CHELSEA are finally closing in on the marquee signing of Jules Kounde, according to reports.
The Blues reportedly looked at a Nathan Ake return before settling on the Sevilla star amid reports that Man City refused to sell.
Meanwhile a move for AC Milan's Rafael Leao is said to be being lined up, with Chelsea keen on the Portuguese star to replace Hakim Ziyech.
But on the outgoing front, reports from Spain claim Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta will join Barcelona this week.
- 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)
Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge in our live blog…
- Sam Dymond
Johnson: New Blues defence a concern
Chelsea can forget about challenging for the Premier League title this season if their new-look defence is made up players unfamiliar with the English game.
That's the view of former Blues right-back Glen Johnson, who believes his old club need know-how of the top-flight.
The ex-England international told Bettingodds.com: “If they’ve almost got a brand new defence then that could hamper them initially.
"However, if they can get players with Premier League experience, then it might not hinder them as much.
"If you get a couple of players that don’t know the Premier League and they all can’t gel at once then that may potentially lose them the fight.
"If you sign four players from outside the Premier League for example, then one of them is going to flop. That’s just a fact. You’re not going to get four new defenders that are going to be ten out of ten from the moment they arrive.
"If they buy a number of defenders without Premier League experience, then they can kiss the title goodbye straight away.”
- Sam Dymond
Sevilla want Kounde bidding war
Spanish club Sevilla are hoping that Chelsea and Barcelona will soon spark a bidding war for their centre-back Jules Kounde.
No offers are currently on the table for the French international, but Chelsea are confident of agreeing a fee for the 23-year-old this week, according to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports Golazo.
The LaLiga club are understood to be holding out for in excess of €60m, and would prefer a straight cash deal rather than a player exchange.
Kounde's preference is for a move to Barca, but the Catalans are required to sell players of their own before they can submit any offer.
- Sam Dymond
Jorginho: Koulibaly a 'brilliant signing
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has hailed the club's capture of Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Italian knows the centre-back well from their time together at Napoli, where they played together on 111 occasions.
He told the Blues' official website: "I am so, so happy he's here."
"As a player, he’s a brilliant defender – fast, strong and he has so much quality on the ball with both feet. He’s also a real leader.
"We’ve stayed in contact since I left Napoli. He speaks better English already than I do so that will be good for him to help settle in."
Chelsea signed the 31-year-old Senegal captain for £33m at the weekend, and are targeting another two centre-backs before the start of the new season.
- Sam Dymond
Clauss not coming to town
Several Premier League clubs have been linked with Lens wing-back Jonathan Clauss this summer including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Indeed, United were reported to have submitted a €7m bid yesterday afternoon and were thought to be in advanced talks.
However, the news this morning is that the players has agreed a move to Marseille.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Jonathan Clauss will undergo medical tests as new OM player in the morning.
“Full agreement completed after the opening bid made 10 days ago, Lens have accepted €8m fee. Manchester United links, wide of mark.”
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Chelsea fans
Frustrated Timo Werner has hinted he might consider his Chelsea future.
The German's desire to be first-choice striker has been dented further by Raheem Sterling's £55million arrival from Manchester City.
Werner said: "It's clear I want to play more".
He might fear the same fate as Romelu Lukaku, who has returned to Inter Milan on loan following an in-and-mainly-out campaign under Thomas Tuchel last term.
PSG could try to beat the Blues to Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
And Juventus hero Matthijs de Ligt has chosen Bayern Munich over clubs like Chelsea.
So that's two potential backline blows to Tuchel, who reportedly wants THREE more defenders despite recruiting Kalidou Koulibaly.
Chelsea are said to have offered midfielder Ross Barkley to two Premier League rivals.
That's because new Stamford Bridge owner Todd Boehly hopes Tuchel's squad is trimmed of fringe players.
Ex-England ace Barkley, 28, picks up more than £100,000 a week for just a bit-part role.
Lastly, Billy Gilmour, West Ham target Armando Broja, Harvey Vale, and Tino Anjorin have all returned to the UK following Chelsea's USA tour with question marks over their future.
- Ian Tuckey
Juventus keen on Magalhaes
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Villarreal star Pau Torres are reportedly on Juventus’ four-man shortlist to replace Bayern Munich-bound Matthijs de Ligt.
German champs Bayern sealed a £68m deal for Holland hero De Ligt despite earlier interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking to bring in a replacement quickly, after also losing Giorgio Chiellini join LAFC on a free transfer.
The Serie A giants are known to be interested in Brazilian Gabriel.
And now Mundo Deportivo has stated that the ex-Lille man is one of four players on Juve’s radar.
