Chelsea
Fulham target agrees personal terms with Belgian giants, could join them soon – report
Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo has agreed personal terms with Genk ahead of a potential transfer, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims. Ugbo has not made a competitive appearance for the Blues in his career, and he has spent time away on loan with five different clubs. The 22-year-old had a promising stint with Cercle Brugge in the Belgian top-flight last term, registering 17 goals across all competitions. He helped them avoid relegation, but decided against the opportunity to join them permanently in the pursuit of a bigger challenge. Fulham have been regularly linked with Ugbo in recent months with reports suggesting that he could be available for €3-5 million. However, the striker appears determined to return to Belgium with Genk, and has already agreed personal terms with t...
The Athletic: West Ham & Leeds make EPL club an offer for midfielder
West Ham United and Leeds United have made Chelsea an offer for midfielder Lewis Bate, according to The Athletic. The 18-year-old has one year left on his current contract and is refusing to sign an extension, making it clear to the Blues he does not want to agree a new deal. Bate wants to join a club who can provide a clear vision and pathway for him to play first-team football, and reckons a move to West Ham or Leeds could boost his chances. Sportslens View The Hammers have made Declan Rice one of the best midfielders in the Premier League at 22, with the England international making his debut at 18 and going to establish himself as a key player for both club and country afterwards. Bate, 18, would be open to joining such a side, but Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa also gives youth oppor...
Chelsea plan ambitious swap deal to sign £77m Liverpool transfer target – report
Chelsea are planning to offer Callum Hudson-Odoi in a potential part-exchange deal for Bayern Munich attacker Kingsley Coman, L’Equipe reports. Coman had an impressive 2020/21 campaign for the Bavarian giants, registering eight goals and 15 assists from 39 appearances in all competitions. He has another two years left on his contract, but talks over an extension have reached a standstill with Bayern’s hierarchy reluctant to meet his wage demands. Bayern are willing to offer a €4 million raise on Coman’s €9m annual wages. However, he is holding out for a similar package to Leroy Sane, who earns €18m per year. They are not actively looking to sell him but have set an asking price of €90m (£77m). The Blues are hoping to reduce the valuation by offering Hudson-Odoi in excha...
NUFC reportedly want Europa League-winning 21y/o who played 30 EPL games last term
Newcastle United want Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan next season, according to The Sun. Crystal Palace are also keen on the 21-year-old, with the Blues ready to send him out temporarily again after last year’s spell with West Bromwich Albion. Magpies boss Steve Bruce has very little to spend this summer, and loaning Gallagher fits his summer transfer plans. Sportslens View The Chelsea academy graduate played 30 league games for the Baggies last term, scoring twice and assisting twice, but it was not enough to keep them up. Newcastle want to bolster their midfield, and the 2018-19 Europa League winner has the quality to improve the Magpies. Gallagher is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Blues, spending 2019-20 on loan at Charlton Athletic and Swansea City. Newcastle w...
Report: Chelsea enter race for £42.8m Man Utd transfer target
Chelsea have made a late approach for Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane despite Manchester United being in advanced talks with the defender, Spanish newspaper Marca reports. The French centre-back is out of contract next summer and has decided to leave Madrid after a decade, putting a host of top European clubs on alert. United were quick to make their move and are now in the final stages of completing a £42.8m move for Varane on a five-year deal. With Madrid under pressure to sell to fund their own transfer business, it has been widely reported that the deal will be announced in the coming week. However, Thomas Tuchel is keen on bringing in a central defender despite having Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva in his squad. With United in the latter stages of ...
‘Bigger than Arsenal’, ‘King’: Some Chelsea fans react to recent transfer update
A selection of Chelsea fans reacted on Twitter after Olivier Giroud made the move to the Serie A with AC Milan. The 34-year-old made a good impression during his three-and-a-half seasons with the club, helping them win three trophies. He was sparingly used last term with the competition for places, but still made his mark with 11 goals across all competitions. That included six goals in the Champions League from just 257 minutes. He was the top scorer in the competition for the Blues. Giroud’s contract was extended for another season earlier in April, but it was always anticipated that he would move on. With the Blues actively searching for an elite striker, it was probably the right time for the Frenchman to pursue a fresh challenge. His departure has been met positively by many Blues fan...
