CHELSEA have finally got one over Barcelona in this transfer window as captain Cesar Azpilicueta has spurned their advances to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
At the same time, the Blues are reportedly closing in on a number of Barca players.
They are already said to be in direct talks with Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong.
And they've reportedly held discussions with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's entourage as they consider a move for the former Arsenal captain.
Barca have also offered former Man Utd winger Memphis Depay as part of a package deal with Aubameyang and De Jong.
Meanwhile Brighton have denied reports that they have reached an agreement with Chelsea on the £52.5m sale of Marc Cucurella.
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world.
- IN: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Omari Hutchinson (Arsenal)
- OUT: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Romelu Lukaku (loan to Inter), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (released), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Sam McClelland (Barrow, loan)
PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW FOR FREE WITH £100k IN PRIZE MONEY
Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge in our live blog…
- Jake Lambourne
Aubameyang to Chelsea off?
Barcelona manager Xavi has reportedly shut down talk of Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving this summer.
The former Arsenal captain, 33, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge just eight months after arriving at the Nou Camp.
It comes as Thomas Tuchel searches for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku – who returned to Inter Milan on loan after a difficult 12 months with the Blues.
However, Xavi now appears to have poured cold water on an Aubameyang-Chelsea link-up.
According to Sport, the club have no intention of selling him in the current window.
Despite the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Xavi believes the pair can co-exist within the squad and even link-up together in certain matches.
The report also states that Aubameyang does not want to leave as he fought hard to secure the move to Barcelona and wishes to fight for his place.
- Jake Lambourne
Who has spent most money?
Arsenal are leading the way in the Premier League in terms of summer spending after also topping last year’s chart having splashed £150m.
And this window, they’re nearing that figure again having spent £119m on the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
North London rivals Tottenham are a close second, having spent £99m.
Manchester City and Leeds then follow, with Liverpool behind.
Chelsea have forked out £85m on Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, which is more than what West Ham and newly-promoted Nottingham Forest have spent.
Man Utd follow in ninth just in front of Newcastle, having splashed £65m on Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
- Jake Lambourne
Azpilicueta to stay at Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta has reportedly penned a new two-year deal at Chelsea to end speculation of a move to Barcelona.
According to The Athletic, the versatile right-back will remain at Stamford Bridge until 2024.
They state that Todd Boehly was desperate to keep hold of him despite Barca being in talks to sign him.
But no agreement could be reached, leading the Spain international to extend his stay in West London.
An official announcement is expected soon on his contract renewal.
- Jake Lambourne
Neville slams Boehly's transfer strategy
Man Utd legend Gary Neville has accused Chelsea owner Todd Boehly of treating the club like he is playing Football Manager and compared the American to Ed Woodward.
The pundit accused Chelsea's transfer strategy of lacking direction and he feels the pressure is getting to the new owner.
Appearing on Sky Bet's The Overlap, Neville said: "The American guy [Todd] Boehly, looks like he wants to play Football Manager.
"He's wandering around a little bit and they're a bit panicky now. They're almost like bouncing around because it feels like he has to do something.
"You're wondering "oh they're coming in for [Frenkie] de Jong this morning" because he feels like he has to do something, that pressure is on him.
"He wouldn't have had that pressure if he'd have kept the people that have been there before and just let them operate for a year or two, but it'll be an interesting season for Chelsea."
- Jake Lambourne
Boehly blocking Azpilicueta's Barcelona move
Todd Boehly has reportedly asked Cesar Azpilicueta to remain at Chelsea as captain after BLOCKING a transfer to Barcelona.
Azpilicueta has been linked with a move to Barcelona for some time now.
But with a lack of defensive reinforcements this summer Boehly has prevented Azpilicueta from leaving Stamford Bridge.
Instead, he wants the veteran to stay at Chelsea as he does not want to lose "his experience and leadership."
According to The Times however, Azpilicueta remains optimistic a deal can be struck between the two clubs.
It is understood the Spaniard has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp.
- Jake Lambourne
Chelsea offered Barcelona trio
Chelsea have been offered an astonishing triple transfer deal by Barcelona including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay, according to reports.
The Blues are looking to add to Thomas Tuchel's defence, midfield and attack.
And according to the Evening Standard, they could add to their midfield and attack after being offered THREE players by Barca.
Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang, 33, who only joined the club in January, is one of the players being presented to Chelsea.
Long-term Manchester United target De Jong, 25, is a player Chelsea have been keeping an eye on.
Chelsea could lure De Jong to West London with Champions League football on the table – something Man Utd can't offer.
And former United ace Depay, 28, has also been offered to Chelsea with the Blues being kept informed on his situation.
- Sam Dymond
Transfer watch: Fofana to Chelsea?
Chelsea are said to be pushing hard to sign Wesley Fofana, but Leicester are refusing to budge.
The Foxes have indicated that it will take a fee close to the £80m they received for Harry Maguire for them to business, and the Blues are yet to baulk.
