Transfer Rumors: Pochettino, De Gea, Hojlund, Messi, Smith Rowe, Torres, Kovacic

Mauricio Pochettino has held talks with Chelsea about becoming their new manager, with the club planning a mass clearout before 30 June in order to stay within Financial Fair Play rules. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Spain goalkeeper David de Gea is on the verge of agreeing a new contract to remain at the club, and they are leading the race to sign 20-year-old Atalanta and Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund. Barcelona are finalising an offer to present to Paris St-Germain for the return of 35-year-old Argentina forward Lionel Messi, and Aston Villa have renewed their interest in Arsenal and England attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, 22. Villarreal are set to offer Spain defender Pau Torres a new contract with Aston Villa plotting a move for the 26-year-old this summer, while Manchester City are keen on signing Chelsea and Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 28, this summer despite also wanting to stay in the race for Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham, 19. Paris St-Germain are likely to sign either Nice and France midfielder Khephren Thuram, 22, or 27-year-old Lens and Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana as an alternative to Bellingham. Crystal Palace, Wolves, Burnley and Sheffield United are all interested in signing Republic of Ireland defender Matt Doherty, 31, this summer after his unsuccessful spell at Atletico Madrid. Newcastle are ready to cash in on 26-year-old French winger Allan Saint-Maximin to raise funds for summer signings, and their majority owners are in talks over the purchase of Belgian club KV Oostende as a partner club. Manchester United, Newcastle, Wolves, Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace are all keeping tabs on Bayern Munich’s Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui, 25, while England defender Chris Smalling, 33, is in the final stage of negotiations with Roma to extend his stay with the Italian side until June 2025.