Man Utd face stiff competition for Olmo with Man City, Real interested – Paper Round

Manchester United are monitoring Dani Olmo but may face competition from neighbours Manchester City as well as Chelsea, Tottenham and Real Madrid for the RB Leipzig star.

“The 25-year-old Spain international is continuing to excel at Red Bull Leipzig and has a clause that becomes active this summer when he can leave for £52 million.

“Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are also among the clubs who continue to keep an eye on Olmo’s progress, particularly with his ability to play on either flank or off the striker.

“Real are expected to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer and will welcome the arrival of Brazilian Kendrick in July. They may also have to bring forward a bid for Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies which would eat into finances but president Florentino Perez remains open to adding Spain’s best players to his glittering squad if it became financially viable.

“United are in the market for a centre forward, centre-back and full-back this summer plus a central midfielder. Much will hinge on who departs also.”

Xabi Alonso is “now likely” to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Liverpool and Bayern Munich disappointed.

With both clubs looking for a new manager this summer, it was widely reported that the Spaniard was at the top of their list.

But with Leverkusen leading the way in the Bundesliga, remarkably still unbeaten after 26 games, Alonso has reportedly opted to stay.

“Alonso had been strongly mooted as a Jurgen Klopp successor since the German announced he was to leave the club this summer, but Liverpool had been given no reason to believe the former midfielder wanted to leave the Bundesliga leaders.

“It now appears Alonso, 42, is out of the running for the Anfield job, which makes Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim the leading candidate alongside Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.

“Amorim, 39, will likely get an interview at Liverpool and it is believed he scored well on internal data tests.

“Bayern had been public in their desire to recruit Alonso, perhaps a tactic to unsettle Leverkusen’s title tilt, but president Uli Hoeness on Thursday said it would be ‘probably impossible’ to lure him to Munich this year.”

Spanish striker Joselu could be in line for a “shock transfer” to Manchester United, claims The Sun.

Formerly of Stoke and Newcastle, the 34-year-old striker is currently on loan at Real Madrid from Espanyol.

“Relevo claims representatives from Old Trafford have already jetted to Spain to enquire about a summer deal.

“Joselu is technically still tied down to Espanyol, with his contract expiring in 2025.

“And United believe he fits the bill for a back-up role to Rasmus Hojlund.

“However, The Red Devils reportedly face competition from several other English sides.

“A move for Joselu would also depend on the viewpoint of their next sporting director, which could be Dan Ashworth.

“And the fact remains that Joselu’s priority is to remain at Real Madrid.”

Todd Boehly will be replaced as Chelsea’s chairman in 2027, according to the Mail.

The American, who took the position from Bruce Buck, has been in the role since June 2022.

The report reads: “Chelsea will appoint a new chairman in 2027 to replace Todd Boehly, Mail Sport understands.

“As part of an extraordinary agreement the club’s American co-owners can pass the chairmanship between themselves every five years. And it can be revealed that the intention is to do just that when the opportunity arises at the end of the 2026-27 season.

“Under the terms of the group’s takeover, Boehly is thought to have ‘gone first’ despite holding a minority stake.

“Clearlake Capital, the private equity firm managed by fellow owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, have a 61.5% share in the club’s holding company while Boehly has an equal split of the remaining 38.5 per cent with Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter.

“However, the option to choose the first chairman is thought to have been connected to the terms of the 2022 sale agreement which, while there would be no negative impact or cost or interest payout from club coffers, state that Boehly’s group would be liable to pay any first losses in the event of a realisation or a sale.

“Mail Sport understands that Boehly’s group hold what is termed ‘common stock’, while majority stakeholders Clearlake have ‘preferred stock’ which comes with more protection against any financial downside.

“Eghbali or Feliciano could take the role themselves or may identify a third party to take the reins. No decision on who would take the chairmanship has been made, but Boehly will be removed from the post.

“He would then have the option to return in 2032 should he wish to do so and should he retain his stake at Stamford Bridge. He and his group could also look elsewhere.”