Along with Gabriel, it has been said that Spain international Torres is a possible option.
- Ian Tuckey
Timo exit hint as he 'wants to play more'
Timo Werner has given the biggest hint yet that his future lies away from Chelsea after refusing to confirm he will be staying.
The striker, 26, scored in the Blues’ 2-1 victory over Club America in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday.
But Werner is one of several stars far from settled in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Last summer, the £97.5million purchase of Romelu Lukaku ensured Werner was not Tuchel’s attacking focal point — and he ended up making just 15 Premier League starts.
There is a sense of deja vu this summer with Raheem Sterling a £50m arrival from Manchester City, which saw Tuchel looking elsewhere rather than putting faith in Werner.
And with three years left on his contract after joining from RB Leipzig for £48m in the summer of 2020, Werner is as close as ever to considering life away from Stamford Bridge.
The 53-cap German travelled to Orlando on Sunday ahead of games against Charlotte and Arsenal this week.
Asked whether he thinks he can be happy at Chelsea next season, he said bluntly: “I could be happy everywhere.
“The most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. That’s what I should take care of and other things will come.”
- Ian Tuckey
Qatar to ease vaccine rules for World Cup
QATAR World cup chiefs are set to allow unvaccinated players to avoid quarantine this November, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
But players who have not had the latest jab will have to take extra tests throughout their stay in the Gulf state.
Phil Foden and John Stones’ absence from Manchester City’s US tour, following on from Chelsea confirming Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante had stayed in the Uk as a direct result of their vaccination status, had led to concerns the Etihad duo might fall foul of Qatari laws.
They currently demand five days of quarantine for any unvaccinated arrivals in the country.
With the short break between the end of domestic football on November 13 and England’s opening game against Iran just eight days later, any enforced quarantine would have effectively forced unvaccinated players out of the first group game through lack of proper preparation.
But Fifa has stepped in with the Qataris to broker a deal likely to be confirmed before the start of the tournament on November 21.
Just as in December’s Arab Cup, staged in Doha, it is now understood that World Cup squad members are likely to be excused the quarantine spell as long as they take rapid antigen tests upon their arrival in the country, then every three days and before every match.
The news would be a relief for England boss Gareth Southgate, who views Stones and Foden as key members of his squad.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues fancied Jesus too
Arsenal saw off a last-ditch bid from Chelsea to seal the signing of Gabriel Jesus, according to the player’s agent.
Marcelo Pettinati has admitted that the Blues came in with an eleventh hour offer for the Brazilian forward.
However, the 25-year-old has already bought into Mikel Arteta long-term vision, and had his heart set on a move to the Emirates.
“Chelsea were one of the teams that tried to hijack the Arsenal move,” revealed Pettinati.
“They tried very hard in the final days to get him. By that point, we’d already chosen our new project.”
Following the transfer, Thomas Tuchel’s team turned their attention to another Manchester City forward, Raheem Sterling.
- Ian Tuckey
Hammers close on Broja and Lingard
West Ham are closing on Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Monaco anchorman Amadou Onana.
The Hammers could pay around £7.5million for former loan sensation Lingard.
Albania ace Broja is tipped for the London Stadium in at least a loan deal.
But the Hammers are still said to fancy a permanent move.
And the Standard say West Ham chief David Moyes is ready to make a third bid for Onana that could be worth £30m with add-ons.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues send home four stars
Four Chelsea stars have been sent home from the club's pre-season tour of America.
The quartet of Billy Gilmour, Armando Broja, Harvey Vale, and Tino Anjorin have all returned to the UK with uncertainty hanging over some of their futures with the Blues.
Gilmour, 21, and Vale, 18, are set to link up with the Blues' development squad in the States while they figure out their futures, football journalist Adam Newson reported. Both could go on loan next season.
Broja and Anjorin are closer to completing moves away with Tuchel confirming their return to the UK. The German said: "It is a very difficult decision because nobody deserves to go.
"I would have loved to have had everybody here because Tino [Anjorin], Harvey [Vale] and Billy [Gilmour] had trained at a very high level and it would also have been nice to see them in some matches.
"But in the end we had to take the decision to keep the quality high in training so we decided for 24 players as a maximum and that’s why we went a bit smaller."
Tuchel also revealed that Broja suffered a minor injury in training – although it is unclear if that will impact any move after SunSport revealed he is closing in on a £30million transfer to rivals West Ham.
- Ian Tuckey
Jules could be snatched from the Bridge
PSG could try to snatch Sevilla defender Jules Kounde from under the nose of Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel wants two more two centre-backs following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers.
The German may also need a third depending on whether club captain Cesar Azpilicueta departs the club for his homeland.
