CHELSEA look set to rival Manchester United for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.
Elsewhere, the Blues have been handed a mega boost in their pursuit of Jules Kounde, with Barcelona said to have pulled out of the race to sign the Frenchman.
The Catalans are said to be unable to afford Sevilla's £65m asking price, particularly as they are looking to sign two-time Fifa Best Award winner Robert Lewandowski.
And Chelsea are reportedly willing to make a £50million bid for Everton forward Richarlison.
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- Ian Tuckey
Mour hope for Billy at Celtic
Celtic would be an ideal fit for Chelsea ace Billy Gilmour next season but his family wouldn’t allow him to move there, according to club legend Pat Nevin.
Nevil told the Scottish Sun: “I know Billy a bit and his family and yeah Rangers would suit his style and so would Celtic.
“Knowing his family though, the Celtic one is unlikely.
“He’s different class Billy, he’s a super player. But he needs to be playing for a team who plays good football which is suited to him.
“I think Celtic and Rangers style would work for him, but because of his family, it wouldn’t be Celtic for him.”
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea target Militao
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Real Madrid star Eder Militao as they look to boost their bakline.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, who report that the Blues are preparing an offer for Militao.
However, Real are in no way keen on letting the centre-back go in the summer transfer window.
Los Blancos have also slapped a staggering €250million (£215m) asking price on the Brazil international, who has a contract until 2025
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Kounde still linked
Sevilla star Jules Kounde is currently on holiday after reaching an agreement with Chelsea.
That is according to AS, who continue to claim that Kounde is very close to joining the Blues.
The Spanish outlet reports “all roads” lead the centre-back to Stamford Bridge this summer.
However, Barcelona continue to monitor the France international as manager Xavi is very keen to sign him
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal keen on Morata
Former Chelsea star Alvaro Morata is said to be in London rivals Arsenal’s sights.
Atletico Madrid ace Morata has just enjoyed two reasonably successful seasons on loan with Juventus.
Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos have already joined the Gunners in the summer transfer window.
And Caught Offside report Arsenal have even made a bid for the former Real Madrid star
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea's new board
Chelsea have confirmed their new board ahead of the 2022-2023 season after a consortium led by Todd Boehly bought the club from Roman Abramovich.
Director of football Marina Granovskaia is set to leave the club after the summer transfer window with chairman Bruce Buck also leaving imminently.
Boehly will take Buck's place with a number of familiar names from his own takeover added to the board.
Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano will be the co-controlling owners of Chelsea.
Mark Walter, Hansjorg Wyss and Jonathan Goldstein will sit as the club's co-owners.
They will be joined by Barbara Charone, Lord Daniel Finkelstein and James Pade
- Kostas Lianos
Luk at that
Romelu Lukaku has given up a third of his £325,000-a-week wages to return to Inter Milan.
Chelsea forked out £97.5million for Lukaku 12 months ago but his second stint at Stamford Bridge turned into a nightmare.
Many fans have described the striker as "the worst transfer of all time" with some supporters now desperate for him to leave.
The 29-year-old, who still has four years remaining on his contract, has already made it clear that he wants to go back to Inter in his controversial interview last winter.
And now he is set to get his wish by returning on loan to the San Siro after an agreement was finally reached between the two clubs and the Belgium international
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Lucas in Pia-n
Former Chelsea player Lucas Piazon dislocated his shoulder and was shown a red card after helping his new club win the Battle of Brazil.
Piazon spent nine seasons with the Blues, but made just three senior appearances.
The winger starred in the Rio outfit's 3-2 comeback win at Internacional on Sunday.
But the 28-year-old became one of four players red-carded after triggering an on-pitch brawl in added time, during which he suffered a dislocated shoulder, in footage shown by A BOLA.
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea target Clauss
Chelsea have made "initial contact" over signing Lens star Jonathan Clauss.
That is according to Goal reporter Nizaar Kinsella, who claims the Blues are keeping tabs on Clauss.
The West Londoners reportedly see the right-back at Cesar Azpilicueta's replacement.
The move would cost £10million and Atletico Madrid are also interested.
It has been added that the France international is also a Chelsea fan
- Kostas Lianos
Lukaku deal details
Chelsea ace Romelu Lukaku is set to rejoin Inter Milan on loan in the summer transfer window.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared the details of the deal between the Blues and Inter.
According to Romano, there is an €8million (£6.9m) loan fee guaranteed and €4m (£3.4m) in add-ons related to performances.
The striker's salary is reduced from €12m (£10.3m) net to €8m (£6.9m) net this season.
There is no buy option or obligation clause, while his medical takes place in Milan next week.
- Kostas Lianos
Tuchel's transfer power
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel now has more control of transfers at the club following the exit of director of football Marina Granovskaia.
And the Blues' new owner Todd Boehly has immediately put his trust in Tuchel by sanctioning the decision to offload Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on loan.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Granovskaia was keen to keep Lukaku for one more season as he had arrived for a club record £97.5million just 12 months earlier.
