Football rumours: Chelsea eyeing Josko Gvardiol to replace Cesar Azpilicueta

PA Sport Staff

What the papers say

Chelsea have reportedly marked RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol as their primary target to replace Cesar Azpilicueta, should he depart for Barcelona. The Sun says the Blues are lining up the Croatia international for a potential transfer, after an approach for Manchester City’s Nathan Ake was rebuffed.

The Daily Mail reports Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move for Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis. The 24-year-old is valued at around £25 million, with Everton and Villarreal also believed to be interested.

Leicester may consider offers for England midfielder James Maddison, according to The Telegraph. The Foxes are yet to make a signing this summer as they look to sell before they buy, with forward Kelechi Iheanacho and full-back Timothy Castagne also reportedly on the chopping block.

Staying with Leicester, the Daily Mail says the club have rejected a £15 million bid from Monaco for midfielder Boubakary Soumare as they hold on to a higher price for the 23-year-old.

Social media round-up

Oleksandr Zinchenko flying in for #AFC medical with £32m transfer to be wrapped up#MCFChttps://t.co/9vBt3wNpVv pic.twitter.com/cb4fb2YnDk

— Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) July 20, 2022

🔵 Jules Kounde is edging closer to Chelsea, with a verbal agreement reportedly struck

📡 More details on our LIVE transfer blog: https://t.co/uMSHwrXWoE pic.twitter.com/1MwvbTxCYF

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 20, 2022

Players to watch

Frenkie De Jong: Spanish outlet Sport says the Manchester United target would prefer a move to Bayern Munich or Chelsea.

Dwight McNeil: West Ham and Crystal Palace have approached Burnley about the midfielder’s situation, reports Sky Sports.