Chelsea in a rush to seal Morata deal
CHELSEA want to prompt a decision from Real Madrid over the future of Alvaro Morata. The Juventus striker (right) has a £23million buy-back clause which Madrid are expected to activate this summer. The European champions are then looking to sell at a substantial profit to the highest bidder and Chelsea, keen to be at the front of the queue, will press their claim this week. Chelsea sent scouts to check on Schalke winger Leroy Sane last weekend. The 20-year-old Manchester City target came off the bench to replace Thomas Muller for Germany’s last 21 minutes of their 2-0 friendly win over Hungary. Sane is valued at £35m by Schalke who expect a bid from Manchester City. Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also watched him. MANCHESTER CITY are stepping up efforts to sign skilful Ukraine midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko. But the move is complicated as Zinchenko, 19, who plays for Ufa in the Russian Premier League, has only two caps so may struggle to land a work permit. City may have to loan abroad the product of Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth system. NEW Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed his backroom team with Steve Clarke arriving as his assistant. Clarke, sacked as Reading boss in December, has extensive experience. He managed West Brom and worked as a No 2 with Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool. Kevin Bond, formerly of Tottenham, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Southampton, Bournemouth and QPR, is Villa’s new first-team coach. Fulham and Preston are among the clubs who want to snap up out-of-contract Villa forward Callum Robinson, 21.
CHARLTON have appointed Russell Slade, 55, as their new manager on a three-year deal. The former Leyton Orient boss replaces Jose Riga, whose second spell in charge ended after Charlton’s relegation to League One.
CELTIC are ready to offer £3m for Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom. Anfield manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to strengthen his defence and Wisdom is unlikely to figure in his plans. Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure could also leave.
TOTTENHAM have checked on Holland winger Quincy Promes. The 24-year-old is ready to quit Spartak Moscow after failing to agree terms on a new contract. Promes joined in 2014 from FC Twente for a fee of £11m. He has scored 31 goals for Spartak in 58 games over two seasons. He played for Holland against the Republic of Ireland last week under the watchful eyes of Mauricio Pochettino and his staff and was a former target for Southampton.