CHELSEA have made a surprise enquiry for Harry Maguire, according to reports.
The Blues are said to feel they may be in with a chance of landing the out of form Man Utd captain due to the Red Devils' interest in Christian Pulisic.
They have also reportedly held positive talks with former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the parties comfortably reaching a landing zone in contract negotiations.
There is said to be an increasing optimism at Chelsea and Barcelona that a deal can be done, but the Blues are not ready to reach Barcelona's £25m asking price.
Aubameyang is said to be regarded as a stopgap until next summer, when Chelsea will reportedly look to sign top target Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig.
It is also reported that Chelsea have agreed terms with Wesley Fofana, though are yet to reach an agreement with Leicester.
Fofana is now said to be keen to force the issue and has reportedly asked to be left out of the Leicester squad.
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- Alex Cole
Aubameyang deal is ‘no brainer’, says Parlour
Signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a “no brainer” for Chelsea, according to Ray Parlour.
The former Arsenal man reckons Aubameyang will provide the goals Chelsea desperately need following the loss of Timo Werner.
Parlour said: “For me it’s a no brainer for Chelsea, it really is.
“Werner has gone back to RB Leipzig, so they’re lacking goals.
“So Aubameyang will definitely score. Before he signed his new contract at Arsenal, he was brilliant. He won the FA Cup for Arsenal on his own.
“So he’d be a good signing, if you can get him for one season, he’ll be coming back to prove people wrong that’s what he’ll be trying to do.”
- Alex Cole
Chelsea eye Harry Maguire swap
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Man United defender Harry Maguire in an exchange deal for Christian Pulisic.
United have been linked with a move for Pulisic, but the Blues are reluctant to sell the winger to their rivals.
However, the Daily Mail claim the Blues may be open to swapping Pulisic for Maguire as they look to bolster their back line.
- Alex Cole
Barca STILL may not be able to sign Kounde
There remains a chance that Chelsea target Jules Kounde does not become a Barcelona player this season due to a clause in his contract, according to reports.
The bizarre claim has been made by Spanish journalist Adria Soldevila who reports that he could walk away on a free transfer if the club don’t register him soon.
Kounde, 23, has agreed to join Barcelona from Sevilla in a deal believed to be worth around £50million.
However, the centre-back is currently nursing an injury so has therefore not been officially registered as a Barca player.
Therefore it is reported that if he isn’t registered by the end of August he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
The speculation further suggests that Barcelona would have to pay him £2million in contract clauses if this happens.
- Alex Cole
Chelsea await response to Aubameyang offer
Chelsea have submitted a £15m bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
And the Blues have also thrown Marcos Alonso in to sweeten the deal, according to David Ornstein.
However, Barca are yet to respond to Chelsea’s offer, it was added.
- Alex Cole
Hammers still after Emerson
West Ham have resurrected a deal to sign Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri after the player’s agents agreed to accept the terms on offer.
The Hammers walked away this week over high monetary demands and were set to move on to other targets.
But Palmieri’s representatives indicated that — once the two clubs had agreed a fee — they would accept West Ham’s terms.
The east Londoners are now negotiating with Chelsea over a fee, with an initial £13million set to be paid before add-ons.
Those extras remain a sticking point and are still being negotiated but a deal could be struck over the weekend.
Brazil-born Italy international Emerson, 28, who spent last season on loan with Lyon, would become West Ham’s seventh signing of the summer as boss David Moyes overhauls his squad.
- Alex Cole
Terry the best ever, says Kane
Tottenham star Harry Kane has named Chelsea legend John Terry and ex-Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini as the two toughest opponents he has ever faced.
Kane said during an Instagram Q&A: “There are a few who have been the toughest I have faced in my career.
“Early on facing John Terry, [he was] just a really smart defender, knew where to put his body, knew how to stop my runs, so that was a great learning curve.
“And then Chiellini. I obviously played against him against Italy and against Juventus. Again, really smart, strong, and physical”
- Alex Cole
Good morning Chelsea fans
Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Inter Milan starlet Cesare Casadei.
The deal is believed to be worth £12.6million not including add-ons and the player has been handed a six-year contract.
Chelsea have submitted a £15m bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
And the Blues have also thrown Marcos Alonso in to sweeten the deal, according to David Ornstein.
However, Barcelona’s interest in Marcos Alonso has reportedly “cooled.”
Alonso was said to be packing his bags to join Barca in previous weeks.
