TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Man City eye up Mateo Kovacic – with FOUR Chelsea stars set to leave

Manchester City are eyeing Mateo Kovacic, who is set to leave Chelsea this summer.

The 29-year-old is admired by Pep Guardiola and would love to join the Premier League champions-elect. City will take stock of their squad at the end of the season as Guardiola awaits a decision from Barcelona, ​​targeting Ilkay Gundogan, on his contract offer, while Kalvin Phillips also wants to stay.

City have also discussed the merits of West Ham’s Declan Rice, but his style could surpass that of Rodri, who is hugely important to Guardiola. Arsenal are considered favourites, but their concern for Rice is the price.

Manchester United are also a big admirer and have players like Scott McTominay who West Ham would consider as part of a £120 million package.

Chelsea’s new boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to fly to London from Barcelona on Tuesday before signing his three-year contract, but expects to leave with Kovacic, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and Edouard Mendy as the main candidates.

Chelsea scouts watched Napoli’s £130 million-valued striker Victor Osimhen on Sunday during Monza’s surprise 2-0 victory over the Italian champions. Pochettino also expects talks about Romelu Lukaku’s situation at the end of this month.

Passing King Parejo sounds Villa

Villarreal passmaster Dani Parejo is looking forward to a return to England at the age of 34. After making 41 consecutive appearances for Villarreal this season, Parejo will miss the upcoming game against Girona as he is suspended for accumulating yellow cards.

Parejo regularly tops the pass stats charts and has amassed nearly 2,000 completed passes. He had a brief stint with QPR in 2008 while on loan from Real Madrid and is now considering another try in England.

Aston Villa are among those questioned over Parejo’s relationship with Unai Emery, but others are considering a bid.

Villa are keen on Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso for their midfield, as previously reported in Confidential, and want a more technical presence on the flanks, hence their interest in Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

The likes of Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Philippe Coutinho could all leave if they can find the right offers.

Clarets could move for ex-United coach

Former Manchester United coach Warren Joyce is in the running to lead Burnley’s academy. The 58-year-old coaches Nottingham Forest’s U18s and took them to last year’s FA Youth Cup final against United.

Despite the work of Joyce and academy manager Gary Brazil, with four of their youngsters making first-team debuts and earning several international call-ups, Forest have yet to offer new contracts.

With their future up in the air, that has alerted Burnley, who are looking to revamp their academy following promotion to the Premier League.

Forest are expected to make many changes over the summer, with staff and players expected to leave. A new signing is expected to be Tom Stockwell, Southampton’s former head of player insights.

Rangers watch Pandur between the sticks

For Rangers boss Michael Beale, strengthening his defense is an absolute necessity this summer. So club scouts checked Fortuna Sittard goalkeeper Ivor Pandur against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

The Croatia U21 international is on loan from Hellas Verona and under consideration as Rangers search for a new goalkeeper. The 23-year-old had a busy afternoon, but was unable to keep PSV off his feet due to the 2-1 winners.

Rangers, who last week agreed a four-year contract with Chelsea right-back Dujon Sterling and want Arsenal defender Auston Trusty, have also kept in touch with Crystal Palace keeper Jack Butland, but that deal remains too expensive so far.

Leeds love young City midfielder Breckin

Manchester City prospect Kian Breckin is emerging as a target for Leeds United. The 19-year-old is the son of former Nottingham Forest and Wigan defender Ian ‘Breckinbauer’ Breckin, and has shown some silky touches of his own playing in midfield for City’s U21s this season.

Breckin still has four years left on his contract, but with a tough road ahead, City could sell if the right offer comes in. Leeds, who admire a number of City youngsters, could face competition from Newcastle United for Breckin.

Everton warned of Mali striker being as fast as an iguana!

Everton’s search for a striker has led to Almeria’s El Bilal Toure. The Malian international has missed the end of the season after tearing a thigh muscle, which Almeria’s doctor says happened when he took off to sprint at 35mph – that’s as fast as a spiny-tailed iguana for those of you wondering …

Either way, Everton have been assured the 21-year-old can make an equally speedy recovery, but fans will be wary. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was taken away as a precaution against Manchester City on Sunday and without him Everton have had little or no threat up front, taking them dangerously close to the drop.

Toure has also received interest from Brentford, who are weighing options as they fear a long-term suspension for Ivan Toney.

Gallagher might be a perfect fit for Toon

Newcastle United scouts checked Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai again on Sunday as he scored a dramatic late winner in their 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.

However, it is clear that the Hungarian international is not at the top of Eddie Howe’s menu. Howe would prefer Premier League experience and a deal that could still emerge as the simplest for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.

Newcastle will face stiff competition from Spurs for Leicester City’s James Maddison and face greater financial constraints than their top five rivals.

It’s still the sweet Rome of Rome for Smalling

Chris Smalling has agreed his new two-year contract with Roma. Smalling’s agent, James Featherstone, flew to Rome on Thursday morning to wrap up business and returned to England on Friday.

The now 33 confirmed vegan Smalling has made 42 appearances this season, although he has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hip flexor injury.

Saints Eye Tanzania has left with exodus about to begin

Middlesbrough and Southampton have checked 20-year-old Tanzanian international left-back Novatus Miroshi at Zulte Waregem.

Southampton will look to reshape their squad this summer with Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse and keeper Gavin Bazunu all ready to go.

Bazunu is one of the goalkeepers being considered by Tottenham while Hugo Lloris is considering a move to Saudi Arabia. Saints central defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, meanwhile, is a target for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sunderland in pole position to land Jude’s younger brother

Birmingham City midfielder Jobe Bellingham was spotted during Sunderland’s play-off match against Luton Town on Saturday.

Confidential readers will be aware of Sunderland’s interest in Jobe, Jude’s 17-year-old younger brother, and he is expected to become a regular at the Stadium of Light next season.

The Arsenal boy would give Hammers a speed boost

West Ham keep an eye on former Arsenal trainee Yunus Musah at Valencia.

The super-fast Musah was with Arsenal between the ages of nine and 16 before moving to Valencia, where he made his first-team debut at the age of 17.

West Ham retain a stake in Bristol City’s Alex Scott, also wanted by Wolves, but they are hesitant to meet the £25m asking price.

Wolves are expecting offers for £45 million rated Ruben Neves this summer, but despite links to Barcelona’s Nico Gonzalez, they prefer cash rather than bartering deals.