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O'Rourke Transfer Column: Man City star expected to join Chelsea in talks over extension, Newcastle battle West Ham for Scott, Chelsea agree new £20m signing
Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.
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CHELSEA
The Blues have moved very quickly in the hunt for Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez.
My understanding is that the deal has advanced and there is now a deal in principle between Chelsea and Independiente del Valle.
The 15-year-old was one of the most sought-after youngsters in world football.
But Chelsea have been proactive and could pay as much as £20million for Paez – who can’t join up with the Blues until he turns 18 in 2025.
The hopes are that he will be playing internationally for Ecuador in due course, and that would make it easier to get a work permit when the time comes.
Chelsea are aware that an out-and-out striker has to be the priority this summer.
Victor Osimhen is an option, but a huge fee will be required to prise him away from Napoli.
A return for Tammy Abraham can’t be ruled out either. He could come into their thinking at the end of the season.
Finally, Dusan Vlahovic is also on the shortlist with Juventus potentially making him available due to their financial difficulties.
In terms of contracts, a new deal for Mateo Kovacic is one of the priorities.
They are wanting to sit down and talk to him because he definitely features in their plans going forward.
But it could be the end of the road for Christian Pulisic, sources tell me. He would have left the club in January but picked up a nasty injury.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
MAN CITY
Talks are ongoing about a new contract for Julian Alvarez.
They want to reward him for his progress by bringing him more in line with the top earners at the club, even with his current deal set to expire in 2027.
He’s very happy at the club, and the club are very happy with him, and Man City are not expecting any obstacles to arise in these talks, I’m told.
There have been whispers of interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
If he’s not going to start regularly for City, then perhaps it does raise the question of him being lured away.
But they see him as a long-term project and the club want him in the squad as they challenge for more and more honours.
Nathan Ake is also in talks about a new deal, not even a year after he was expected to move to Chelsea.
It’s a big turnaround for him, but he’s re-established himself in this side. His versatility has been key for City after Joao Cancelo left the club.
City want him to sign a longer-term deal with his current contract set to expire in 2025.
Kyle Walker is likely to sit down with City at the end of the season, I’m told.
He’s got 18 months on his deal so there is no need to rush into anything, but he remains a key man for Pep Guardiola.
Walker is happy, and it is my understanding that City want to keep him around.
Negotiations over a new contract for Rico Lewis are ongoing after his emergence as the breakthrough star for Man City.
He will be getting fresh terms to reflect his potential as a key man for club and country, with his current contract set to expire in 2024.
All parties are happy with the direction these talks are taking, and I’m told an agreement is likely before the end of the season.
A left-back is likely to be the transfer priority for Man City this summer – and they like Ben Chilwell.
It’s a problem position for City, and they see Sergio Gomez as only a squad player at the moment.
Guardiola would love another left-back, and with Chilwell qualifying as home-grown – he ticks a lot of boxes.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN CITY NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
FULHAM
Talks over a potential renewal for Willian are positive, I’m told.
It was a surprise when he came back to the Premier League but he’s looked rejuvenated under Marco Silva.
He only signed a 12-month contract last summer, and Fulham are looking to extend that deal.
I understand it will only be a further year, due to his advancing years. Silva is very keen to have him around next season.
Talks are also ongoing with Antonee Robinson and Fulham are in a very good position to agree a deal.
Robinson’s current contract expires in 2024, and he has been the subject of interest from Newcastle, Man City – as well as the two Milan giants.
It’s looking positive on a renewal for the left-back.
The success with Willian means Fulham are now open to the possibility of looking at more experienced options in the transfer market.
Olivier Giroud is in talks about a new contract with AC Milan, but Fulham are ready to pounce if nothing can be agreed.
Moving back to London would be a priority for the 36-year-old if he is to return to the Premier League.
However, I’m told Milan are pretty confident of extending his stay at San Siro.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE FULHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
NEWCASTLE
Bristol City‘s Alex Scott will be one of the most in-demand players this summer.
He’s one of the best young players outside the Premier League at the moment.
Wolves tried to sign him in January but were put off by Bristol City’s £25million valuation, but they will try again this summer.
Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace will also be in the hunt for Scott.
Bristol City will want top dollar for him, but £25million isn’t a huge fee in the grand scheme of things. Scott will have his pick of clubs this summer.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE NEWCASTLE NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS