CHELSEA look set to miss out on another target this summer in Leicester City star Wesley Fofana.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that the club has no intentions to let Fofana go despite the Blues willing to meet his staggering £85 million price tag.
Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso is nearing a move to Barcelona as the Spaniard reportedly said his goodbyes after the last training session.
However, former Arsenal captain Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang could be in line for a sensational switch the other going the other way..
When asked about the Barcelona star in his pre-match press conference, Thomas Tuchel refused to deny the Blues were interested.
He said: "I would be interested in the 79 goals! We will not comment further."
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world.
- IN: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Omari Hutchinson (Arsenal), Marc Cucurella (Brighton)
- 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)
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- Justin Lawrence
Thomas Tuchel has made the extraordinary claim that the Chelsea No. 9 is ‘cursed’ and that none of his players want to touch it.
Boss Tuchel said: “It’s cursed, it’s cursed — people tell me it’s cursed.
“It’s not the case we are leaving it open for tactical reasons, for players to come in and take it.
“There was not a big demand for No 9, like when players sometimes want to change numbers. Surprisingly, nobody wants to touch it.
“Everybody who has been at the club longer than me tells me, ‘Ah, you know, he had the nine and he did not score… and he had the nine and also did not score’.
“So we now have a moment where nobody wants to touch the number nine. I’m superstitious, I can understand why players maybe don’t touch it and have other preferences.
“It’s like this but I think Raheem Sterling will help us a lot and in general it’s our responsibility to create more offensive positions to have maybe more players in the box.”
- Justin Lawrence
Slonina's dream comes true
New Chelsea signing Gabriel Slonina has spoken on his move to to West London.
He said: "I think Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and they play in the Premier League.
“It was a no-brainer for me to want to join that team, such a massive club with so much history, and the things they have done in the past years has truly been amazing.
"So it’s an incredible honor to be joining the club.”
- Justin Lawrence
Neville stunned by Cucurella price
Gary Neville has revealed he was stunned by the price Chelsea paid for Marc Cucurella.
He said on Sky Sports: "That one just stunned us today.
"It’s a staggering amount of money and they’ve got Ben Chilwell in that position already. That’s a massive transfer that’s gone through. That’s the one [summer deal] that stands out for me.
"Seeing him in a Chelsea shirt… is he going to improve and prove to be worth that sum of money?"
- Justin Lawrence
Aubameyang tipped for Chelsea success
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be a great addition to Chelsea's squad, according to Darren Bent.
He said on talkSPORT: "[Aubameyang] would be a good addition to the squad.
"One thing we know about Aubameyang is that when he goes to a new football club he hits the ground running. He is someone who knows where the back of the net is.
"His goal scoring records are fantastic.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel explains transfer delays
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that delays and sanctions have slowed down Chelsea's transfer activities.
He said: "The transfers so far speak for themselves. We have a delay in the market, of course. Nobody is guilty of that delay.
“We have a delay because of the sanctions and the sanctions have led to the loss of key players but the starters involved in the day-to-day work so far have done a fantastic job.
£The market speaks for itself.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel slams Boehly critics
Thomas Tuchel disagrees with skeptics who claim new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is panic buying at the club.
Tuchel said: "Panicking? No, I would describe it as super hard-working and learning while new on the job.
“So it’s pretty much going on, new ownership and then stepping into the transfer market is probably one of the toughest things you can do when coming from outside.
“But I have nothing but the biggest respect and compliments for both Todd and Behdad.
“I don’t know when they sleep, maybe they never sleep.
“But we have a very honest, very open, very direct line of communication and the transfers so far speak for themselves.
“We have a delay of course, we had the delay because of the sanctions and the sanctions led to the loss of key players.
“But like I said, both of the owners are involved in the daily business, they are doing a fantastic job so far and the transfer market speaks for itself.”
- Justin Lawrence
Barcelona prepared for Aubameyang fight
Chelsea look set to have their work cut out trying to prise Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona.
Aubameyang joined Barca last summer and club boss Xavi still sees the striker as an integral part of his squad despite Chelsea's interest, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Xavi wants Aubameyang to feature in his team next season, the report adds.
Plus the Blues are yet to table a bid for the Gabon international, it was also reported.
- Justin Lawrence
No pranks for Terry
John Terry thought he was being pranked when he received a call from Kalidou Koulibaly to take the Chelsea legend's shirt number.
Terry initially hung up the phone but returned the call once he done some checks that it was authentic.
Terry then gave Koulibaly his blessing to take his iconic No26 shirt number.
