CHELSEA are reportedly confident of making a breakthrough in the signing of Leicester ace Welsey Fofana.
The Blues have seen two attempts rejected already but are optimistic that their third bid will be successful.
Meanwhile, tension is building in the Frenkie de Jong transfer as both Manchester United and Chelsea await his final decision.
And the West London outfit are also patiently waiting for any potential update on Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang's situation at Barcelona.
Aubameyang has been heavily linked with the Blues but Barca refuse to let both the former Gabon international and Memphis Depay leave this summer.
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- Jake Lambourne
Ampady back to Italy?
Chelsea outcast Ethan Ampadu could be returning to Italy following his loan at Venezia last season.
The player is not in the plans of Thomas Tuchel and will be allowed to depart Stamford Bridge.
Serie A outfit Empoli are claimed to be eyeing up a swoop for the Wales international.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Empoli are still keen on signing Ethan Ampadu on loan from Chelsea.
"Talks on, negotiations about salary and more.
"Ampadu will make a decision on his future in the next days."
- Jake Lambourne
Gallas backs London PL winner
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenhan defender Willian Gallas believes one of his old sides will win the Premier League this season.
And he has insisted that it will be Liverpool that miss out on a top four spot.
Speaking to Genting Casino, the Frenchman said: "As an ex-London player, I have to say Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham to win the Premier League.
"On top four, Liverpool can miss out because they don't have Sadio Mane anymore and Diaz does not have the same impact.
"Liverpool always concede goals too, like we saw against Fulham.
"Even if I like how Liverpool play, I think it will be City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham."
- Jake Lambourne
Spurs backed to beat Chelsea
Former Chelsea star Chris Sutton believes his old side will lose against rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The BBC pundit said: "Chelsea love playing Spurs – they beat them four times last season, and Tottenham have only beaten them once in the league at Stamford Bridge since February 1990.
"Spurs boss Antonio Conte was in charge of Chelsea for that defeat – in April 2018 – but I have a sneaky feeling he will enjoy this meeting a lot more.
"Chelsea got a good win at Everton, but the way they got it was not particularly pretty. If they are slightly off it again on Sunday, they won't get away with it.
"Tottenham, meanwhile, were devastating in attack against Southampton and I am expecting more of the same from them here.
"Add in Conte going back to Stamford Bridge, and I am going to go with Spurs to take the points.
"They took the game to Saints anyway, but they also counter-attack so well when that turnover happens. When they get the ball into Kane with runners off him, they are so hard to stop."
- Jake Lambourne
London calling for Memphis Depay?
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has told Juventus he wants more time to think about his future.
The Dutch star has been heavily linked with a switch to Turin with the player allowed to depart the Nou Camp this summer.
But despite heavy interest from the Old Lady, an unnamed London club are said to have made a move to bring the Manchester United flop back to the Premier League, Sky Sports have declared.
It remains to be seen who the club is out of the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham.
Reports have even stated that the team have offered the 28-year-old a £200,000-a-week deal in the English capital.
And according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Depay now wants more time to think about his future and has informed Juventus to give him space for now.
- Jake Lambourne
Emerson Palmieri off to Forest?
Npttingham Forest are reportedly looking to swoop for Chelsea misfit Emerson Palmieri.
But they face a tough battle against Atalanta for the Italian left-back.
The Standard claims Emerson is up for grabs after Chelsea splashed £62million on Brighton star Marc Cucurella.
Marcos Alonso is already heading out to Barcelona.
And Emerson also has no future at Stamford Bridge following last season’s loan at Lyon.
Forest have now made initial contact with both the player and Chelsea over a permanent switch to Steve Cooper’s side.
- Jake Lambourne
Worst Premier League champions XI
Winning the Premier League is no easy task.
It takes the right manager, a strong mix of players, hard work, dedication, skill…
No wonder that picking up a winners' medal in the top flight is among the most impressive feats in football.
For every superstar champion, there's a backup player in dreamland, clutching the trophy with a medal around their neck.
