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Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea haven't quite finalised the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as they still have to agree on details such as the length of his contract.

What's the latest Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino news?

It's widely understood and has been reported that the Argentine is now the clear favourite to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

Indeed, despite past links to the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann since Graham Potter was sacked, it sounds as though the Blues have finally landed their man.

However, while talking on the latest episode of the Here We Go podcast, Romano did explain that it's not quite been formalised just yet.

Even so, it doesn't sound as though there is any reason for Chelsea fans to panic, with most of the key details relating to the project agreed upon.

The journalist explained: “The agreement is really close. Now it's also about the contract. So why the deal is not in place or completely not announced yet [is] because they are working on the final crucial points of the contract.

"So now it's about the details of the contract. Because the main points of the project, they already discussed that and everything is almost ready between Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea.

"Now it's about the contract – length of the contract, clauses, these kinds of things. So the discussion is ongoing. We wait, but all sources are very confident on this appointment."

What's been said about Pochettino joining Chelsea?

This news of a deal with the 51-year-old not quite being wrapped up just yet might concern some supporters who must be desperate to have some sense of clarity over the manager's position at their club – especially amid the turgid form since Lampard took over as interim.

But with the Englishman hired to guide the Blues for the rest of the season, there's no rush for either Pochettino or Chelsea with regard to the finer details of his contract.

And so, by the sounds of it, once a few more specifics have been ironed out, the club will be able to officially announce the Argentine – though that could take a little while yet.

Pundit Gary Neville certainly seems to think it's a good move. He told The Overlap (via The Chelsea Chronicle) “I think he is a really talented coach. I think Chelsea next year could really surprise us. Pochettino will bring the club together because he will; he’s likeable, and the players will respect him enormously,”

“I think he’ll do a very, very good job next season. He’ll cover a lot of the stuff that’s going on behind the scenes is my prediction. If they get him, I think you’ll have a very good season next year.

“Those players are perfect for Pochettino; they are talented and young, but they just need direction.”

Newcastle United have enjoyed a phenomenal campaign this season and Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the progress his squad has made during his first full season at St James' Park.

The Magpies are currently fourth in the Premier League and are in strong contention to fulfill one of their biggest targets less than 18 months since their Saudi-led takeover with Champions League football in sight if they can continue their dominance over the remaining eight league fixtures.

Indeed, Howe boasts a squad full of hungry and ambitious players who have all rightfully earned their plaudits this season, however, in their pursuit for trophies and dominance in future, there will be no time to rest on their laurels and they must continue to build their North East powerhouse by adding more talent.

Since becoming one of the richest clubs in the world back in 2021, Newcastle have been linked with numerous world-class players who come with hefty price tags and, although there have been some hugely impactful signings like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, Howe has also polished up some of the players he inherited.

Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff are just a few of the mainstays who have revived their careers on Tyneside to become key components in the success seen at the club this season and in the summer, Howe could step up his strengths in player development by unearthing raw talent from the academy.

Adding depth will be key to Newcastle's chances of continuing their consistency on the pitch and if they do qualify for the Champions League next season, it will be massively advantageous to have a strong rotation of players to ensure they can comfortably compete in multiple competitions.

One player who has been thriving in the academy is Dylan Stephenson, a young centre forward who has been polishing his skills with hopes that he can break into the highly-competitive first team squad.

Who is Dylan Stephenson?

The 20-year-old has been rising through the ranks of the Newcastle youth set-up since joining at the age of 14, making his U23s debut at just 16 years old, which is a testament to his talent in front of goal.

The hot prospect joined Scottish side Hamiliton on loan in January to earn some much-needed first-team football, with three goal contributions over his first 10 appearances so far.

Stephenson has been a prolific goal threat for the Magpies U18s and U21s over his short career so far – scoring 39 goals and registering eight assists in 96 appearances ahead of his move to the Scottish Championship.

The Blyth-born striker has captured a lot of attention for his tenacity in the attacking threat, with journalist Peter O'Rourke giving Football FanCast an insight into the youngster's future:

"He's very highly-rated at Newcastle, Stephenson, scored a lot of goals for the U21s side and is now on loan with Hamilton in Scotland – so I think they just want to get him first-team experience.

