10:55 Sky Sports assess Ben White and explain why the defender on loan at Leeds from Brighton is set to be a star of the future in English football
Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old, fitting into Frank Lampard’s approach of mixing young talent with experience, and Tottenham have also been connected in media reports.
Jose Gimenez
Another reported centre-back target for Chelsea, Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez is also being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and would represent the experience Lampard is looking for. The Uruguay international has also been a reported Man City target in the past.
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Gimenez is a two-time Champions League runner-up with Atleti and has won the Europa League during the time at the La Liga club. A series of injuries saw him play in just 21 league matches where he won 16 of the 20 tackles he made, blocking seven shots and making 23 interceptions.
The 25-year-old is contracted to Atleti until 2023 and it would take some big numbers to land their man, but the defender recently spoke of his love for Chelsea and Lampard as a child, saying in an interview with La Liga: “I would have liked to play with Lampard. I always used to watch Chelsea as a kid, loved them.”
Chelsea have also been linked with Gimenez’s defensive team-mate, goalkeeper Jan Obalk, who said he would consider his Atletico future after the conclusion of the Champions League.
Diego Carlos
Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City have been linked with recent Europa Legue winner Diego Carlos, who helped Sevilla to a record-extending sixth victory in the competition. It was his acrobatic overhead kick that ultimately won the final against Inter, demonstrating his ability as a goalscorer and a title winner.
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But the monitoring clubs may have been put off slightly by Carlos’ uncanny ability to give away penalties, doing so early on in both the Europa League semi-final and final. Yes, Sevilla went on to win both games and Carlos saved his own bacon in the final, but he was hugely helped by a “team of giants” as the Brazilian described his team-mates after the victory.
He only joined Sevilla last summer as Julen Lopetegui set about rebuilding the squad and, penalty conceding aside, had a superb debut season in La Liga. He made 35 appearances, scoring two goals – not a bad return for a central defender – and ranked top in the league for clearances completed (174) and headed clearances (105).
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling has had something of an Italian renaissance. He flourished during his season-long loan spell at Roma, making 30 Serie A appearances and coming in the top ten for blocked shots (35), interceptions (56) and aerial duels won (95).
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Could he be the ready-made replacement Manchester United are looking for? If the names they are being linked with are anything to go by, they will be looking elsewhere for a regular centre-back this summer with Smalling likely to be playing a bit-part or sold elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, Roma are very keen on bringing the defender back in a permanent deal while Sky Sports News recently reported Newcastle are keen on signing Smalling. Everton and Fulham have all been linked by other media outlets.
Thiago Silva
0:49 French football journalist Jonathan Johnson says Thiago Silva is looking for a ‘new adventure’ ahead of his expected move to Chelsea
Former PSG captain Thiago Silva looks to be the next incoming at Chelsea with Sky Sports News reporting the club are close to signing the defender on a one-year deal.
The Brazil international has just come off the back of a Champions League final defeat and it was already confirmed before the the Lisbon showpiece Silva would bring an end to his eight-year stay in Paris.
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Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol recently said: “Anyone who watched the Champions League final, Silva, even though he’s 35, he is still an exceptional centre-back. He’s got leadership qualities, he’s got so much experience, and what Chelsea have really been missing at the back is that kind of experience.
“They’ve got quite a few young centre-backs, and I don’t think Frank Lampard has been totally convinced by any of them. That’s why he’s wanted someone with experience and Silva is available.
“I don’t need to talk him up, everybody knows how good he is. The only question mark I would think about him going forward is can he maintain that level? He’s going to be 36 next month but watching him in the Champions League final it looks like a great signing for Chelsea.”
Jerome Boateng
Another veteran defender, Jerome Boateng was on the other side of the table from Silva and won the recent Champions League final with Bayern Munich, although was taken off inside 25 minutes after picking up an injury.
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German outlet Sport Bild recently reported Bayern would consider an offer for the 31-year-old if the right one came in while Boateng himself recently admitted he would consider a return to the Premier League.
Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, as have PSG and Juventus, but for now, his future seems very much up in the air.
Samuel Umtiti
It was a tough season for Samuel Umtiti and with tumultuous times ahead at Barcelona, he is reportedly on Ronald Koeman’s list of players who are no longer required.
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The World Cup winner had a season punctuated by injuries and a lack of minutes, playing just 13 La Liga games and three times in the Champions League. His positive test for coronavirus just before the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich truly rounded off a horrible year.
Arsenal, West Ham and Everton have all been linked with Umtiti, although he would need to prove his ability to stay fit before joining another club. Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the 26-year-old in the past, with a loan deal also a potential option for Barcelona.
However, a report in the Daily Mail at the start of August said Umtiti wants to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona and has no plans to leave. But given his recent injury troubles and a new manager, that decision could be taken out of his hands.
Summer transfer window – key dates and times
The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.
A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports’ digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
Sourse: skysports.com
