Coral’s Rumour Reel: Stoke seek summer signing of Chelsea trio
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Mark Hughes’ Stoke City have shown impressive form in the past two seasons in the Premier League and, with a £12m fee being shockingly agreed for Inter Milan playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, the Potters are making great strides in the top-flight.
As Stoke hope to boost their ranks, they have targeted a trio of Chelsea’s young stars, with former loan winger Victor Moses, Patrick Bamford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all on the Potters’ radar. Bamford enjoyed a superb loan spell with Middlesbrough last term, while Loftus-Cheek impressed for the Blues youth side, and would significantly boost Hughes’ squad.
A potential departure from the Britannia Stadium is midfield anchor Stephen N’Zonzi, who is being tracked heavily by Europa League champions Sevilla and Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, two teams who are set to feature in the Champions League next term. With or without the talented Frenchman in their ranks, Stoke are 11/1 with Coral to secure a top six finish next season.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Everton and Republic of Ireland right back Seamus Coleman by offering 27-year-old Northern Irish Jonny Evans as part of any deal.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham are aiming to land another Ireland international, with James McCarthy high on their priority list for the summer. The Everton midfielder could arrive at White Hart Lane, with Aaron Lennon and Younes Kaboul being offered in a swap deal.
Although, Everton are involved in a three-way tussle with Aston Villa and Southampton for highly-rated Belgium midfielder Dennis Praet from Anderlecht, with the 21-year-old set to cost a reported £10m.
Meanwhile, newly-appointed Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has dismissed reports he is looking to sign out-of-favour Liverpool frontman Mario Balotelli, possibly to the disappointment of the Toon faithful.
In Spain, former Red Devils boss David Moyes is hoping to lure Arsenal’s Joel Campbell to Real Sociedad for next season, with the striker becoming surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
And finally, Premier League champions Chelsea are set to miss out on reported target Antonio Rudiger, with the 22-year-old possibly about to join Wolfsburg. The Stuttgart defender is reportedly keen on remaining in the Bundesliga, rather than departing for England, where the Blues will hope to retain their title next term (6/4 to do so).