In tribute to them, here's an XI of those Premier League winners you can be forgiven for having forgotten down the years.
- Jake Lambourne
Tomori agrees new Milan deal
Fikayo Tomori has agreed a new five-year contract with AC Milan, according to reports.
The former Chelsea star joined the Serie A club permanently 12 months ago after a successful loan spell.
Tomori, 24, is now set for a pay rise as Milan attempt to fend off interest from the Premier League.
According to The Times, the centre-back agreed his new deal late on Thursday night.
Milan boss Stefano Pioli was desperate to get a deal sorted to keep Tomori around long term.
Pioli feared that his side would be bombarded with Prem interest in their star defender.
- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Chelsea fans
Gary Neville has admitted it will be “embarrassing” if Manchester United miss out on Frenkie de Jong – and “horrific” if he joins Chelsea.
The United legend told Football Daily: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.
“If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.
“Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.”
Hakim Ziyech is reportedly ready to accept a wage cut in order to seal a move to AC Milan.
The 29-year-old is keen to leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window.
Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Christian Pulisic – and could go for a triple swoop involving Chelsea team-mates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher.
The American’s future at Stamford Bridge was recently thrown into major doubt following the Blues’ shock signing of England international Raheem Sterling.
Pulisic struggled to hold down a place in the West Londoners’ starting XI last season and could find himself warming the subs bench this campaign.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian has left Corinthians after tearing up his contract.
And the Brazilian winger is now reportedly in talks with newly-promoted Fulham.
Willian rejoined boyhood club Corinthians last summer after leaving Arsenal just one year into a three-year deal.
But the 34-year-old did not score a single goal in nine league games for his new side.
And finally, Brendan Rodgers has warned Chelsea to put up or shut up over their pursuit of Wesley Fofana.
And says he has told the 21-year-old French defender he would benefit from having another season with Leicester City.
Thomas Tuchel has targeted Fofana as the long-term answer to his defensive problems after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.
However the Foxes have rejected Chelsea’s first two offers of £60million and £70million for their outstanding prospect and are believed to be holding out for a world record fee in excess of £80million for the jewel in their crown.
Chelsea are weighing up whether to launch a third and final bid but Rodgers revealed he wasn’t aware of any fresh bids ahead of Saturday’s visit to Arsenal.
Rodgers said: “I’m not aware of any fresh offers.
“There were two bids but again nowhere near what the club would even think about.”
- Joshua Mbu
Arsenal PENNYLESS if Aubameyang joins Chelsea
Arsenal failed to secure a sell-on clause when they allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave for nothing to join Barcelona.
Now the Spanish giants could cash in just six months later as Chelsea want the £15million-rated frontman as well as Barca team-mate Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona did not even pay Aubameyang’s wages for the 23 games he played for them last season as Arsenal picked up the tab.
Emirates chiefs were so desperate to offload Auba after his fallout with boss Mikel Arteta that they agreed to pay his £7m wages for the rest of the season.
That call came back to bite them when the Gabon international scored 13 goals to fire Barca to second in LaLiga.
Arsenal terminated Aubameyang’s £350,000-a-week contract, so they were unable to insist on a cut of any future transfer.
- Joshua Mbu
Kepa and Mendy put through their paces
Chelsea first-team goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy were put through their paces.
- Joshua Mbu
Neville on De Jong transfer
Gary Neville has admitted it will be “embarrassing” if Manchester United miss out on Frenkie de Jong – and “horrific” if he joins Chelsea.
Reports today claimed the Red Devils are ready to accept defeat in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder.
Chelsea are now thought to be in pole position to sign De Jong.
That’s after Erik ten Hag made De Jong his No1 transfer target at the start of the summer, with United even agreeing a fee with Barcelona for the Dutchman.
A move failed to materialise – and Neville is bracing himself for the worst if De Jong heads to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.
The United legend told Football Daily: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.
“If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.
“Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.”