Barcelona are said to be keen on the 32-year-old.
And Chelsea are pursuing Sevilla’s Kounde AND PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe as potential defensive reinforcements.
PSG could sell academy product Kimpembe for £42million.
However, according to Corriere dello Sport, PSG are now tracking Frenchman Kounde, who could replace Kimpembe should the Parisians sanction the departure.
PSG had hoped to land Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, with the budget for a centre-back set at £51m.
But Inter are hoping to collect closer to £59m for the 27-year-old.
Kounde, 22, is available for £51m which fits within PSG’s desired budget for a defender.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea blow as De Ligt agent confirms Bayern move
Matthijs de Ligt will complete his move to Bayern Munich in a major blow to Chelsea, his agent has confirmed.
The 22-year-old Juventus centre-back was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after talks over a new deal with the Italian giants broke down.
However, Bayern always appeared to be the frontrunners in their pursuit of the Dutch defender – with Juventus keen to receive around £68m.
And now De Ligt's representative Rafaela Pimenta – who also handles new Juve midfielder Paul Pogba – has revealed that a move to Bayern is imminent.
As reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he said: "De Ligt deal will be completed soon with Bayern. We’ve to say thanks to Juve as they’ve been great with Matthijs and Pogba."
Chelsea are keen to bring in new centre-backs following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Thomas Tuchel has already secured Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly for £34million. But they will be keen to add another high-level name to the heart of their back line. And as they prepare to miss out on De Ligt, attention may turn to Sevilla man Jules Kounde.
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils duel Blues for Brazilian schoolboy
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly set to enter a transfer battle for 15-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Endrick.
Jorge Nicola claims the duo are ready to make bids when the forward turns 16 on Thursday.
The occasion will see Endrick sign his first-ever contract with club Palmeiras.
And the Samba giants are ready to part ways with their wonderkid if his new £34million release clause is met.
United and Chelsea are preparing to swoop sooner rather than later as that figure will rise to £43m next year – and £50m in 2024.
Endrick is yet to make a single senior appearance for Palmeiras despite being rated as South America’s top prospect.
- Ian Tuckey
Hammers close on Broja and Lingard
West Ham are closing on Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Monaco anchorman Amadou Onana.
The Hammers could pay around £7.5million for former loan sensation Lingard.
Albania ace Broja is tipped for the London Stadium in at least a loan deal.
But the Hammers are still said to fancy a permanent move.
And the Standard say West Ham chief David Moyes is ready to make a third bid for Onana that could be worth £30m with add-ons.
- Ian Tuckey
Barkley 'offered to two Prem clubs'
CHELSEA have offered Ross Barkley to TWO Premier League rivals as new owner Todd Boehly looks to trim the fat in his squad, according to reports.
The former England international, 28, earns over £100,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.
And Boehly is keen to get that sky-high pay packet off his books.
The Mirror report the Blues are so keen to get rid of the outcast midfielder they have even offered him to two of his former clubs – Aston Villa and Everton.
Barkley only managed six Prem appearances last season under Thomas Tuchel.
And he was close to returning to his boyhood club Everton in January on a loan deal.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea favourites to sign Rice
Chelsea continue to lead the race for West Ham's in demand midfielder Declan Rice.
The England international is priced at 15/8 with Betfair to make the move across London this summer.
Rice still has two years left on his contract, with the option of a further year so the Hammers aren't in a position where they need to sell.
The club have also offered him two new contracts, both of which the England star has rejected.
LATEST BETFAIR ODDS
Chelsea – 15/8
Manchester United – 4/1
Manchester City – 14/1
Liverpool – 22/1
Newcastle – 25/1It had previously been reported that a 'gentleman's agreement' had been made between club and player for the 23-year-old to leave this time next year, with Chelsea the probable destination.
The Blues have long been linked with the midfielder who they released as a 14-year-old. Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both only have one year left on their current deal so the Blues could be looking at alternatives for them should a new contract not be agreed between the parties.
However, there's plenty of competition for the England international. Reports claim Manchester City and Manchester United are also targeting the talented 23-year-old this summer.
And Betfair think Liverpool and Newcastle are also possible destinations.
- Ian Tuckey
Jules could be snatched from the Bridge
PSG could try to snatch Sevilla defender Jules Kounde from under the nose of Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel wants two more two centre-backs following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers.
The German may also need a third depending on whether club captain Cesar Azpilicueta departs the club for his homeland.
Barcelona are said to be keen on the 32-year-old.
And Chelsea are pursuing Sevilla's Kounde AND PSG's Presnel Kimpembe as potential defensive reinforcements.
