Chelsea already have more proverbial toppings than Domino’s but that won’t stop them looking at former pizza delivery boy Youssouf Fofana.
The Monaco midfielder, who played for France in the World Cup, has been tracked by Liverpool and is emerging as an option for Chelsea this summer.
Fofana has clearly got the appetite to make it big in the game as he chose to deliver pizza to make ends meet after suffering the blow of being dropped by France’s national academy in Clairefontaine as a 15-year-old.
Strasbourg gave him a second chance after their scouts spotted him playing amateur football and he has gone on to establish himself at Monaco, even coming on in the World Cup final.
Chelsea, who also admire Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, know Fofana well thanks to co-sporting director Laurence Stuart who joined from Monaco last October. However, they will try to clear players out first to reduce squad size for incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana is a target for both Chelsea and Liverpool this summer
The former pizza delivery boy has become a regular in France and played in the World Cup final
£80million-rated Mason Mount remains a prime target for Liverpool in their search for a midfielder
Mason Mount, valued at £80m, remains a prime target for Liverpool while Mateo Kovacic is wanted at Bayern Munich.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is another joining what could be a lengthy queue for the exit. Pochettino is understood to see striker and goalkeeper as the key areas to strengthen.
Pep wants to keep hold of McAtee
He delighted Pep Guardiola by overcoming obstacles early on in his loan spell at Sheffield United and now Manchester City are preparing to offer a new contract to midfielder James McAtee.
The 20-year-old not only prevailed to clinch promotion with Sheffield United but won their young player of the year award to boot.
In his first loan away from City, McAtee struggled initially to adjust to the rigours of Championship football but stuck to the task and matured under the guidance of Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom.
He has, so far, notched eight goals, established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room and earned plaudits from Guardiola for his mental resilience. In turn, that has drawn Premier League attention from Aston Villa, Leicester City, Brighton, Brentford, Leeds United and Bournemouth while Sheffield United would like another loan.
Yet City, who could lose Ilkay Gundogan…