But Barcelona are now focused on registering the players they signed this summer – instead of recruiting new stars, David Ornstein reported.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Man United defender Harry Maguire in an exchange deal for Christian Pulisic.
United have been linked with a move for Pulisic, but the Blues are reluctant to sell the winger to their rivals.
However, the Daily Mail claim the Blues may be open to swapping Pulisic for Maguire as they look to bolster their back line.
Finally, Thomas Tuchel admits his Chelsea squad needs more depth amid reports linking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the club.
Tuchel said: “I believe we can compete with this group, but it’s one thing to compete once a week and it’s another to compete 60 times a year and three times a week.”
“You need to have players who challenge for their place and challenge for their minutes. It does not come down only to tactics and team spirit, it’s also about the depth in the squad and the challenge.”
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea eye Harry Maguire swap
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Man United defender Harry Maguire in an exchange deal for Christian Pulisic.
United have been linked with a move for Pulisic, but the Blues are reluctant to sell the winger to their rivals.
However, the Daily Mail claim the Blues may be open to swapping Pulisic for Maguire as they look to bolster their back line.
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel plays down Lampard/Casadei comparison
Thomas Tuchel has played down comparisons between new Chelsea signing Cesare Casadei and Frank Lampard.
Tuchel said, via SempreInter: "I think we are not doing him a big favour if we say he will be the new Lampard.
"Yesterday I met him here at the sports centre, we will give him time to learn the language, the culture, to understand what Chelsea is.
“Once he is settled, we will give him the opportunity to train with us and to show his qualities; then I will have a clearer picture of him and we will see.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel on squad needs
Thomas Tuchel admits his Chelsea squad needs more depth amid reports linking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the club.
Tuchel said: "I believe we can compete with this group, but it’s one thing to compete once a week and it’s another to compete 60 times a year and three times a week.”
“You need to have players who challenge for their place and challenge for their minutes. It does not come down only to tactics and team spirit, it’s also about the depth in the squad and the challenge.”
- Justin Lawrence
Barcelona cool interest in Alonso
Barcelona's interest in Marcos Alonso has reportedly "cooled."
Alonso was said to be packing his bags to join Barca in previous weeks.
But Barcelona are now focused on registering the players they signed this summer – instead of recruiting new stars, David Ornstein reported.
The Catalan giants have even turned down the chance to bring him for free after Chelsea offered to add Alonso to the cash offer of £15m to sign Aubameyang.
- Justin Lawrence
Aubameyang deal is 'no brainer'
Signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a "no brainer" for Chelsea, according to Ray Parlour.
Parlour reckons Aubameyang will provide the goals Chelsea desperately need following the loss of Timo Werner.
Parlour said: "For me it’s a no brainer for Chelsea, it really is.
"Werner has gone back to RB Leipzig, so they’re lacking goals.
"So Aubameyang will definitely score. Before he signed his new contract at Arsenal, he was brilliant. He won the FA Cup for Arsenal on his own.
"So he’d be a good signing, if you can get him for one season, he’ll be coming back to prove people wrong that’s what he’ll be trying to do."
- Justin Lawrence
Lampard provides Gordon update
Frank Lampard has admitted Chelsea target Anthony Gordon may leave the club this summer.
Lampard said: "You can’t ask me to assure anything, that would be naive of me to assure anything – that I’ll be here at the end of the window. Who knows?
“He’s in the squad for tomorrow (for the visit of Nottingham Forest). Any chats I have with him are private.”
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea submit Aubameyang bid
Chelsea have submitted a £15m bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
And the Blues have also thrown Marcos Alonso in to sweeten the deal, according to David Ornstein.
However, Barca are yet to respond to Chelsea's offer, it was added.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea get Ronaldo boost
Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of a transfer away from Man United may rest on Blues owner Todd Boehly.
Recent reports suggested Ronaldo was on his way to Borussia Dortmund.
But the club's chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has ruled out a move for the attacker.
He said: "I love him as a player, it’s certainly a charming idea to see Cristiano Ronaldo play at Signal Iduna Park.
“But there is no contact at all between the parties involved. So from now on, you should stop talking about it.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel not impressed with VAR chief
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is not impressed with VAR chief Mike Dean after the former referee admitted he was wrong for not flagging Cristian Romero's hair pull on Marc Cucurella.
Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea's game against Leeds: "Hopefully I am not too honest but if a mistake is that big and obvious, what is the point in not admitting it for the whole season?
"I struggle a little bit to be fully impressed by [Dean’s] statement, I have to say.
