggested that Veltman could be available for just £8m this summer.

Considering the 25-year-old is entering his prime, has made 166 appearances for the Dutch giants and picked up 16 caps for the Netherlands, that isn’t bad at all.

Meanwhile, Aurier’s current deal is due to run out in 2019 but following some positive performances and some good behaviour, PSG want to keep him and that can only raise the price tag on his head.

Versatility

While Veltman has proved that he is a very competent right-back during his time with Ajax, the fact that he can also play centre-back may make him more of an attractive opposition than Aurier, who usually only plays as a full-back on either flank.

Pochettino could be looking to bring in a new centre-half this summer to provide further cover for Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld – especially with the latter’s future far from certain as he is yet to sign a new contract – and Veltman would do that.

In the closing stages of this season the Argentine boss deployed the 3-4-2-1 formation with Eric Dier joining the Belgian duo in the backline, but if he wants a more natural fit then Veltman could be the answer.

The Ajax link

After signing Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen from Ajax in recent years – and with both going on to be a huge success at White Hart Lane – it is clear that there is a good relationship between Tottenham and the Eredivisie giants.

Of course, Alderweireld also learnt his trade with the Dutch club and there is no doubt that Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino know that they are getting a quality player for their money.

That trust and rapport between the two clubs could mean that a move for Veltman will be easier to complete than one for Aurier.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.

According to reports from London Evening Standard, Arsenal are ready to use Olivier Giroud as a makeweight in potential deals to sign Monaco’s Klyian Mbappe or Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette.

A swoop for the latter seems far more likely; whereas Mbappe could command a world-record transfer fee and is reportedly being monitored by many of the biggest clubs in the Premier League as well as Real Madrid, LES claim Arsenal have been quoted a £60million price for Lacazette.

And it’s further alleged that Arsenal could look to sweeten the deal by offering Giroud in exchange. He scored the most goals from the bench of any Premier League player last season, but has seemingly lost his status as a guaranteed starter at the Emirates Stadium.

Lacazette, meanwhile, netted 37 times across all competitions last season, a personal best for the France international.

So, Arsenal fans, would you back a deal for Lacazette that sees Giroud move the other way, or should your club hold onto the towering striker? Let us know by voting below…

According to The Sun, Manchester United are confident of announcing the £60m signing of Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata on Thursday.

What’s the story?

Talk of Morata leaving Real Madrid for Man United has been rife since the start of June, with Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho seemingly identifying the Spaniard as the player to lead the line next season.

The deal has been made complicated by Real Madrid’s unwillingness to budge from their initial £70m asking price, but according to The Sun, there has been significant progress over the last couple of days, leaving Man United within touching distance of securing the forward’s signature.

It is understood that Morata, who recently got married, will fly from Sardinia to Manchester later this week to undergo a medical ahead of signing a long-year contract with the Premier League giants.

Should the transfer go through as expected, Morata would then immediately join-up with his new teammates ahead of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Is Morata worth £60m?

Quotes of between £50m and £80m have been mentioned over the last few weeks, but according to The Sun, Morata will cost Man United £60m when the deal goes through.

The 24-year-old came through the youth system at Real Madrid, but after struggling to secure a regular spot in the team, he left for Juventus in the summer of 2014.

A successful spell in Italian football saw the striker manage 27 goals across two seasons, which led to Real Madrid exercising their buy-back option in last summer’s transfer window.

Morata scored 15 times in just 14 La Liga starts during the 2016-17 campaign, whilst he also contributed three Champions League goals for the European champions.

A figure of £60m does seem steep for a player that was not first choice for his club last season, but Morata’s development over the last few years has been there for all to see.

At 24, the forward still has his best years ahead of him, and whilst Man United are seemingly paying over the odds for the 20-time Spain international, they will be signing a tall, quick, confident and strong centre-forward, who will have a big point to prove.

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According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have told Manchester United that Eric Dier is not for sale at any price after they were linked with a £50m move for the England international by The Telegraph on Friday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that United have a long-term interest in Dier and that they discussed a potential deal with Spurs earlier this year, but they were told that the 23-year-old isn’t available and there have been no talks between the two clubs since the end of the season.

It is a slightly different account to the one The Telegraph previously gave, when they said the north London outfit would be willing to listen to offers in the region of £50m for the former Sporting Lisbon star.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho turned his attentions to Dier after realising that signing Everton striker Romelu Lukaku from under the noses of Chelsea ended any hope that he could bring Nemanja Matic to Old Trafford, according to The Telegraph.

How did Dier do last season?

Despite being a regular and impressing in the Tottenham midfield during the 2015/16 season, the 23-year-old lost his place to Victor Wanyama last term with him and Mousa Dembele often fighting to partner the Kenyan in the middle of the park.

However, the Three Lions star is also able to play at centre-back and that is exactly what happened towards the end of the campaign when Mauricio Pochettino played three at the back, meaning Dier partnered Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in the backline.

It certainly didn’t affect his first team opportunities too much as the versatile player still made 48 appearances in all competitions as Spurs once again competed for the Premier League title, scoring two goals and providing a further two assists.

Are Spurs right to keep him?

They certainly are.

Dier’s versatility makes him a crucial part of the Tottenham squad and Pochettino knows that the 23-year-old won’t let him down, wherever he is playing.

That will once again be vital as the club looks to adapt to its new Wembley home next season.

What will Manchester United do now?

It’s difficult to say but having missed out on Matic and now Dier, Mourinho could turn his attentions to signing Monaco midfielder Fabinho, having been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian this summer.

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