"It will be difficult for the young player to try and break into that Newcastle team right now, especially with how they are progressing under Eddie Howe, competing at the top end of the Premier League and possibly in the Champions League next season.

"You'd imagine they'll be strengthening the squad with even bigger names coming in and that will just increase competition for places, so it's going to be difficult for Stephenson, but I think the next stage for his career they'll loan to find a loan in England next season to ensure he gets regular first-team football to continue his development."

With that being said, the future is looking bright for Stephenson and if he can continue to thrive on loan next season there is no reason why he can't become the club's next Isak in years to come at St James' Park.

Leeds United may be forced into selling Illan Meslier over the summer transfer window with a number of top clubs said to be interested in him.

How much could Leeds demand for Meslier?

The Whites are certainly enduring issues in the Premier League with their last outing only offering a 5-1 drubbing in front of their own fans against Crystal Palace.

Defeat at Elland Road saw a massive opportunity to open up a gap on the bottom three missed and instead the Yorkshire club remain just two points off 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Unfortunately for Javi Gracia, the fixtures ahead are against some of the league's best with the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur still to play.

And with relegation a serious worry, it could leave a number of their players vulnerable to a move in the summer; including the likes of Meslier.

The young Frenchman still has three years remaining on his deal so the Whites would be in a strong position to demand a significant figure for their talent.

However, there are a number of the league's top clubs said to be interested as insider Pete O'Rourke suggested Leeds could look for around £40m, when speaking on the Football Insider YouTube channel:

(0:30) "I think Meslier will be a top target for a number of clubs if Leeds were to go down. Very good, young goalkeeper already got a lot of experience from a couple of seasons in the Premier League now as well.

"And there are a lot of big Premier League clubs looking for goalkeepers this summer as well. You've got the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs all in the market for a goalkeeper as well.

"So I think if Leeds do go down, Illan Meslier will probably be figuring on the wanted list of those three clubs and I think Leeds could demand top dollar for him as well. You're probably looking at the £40m pound mark for him."

"I think he's got all the attributes to be one of the top goalkeepers in Europe going forward as well. So he'll be one to keep an eye on."

Would Meslier be a huge loss for Leeds?

The £30k-per-week ace has been a regular between the sticks for Leeds for a number of years now having racked up 122 appearances across all competitions already (via Transfermarkt).

However, it has not been plain sailing for the French shot-stopper who has only been able to keep five clean sheets this season in the struggling Leeds side.

Leeds have conceded the second-most (54) goals this season, however, Meslier has only been credited with one error which has led to a goal being conceded.

Statman Dave took to Twitter to hail the 23-year-old as "outstanding" following his outing against Liverpool which saw him make a staggering nine saves.

And he has made the joint sixth-most saves of any goalkeeper in the Premier League having prevented 85 efforts from going into his net.

However, there are seemingly some sceptics still surrounding the ability of the Frenchman with journalist Sam Street labelling the 23-year-old as "overrated" last year.

Given his age and the belief shown in him as a member of the French U21s side, it does seem as if there would be a market this summer for Meslier.

Aaron Ramsdale found himself in a similar situation not too long ago and Arsenal took the chance on the £30m shot-stopper and it has certainly paid off for the league leaders.

Perhaps this is something which the bigger sides in the league may look at if they are potentially concerned by his regular involvement at the bottom end of the table.

Javi Gracia has given Leeds United a new lease of life since his arrival at Elland Road, with the Spaniard overseeing vital wins against Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

The Yorkshire outfit now look to be in a better position than most in the Premier League relegation battle but it is so tight that a poor run of form could easily see Leeds drop back down the table.

Gracia's instant impact on results has been impressive but his transformation of key attackers has also been vital to the upturn in form, with Luis Sinisterra arguably enjoying his best game since joining the club on Tuesday night when he scored the winner against Forest.

However, it has arguably been the form of Jack Harrison since Gracia's appointment that has been the most eye-catching change under the former Watford boss at Elland Road.

How has Jack Harrison improved under Gracia?

Although it was a strong start to the season from the former Manchester City man, as he notched three assists and one goal in the opening three fixtures, he would then endure a barren run of form that saw him fail to register a single goal contribution in any game for the rest of 2022.

