Blues linked with Liverpool star Coutinho and Ajax winger El Ghazi
A round-up of today’s transfer speculation involving Chelsea and QPR…
Chelsea are being linked with a move for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
The Daily Express, picking up on reports in Brazil, claims Coutinho, 22, is being considered as a potential replacement for his countryman Oscar.
Coutinho only signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool in February.
The Daily Telegraph suggests Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi is a target for Chelsea, although Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in the 20-year-old.
Atletico are hoping to keep two of their star players away from Stamford Bridge by offering them new contracts, the Express claims.
The deals for striker Antoine Griezmann and midfielder Koke will apparently increase the buyout clauses for each player to £100m to ward off Chelsea.
The Guardian, picking up on reports in Spain, suggests Koke has already committed his future to Atletico.
The Daily Star believes Chelsea may be put off a deal for Paul Pogba, with Juventus apparently wanting £80m – some £30m more than the Blues are said to be prepared to offer.
There is further speculation about Blues keeper Petr Cech, whose agent told TalkSport has been allowed to talk to interested clubs.
The Daily Mail claims Cech will move abroad, with Paris St-Germain the new favourites, and adds Arsenal will turn to Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel if they miss out.
However, the Star reports that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has said he is not currently interested in signing a goalkeeper.
Didier Drogba and Joey Barton will not be returning to Marseille, the French club’s president has reportedly said.
Both Drogba, who played for OM for a year before joining Chelsea in 2004, and QPR midfielder Barton, who spent the 2012-13 season on loan there, are out of contract in the summer.
But ESPN quotes Vincent Labrune as saying Premier League wages would be hard for Marseille to match.
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