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Rudy's Rumour Mill: Chelsea join race for Sulieman as UAE project tempts Balotelli

Suleiman warming up for Nigeria
Suleiman warming up for NigeriaBENJAMÍN HERNÁNDEZ / EPA / Profimedia

FC Palm City have shown interest in Mario Balotelli; Chelsea have joined the race for Nigerian winger Sani Suleiman; Spanish and Italian clubs are tracking Vitaliy Mykolenko. Here are some of the main stories over the last few days of the transfer market, courtesy of Tribal Football's transfer expert, Rudy Galetti.

BlueCo Group and MLS sides monitoring Toure

Interest in Mohamed Toure continues to rise across both Europe and North America. The BlueCo group, which owns Chelsea and RC Strasbourg, have added the Randers FC striker to their scouting lists, keeping a close eye on his performances in the Danish Superliga.

The English and French clubs have gathered information about his situation and potential availability, with plans to follow him closely in the coming months.

At the same time, several MLS teams have joined the race. LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, despite being fully focused on the playoffs, have recently requested updates on Toure, while CF Montreal, already planning for next season, have also shown concrete interest.

The 21-year-old Australian international, born in Conakry, Guinea, has impressed with his mix of speed, strength, and technical quality. 

This season, he has already registered two goals and four assists in 11 appearances, adding to the seven goals and three assists he recorded last season. Clubs in Germany, Denmark, and England are also watching his progress carefully. For now, Toure remains focused on Randers and his development in Europe, but with growing attention from both BlueCo and MLS, his next career move could come sooner than expected.

FC Palm City show interest in Balotelli

FC Palm City, the Dubai-based club competing in the UAE Second Division, have shown concrete interest in signing Mario Balotelli. The club, led by President Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is working on an ambitious project aimed at quickly climbing the divisions and becoming one of the leading teams in the region. 

Balotelli, currently a free agent after his spell at Genoa, has received several approaches from clubs in different countries, but Palm City’s proposal is considered one of the most serious and well-structured.

The Emirati side want to add both experience and visibility to its project and sees the Italian striker as the ideal player to bring quality and personality to the squad. Talks are understood to be at an early stage, but Palm City’s management is reportedly ready to make a strong effort to convince Balotelli to join. 

The 35-year-old forward, who has played for top clubs such as Inter, Manchester City, Milan, and Liverpool, could become the face of the club’s ambitious sporting plan. Palm City’s goal is clear: to grow quickly, attract international attention, and make a strong statement by bringing a big name like Balotelli to Dubai.

Premier League club closely monitoring Fran Perez

A Premier League club is keeping a close eye on Fran Perez, the talented Spanish winger currently playing for Rayo Vallecano. Scouts from England were present during Rayo’s recent UEFA Conference League clash against Shkendija, where Perez delivered an impressive performance and scored a goal. 

The 23-year-old joined Rayo last summer from Valencia, where he came through the academy and made his debut in La Liga. Since he arrived in Madrid, Perez has quickly become a key figure for Rayo thanks to his pace, technical quality, and ability to create chances from the wings.

Under contract with the club until June 2029, Perez is seen as one of the most promising young Spanish wingers, combining energy, precision, and tactical awareness.

His recent form, both in La Liga and in European competition, has drawn attention not only from England but also from several teams in Italy and Germany. While Rayo Vallecano consider him an important part of their long-term project, the growing Premier League interest could test the club’s resolve, especially if strong offers arrive. For now, Perez remains focused on continuing his development and helping Rayo in both domestic and European competitions.

Chelsea join race for Nigerian winger Suleiman

Chelsea have joined the growing list of clubs interested in Sani Suleiman, and they are asking for updated information on the talented Nigerian winger. After returning to AS Trencin following the U20 World Cup with Nigeria, Suleiman quickly made an impact in the Slovak league. His assist against Skalica helped his team secure an important draw and earned him a place in the Nike Liga Team of the Week. 

The Blues are now among several European clubs monitoring the 19-year-old closely. Suleiman’s current contract runs until June 2026, but Trencin hold a two-year extension option, effectively keeping him tied to the club until 2028.

This gives the Slovak side a strong position in any future negotiations. As revealed in the last column, Tottenham, Rangers, and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown interest, while several Italian clubs have made preliminary enquiries about his situation. 

As we reported, according to the CIES Football Observatory, Suleiman was recently ranked as the most complete U21 winger in the world based on seven key performance metrics.

He was also listed among the top 200 U20 outfield players globally. With his rapid rise and growing reputation, this could well be Suleiman’s final season at Trencin, as top European clubs continue to circle one of Africa’s most promising young talents.

Spanish and Italian clubs track Mykolenko

Mykolenko has become one of the most-watched defenders in the Premier League, with clubs from Spain and Italy showing growing interest in the Everton left-back. Scouts from both countries have been following the Ukrainian international in recent weeks, impressed by his consistency and maturity in one of Europe’s toughest leagues. 

Since joining Everton from Dynamo Kyiv in 2022, Mykolenko has developed into a key player for the Toffees. His strong defensive awareness, energy on the flanks, and tactical discipline have made him a trusted option for the Merseyside club. He also offers an attacking threat, often contributing with overlapping runs and crosses into the box.

The 26-year-old’s contract with Everton runs until June 2026, with an option for an extra year, giving the club full control over his future. 

Everton aren't looking to sell and plan to keep Mykolenko as part of their long-term project, unless a major offer arrives that could change their stance. Still, the attention from La Liga and Serie A clubs shows that Mykolenko’s reputation continues to rise beyond England. His steady performances make him a name to watch closely ahead of the next transfer window.

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