Whites ‘to make formal approach’ for Newcastle defender

Fulham are set to make an offer for Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson, according to the Northern Echo.

Simpson, who has also been linked with Chelsea, is entering the final year of his contract and is yet to agree a new deal at St James’ Park.

It is suggested that Fulham manager Martin Jol is planning a formal approach for the 25-year-old.

Jol is keen to sign a right-back and has also been linked with the likes of Nottingham Forest defender Chris Gunter and Tottenham’s Kyle Naughton.

Meanwhile, Luka Modric is prepared to hand in another transfer request at Tottenham after they missed out on the Champions League because of Chelsea winning this season’s competition, according to the Daily Mirror.

It is claimed the Spurs playmaker, previously a target for Chelsea, is still on the Blues’ radar, with Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs also interested.

Chelsea’s players reportedly urged Roman Abramovich to make Roberto Di Matteo their full-time boss in a dressing room sing-song after their Champions League triumph in Munich.

The Mirror say the club’s owner went to see Chelsea’s victorious squad, who pointed at interim boss Di Matteo and chanted: “We want you to stay, we want you to stay.”

Abramovich has a decision to make.

A source is quoted as saying: “It was one of those rare occasions where the players felt able to push the boundaries with the owner a little.

“They all want Robbie to stay and they wanted to get their message across. It was all very light-hearted.

“The owner was smiling and laughing as they were singing the Di Matteo song. He knew the players were teasing him.”

The Sun claim Abramovich told the players he wants four more Champions League titles.

Several papers report comments by Chelsea striker Fernando Torres which appear to cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Torres, unhappy at being a substitute for Saturday’s final, is quoted saying: “I felt I’ve been treated in a way I was not expecting and not in the way for which the club brought me here.

“We have had many conversations and now the season is finished we will have more talks to see what happens in the future because this is not the role for which I came and I’m not happy.

“Winning the Champions League makes up for it of course but as far as the future is concerned… well.

“Right now I do feel it’s all worth it but the truth is I’ve gone through some very bad moments – the worst moments of my career – during the season and I am not willing to relive those moments.”

And The Sun and Daily Mail both suggest that Lille’s highly-rated Belgian winger Eden Hazard is leaning towards a move to Chelsea rather than Manchester City or Manchester United.

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