An opening £60m offer has been rejected; a second is now being prepared.
Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️
- Sam Dymond
United and Chelsea in Vardy chase
Manchester United and Chelsea are the surprise leaders in the race for Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.
According to 90Min, the Premier League big guns are both keeping tabs on the striker’s situation at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes are adamant that they want to keep the 35-year-old striker, but are wary that he has just 11 months remaining on his current deal.
Vardy could become the latest star to leave Leicester following Kasper Schmeichel’s transfer to Nice – and there’s every chance that Wesley Fofana, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison follow suit before the close of the transfer window.
Former England international Vardy has scored 164 goals in 385 appearances for the East Midlands outfit, helping them to a memorable title win in 2016.
- Sam Dymond
Toffees trip first for Blues
There are now just two days until the Todd Boehly era at Chelsea truly begins – with a first Premier League game.
And Saturday evening's encounter at Everton will provide Blues fans to praise their all-time record goalscorer, Frank Lampard, who is now in charge of the Toffees.
- Sam Dymond
Boehly lands Europe's hottest talent
Todd Boehly is convinced that Chelsea have landed one of the best young talents in Europe.
The Londoners confirmed the signing of Aston Villa teenager Carney Chukwuemeka earlier today, and the new Blues owner could not contain his delight.
Boehly told the club's official website: "Carney is one of the most exciting young players in Europe so we are really looking forward to seeing him in action at Stamford Bridge.
"We are delighted to be able to bring him to Chelsea and add such a talented young individual to our squad for the new season and beyond."
- Sam Dymond
Transfer watch: Alonso to Barcelona?
There has been speculation that Todd Boehly will block Barcelona from buying any Chelsea players this summer – and that may well be the case for Cesar Azpilicueta – but we still expect this one to go through.
The imminent arrival of Marc Cucurella will ensure his compatriot Marcos Alonso is moved on from Stamford Bridge.
Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️
- Sam Dymond
Wolves want Bats out of Chel
Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Michy Batshuayi on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Sky Sports report that Wolves are keen on taking the 28-year-old Belgian to Molineux to bolster their attacking options.
Batshuayi is still – remarkably – on the Blues' books despite not making a first team appearance since early 2020.
The forward arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2016 with plenty of potential, but has been sent out on loan on five occasions.
- Sam Dymond
Breaking: Chelsea confirm Chuk deal
Chelsea have completed the signing of Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka.
The 18-year-old midfielder has penned a six-year contract with the Blues, who will pay Villa in the region of £20m.
Chukwuemeka told the club's official website: "It’s been quite hectic but I couldn’t get Chelsea out of my head the last few days so I’m just happy and relieved that it’s all done.
"I’m so excited and just can’t wait to get on the pitch, meet all the players and try to win games and trophies with Chelsea."
Credit: chelseafc.com - Sam Dymond
Cucurella will be Tuchel's left-back
Marc Cucurella is joining Chelsea to be Thomas Tuchel's new left wing-back, according to BILD.
The German publication state that the Spaniard will be used predominantly in his favoured position on the left by the Blues boss.
There had been speculation that Tuchel was intending to play the defender as a centre-back, given the Londoners trouble in recruiting players in that position.
However, the news raises questions over the future of Ben Chilwell, who has recently returned after a long-term injury.
Another left wing-back, Marcos Alonso, is expected to join Barcelona before the transfer window shuts.
- Sam Dymond
Blues back in for Fofana
Chelsea are set to return with an improved bid for Leicester's Wesley Fofana.
The Blues had an initial £60m offer for the centre-back dismissed yesterday, according to reports.
The Foxes are understood to be holding out for £80m for the 21-year-old, but Stamford Bridge insiders believe they can get a deal done for around £70m.
Fofana is said to be incredibly keen on making the move to London.
- Sam Dymond
Blues interested in Auba move
Chelsea are considering a shock approach for Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And the former Arsenal skipper is understood to be just as keen to make the move.
That's the belief of the Telegraph's Matt Law, who tweeted this morning that any prospective deal is at the preliminary stage.
However, the Blues do want to bolster their attacking options, and the Gabonese forward is a player that Thomas Tuchel knows well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
The 33-year-old scored 92 goals in 163 appearances during four years with the Gunners but left the Emirates under a cloud, having been stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta.
- Sam Dymond
Cucu deal hinging on Colwill
Chelsea's move for Marc Cucurella has been agreed despite Brighton's statement denying the move.
The Seagulls announced last night that 'contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets…no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Cucurella.'
However, the Evening Standard's Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella says that deal is done – but is being held up by the future of Levi Colwill.
The journalist understands that that the transfer is 'conditional' on the teenage defender joining the south coast club, and there remains 'work to do' on that front.
- Sam Dymond
Ten Hag wants Chelsea's Ziyech
Erik ten Hag has expressed his interest in bringing Hakim Ziyech to Old Trafford, according to France Football.
The new Manchester United boss wants to reunite with the Moroccan international, who played under him at Ajax.