- Joshua Mbu
Ziyech ‘willing to take pay cut to join AC Milan'
Hakim Ziyech is reportedly ready to accept a wage cut in order to seal a move to AC Milan.
The 29-year-old is keen to leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window.
AC Milan have been linked throughout the summer but a £30million investment on midfielder Charles De Ketelaere saw their transfer funds take a hit.
Although Ziyech's willingness to cut his wages means the Serie A champions will now make the Blues an offer, according to Calciomercato.
The Moroccan winger earns a reported £100,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge – but is happy to take home less in order to secure a move.
And now the San Siro side want to loan Ziyech for the season, with the option to sign him permanently.
- Joshua Mbu
Newcastle keep tabs on Chelsea star Pulisic
Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Christian Pulisic – and could go for a triple swoop involving Chelsea team-mates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher.
The American's future at Stamford Bridge was recently thrown into major doubt following the Blues' shock signing of England international Raheem Sterling.
Pulisic struggled to hold down a place in the West Londoners' starting XI last season and could find himself warming the subs bench this campaign.
And Newcastle are reportedly willing to offer him regular first-team football should Chelsea deem him surplus to requirements.
That's according to The Athletic, who claim the Magpies "would consider" a swoop for the USA international if Chelsea make him available.
- Joshua Mbu
Willian tears up Corinthians contract
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian has left Corinthians after tearing up his contract.
And the Brazilian winger is now reportedly in talks with newly-promoted Fulham.
Willian rejoined boyhood club Corinthians last summer after leaving Arsenal just one year into a three-year deal.
But the 34-year-old did not score a single goal in nine league games for his new side.
And he failed to make an impact as Corinthians were dumped out of the Copa Libertadores 3-0 by rivals Flamengo on Wednesday.
Despite having a year left on his contract, Willian has now agreed to terminate his deal.
Fulham are said to be interested.
- Joshua Mbu
Chelsea ‘nowhere near’ Fofana asking price
Brendan Rodgers has warned Chelsea to put up or shut up over their pursuit of Wesley Fofana.
And says he has told the 21-year-old French defender he would benefit from having another season with Leicester City.
Thomas Tuchel has targeted Fofana as the long-term answer to his defensive problems after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.
However the Foxes have rejected Chelsea's first two offers of £60million and £70million for their outstanding prospect and are believed to be holding out for a world record fee in excess of £80million for the jewel in their crown.
Chelsea are weighing up whether to launch a third and final bid but Rodgers revealed he wasn't aware of any fresh bids ahead of Saturday's visit to Arsenal.
Rodgers said: "I'm not aware of any fresh offers.
"There were two bids but again nowhere near what the club would even think about."
- Joshua Mbu
Christensen took Barcelona out of Instagram profile
Fans on social media are in agreement after Andreas Christensen allegedly change his Instagram profile picture BACK to a shot of him in a Chelsea kit.
The Danish defender is claimed to have swapped his profile picture to one of him wearing a Blues shirt, with suggestions he previously took it down when he signed for Barcelona.
But with Barca unable to register him, or any of their new signings, rumours have emerged that Christensen could return to Stamford Bridge.
ESPN claim both Christensen and fellow free signing Franck Kessie could leave for free if they aren't registered before the season opener against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Allegations that Christensen changed his profile picture has only fuelled those rumours.
His current profile shot shows him giving a thumbs up with a Champions League winners medal around his neck.
Christensen is claimed to have changed his Instagram profile picture back to a snap of him in a Chelsea shirt after originally taking it downCredit: Instagram - Joshua Mbu
Club captain's trophy cabinet
Will Chelsea club captain Cesar Azpilicueta add more silverware to his collection this season.
The Spaniard was heavily linked with a move away from the Blues with Barcelona being heavily interested.
However, the player signed fresh terms at Stamford Bridge.
- Joshua Mbu
Costa back in Europe as Rayo Vallecano CONFIRM transfer
Diego Costa is edging closer to a return to Europe with a move to Rayo Vallecano.
The former Chelsea striker last played for Brazil's Atletico Mineiro in 2021 after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2020.