PSG could sell academy product Kimpembe for £42million.
However, according to Corriere dello Sport, PSG are now tracking Frenchman Kounde, who could replace Kimpembe should the Parisians sanction the departure.
PSG had hoped to land Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar, with the budget for a centre-back set at £51m.
But Inter are hoping to collect closer to £59m for the 27-year-old.
Kounde, 22, is available for £51m which fits within PSG's desired budget for a defender.
- Ian Tuckey
Rice a big hit with Blues' fans after video 'hint'
Fans are all saying the same thing after Declan Rice featured in a video of Chelsea’s squad tour of LA Dodgers’ stadium.
The Blues paid a flying visit to the home of the American baseball team, also owned by new chief Todd Boehly, last week.
Fans are all saying the same thing as Declan Rice features in video of Chelsea squad’s tour of LA Dodgers stadium
And the Dodgers posted a video to YouTube showing Chelsea’s players enjoying their time at the arena.
But baseball giants managed to throw a curveball at supporters by bizarrely including clips of West Ham captain and long-term Blues target Rice.
That’s after the England star visited the Dodgers with best pal and Chelsea star Mason Mount several weeks earlier.
The Dodgers even gave Rice a name-plate on the video, introducing him as a West Ham player – despite the YouTube video being titled “Chelsea FC Visits Dodger Stadium.”
And many supporters took Rice’s inclusion to suggest that a potential deal could be close.
One wrote: “Rice doing pre-season tour with us. Get this guy in ASAP.”
Another declared: “Declan Rice to Chelsea confirmed.” One noted: “Declan Rice to Chelsea here we go.” Another added: “Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea, what’s Declan doing there…”
- Ian Tuckey
Juve eye Gabriel after Bayern win De Ligt race
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Villarreal star Pau Torres are reportedly on Juventus’ four-man shortlist to replace Bayern Munich-bound Matthijs de Ligt.
German champs Bayern sealed a £68m deal for Holland hero De Ligt despite earlier interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking to bring in a replacement quickly, after also losing Giorgio Chiellini join LAFC on a free transfer.
The Serie A giants are known to be interested in Brazilian Gabriel.
And now Mundo Deportivo has stated that the ex-Lille man is one of four players on Juve’s radar.
Along with Gabriel, it has been said that Spain international Torres is a possible option.
- Ian Tuckey
Kalibou in, 3 more defenders to follow?
Boss Thomas Tuchel has told Chelsea he wants to sign three central defenders and one wing-back this summer, reports Nizaar Kinsella in the Evening Standard.
The Blues boss has been planning a defensive overhaul following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to join Christensen in departing Stamford Bridge for Barcelona, leaving the Londoners short of numbers at the back.
Centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has already arrived from Napoli in a £33m deal, but Tuchel is not yet satisfied.
Chelsea are keen on Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, and are set to revive their interest in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Meanwhile, Lens’ Jonathan Clauss has been linked with a move to the Premier League club.
- Sam Dymond
Blues open to Barkley offers
Chelsea are hoping to move on Ross Barkley before the beginning of the season, and bring an end to his disappointing four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
Barkley joined the Blues in January 2018 for £15m but has failed to make his mark in London.
In that time, he has appeared 99 times for the Londoners, but only 57 of those have come in the Premier League.
The midfielder was loaned to Aston Villa for the duration of the 2020-21 season, but the West Midlands club opted against making the move permanent.
The 28-year-old still has a year remaining on his current Chelsea contract, and is said to be earning £100k-per-week.
- Sam Dymond
Lampard reunion first up for Blues
Chelsea's Premier League campaign is due to get underway in just 19 days time, and they will find it's a familiar face that awaits them on the opening day.
The Blues take on Everton at Goodison Park in their first game with the hosts managed by their record goalscorer Frank Lampard.
Chelsea will then take on another of their former favourites in Antonio Conte when they take on Tottenham in the season's first match at Stamford Bridge.
- Sam Dymond
More on Broja departure
Armando Broja appears to be moving closer to the Stamford Bridge exit door – despite Chelsea's desire to keep hold of the striker.
The Athletic report that the Blues have been reluctant to allow the striker to talk to West Ham, but are unable to provide him with the guarantee of regular first team football that he craves.
The Albanian is understood to have agreed wage demands with the Hammers, but the length of contract is still to be determined.
Broja made 38 appearances on loan at Southampton last season, scoring nine goals in the process.
- Sam Dymond
Transfer watch: Kimpembe to Chelsea?
The Blues are said to have submitted an opening offer of £40m to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 champions are keen to keep the defender and consider him part of their plans, but are also open should a lucrative bid come in.
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