Nicknamed 'The Wizard' during his time at the Amsterdam club, Ziyech is understood to want out of Chelsea.
However, while Ten Hag is keen for a deal to be made, it is understood that not everyone at United is as keen on the idea.
AC Milan have been heavily linked with the 29-year-old this summer, but an official offer has yet to be tabled to Blues officials.
- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Chelsea fans
Chelsea are on the verge of signing Marc Cucurella from Brighton to strengthen their defence.
According to Sky Sports, the Blues reached a £52.5million deal with the Seagulls.
The West Londoners have beaten Manchester City in an intense bidding war for the full-back's signature.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has been needing reinforcement all summer after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are confident of sealing the transfer of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
And talks with Barca are said to be "hurried" as they look to try and get the deal over the line ahead of the new campaign.
Manchester United have been trying to sign him but De Jong has snubbed their approaches, despite the Blaugrana accepting a bid of around £72million from the Red Devils.
According to Sport, negotiations are underway and the midfielder is thought to be more open to making the switch to Stamford Bridge – whereas he was reluctant to head over to Old Trafford.
Barcelona are still demanding the same fee agreed with the Manchester giants.
However, any deal may include transfer targets Cesar Azpilicueta or Marcos Alonso going the other way.
And Chelsea as well as United have both met Red Bull Salzburg star Benjamin Sesko’s agent as the Austrian giants struggle to keep Europe’s hottest strike starlet.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has held “direct” talks with United at least twice and met the Blues’ chiefs last week.
The main outcome is believed to be that the highly-rated centre-forward himself can decide his own future.
But that could change if one of the clubs launches a major formal bid for the Slovenia international.
Finally, Chelsea are prepared to offer Leicester star Wesley Fofana a lucrative contract worth £200,000-a-week.
However, the Foxes have made it clear that they will only consider a sale if an offer of at least £85m is made.
According to The Daily Mail, Fofana's wages may increase dramatically if he decided to join The Blues.
The centre-back fuelled speculation of a move to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday when he removed Leicester from his Twitter bio, despite signing a long-term deal with the club in March
- Kostas Lianos
Casadei transfer war
Inter Milan could be set to lose the best talent coming through their academy as Arsenal and Chelsea arelocked in a battle for 19-year-old starlet Cesare Casadei.
The Blues thought they had stolen a march on their London rivals by bidding £7million for the Casadei, but that offer was swiftly rejected.
Now, the Gunners are believed to be considering hijacking the deal that's closer to Inter's valuation of the midfielder.
The Nerazzurri are said to be hoping for as much as £17m for the Italian – despite him having never played in the first team yet
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Right and Ron
Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for attempting to force a move away from Manchester United.
Leboeuf told ESPN said: "It is [wrong] for me.
"It’s not professional with all due respect and the fact I appreciate the player and what he achieved in his career, but it’s not professional and disrespectful towards the club.
"You have to stay, you have to show respect to the other players, to the fans that came. You still belong to the club, you signed for it, you have to play for them, didn’t make any mistakes
"They want to keep you so the only thing you have to say is at least sit on the bench and wait until the end of the game"
- Kostas Lianos
Right and Ron
Chelsea hero Frank Leboeuf has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for attempting to force a move away from Manchester United.
Leboeuf told ESPN said: "It is [wrong] for me.
"It’s not professional with all due respect and the fact I appreciate the player and what he achieved in his career, but it’s not professional and disrespectful towards the club.
"You have to stay, you have to show respect to the other players, to the fans that came. You still belong to the club, you signed for it, you have to play for them, didn’t make any mistakes
"They want to keep you so the only thing you have to say is at least sit on the bench and wait until the end of the game"
- Kostas Lianos
'Not ready yet'
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel recently admitted his team is not yet ready for the start of the season.
Tuchel said: "It was a pretty long pre-season.
“Tiring and exhausting to be in the US for so long, and having to travel again today under the circumstances is not so easy, pretty demanding.
“After this weekend we prepare for nothing else other than Everton. The season is right in front of the door. There is a lot of positive stuff but we need to improve.
“We are not ready yet. We don’t have to be ready yet. We have another week and then it is time to be on the best level. It is always nice when the season arrives. We will have this week. There is still some way to go”
- Kostas Lianos
Sesko transfer war
Chelsea and Manchester United have both met Red Bull Salzburg star Benjamin Sesko’s agent as the Austrian giants struggle to keep Europe’s hottest strike starlet.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has held ‘direct’ talks with United at least twice and met the Blues’ chiefs last week.
The main outcome is believed to be that the centre-forward himself can decide his own future.
But that could change if one of the clubs launches a huge formal bid for the Slovenia international
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Chelsea sign Cucurella
Chelsea have officially signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
According to Sky Sports, the Blues have reached a £52.5million deal with the Seagulls.
The West Londoners have beaten Manchester City for the full-back's signature.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has been needing reinforcement all summer after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left
Source: Read Full Article
