Joao Santos, the agent of Jorginho, has confirmed that talks had previously been held with PSG, Barcelonaq and AC Milan surrounding his client.
He said: “In the past I spoke with PSG, Barcelona and also with Massara of Milan. I don’t know if they want it [a deal for Jorginho] now.”
Reaffirming the realities of the current situation at Chelsea, however, Santos confirmed that nothing can be done involving Jorginho, be it renewing his contract, selling him or buying someone else.
Jorginho is contracted to Chelsea until 2023 and cannot move under the current circumstances, but returning to Serie A should he leave the west London side in future feels a realistic prospect.
Reports in Spain claim Xavi is in discussions with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
According to Sport, Xavi has been having regular conversations with the 32-year-old Blues defender.
With Azpilicueta’s contract at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of the season, he’s free to negotiate a new deal with a foreign club. In addition, there is the complication that Chelsea are currently banned from discussing contract extensions with current players due to government sanctions.
Barcelona have reportedly already lined up a summer move for Azpilicueta by offering him a three-year deal at Camp Nou. Chelsea have a clause in the Spaniard’s current contract to extend it, but it’s unclear on if they can activate that during ongoing restrictions.
PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has fuelled further speculation regarding his future after footage has been leaked of him confessing he’s ‘fed up’ to Paul Pogba as he arrived for France international duty.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer with his contract due to expire at the end of the current season – meaning he can leave on a free transfer.
Talks between the Frenchman and Real are said to have intensified following PSG’s dramatic exit from the Champions League at the hands of Los Blancos.
Manchester United midfielder Pogba, who himself will be available on a free this summer, asked his compatriot how things were going at club level to which Mbappe replied: ‘I’m a little fed up’ – as seen on a video captured by FFF TV.
PSG’s dressing room is said to be massively divided at present, particularly between the South American and French contingents since their latest Champions League exit, according to RMC Sport.
That divide may add to the sheer fact of not competing for top honours in the Champions League once again this season.
It has also been claimed that Mbappe may have considered committing his future to the club if they were battling for the biggest prizes, but it may be difficult for PSG to convince him after their latest Champions League exit, which came at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has ‘laughed’ off Gary Neville’s choice for the permanent Manchester United managerial role.
United legend Neville called for Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone to succeed current interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who will move into an advisory role once a long-term solution is found.
But Fowler says the “horrible stuff” and tactics Simeone’s Atletico side are known for should not be implemented at Old Trafford.
Writing for the Mirror, Fowler said: “I laughed this week when I heard Gary Neville shouting that his former club should make Diego Simeone their next manager.
“Honestly. C’mon. I’m not saying he’s anti-football, but some of the antics his team get up to, some of the horrible stuff they do, and the tactics they pursue. Not at Manchester United.
“The fans would be calling it out within weeks, and even if he actually won things with it, they wouldn’t put up with it for long.
“United have a certain expectation about how they should be playing, which was laid down by Sir Matt Busby and [Alex] Ferguson.”
Fowler says Simeone “exists to stop opponents playing football”, something “no one should welcome”.
He continued: “Simeone doesn’t fit with that [playing style expectation].
“He doesn’t fit with anyone who loves football, he essentially exists to stop opponents playing football. Which no one should welcome.
“And that’s what I mean by identity. It’s not enough to be simply winning – even if it helps, obviously.”
Fowler has also thrown a candidate of his own into the mix.
Instead of selecting the Thomas Tuchels or the Simeones, Fowler has put forward Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, younger brother of legendary Italian striker Filippo.
He said: “I have a shout for them though. Simone Inzaghi, the younger brother of Filippo.
“You can see with Inter he has taken them on beyond the dour football of Antonio Conte, despite the club having financial problems.
“They are in contention for the title, performed well – and I think above their level – against Liverpool in the Champions League, and all with budget constraints.
“Before that he was at Lazio, where he won three trophies and was hugely popular with the fans. Would it be a gamble? Of course.
“But United need someone with an ability to build something now, not simply a ‘name.'”