While the 26-year-old winger did manage a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, he had a woeful record of no goals and just one assist in 15 Premier League games ahead of Marsch's sacking in February.

Gracia was appointed on February 21st and Harrison, who earns £50k-per-week at Elland Road, has been a key player for the new manager ever since then, kick-starting his and Leeds' revival with an assist in the 1-0 win over Southampton.

Other than in tough away defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal, Harrison has been a constant threat to Premier League defences recently, hitting three goals and an assist in games against Brighton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Leeds were very close to losing the English wide man in January when Leicester City came calling, but Marsch handed the Yorkshire outfit a parting gift by ensuring that Harrison remained at Elland Road, until the end of the season at least.

Marsch said: “Listen, all I’ll say is, I really like Jack first as a person. He’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever coached.

“We like him here. We want to keep him. He’s performing really well. I think getting him fit and healthy has been a big key. He’s got flexibility in the way he plays.”

Harrison has certainly lived up to that praise following the American's departure and if he can maintain this impressive form, then he could be a key player for Leeds in their bid for survival.

While much uncertainty remains at Manchester United amid the prospect of a change in ownership, excitement is no doubt already brewing at the thought of high-profile additions arriving at Old Trafford this summer.

It would appear that Erik ten Hag and co are keen on landing a new centre-forward addition – amid current links to England skipper, Harry Kane – while Manchester Evening News have revealed that the signing of a 'younger midfielder' is also a priority.

The Red Devils did only recently bolster their midfield ranks with the signings of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer, although with the pair having both turned 31 last month, there may need to be a fresh injection of youth to help complement such experienced figures.

According to transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, one such talent who could well be on United's radar ahead of next season is Borussia Monchengladbach gem, Kouadio 'Manu' Kone, with both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix for the 21-year-old's signature.

As per Romano, the promising Frenchman could be one of the "big names" on the market this summer, with the Bundesliga side potentially willing to sanction a sale for a fee of more than €50m (£44m).

Should Man United sign Manu Kone?

The former Toulouse man has caught the attention since arriving in Germany ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, showcasing that he is a truly "monstrous box-to-box midfielder in the making", as per talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Also previously hailed as a "one-man army" by Kulig after starring against Bayern Munich back in August, Kone has no doubt warranted the intense interest that is flooding his way, with Ten Hag likely to be keeping a close watch on the youngster's rapid progress.

Any fears over whether the France U21 international can adapt to life in England should be eased by the fact that he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with Brighton and Hove Albion sensation, Moises Caicedo, as per FBref.

That likeness notably comes from the fact that Caicedo has also been described as a "box-to-box midfielder" by Kulig, while the pair are also alike due to their ball-winning prowess, with the Seagulls man ranking in the top 14% in Europe's top five leagues among those in his position for tackles made, while Kone also ranks in the top 14% in that regard.

The duo's creative quality is also shown by the fact that the Gladbach ace has provided 136 progressive passes and 38 progressive carries from his 24 league starts this season, while Caicedo's record is undoubtedly similar, as the 21-year-old has provided 148 progressive passes and 21 progressive carries from his 23 league starts.

That comparison to the Brighton gem – who has been valued at around £80m amid interest from Arsenal – will be of particular interest to those at the Theatre of Dreams, with the Colombian dynamo having reportedly been a target for United last year, after the Red Devils previously fluffed the chance to sign the playmaker back in 2021.

While it would now seemingly take a hefty fee to prise Caicedo from the Amex, Ten Hag could find his answer to the exciting menace with the signing of a cheaper alternative, such as Kone.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta "will be impressed" by Southampton midfielder and Gunners transfer target Romeo Lavia, according to journalist Dean Jones.

How is Lavia faring this season?

The teenager has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season for Saints, having joined permanently from Manchester City during last summer's transfer window. While the south coast side have struggled, currently sitting bottom of the Premier League, the midfielder has been one of the few positives on show.

Lavia has shown a level of maturity beyond his years in the middle of the park, starting 16 league games and scoring against Chelsea earlier this season, as well as enjoying an 86.7% pass completion rate. His performances have seen him linked with a host of top Premier League clubs and Arsenal have emerged as a potential suitor this summer.

