7.15am Chelsea news LIVE: Ziyech £38m transfer AGREED, Sancho set to leave in summer, Dembele available, Ake option – The Sun
CHELSEA are preparing for a tasty Premier League return at home to Man Utd, but there is also good news on the transfer front…
The Blues have reportedly agreed a £38m deal to sign Ajax Hakim Ziyech, while Jadon Sancho is tipped to leave Borussia Dortmund this season, with a move to the Stamford Bridge most likely.
Follow all of the latest Chelsea news, gossip and updates below…
WAHEY JUDE
Chelsea have entered a £50million battle with Manchester United to land whizkid Jude Bellingham.
The Birmingham ace, 16, is being watched by all of Europe’s top clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But Chelsea and United are leading the charge — and prepared to pay a mind-boggling £35m for the England youth star, plus £15m in add-ons, a potential record for a 16-year-old, according to SunSport's Charlie Wyett.
It would not affect either side’s interest in Borussia Dortmund’s £120m-rated Jadon Sancho or United’s pursuit of Jack Grealish and James Maddison.
SunSport revealed in October that United were prepared to offer £30m for Bellingham — but the competition has grown to such an extent the bidding will increase.
Bellingham is considered the best English talent since Wayne Rooney.
BLUEMIN' HELL
Chelsea are planning a major overhaul this summer after Frank Lampard was left fuming by the club's lack of transfer activity in January.
Brad Friedel – who holds the record for the most Premier League appearances for a stopper – exclusively told SunSport he thinks Lampard will replace Kepa in the summer.
Further up the pitch, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen have struggled to hold down the spot alongside Antonio Rudiger, which has led to suggestions the Blues will trigger Nathan Ake's £40million buy back clause from Bournemouth.
Jorginho and N'Golo Kante will likely retain their spots at the base of midfield while ageing pair Willian and Pedro seem likely to depart.
That could make way for a new look attacking midfield trio of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Sassuolo's Jeremie Boga and Ajax's Hakim Ziyech.
And on the other side of the pitch, Christian Pulisic's injury has led to rumours linking Chelsea with their former youth team player Boga.
NEE-DS MUST
The Blues have joined the race to land Wigan starlet Antonee Robinson after his dream move to AC Milan collapsed, according to reports.
The 22-year-old left-back was on the brink of securing a surprise £10million move to the San Siro on Deadline Day but the Italian giants ran out of time to complete the medical.
Robinson was reportedly left devastated with the news and hasn't featured for the Championship strugglers since.
But AC Milan's loss could be Chelsea's gain as the Mirror report how they are ready to invest in the United States star at the end of the season.
Boss Frank Lampard has prioritised signing a new left-back to replace Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri.
That position has caused the boss an issue all season as he continues to alternate between the pair and veteran defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
With Wigan locked in a relegation battle, Robinson will leave the club this summer and it is reported that Chelsea aren't the only Premier League club ready to battle for his signature.
DOU YOU WANT ME
Abdoulaye Doucoure wants to move to a Champions League club which will put Chelsea on red alert.
The French midfielder has been one of Watford's best players this season but claims the Hornets would “let him go easily” if one of Europe's elite teams came in for him.
The 27-year-old bagged his fourth Premier League goal of the season in the Hertfordshire side's 1-1 draw at Brighton on Saturday but admitted afterwards he can see his time at Vicarage Road coming to an end.
He said: “We are arriving at the end of a cycle.
“I think I can still progress massively. I can still do great things.
“Obviously, if I am pushed to change clubs, it will be to make a step forward.
“If a club of a high level comes and makes an interesting offer for me, of course the club will let me go easily.”
FRANK ABOUT JAMES
Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair has suggested Reece James consider changing position.
The 20-year-old has impressed in his breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge, establishing himself as manager Frank Lampard's first choice right-back while making 20 appearances in all competitions.
However Sinclair believes James may have to consider a shift to the centre if he is to become a permanent feature of Gareth Southgate's England lineup.
He told GentingBet: “Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to be a hard man to lodge out of that position the way that he’s playing at the moment.
“The one thing about Reece James that will get him into England squads regularly is his adaptability, he can play centre half, he can play right back, he can play central midfield.”
Source: Read Full Article