But her exit has seen the German head coach get his way, with The Telegraph claiming that Boehly opted to back him by allowing the £7m loan move to Inter to take place.
The decision to get rid of the striker is the first sign that Tuchel has more power when it comes to signings and departures
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Nev-er going to happen
Celtic would be an ideal fit for Chelsea ace Billy Gilmour next season but his family wouldn't allow him to move there, according to club legend Pat Nevin.
Nevin told the Scottish Sun: "I know Billy a bit and his family and yeah Rangers would suit his style and so would Celtic.
"Knowing his family though, the Celtic one is unlikely.
"He's different class Billy, he's a super player. But he needs to be playing for a team who plays good football which is suited to him.
"I think Celtic and Rangers style would work for him, but because of his family, it wouldn't be Celtic for him"
- Kostas Lianos
Barcelona still want Kounde
Barcelona are still pushing for Sevilla star and Chelsea target Jules Kounde.
According to Mundo Deportivo reporter Ferran Martinez, Barca could even make Kounde their first signing of the summer.
The Blaugrana are also confident they will land Robert Lewandowski, although Bayern Munich continue to resist.
The Catalan giants are also keeping tabs on Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva but will only move if they lose Frenkie de Jong
- Kostas Lianos
Toni's Rud choice
Former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger has revealed that he rejected Barcelona in order to sign for Real Madrid.
But the centre-back insisted he only wanted to join Real in the summer.
Rudiger said during his official welcoming ceremony: “There was interest from Barcelona.
“I told my agent that it was Madrid or nothing”
- Kostas Lianos
Armando Broja EXCLUSIVE
Southampton will not be pursuing a move for Chelsea's Armando Broja and that is set to give West Ham a huge transfer boost, reports SunSport's Tom Barclay.
The Hammers have made Broja their top target this summer and they are set to bid around £30million to try to convince the Blues to sell.
Saints were initially keen to explore a fresh move for the striker, whether it be on loan or on a permanent deal.
But they have now moved on to other targets, meaning a return to the South Coast for the Albania international looks extremely unlikely
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Kounde transfer boost
Chelsea have been given a free run at signing Jules Kounde as Barcelona are unable to meet Sevilla’s £65million asking price.
Barca are already set to snap up the Blues' ace Andreas Christensen on a free transfer.
But Marca report manager Xavi is also keen on signing Kounde to create a new defensive partnership.
Sevilla feel the centre-back should be selling for around £65m this summer.
However, broke Barcelona do not have that kind of money available and that opens the door for the West Londoners to finally completely a highly-anticipated deal.
It’s reckoned the France international has already agreed a five-year contract to join Chelsea
- Kostas Lianos
Marina Granovskaia leaves
Chelsea have announced sporting director Marina Granovskaia will leave after the summer transfer window.
The Blues’ new owner and chairman Todd Boehly will fill Granovskaia’s role until a full-time replacement is determined.
However, the two parties will remain in touch until the end of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea released the following statement: “Chelsea FC and Ms. Granovskaia have agreed that she will remain available to Boehly and the Club for the duration of the current transfer window, to the extent required to support the transition”
- Kostas Lianos
Kylian Mbappe rejected
Chelsea once sensationally rejected Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe because of concerns about his defensive abilities.
Mbappe went on trial for the Blues when he was 12 years old and spent a week at Cobham but was only invited back for a second trial at the end of it, rather than being offered a contract.
That infuriated the now 23-year-old’s mother, who gave them an ultimatum via former scout Serge Daniel Boga.
Boga told Goal: “She said to me, ‘listen, my boy won’t be coming back. If they want him they have to take him now, or in five years time they will be coming back to buy him for €50million (£45m)’.”
Boga added: “He was very skilful, but in England they want to see the player track back and be a hard worker.
“At the time, he wasn’t a hard worker, defensively he wasn’t there yet. When he got the ball, he was unbelievable, but without the ball, he didn’t work a lot.
“Chelsea wanted to see him again to see how he could improve on this – I think that’s why they asked him back. He did skilful things and dribbled well, so maybe the things they wanted to see in the second trial was improved work on the defensive side.”
Mbappe left West London with just a Chelsea shirt he was gifted at the end of his trial with the club
- Kostas Lianos
Kep at it
Nice are lining up a potential loan swoop for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after losing their No1 Walter Benitez to PSV Eindhoven.
According to Foot Mercato, the Ligue 1 outfit want Kepa to replace Benitez between the sticks this season.
The world's most expensive stopper arrived at Stamford Bridge for a whopping £71.6million in 2018.
However, since Edouard Mendy arrived two years later, the Spain international has been reduced to a bench-warming or cup-keeper role.
The 27-year-old still has three years left on his seven-year contract in West London but has grown frustrated over his bit-part role
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Makelele to become manager
Chelsea legend Claude Makelele has declared his aim to become DR Congo's national coach.
