Gossip: Allegri 'to replace Conte as Chelsea manager', Arsenal and Tottenham 'battle for £50m defender'
Massimiliano Allegri will be have a sore head this morning. Not from celebration, but from a restless sleep plagued by nightmares of Cristiano Ronaldo bicycle kicks.
The Juventus boss is angry and upset about his side’s 3-0 defeat by Real Madrid last night, and people can do silly things when they are angry and upset. Like become manager of Chelsea.
According to the Star, Juve’s highly probable Champions League exit will prompt Allegri to quit Turin – where he has won six successive Serie A titles – for Stamford Bridge, where he would be overseeing a Europa League campaign next season.
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The tabloid claims the Blues have turned to the Italian coach after “running out of patience” with former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, who has refused to commit to the club “despite weeks of talks”.
Allegri is now “nailed on” for the Chelsea job, according to a “top source” who has spoken “exclusively” to the Star (probably some geezer who works in the club shop).
A “football insider” (Matt Lorenzo?) also told the tabloid that “Allegri was the candidate before Conte” two years ago.
Enrique, meanwhile, is set to become the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain after also “snubbing” an approach from Arsenal.
Arsenal take on Tottenham for De Ligt
The Gunners will hope they have better luck luring the £50m-rated Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt, who they are reportedly battling with Tottenham to sign.
The Mirror says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old in action. However, Spurs are now ready to go “head-to-head” with their north London rivals to snap up the youngster, who Mauricio Pochettino views as a long-term replacement for contract rebel Toby Alderweireld.
Another manager on the move could be Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez, who the Mirror says is wanted by Spanish side Real Sociedad after guiding the Magpies to the brink of Premier League safety. Sociedad are currently 15th in La Liga so this isn’t a particularly attractive proposition for Rafa but will probably still be more attractive than Mike Ashley.
A man who once famously ate crisps while manager of Sociedad, David Moyes, could be moving on to champagne tonight . West Ham are allegedly set to offer the Scot a long-term deal after he “impressed” at London Stadium (i.e. won a match against Southampton) (Mirror).
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Meanwhile, Manchester United are “stepping up” their interest in Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who appeals to Jose Mourinho because he is not Luke Shaw. RMC Sport claims the Red Devils are set to make a £26m offer for the 27-year-old Algerian in the summer.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth, Leicester and Aston Villa will try to sign Charlie Austin from Southampton if the Saints get relegated (Mirror), Manchester City are on the brink of snatching highly rated 15-year-old midfielder Robert Navarro from Barcelona (Sport) and Chelsea are keen on Berke Ozer, a 17-year-old goalkeeper who plays in the Turkish second division for Altinordu (Sun). He’s better than he sounds, honest.
