Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues eyeing Dusan Vlahovic; club warned against Sadio Mane move, and more - May 21, 2023

Chelsea will visit the Etihad on Sunday (May 21) to face newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City. Frank Lampard's team are 11th in the league after 35 games.

Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in Juventus attacker Dusan Vlahovic. Elsewhere, the London giants have been advised against signing Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane.

On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on May 21, 2023:

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Chelsea eyeing Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic has admirers at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are interested in Dusan Vlahovic, according to football agent Massimo Brambati.

The Serbian striker has done well since joining Juventus last year and has been in good run of form this season. The 23-year-old has 14 goals and four assists in 41 games across competitions this campaign, turning heads at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are looking to add a new No. 9 to their squad this summer and have Vlahovic on their wishlist.

Speaking to Tutto Mercato Web Radio, Brambati said that Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid also have eyes on the Serb.

"I know that Vlahovic is being sought by three big names such as Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid and for what they tell me, he will be sacrificed in the summer. In my opinion, Juve will take these offers seriously," said Brambati.

Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino is likely to strengthen a faltering attack that has failed to impress this season, and Vlahovic could be the answer.

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Blues warned against Sadio Mane move

Sadio Mane remains linked with a departure from the Allianz Arena.

Journalist Paul Brown has warned Chelsea against a move for Sadio Mane. The Senegalese forward left Liverpool on a Bosman move last summer to join Bayern Munich.

However, the 31-year-old remains unsettled at the Allianz Arena and is heavily linked with a departure this year. The Blues are among the clubs keeping a close eye on his situation.

Mane’s Premier League experience makes him an enticing prospect for the London giants. Recent reports have said that Mauricio Pochettino is planning to make the 31-year-old his first signing once he takes charge at Stamford Bridge this summer.

However, speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown said that the Senegalese is not what the club need right now.

"I think it would be a very foolish thing to do. Chelsea have enough wingers to fill out three teams, let alone one, and to add another one who is 31 is a pretty ridiculous idea, in my view," said Brown.

Mane has 12 goals and six assists inn38 games across competitions this season for the Bavarians.

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Frank Leboeuf sends good wishes to Mauricio Pochettino

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf hopes that Mauricio Pochettino will take the club back to their heydays.

The Argentinean is close to taking charge at Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues are in a state of disarray this season, so Pochettino would have a job on his hands to get things right.

The Argentinean has a fierce reputation of building teams and has done an admirable job during his time with Tottenham Hotspur. In his column for Si and Dan Talk Chelsea, Leboeuf recalled Pochettino from his playing days and was full of praise for the Argentinean.

“I absolutely wish Pochettino the best. I played against him when he was captain of PSG and I was captain of Marseille – so there was a big rivalry. He had his long hair! He’s somebody I always consider to be one of the best centre-backs that I played against. He was a strong guy, tough, a warrior, and had a good mentality," wrote Leboeuf.

He continued:

“I found him very smart the way he thinks about football when he talks, and he is a very interesting guy. Hopefully he is going to bring what we are expecting from him at Chelsea – success.”

The London giants will not be playing in Europe next season, which could pose a challenge for Pochettino in his rebuilding exercise.