Chelsea are considering re-signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the summer.
Guehi came through the academy ranks at Chelsea before joining Palace for £18million in the summer of 2021 as first-team opportunities were limited.
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The England international’s contract expires at the end of next season, which has alerted the Blues that he could be available for a reduced transfer fee next summer.
Guehi is said to be in no rush to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park as he expects there to be interest from top six clubs in the summer.
The centre-back was wanted by Newcastle after playing for England at the European Championships, but the Magpies were unable to agree a transfer fee with Palace.
The boss of the foxes takes the reins
Leicester owner Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha will take a leading role in the club’s search for a new coach after being unimpressed by the appointment of Steve Cooper.
As previously reported by The Pitch Prospect, Top had reservations about hiring former Nottingham Forest coach Cooper from the start of his tenure, but supported the verdict of long-serving director of football Jon Rudkin.
After the 2-1 home defeat against Chelsea on Saturday, Top personally made the decision to sack Cooper.
And while it wasn’t the deciding factor, sources told The Pitch Prospect he was unimpressed by the 44-year-old’s scathing post-match attack on referee Andrew Madley.
The Thai businessman, who consulted senior Leicester players before deciding to offload Cooper, had Graham Potter high on his wish list to replace Enzo Maresca last summer but was unable to get the deal through.
With Potter once again ruling himself out, former Manchester United interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan are two of the top candidates to replace Cooper.
Once the new man is in office, Top also wants to make a big contribution
Recruitment will take place when the window opens in January. Funds are expected to be made available to finance Leicester’s attempt to survive in the Premier League.
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Cunha’s demeanor revealed itself amidst the blistering heat
According to The Pitch Prospect sources, Wolves have promised manager Gary O’Neil that they will NOT make a move for star player Matheus Cunha in January.
Cunha started the season in scintillating form, scoring seven goals and providing three assists, including a brilliant brace in the 4-1 win over Fulham on Saturday to ease the pressure on O’Neil.
The Brazilian’s impressive performances have earned him the interest of all clubs
including Manchester United and Tottenham, while he has also been scouted by several top European teams.
Wolves have become a selling club in recent transfer windows, allowing both Pedro Neto and Max Kilman to move to Chelsea and West Ham respectively in the summer, leaving O’Neil short-handed ahead of a daunting run of games at the start of the season.
But director of football Matt Hobbs is said to have told O’Neil that they have no plans to cash in on any more of their prized assets this winter.
O’Neil struggled to save his job after fans turned against him following a ten-game winless start to the campaign.
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But the hierarchy are more relaxed about his position after back-to-back wins over Southampton and Fulham on either side of the international break.
Spurs’ emergency contract
Tottenham are considering looking for a new goalkeeper in January amid fears Guglielmo Vicario will be sidelined for months.
Vicario underwent surgery after breaking his ankle in Saturday’s impressive 4-0 win over champions Manchester City.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglu on handing over the number one jersey to 36-year-old Fraser Forster during the Italian’s absence.
One possible option is Burnley’s James Trafford, who is keen on a return to the Premier League following the Clarets’ relegation last season.
Sunderland’s England Under-21 star Anthony Patterson is also on the radar of some top teams.