Chelsea fail with part-exchange deal to sign 41-goal striker, club want €176m – report
Borussia Dortmund have rejected Chelsea’s opening transfer offer to sign Erling Braut Haaland, a report from Sky Germany claims. The Blues are keen on recruiting an elite centre-forward this summer, and they have their sights on landing Haaland in a club-record deal. Chelsea recently made an opening offer with Tammy Abraham or Callum Hudson-Odoi acting as a makeweight, but the proposal has been rejected. Dortmund have no plans of parting ways with Haaland unless their €176 million valuation is met. The Blues are unlikely to pay the staggering fee. Sportslens view: The Blues misfired up front last season. Timo Werner and Abraham were the top scorers for the club, with just 12 goals across all competitions. Abraham appears likely to leave the club soon, and the Blues were hoping to util...
Serie A club want out-of-favour Chelsea defender, see La Liga man as backup
Napoli are eager to bring in Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri according to Italian outlet Calciomercato. The club’s main dilemma for years has been the left-back position. Faouzi Ghoulam’s injury created an issue for incoming managers after Carlo Ancelotti. His replacement Marco Rui has been far from convincing and could be on his way to Galatasaray if the right offer comes in. There are two names high on Napoli’s list – Mathias Olivera and Emerson Palmieri – have different profiles for age, experience and cost. The Uruguayan from Getafe is valued at between €15-18 million, while the Chelsea star would cost around €20 million. In recent weeks, Napoli has made contact with the agents of both players, but the Chelsea man is their top priority. Inter Milan and Roma have also been linke...
West Ham reportedly keen on signing 17-goal forward from their PL rivals
West Ham United and Fulham are interested in signing Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo this summer, according to Het Belang van Limburg. Genk, Eintracht Frankfurt, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven are also reportedly in the chase. Ugbo was on loan at Cercle Brugge last season, scoring 17 goals across all competitions. The 22-year-old is currently in the final year of his contract, and the Blues will have to cash in this summer or lose him on a free transfer next year. West Ham’s interest in the highly talented forward certainly makes sense as David Moyes needs to add more depth to his attacking options. The Hammers were reliant on Michail Antonio for goals this past season but require a more natural goalscorer, and Ugbo could be a solid long-term investment. The youngster has the potential to develop in...
‘I’m crying’, ‘Incredible’: Some Palace fans react to transfer update from David Ornstein
A selection of Crystal Palace fans on Twitter have expressed their delight after learning that the club are on the cusp of signing Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. The 21-year-old was one of the best-performing centre-backs in the Championship last season, where he spent time on loan with Swansea City. It was initially anticipated that he would break into the Blues’ first-team plans, but Palace are set to sign him after making an irresistible transfer offer. As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Palace have already reached a transfer agreement, and the centre-back is currently in the process of a medical. This has got several Palace fans excited. Here are a few reactions on Twitter. Marc Guehi’s first game will be Chelsea Away Incoming last minute winner 💉😂 pic.twitter.co...
Arsenal interested in signing West Ham United target with 18 goal contributions last season – report
Arsenal are interested in signing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, The Telegraph’s Matt Law reports. Abraham was the Blues’ joint top-scorer with 12 goals last season, but he played just 16 minutes for them between March and May. It is quite clear that he is out-of-favour under manager Thomas Tuchel, and the Blues are prepared to offload him for around £40 million. West Ham United have been heavily linked with his services this summer, but the London outfit are not in a position to afford the price tag. A move to Leicester City has been ruled out with their recent acquisition of Patson Daka. It is now claimed that the Gunners are keen on signing him. Abraham would reportedly relish the prospect of joining the Gunners as he was a boyhood Arsenal fan, and could secure regular ...
“It was a tough choice” – former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star announces retirement
Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from football today. The former Netherlands international initially hung up his boots in 2019 before reversing the decision to return to his first club Groningen last season. Injuries and the coronavirus pandemic derailed the winger’s second stint. He has now announced his retirement with an emotional message on Twitter Beste voetbalvrienden, Ik heb besloten om te stoppen met mijn actieve voetbalcarrière. Een heel moeilijke keuze. Ik wil iedereen bedanken voor alle hartverwarmende steun! Groetjes, Arjen pic.twitter.com/aAEdxdL5tU — Arjen Robben (@ArjenRobben) July 15, 2021 “I have decided to end my active football career,” he wrote. “It was a tough choice. I want to thank everyone for their heart-warming support!” The club also issued a statement: ...