"It is so clear and obvious, I cannot understand how a referee cannot make the decision that was the right decision.”
Tuchel continued: "It was the VAR who got it totally wrong in this case.
“I think it could be more transparent, to make it easier.
"Maybe they could explain the decisions on the field to everybody: why they take this decision, why a goal is not allowed, why it is disallowed, why he is overruling his own decision.”
- Justin Lawrence
Leeds boss Marsch on Tuchel ban
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch insists there is no way Thomas Tuchel should be allowed on the touchline at Elland Road on Sunday.
The Chelsea boss was sent off for an explosive bust-up with Tottenham counterpart Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
It was put to Marsch that there is still a chance Tuchel will be allowed to manage the Blues at Leeds.
And he hit back: “That doesn’t seem right. I would be disappointed if that was allowed.
“A red card means you should not play the next match.
"In theory, when the manager’s not there it’s an advantage.
“I know his assistant Zsolt Low well – he has a brilliant football mind and no doubt will help out from there.
“I have always assumed a red means the manager is suspended – maybe that’s the wrong assumption!"
- Justin Lawrence
Pul him back in
Christian Pulisic will be staying at Chelsea if Thomas Tuchel has his way.
Pulisic's been linked with Man United, but Tuchel isn't keen on the move as the Blues lack squad depth.
He said: "Yeah, I know there is a lot of talk.
"We will not comment on our players and we will not encourage our players to go out in this moment. We've had two training sessions with 18 players."
- Justin Lawrence
Kounde's transfer saga
Chelsea could soon get another crack at trying to sign Jules Kounde.
Kounde picked Barcelona over Chelsea this summer.
But the defender may be back on the market once again if Barca fail to register him soon.
It's been reported that if he isn’t registered by the end of August he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
The speculation further suggests that Barcelona would have to pay him £2million in contract clauses if this happens.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea close in on Aubameyang
Chelsea are on the brink of agreeing personal terms with Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
Negotiations between the striker and the Blues have rapidly progressed in the past 24 hours, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However, Thomas Tuchel's side are yet to work out a price for Aubameyang with Barca who want €30m to green-light the transfer.
But Chelsea refuse to be held hostage and do not want to pay more than £15m for Aubameyang's services. Romano added.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea sign Casadei
Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Inter Milan starlet Cesare Casadei.
The deal is believed to be worth £12.6million not including add-ons and the player has been handed a six-year contract.
Head of Chelsea's youth development Neil Bath: "Cesare is a player we have tracked for some time and we are delighted that he has agreed to join, he will initially strengthen our Under-21s squad."
- Kostas Lianos
Werner blames strategy for exit
RB Leipzig signing Timo Werner has blamed Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics as the reason why things didn't work out at Stamford Bridge.
Werner returned to Leipzig this summer, and he claims Tuchel's strategy didn't compliment his style of play.
The striker said: "Of course, I had great success at Chelsea, but the fun got a bit lost in the end because I didn't play regularly anymore.
"I think the coach's system of play didn't suit me perfectly. That's why it was clear to me that I wanted to take a new step. I'm at an age where I want to play as much as I can"
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea review alleged racism storm
Chelsea are investigating alleged racist abuse aimed at Tottenham star Son Heung-min during Sunday's London derby at Stamford Bridge.
The incident in question occurred when Son went over to take a corner in the second half.
The Spurs star received abuse from the Shed End as he took the set-piece.
Footage has emerged which appears to show a racist gesture aimed at the forward.
On the incident, the Blues released a statement vowing to take strong action against the individual in question
- Kostas Lianos
Pulisic plans Chelsea stay
Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic will fight his way into Thomas Tuchel's starting XI despite concerns over game time, according to his USA boss Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter said: "He's a fighter, you're gonna see he's gonna get on the field.
"He may not be a starter, every year you hear that and every year he ends up on the field because of his contribution.
"He's a goalscorer. He's a winner. What I've seen from him in the last couple of years is his mentality has completely shifted and he embraces stuff like this.
"He's not scared of challenges like this and I'm excited to see how he performs this year"
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
No pain no Kane
Tottenham star Harry Kane has named Chelsea legend John Terry and ex-Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini as the two toughest opponents he has ever faced.
Kane said during an Instagram Q&A: "There are a few who have been the toughest I have faced in my career.
"Early on facing John Terry, [he was] just a really smart defender, knew where to put his body, knew how to stop my runs, so that was a great learning curve.
"And then Chiellini. I obviously played against him against Italy and against Juventus. Again, really smart, strong, and physical"
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