Makelele has recently been back at Stamford Bridge as a youth mentor and has also been an ambassador for Congo's FA.
The national team have sacked manager Hector Raul Cuper following defeats in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Gabon and Sudan.
And the ex-Real Madrid star said he would relish the chance to take charge of the Leopards.
Makelele told Canal Plus: "Speaking personally, I feel ready to manage the DRC national team.
"We all need to sit down together in order to restructure football in the Democratic Republic of Congo"
- Kostas Lianos
Sterling 'asks about Chelsea'
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has reportedly been making enquiries about Chelsea ahead of a £45million move.
Sterling has contacted two people to get a lay of the land in West London, according to The Athletic.
And the forward was keen to find out what Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is like to work with.
The England international was also interested in what it’s like to play for Chelsea, it was added
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea target Richarlison
Chelsea could steal a march on Arsenal and Tottenham with a £50million bid for Everton star Richarlison.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are keen on the striker as well as Manchester City's England attacker Raheem Sterling.
New owner Todd Boehly is reportedly happy to spend big in this summer transfer window.
And the Brazil international's value soared with six goals in the last nine games of the Premier League season to help the Toffees stay up.
The Gunners , Spurs and Newcastle are among the other clubs linked with the 25-year-old as well
- Kostas Lianos
Romelu Lukaku transfer reminder
Chelsea have agreed to send club-record signing Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan on a one-year loan costing just £7million, according to SunSport's Tom Barclay.
Lukaku, who joined the Blues from Inter for a whopping £97.5million only 10 months ago, will also take a hefty wage cut to seal the deal.
The two clubs came to an agreement on Tuesday in a move that includes add-ons and will see the West Londoners pay none of the striker's wages this season.
The Belgium international never seemed completely sold on a move back to Chelsea, whom he initially joined as a teenager in 2011, yet eventually made the switch in August.
The 29-year-old had issues with injuries as well as COVID-19 and struggled to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system.
Lukaku did nothing to endear himself to Tuchel with a bombshell interview in December where he revealed he was “not happy” at the club and wished to return to Inter “in the near future”
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Romelu Lukaku transfer reminder
Chelsea have agreed to send club-record signing Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan on a one-year loan costing just £7million, according to SunSport's Tom Barclay.
Lukaku, who joined the Blues from Inter for a whopping £97.5million only 10 months ago, will also take a hefty wage cut to seal the deal.
The two clubs came to an agreement on Tuesday in a move that includes add-ons and will see the West Londoners pay none of the striker's wages this season.
The Belgium international never seemed completely sold on a move back to Chelsea, whom he initially joined as a teenager in 2011, yet eventually made the switch in August.
The 29-year-old had issues with injuries as well as COVID-19 and struggled to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system.
Lukaku did nothing to endear himself to Tuchel with a bombshell interview in December where he revealed he was “not happy” at the club and wished to return to Inter “in the near future”
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Chelsea fans
Romelu Lukaku is on the brink of returning to Inter Milan – with Richarlison joining Raheem Sterling as a possible replacement up front.
Inter have 'reached an agreement in principle' to borrow Lukaku for next season.
The Italian giants will reportedly pay a £6.9million loan fee plus add-ons for the Belgium superstar, 29.
It comes amid claims Chelsea have moved ahead of Tottenham in the £50m hunt for Everton frontman Richarlison.
But Manchester City's Sterling is still regarded as the priority strike target for Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel.
As for central defence, it's claimed the Blues are clear favourites to sign Sevilla's Jules Kounde – because Barcelona can't afford him.
But it's understood Italy star Alessandro Bastoni wants to snub Chelsea and Spurs to stay at Inter Milan.
Tuchel, of course, has a huge gap to plug in his backline after last season's inspiration Antonio Rudiger joined Real Madrid.
Finally, Southampton have won the race for Armel Bella-Kotchap despite the VfL Bochum defender being linked with Chelsea, Tottenham and City.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues agree Romelu return to Inter
Chelsea have agreed to send club-record signing Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan on a one-year loan costing just £7million, writes TOM BARCLAY.
Belgian striker Lukaku, who joined the Blues from Inter for a whopping £97.5million only ten months ago, will also take a hefty wage cut to seal the deal.
The two clubs came to an agreement last night (TUES) in a move that includes add-ons and will see Chelsea pay none of the forward’s wages this season.
But it does little to hide the fact that Lukaku’s move to Stamford Bridge last summer will go down as one of the costliest in Premier League history.
The former Manchester United hitman, 29, had a stellar campaign at Inter the season before last as he won Serie A under Antonio Conte.
He never seemed completely sold on a move back to Chelsea, whom he initially joined as a teenager in 2011, yet eventually made the switch in August.
Lukaku had issues with injuries and Covid and struggled to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system.
He did nothing to endear himself to the German coach with a bombshell interview in December where the striker revealed he was “not happy” at the club and wished to return to Inter “in the near future”.
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