Chelsea launch €80m offer for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Barcelona eye Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves – Paper Round

Vlahovic becomes Chelsea’s No. 1 target

Chelsea have made Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic their top transfer target for the summer window as the Blues look to add some firepower to their squad. Incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino has been promised that the club will sign a centre-forward and Vlahovic seems to be available. The 23-year-old is likely to leave Juventus this summer after just 18 months in Turin.

“Incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been told that a top No. 9 would be signed this summer. Vlahovic, who is keen to move to Stamford Bridge, also has interest from Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

“He has scored 23 goals in 62 games in all competitions for the Bianconeri but has failed to settle, due to coach Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive approach and the uncertainty over Champions League qualification next season for the club.”

Barca’s Busquets replacement

Barcelona have reportedly already reach an agreement to sign Ruben Neves from Wolves. The Catalan club are in the market for a Sergio Busquets replacement and sources close to the club are confident that a deal for Neves will completed. The deal is likely to see highly-rated forward Ansu Fati go the other way.

“Barça will not pay a single euro for Ruben Neves and everything will be done through a player exchange. In principle, Mendes had designed the operation with Ansu Fati as a counterweight.

“In the event that Ansu does not give the OK, Mendes plans to use other players in exchange. Wolverhampton are keen on Abde, who will leave Barça once his loan spell at Osasuna is over, and Sergiño Dest could also be on the cards.

“In any case, both the people close to Ruben Neves and Barça are very clear that this is going to go ahead.”

From the south coast to south London

Crystal Palace are planning to launch a summer move for Jefferson Lerma, who is set to be out of contract as his deal at Bournemouth expires at the end of the season. The Cherries are hoping to reach an agreement with the 28-year-old to keep him on the south coast, but nothing has been agreed yet. Palace will make Lerma a “priority” if the club has a limited transfer budget for the summer.

“[Bournemouth] manager Gary O’Neil has stated he wants the Colombia international to stay at Dean Court.

“The Eagles are also set to offer new deals to James Tomkins, Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward, who are free agents at the end of the campaign.”

Spurs unlikely to secure Feyenoord duo

Tottenham Hotspur planned a double swoop on Feyenoord for head coach Arne Slot and general manager Dennis te Kloese, but an offer for the latter has reportedly been rejected by the Dutch champions. Spurs were keen to appoint Te Kloese as their sporting director following the exit of Fabio Paratici. However, the north London club are growing more confident of clinching Slot.

“Tottenham’s chances of landing Slot are much better. The 44-year-old has told agent Rafaela Pimenta that he sees his future in the Premier League and meetings have taken place despite denials from Spurs.

“Slot has a £6million release clause in his contract that can be triggered next year – and it will cost Tottenham around £10 million to prise him away from Feyenoord this summer.”