The deal to bring him back to Spain now appears all but done with the 33-year-old hoping he can terrorise La Liga defenders all over again.
The move would mean he would also reunite with fellow attacker Radamel Falcao, with the pair sharing a dressing room briefly at Chelsea and more memorably at Atletico Madrid where they formed a formidable frontline.
Falcao signed for the Spanish club a year ago and it means that mid-table Rayo Vallecano now have two strikers who were among the most feared in Europe over the last decade.
Marca report that the deal is done and will be announced soon.
- Joshua Mbu
'Liverpool won't make top four'
Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas believes Liverpool won't make top four this season.
The Reds started the new season with a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Fulham.
Gallas told Genting Casino: "As an ex-London player, I have to say Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham to win the Premier League.
"On top four, Liverpool can miss out because they don't have Sadio Mane anymore and Diaz does not have the same impact.
"Liverpool always concede goals too, like we saw against Fulham.
"Even if I like how Liverpool play, I think it will be City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.”
- Joshua Mbu
De Jong goes wakeboarding with stunning fiancee
Frenkie de Jong cut a relaxed figure as he forgot about his transfer woes with a wakeboarding session in Spain.
The Barcelona star, 25, has seen his future constantly come under the spotlight this summer.
Chelsea and Manchester United are both eager to sign De Jong.
And although he would like to stay at Barca, the Dutchman is yet to be paid around £14million in deferred wages.
Indeed, Barcelona are now threatening legal action unless he agrees to take a mammoth pay cut.
And with De Jong yet to decide where his future lies, the transfer saga is set to rumble on this month.
Chelsea and Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong enjoyed some wakeboarding in BarcelonaCredit: @frenkiedejong 
The pair shared some loved up picsCredit: Instagram / @mikkykiemeney - Justin Lawrence
Latest on Chelsea's Fofana bid
Brendan Rodgers has poured cold water on claims Chelsea have made a third bid for Wesley Fofana.
Mutiple reports suggested the Blues were preparing to table an £80m offer for the defender after being knocked back twice by the Foxes.
But Foxes boss Rodgers insists the Blues are yet to approach his side with a better proposal than the first two.
He told football reporter Owynn Palmer-Atkin: “There have been no new proposals for Wesley Fofana this week.
“There had been two from Chelsea, but neither came anywhere close to the valuation."
- Justin Lawrence
Christensen sets tongues wagging
Andreas Christensen has caused the rumour mill to swirl with his questionable antics on social media.
It was revealed earlier today that the former Chelsea defender could renege on his deal with Barcelona if they fail to register him and the rest of their new signings when the season starts.
And Christensen's added fuel to the fire by changing his Instagram profile picture to him in a Chelsea shirt.
He also removed a post showcasing his move to Barcelona this summer.
- Justin Lawrence
Sterling on Chelsea transfer
Raheem Sterling has revealed why he chose to join Chelsea.
Sterling felt he needed more playing time that Man City could no longer offer him, and Chelsea were willing to do so.
He said: "The move came about because as a person you strive to achieve stuff.
"I felt my playing time at Man City was getting limited and you can't afford to waste that time. I didn't want to see my time rising and falling so I made the change."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea face Pavard heartache
Bayern Munich are no longer willing to sell Benjamin Pavard this summer, according to reports.
Chelsea considered him a top transfer target, with Thomas Tuchel looking to completely revamp his defence.
However, the Blues boss will now have to set his sights on alternative options as the Frenchman is now set to remain at Bayern Munich.
According to Kicker, Pavard has convinced the club to keep him.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea handed De Jong boost
Chelsea's hopes of landing Frenkie de Jong have been given a huge boost.
That's because De Jong's been given until the end of the day to take a 50 percent pay cut by Barcelona.
And if he's been told he has to pack his bags if he doesn't accept the wage reduction, according to football reporter Ben Jacobs.
This plays into Chelsea's hands as they hope to hand Barca a lower price than they would like for De Jong.
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