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€200m bid prepared: Chelsea braced for stunning Saudi transfer pursuit of star player

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By:Mark Brus

Chelsea could reportedly be set to receive bids as high as €200m for star midfield player Enzo Fernandez this summer.

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The Argentina international is facing an uncertain future ahead of this summer, with transfer rumours now growing about interest from the Saudi Pro League.

According to Fichajes, Al Ittihad could be prepared to pay as much as €200m to tempt Chelsea into selling Fernandez this summer.

However, it remains to be seen if Fernandez would be ready to make such a move, with the report also mentioning interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who could probably also offer big money as well as the chance for the former Benfica man to carry on playing at a high level in Europe.

Enzo Fernandez’s future: what we know so far

Fernandez has not ruled out leaving Chelsea, which will certainly be a concern for some Blues fans after his fine form during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Simon Phillips has named Fernandez as one of a number of CFC players discussing moves away with their agents ahead of the summer.

However, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has played this speculation down – you can read his full quotes here.

Chelsea looking for Enzo Fernandez replacements

Our understanding is that Chelsea have been open-minded about potentially needing to replace Fernandez for some time now.

One name the Blues are really keen on is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, though there’s some suggestion that the two Manchester clubs are already further ahead in their pursuit.

Other names will surely come up, with Chelsea unlikely to let Fernandez go without having someone ready to come in and fill that void.

The 25-year-old was one of the major statement signings of the current club ownership, so it will likely take huge money to convince them to let him go.

The post €200m bid prepared: Chelsea braced for stunning Saudi transfer pursuit of star player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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Sources: Liverpool “working overtime” on Salah replacements – don’t rule out cash-plus-player deal

✇CaughtOffside
By:Mark Brus

Liverpool are understood to be “working overtime” as they internally analyse ideal transfer targets to replace Mohamed Salah.

As reported here for my Daily Briefing exclusive, the Reds have been looking into winger targets for some time now as there have been lingering doubts over Salah’s future this season.

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The Egypt international has now confirmed he’ll be leaving Anfield at the end of this season, and the names to watch to replace him could be Michael Olise and Yan Diomande.

As for Salah himself, he’ll likely head to either the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr or Al Ittihad, but a move to MLS giants San Diego FC could also be an option, with no final decision yet.

Sources on Liverpool’s transfer targets to replace Mohamed Salah

Replacing a club legend like this won’t be easy, but names to watch out for have already been widely reported – Michael Olise and Yan Diomande.

“Liverpool are working overtime to get a marquee signing to replace Salah,” one source told me. “They’d love to get Michael Olise, and although at Bayern’s end there’s no indication that they’re even open to listening to offers, Liverpool feel they might be able to tempt the player back to the Premier League.”

Michael Olise TOTAL SCORE: 21/25
Transfer fee **
Performance *****
Achievements ****
Career phase *****
Squad need *****

Olise has been on fire for Bayern this season, establishing himself as one of the best attacking players in Europe with 19 goals and 24 assists in all competitions.

Those are the numbers LFC will need from their new winger if they are to adequately replace a world class talent like Salah, but it will likely require paying crazy money, as they did last summer with signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Whether they can do that for a second year in a row without also making significant sales remains to be seen.

More exits to fund Liverpool signings?

It’s early days yet, but one player to keep an eye on could be Cody Gakpo. He was a target for Bayern last summer, and although I’m not aware of any talks yet, there’s the sense that he would be available for the right price, and it could also be logical to try including him in any deal for Olise.

Diomande, meanwhile, has shone at RB Leipzig and I’ve heard Arne Slot is a big fan, even if he’s not yet a big and proven name in the same league as Salah or Olise.

There’s a recognition that it’s not the easiest market for top attacking players right now, so it will be interesting to see how Liverpool navigate that, but work has already begun to ensure that they’re fully prepared for this new era without Salah.

The post Sources: Liverpool “working overtime” on Salah replacements – don’t rule out cash-plus-player deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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