Here’s a round-up of all the top football headlines and transfer-related gossip from Thursday’s newspapers and online…
Maurizio Sarri wants to join Chelsea so has not agreed a deal with Zenit St Petersburg, despite being replaced as Napoli boss by Carlo Ancelotti. (Daily Mail)
Chelsea could send David Luiz to Napoli in order to hire Sarri, rather than paying the £7m release clause in his contract with the Serie A runners-up. (Express)
Manchester United are hoping to complete the signing of Fred, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder, next week. (Manchester Evening News)
Jorginho, the Italy midfielder, will hold talks with current club Napoli next week as he seeks a summer transfer to Manchester City. (Sun)
Michael Ballack has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge. The former Chelsea midfielder is being considered for the director of football role, with the position being absent since Michael Emenalo left for Monaco in November. (Evening Standard)
Tottenham have joined the race to sign Ahmed Hegazi, the West Brom defender. Egypt international Hegazi joined the Baggies on loan last summer, before exercising their option to sign him permanently in December. (ESPN)
Manchester City have been told to pay £60m if they want to sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester this summer. Mahrez was a January target of Pep Guardiola’s, and he is said to be keen on wrapping up a deal for the winger before the start of next season. (Guardian)
West Ham have been linked with Edoard Mendy, the Reims goalkeeper. Manuel Pellegrini wants to make the 26-year-old his first signing at the London Stadium (Mirror)
And here are the latest talkSPORT.com headlines:
Manchester United FC news: Yaya Toure ‘loves’ Paul Pogba, but could never join Old Trafford outfit out of respect to City fans
Crystal Palace FC news: Mamadou Sakho urges club to sign Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek on permanent deal
England news: Paul Robinson backs Joe Hart to make Three Lions return despite missing out on World Cup squad for Russia
Liverpool transfer news: Christopher Nkunku warns Paris Saint-Germain he wants more game time amid Reds interest
Chelsea FC transfer news: Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio could be available this summer, putting Blues on red alert
Liverpool FC transfer news: Paris Saint-Germain offer Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon huge contract to ward off Reds interest
Unai Emery press conference: New Arsenal manager thanks Arsene Wenger for his ‘legacy’
Everton FC transfer news: Wayne Rooney travelling to America to hold talks with DC United
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