Arteta has already built a hugely exciting young squad that is battling for league title glory in 2022/23, and he could see the Saints man as the latest prodigious talent to bring in and make his group of players even stronger.

Will Arsenal sign Lavia this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones said that Arteta will be liking what he sees from Lavia ahead of a possible move for him in the coming months:

"I think Arteta will be impressed by the way he's managed to shine in that Saints team, who have generally been pretty poor, but he's been pretty good most of the time. He's got a Belgium call up now, he's growing as a player and growing as a person.

"I think it's no coincidence that Lavia is going to be linked with some big clubs this summer because there is a lot of people watching him."

Lavia could be such an exciting signing by Arsenal this summer, while beating rivals to his signature would also be a statement, in terms of their newfound standing in the Premier League. Reports suggest the midfield sensation could cost up to £45 million but Lavia really does look like a special young prospect with a massive future in the game. Indeed, journalist Jacob Tanswell has described him as "crucial" when referencing his importance to the Southampton squad.

The one-cap Belgium international could come in as a squad player at the base of the Gunners' midfield, not necessarily being a regular starter to begin with but improving over time and learning from Thomas Partey in the role. Eventually, he could then be considered his replacement, making it a seamless transition in a key role for Arteta.

Tottenham Hotspur players would "love" the club to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What are the latest manager rumours from Tottenham?

Following his departure from Bayern Munich, it has now been reported that Julian Nagelsmann is one of the frontrunners for the Tottenham job, however he is not the only person under consideration by the board. The same report claims Luis Enrique and Pochettino are both options for chairman Daniel Levy, although the club's hierarchy are said to be split on whether to sanction the latter manager's return.

Pochettino was said to be willing to take over immediately, however the club now appear to be taking a more cautious approach, with Cristian Stellini potentiallly taking charge for the rest of the campaign, being supported by Ryan Mason. While the Spurs board are undecided about whether to bring back their former manager, Brown has recently told GiveMeSport that he still has a lot of admirers within the club.

The journalist said: "I think there'll be a lot of managers interested in the Spurs job. I think a few have come forward already. Pochettino is a really interesting one. I think there are people at the club who would really love to have him back, including people in the dressing room there."

Would Pochettino be a good appointment for Tottenham?

While they were ultimately unable to win any trophies in the Argentine's previous tenure, Tottenham finished in the top four in four consecutive seasons, a major improvement on the days of Tim Sherwood and Andre Villas-Boas. After being sacked by Spurs in November 2019, the "brilliant" 51-year-old has since gone on to add to his trophy collection, although it was in a much less competitive league, winning three trophies, including a league title, during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

With the Independent reporting that the Tottenham dressing room is not in a good place, in light of Conte's recent comments, it could be necessary for the board to make an appointment that will get the players, as well as the fans, back on side.

A major advantage in appointing Pochettino is that Harry Kane would allegedly be willing to sign a new deal, and while it will be a tough ask for the manager to lead Spurs to another Champions League final, he is a proven manager at Premier League level, overseeing 293 matches in his previous stint.

Southampton are one of the clubs in the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer transfer window, according to a report from Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving Liverpool

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be offered a new contract at Anfield, meaning he will leave the club at the end of the campaign, when his current contract is set to expire.

Injury issues have hampered the midfielder’s development at Liverpool, missing nearly a full year due to a cruciate ligament rupture during his early days on Merseyside, also absent for 14 games this season due to a hamstring problem.

The Englishman has been linked with a return to St Mary’s this season, with it being reported at one stage that Southampton were set to be ‘offered’ the chance to sign their youth product, but they may face competition for his signature…

The Latest: Southampton in the race

According to a report from Football Insider, the Saints are in the race for the 29-year-old, however they may have to fend off interest from elsewhere, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City also named as potential suitors.

It appears as though Brighton’s interest may be the most advanced, as the Seagulls are said to already be preparing a contract offer for the central midfielder.

Southampton are eager to make a move, but they are well aware that any deal will hinge upon whether they are able to retain their Premier League status, amid the relegation battle they currently find themselves embroiled in.

The Verdict: Get it done?

At 29-years-old, the 35-time England international is still at an age where he would have a lot to offer Southampton, however one major concern for Ruben Selles will be his injury record, missing a total of 88 games through issues during his time at Liverpool.