Kouliably revealed how his exchange with Terry went down.
He said: "And I called him – but at the beginning he did not believe that it was me! He thought that it was a joke!
"So he put down the phone at first and called the team manager to ask if it was really me.
"After that I asked him respectfully that I wanted to take his jersey, his number."
- Justin Lawrence
Cucurella transfer fee questioned
Chelsea's decision to splash the cash on Marc Cucurella has been questioned by Martin Keown.
Keown reckons the defender isn't worth the exorbitant fee, and feels the Blues brought him in panic.
He told talkSPORT: "Chelsea have gone out and paid £60-odd million for Cucurella – I think that’s nonsensical.
“It’s an incredible amount of money. I think it’s too much. Cucurella, as good as he is, I think there are still players out there that are better.
"To pay that kind of money with Ben Chilwell still there, [Marcos] Alonso’s still there.
"It does feel like it’s panic buying."
- Justin Lawrence
Don't write off Chelsea
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is shocked that former club Chelsea aren't being viewed as title contenders this season.
Conte shared his confusion when asked if Spurs can close the gap on frontrunners Man City and Liverpool.
And the bemused Italian responded: "You forgot Chelsea and this is a big, big mistake. You are talking about a team that two seasons ago won the Champions League. It is a really big squad. Last season they won the World Cup for clubs.
“Why is Chelsea not in this group of top teams? For me, Chelsea is in this group."
- Justin Lawrence
De Jong disagrees with agent
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong disagrees with his agent about his future amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, reports suggest.
According to Sport, however, the midfielder is keen to stay at the Nou Camp even on a reduced salary because he believes in the club's sporting project.
However, the Netherlands international's agent disagrees as he thinks his client should leave due to his deferred wages.
De Jong agreed to a temporary salary deduction to help the Blaugrana's financial situation during the coronavirus pandemic two years ago.
Barcelona now owe the Dutchman a fee between £14million and £17m in unpaid wages.
- Justin Lawrence
Alonso says Chelsea farewell
Marcos Alonso has packed his bags and said goodbye to the Chelsea squad ahead of a move to Barcelona, reports claim.
The left-back bid farewell to the Blues' staff after training today in anticipation of completing a switch to Barca this weekend, according to Mundo Deportivo.
They claim that Alonso's exit was exacerbated by the arrival of Brighton ace Marc Cucurella.
- Justin Lawrence
Blues get De Jong boost
Frenkie de Jong's heart is set on a move to Chelsea over Man United, according to Harry Redknapp.
He claimed: "Now it looks like De Jong wants to go to Chelsea. I know that for a fact.
"Man United are not gonna get him. I’ve had that confirmed from someone right at the very top for United, he really wants to go to Chelsea.
"So if Man United don’t get him, I don’t know where they’re going, but if Chelsea get him he’ll be a fantastic signing for them.”
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea face Fofana heartache
Chelsea look set to miss out on Leicester City star Wesley Fofana this summer.
That's because Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed his side have no intention to let Fofana, or his in-demand counterpart James Maddison quit the club.
Rodgers said: "Wesley Fofana and James Maddison are not for sale. These are very important players to us.
“We’re in a situation where we need to move some players out but that doesn’t mean getting rid of anyone, our best assets.”
- Justin Lawrence
Not Koul with Napoli
Thomas Tuchel has revealed he tried sign Kalidou Koulibaly for years before Napoli finally let him leave.
Tuchel made the claims whilst revealing how hard it's been to do business with the Serie A side.
He said, via Football Italia: "We followed him for many years. Me personally and my staff followed him for many years and tried many times and were never successful because it is very hard to get players from Napoli, who are well known for the fact that they keep their squad together.
“He’s a leader. We had good information about him from Mendy and from Jorginho. We got the same feedback, a fantastic guy, a leader in the dressing room, calm, a role model.
“When you dig in and start looking at his games, analysing his games, you see the quality in defending, the quality in body positioning, his timing of defending.
“He uses both feet for build-up, he is confident, mobile and very experienced. When we had the chance, we went for it. It was our top priority. Very happy that he is with us.”
- Sam Dymond
Transfer watch: Fofana to Chelsea?
Following Marc Cucurella's arrival at Chelsea today for a potentially world record fee for a full-back, the Blues are preparing to smash a similar record to land centre-back Wesley Fofana.
The club want the move. The player wants the move. The fans wants the move.
The only stumbling block? Leicester do not, and are currently refusing to budge.
Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️
- Sam Dymond
Blues have bought elite defender
Chelsea may have been frustrated in the transfer market this summer, but in Marc Cucurella, they have landed an 'elite' player of 'Premier League quality.'
That's the belief of the club's new co-owner Todd Boehly, who welcomed the defender to the club with a statement on the Chelsea website.
He said: ‘Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality and he further strengthens our squad going into the new season.
"We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.’
- Sam Dymond
Cucurella: I'm joining world's best
Marc Cucurella put pen to paper on a six-year Chelsea contract earlier today, and then stated that he was joining one of the best clubs in the world.
The left-back moves to Stamford Bridge in a deal that could eventually make him the most expensive full-back in the world, eclipsing the £60m that Manchester City paid for Joao Cancelo.
The Spaniard told the Blues' official website: "I’m really happy. It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team."
Cucurella will go straight into Thomas Tuchel's squad for the away game at Everton tomorrow evening after the deal was completed before the midday deadline.
Credit: chelseafc.com - Sam Dymond
Breaking: Blues sign Marc Cucurella
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton on a six-year deal.
And in a cheeky club announcement, the Blues have taken a dig at the Seagulls.
During negotiations earlier this week, the south coast club tweeted an official statement denying that there had been any agreement for Cucurella, dismissing many media reports.
Credit: @officialBHAFC Twitter But now the Blues have sealed the transfer, and in doing so have confirmed the news in incredibly similar fashion, mimicking the style and wording of Brighton's denial.
The fee for the Spaniard is understood to be £55m that could rise to £62m with add-ons.
Credit: @ChelseaFC Twitter - Sam Dymond
Tuchel: Cucu can help Chilwell
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel believes the imminent arrival of Marc Cucurella will help ease the pressure on the returning Ben Chilwell.
England international Chilwell is only just back after a long-term injury, and the Blues boss hopes that their incoming left-back can support his teammate rather than pressure him.
Tuchel told the assembled press: "[The signing of Marc Cucurella] helps Ben [Chilwell] to escape the pressure of having to deliver and being needed right now.
"We have Marcos Alonso, Kenedy and Emerson, but when [the deal] hopefully go through, Marc is the option for both this position and to play in the back three. His profile is that regards is similar to Cesar Azpilicueta."
- Sam Dymond
Seagulls swoop for Colwill loan
Levi Colwill will join Brighton on a season-loan as part of the deal that takes Marc Cucurella to Chelsea.
The highly-rated Blues defender will move temporarily to the south-coast club for the 2022-23 campaign, but there will be no option for the Seagulls to buy the youngster next summer.
It’s a break from the norm for Brighton, who have made it their philosophy not to develop other clubs’ players since reaching the Premier League.
However, Colwill’s arrival will help to fill the gap in centre-back cover left by Cucurella’s exit – especially with Shane Duffy poised to join Fulham.
- Sam Dymond
Xavi dismisses Blues Auba bid
Barcelona boss Xavi has reportedly shut down talk of Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving this summer.
The former Arsenal captain 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 attacking pair can co-exist within the squad and even link-up together in certain matches.
- Sam Dymond
World record fee for Wes?
Chelsea are willing to meet Leicester’s £85m asking price for Wesley Fofana.
The centre-back is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, but it will cost the Blues a world record fee for a defender to force the Foxes’ hand.
The Londoners had a £60m offer for the 21-year-old rejected earlier this week, but are prepared to return with the eye-watering offer.
Brendan Rodgers does not want to sell the centre-back, but would reluctantly consider a bid eclipsing the world-record £80m that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
- Sam Dymond
Sesko will soon make decision
Red Bull Salzburg hot-shot Benjamin Sesko will make a decision on his future 'next week', according to reports in Slovenia.
The 19-year-old striker has been at the centre of another transfer battle between Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Red Devils are understood to be leading the race for Sesko, but may have to pay as much as £50m for the highly-rated teenager.
Both Erik ten Hag and Thomas Tuchel are keen to bolster their options in attack.
- Sam Dymond
Chelsea closing in on Cucurella
Marc Cucurella is hours away from being confirmed as a Chelsea player – and could feature for his new club this weekend.
Fabrizio Romano understands that the Spaniard will soon be unveiled by the Blues after they worked tirelessly through the night with Brighton in order to complete the necessary paperwork.
The defender's medical is also said to have progressed without a hitch, signalling a clean bill of health for the 24-year-old.
The fee has been confirmed as £55m plus the potential for another £7m in add-ons.
Cucurella signed for the Seagulls from Getafe 11 months ago for just £15m.
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