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Gossip: Chelsea want Simeone as Conte 'replacement' and 'prepare bid' for Carroll, Coutinho latest and more

Diego Simeone is reportedly top of Chelsea’s managerial shortlist.
Diego Simeone is reportedly top of Chelsea’s managerial shortlist.

It’s the transfer window so of course things are getting crazy at Stamford Bridge.

The latest from west London is that Antonio Conte is leaving the Blues and will be replaced by Diego Simeone.

That is according to an article in the Times, which says the Atletico Madrid coach is “top of the shortlist” to become the new Chelsea manager this summer.

This is amid “widespread expectation” that Conte and the Blues will come to a “mutual agreement” on his exit in the summer. The Italian just can’t work under Roman Abramovich’s budget control.

In more positive news for the Blues, the Telegraph says Thibaut Courtois is set to sign a new Stamford Bridge contract on wages in excess of £200,000 a week that will make him “the world’s best-paid goalkeeper”.

READ MORE: Mourinho rubbishes quit reports

READ MORE: Courtois confirms new Chelsea deal is close


Shock move for Andy Carroll

Sometimes we can lose a bit of love for football. Negative tactics, horrendous refereeing decisions, terrace unpleasantness and financial ridiculousness can all send us into a funk about the state of the beautiful game.

But no sooner do we begin to lose faith, something wonderful always drags us back in. Something like a sublime goal, or a last-minute winner, or Chelsea buying Andy Carroll. Hallelujah!

Today’s Mail reports that the Premier League champions have “made enquiries” about signing the West Ham striker in what could potentially be one of the most amusing transfers of recent years.

Big Andy ripping up the Champions League? It could happen. The Blues have already held “preliminary talks” with the ponytailed hunk’s representatives about signing the 28-year-old on loan.

The only problem is that Hammers manager David Moyes reportedly doesn’t want the Geordie Adonis to leave on loan, because that means he would have to come back.

His Chelsea counterpart Conte, meanwhile, seems rather down in the dumps, commenting: “I do not aim high with my requests … I’ve rarely been given the players I asked for.” So it seems he is now intentionally targeting players that no one else wants.

Conte continues glumly: “I always ended up at clubs who were running an austerity programme.”

OK mate, steady on. Bemoaning the “austerity” of Abramovich is bit like complaining that your wallet is too small for your £50 notes.

Barcelona raise offer for Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho

In the latest on Philippe Coutinho, the Times says Barcelona have raised their offer for the Liverpool playmaker to £142m, which may finally be enough to lure him to the Nou Camp.

However, the Reds’ hopes of replacing the Brazilian with Monaco’s Thomas Lemar took a dent after the French club insisted the 22-year-old winger is not for sale this month (Liverpool Echo).

Meanwhile, Manchester United are trying to buy left-backs. The Record says Jose Mourinho has put Celtic’s Kieran Tierney and Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon on his shortlist, while the Express says the Red Devils remain “desperate” to sign Alex Sandro from Juventus.

READ MORE: Wenger becoming delusional at Arsenal

READ MORE: Klopp responds to Coutinho transfer talk

Elsewhere, Newcastle are considering a move for Watford striker Troy Deeney (Northern Echo), Marseille are interested in Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (Mail) and Gunners winger Theo Walcott has taken the unusual step of “offering himself” to AC Milan (Mirror). Eek – that’s going to be awkward if they say no.

@darlingkevin