That said, when he is able to stay fit, the maestro is a proven performer at the top level, scoring seven goals and bagging two assists in the 2019-20 season, the last season he was largely unaffected by injuries.

Lauded as ‘superb’ by journalist Raj Chohan, the former Arsenal man has also impressed at times this season, scoring and creating one big chance against Brentford back in January.

As such, Southampton should undoubtedly pursue a deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, and Selles will be hoping that he is tempted by a move back to his former club.

Manchester United ended their rather dismal previous Premier League season in sixth place with 58 points on the board.

Another disappointing aspect of their campaign is the fact that only Brighton & Hove Albion (42) and Wolves (38) scored fewer goals than the Red Devils (57) out of all the teams to finish in the top half of the table.

One man who stood out as one of United’s top attacking figures throughout the campaign is Bruno Fernandes.

In addition to scoring 10 goals and providing six assists, the midfielder player more minutes in the league than any other outfield player at the club. In his 36 league appearances, the 27-year-old racked up 87 attempts at goal and more shot-creating actions (145) than any of his team-mates.

Now that the Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford has begun, there is still plenty of time left before the summer transfer window closes for the Dutchman to strengthen the squad that he currently has.

In terms of what new faces could join the Red Devils in the coming weeks, one player with whom the club have been linked and who could give Ten Hag the chance to create a scary duo alongside Fernandes is Ajax winger Antony.

In 78 appearances for the Amsterdam club, the Brazilian has found the net 22 times and delivered 20 assists across all competitions.

Prior to his move to Netherlands, the attacker bagged four goals and supplied six assists for Sao Paulo, meaning that he has now made 52 goal contributions in 115 senior club games.

Throughout his 32 appearances last term, the 22-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists, showing just how capable he is of making an impact in front of goal.

Having racked up the second-highest number of shots at goal (79) in the previous league campaign, it’s safe to say that despite already being a deadly attacking figure, having a player like Fernandes next to him who is able to create goalscoring opportunities on a regular basis could be very beneficial for Antony.

Labelled a “beautiful” player by Dutch scout Piet de Visser, the Ajax youngster could be a valuable asset for United and develop into a long-term figure under Ten Hag’s guidance once again.

AND in other news: “Been told..” – Sky Sports journo drops huge MUFC transfer update supporters will love

An update has emerged on Rangers and their interest in bringing another striker to Ibrox in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Express, Rangers are considering a swoop to sign striker Ellis Simms on a permanent deal ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The report claims that Middlesbrough will challenge the Gers in a battle to land his services as he looks set for an exit from Goodison Park.

It remains to be seen how a swoop for Antonio Colak, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Ibrox, will affect their interest in the Everton man.

Kemar Roofe upgrade

The gem, who is reportedly valued at £500k, could come in as an upgrade on Jamaica international Kemar Roofe this summer.

In 72 games for Rangers, the former Leeds man has scored an impressive 34 goals in all competitions, which does not appear to be an issue on paper.

However, he has struggled in Europe, averaging a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.61 in the Europa League last season as he scored twice in nine games. This came after he averaged a score of 6.39 in the competition in 2020/21, scoring two times in seven outings.

Roofe turns 30 in January of next year and it remains to be seen whether or not he has any development left to go through as he heads into the latter stages of his career.

This means that the Gers could land an upgrade on him by signing a player with a similar scoring record but with plenty of room to grow – Simms.

Toffees reporter Chris Smith also dubbed him a “clinical finisher” and this is backed up by his outstanding record for the club’s youth teams. He scored a sensational 58 goals in 83 games for the club at U18 and U23 level combined, showing that he has the quality to score goals on a regular basis.

The predator has carried his form over to senior level with 15 goals in 30 starts on loan at Blackpool and Hearts combined, showing that he can score at a similar rate to the Gers man.

At the age of 21, he also has many, many, years left ahead of him to develop and can become the go-to man for goals in Europe that Roofe has been unable to be, if he is able to adjust to life in Scotland and continue his goalscoring form.

Therefore, he has the potential to become an upgrade on the current Light Blues striker and is worth a gamble on at £500k.

AND in other news, Rangers can land Jack 2.0 by signing £20m gem who “dominates”, he’s “one of the best”…