Chelsea are considering signing under-17 World Cup sensation Claudio Echeverri, with plans to loan him to BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg. The potential move confirmed by Foot Mercato comes as a surprise, given that Manchester City are reportedly the frontrunners to sign the young Argentinian talent. Manchester City has been active in recruiting prospects from River Plate, recently signing 23-yewr-old Julián Álvarez. Other clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and PSG, are also reportedly interested in Echeverri.
Claudio Echeverri – Getty image Recall a release clause of €25 has been pegged as the player’s release clause, which has been widely consider too much for an upcoming talent. However, despite the disagreement in some quarters, Chelsea and other top European clubs are focused on his talent and what he can offer.
Romelu Lukaku at the 2023 Champions League final for Inter Milan. Source: Getty Lukaku scored 14 goals in 37 appearances during his loan spell with Inter last season and helped them to reach the Champions League final. Inter were desperate to keep the 30-year-old forward but they have so far been refusing to meet Chelsea’s asking price, despite it being vastly reduced from what they paid for him two years ago. They launched a second bid of £27.5m this week with the Blues demanding £34m, but have now allegedly pulled out of a potential deal. It was gathered that Inter Milan is furious after discovering advisers working on behalf of Lukaku had held secret talks with Juventus. While such conversations are legal and standard at this stage of negotiations, Inter have been left disappointed by the situation as they believed Lukaku’s only interest was returning to the Nerazzurri, a message insiders insist came from the player himself. 
Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Source: Getty Chelsea will now move on to other targets, leaving Manchester United as favourites to sign Andre Onana who is expected to cost around £50 million. Evening Standard reported that Tottenham-linked Brentford goalie David Raya is one name on the shortlist. Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili are also on the list. Andre Onana started his youth career in his homeland before graduating from Barcelona’s famed La Masia setup. But he rose to prominence during his seven-and-a-half-year stint with Ajax. The period also included a controversial doping ban, which left him on the sidelines for nine months. Meanwhile, his spell with Ajax ended last summer, with the 27-year-old leaving as a free agent. The Cameroonian international joined Inter Milan in a Bosman move but took some time to get going. But Onana has not looked back since usurping Samir Handanovic as the first-choice shot-stopper. And he kept 19 clean sheets in 41 games for Inter Milan this past season. But Inter’s perilous financial situation has left them in a spot of bother while alerting suitors like Chelsea and Manchester United. 
Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag. Source: Getty Chelsea dropping out of the race means Manchester United are in a better position to sign the goalkeeper. Recent reports suggested David de Gea would sign a new contract with Manchester United. But the latest updates have claimed that the Spaniard will depart from Old Trafford as a free agent. So Manchester United will need a top-class replacement. This would signal a reunion between the Cameroon stopper and Erik ten Hag, with the pair previously working together at Ajax. 
Tottenham captain, Harry Kane. Source: Getty Red Devils’ manager, Erik ten Hag, had made the player his primary summer target and is disappointed that it has fallen through, but understands the club cannot go past a certain point when it comes to the transfer fee and the overall package for a 29-year-old, who has one year left on his contract. Spurs value Kane at around £100 million, despite his contract which would soon expire. Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, is keen to hold on to Kane, in the hope that he signs a new contract and despite the knowledge that he could lose the striker for free next summer. He also does not entertain the idea of selling Kane to a direct rival. Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in Kane, but with Kylian Mbappé now a possible option they may opt against pursuing a deal for the England captain. 
Tottenham owner, Daniel Levy. Source: Getty The Napoli striker Victor Osimhen remains of interest to United but he too is also likely to be out of their reach, with Napoli understood to be asking for a fee of €150 million for the 24-year-old. United are still keen to sign the Atalanta forward Rasmus Højlund, who has had an impressive first season in Serie A after joining from Sturm Graz. The 20-year-old scored nine times in 32 league games for the Bergamo side and United like the potential he is showing. But he would not be seen as a regular starter in the No 9 position in 2023-24 even if they could sign him during the summer. Atalanta could, however, ask for as much as €60 million for the Dane. 
Declan Rice with the Europa trophy. Source: Getty With two years remaining on his Hammers deal, Rice has made it clear he wants to take his career to the next level. The Gunners made the midfielder their priority summer signing and were facing competition from the German giants, with Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly speaking to the midfielder in recent weeks. However, Bayern Munich withdrew their interest following a meeting of board members on Tuesday, June 13. 
Declan Rice celebrating with his West Ham teammates. Source: Getty German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg has now disclosed that Bayern has decided against making a firm approach. He tweeted; “News #Rice: NO transfer! Bayern has decided today not to submit an offer after all – confirmed. It was the clear trend for days and as reported on Friday, because Rice became more and more expensive. He’s on verge to join @Arsenal now! First call BILD. @SkySportDE.” News #Rice: NO transfer! Bayern has decided today not to submit an offer after all – confirmed ✅ ➡️ It was the clear trend for days and as reported on Friday, because Rice became more and more expensive. He’s on verge to join @Arsenal now! First call BILD. @SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/AXLFKWCnPa — Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 13, 2023 With Bayern Munich out of the picture, Arsenal has been handed the opportunity to sign Declan Rice. Manchester United and Chelsea have previously shown an interest but Rice looks set to move to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal closing in on a deal. West Ham have previously set an asking price of £120m for Rice, though the Gunners are hopeful a deal worth around £100m will be agreed. Any deal will smash Arsenal’s previous club-record outlay of £72million on flop winger Nicolas Pepe. Rice has been expected to leave this summer and last week West Ham chairman David Sullivan confirmed the midfielder was promised a big move. 
35-year-old Nagelsmann who was recently sacked and replaced by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, was the front-runner for the role, but Football London reported that he has pulled out of the race. Popular sports journalist Fabrizio Romano who also confirmed the development, tweeted; “Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it’s his final decision. German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round of talks. Nagelsmann was top candidate for the job.” EXCLUSIVE: Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it’s his final decision. 🚨🔵 #CFC German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round of talks. Nagelsmann was top candidate for the job. pic.twitter.com/vkU5zcxISH — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 21, 2023 The news arrives as a fresh blow to Chelsea’s owners and many others who are admirers of Nagelsmann. Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will now likely emerge as the favourite after another set of positive talks with the Chelsea board. 
Last Thursday, Nagelsmann was in London for face-to-face talks which were said to be ‘very positive’ according to Sky Germany. Luis Enrique appeared alongside the young head coach in the Chelsea manager race, but it was then revealed the former Spain boss was out of the frame to be Graham Potter’s permanent successor. 
