Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Frenkie De Jong IN TALKS, Cucurella £50m-plus BID, Benjamin Sesko agent meeting | The Sun
CHELSEA have entered direct talks with Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong, according to reports.
And the Blues have bid over £50m for defender Marc Cucurella, according to reports.
However, Brighton are still said to be holding out for Levi Colwill to be included as part of the deal.
Chelsea also reportedly had a meeting with Benjamin Sesko's agent last week.
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- Kostas Lianos
De Jong meeting soon
Manchester United remain favourites to sign Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong in the summer.
According to Sport, United are still in the driving seat to sign De Jong despite interest from Chelsea.
They add that the midfielder is set to meet with Barca to discuss a resolution to the issue of his unpaid salary.
The Netherlands international is said to not want to leave the Nou Camp until the matter has been resolved – but fresh financial talks could push him one step closer to Old Trafford
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea monitor Vardy
Chelsea are “monitoring” Jamie Vardy’s situation at Leicester as Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain.
According to 90min, a number of clubs are keeping tabs on Vardy, including Manchester United and Chelsea.
The striker has one year left on his deal with the Foxes,
The 35-year-old has yet to holds talks with Leicester over a new contract
- Kostas Lianos
Chelsea sign Carney Chukwuemeka
Chelsea conducted a covert operation to sign Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa.
Barcelona were also keen on a move for Chukwuemeka, along with AC Milan.
So the Blues kept their talks with the midfielder under wraps to avoid Barca pouncing on the youngster as they did with former Blues targets Raphinha and Jules Kounde, according to Fabrizio Romano
- Kostas Lianos
Gabriel Slonina confirmed
Gabriel Slonina has arrived from Chicago Fire, although he was immediately loaned back to the MLS giants.
Slonina, 18, has penned a six-year contract with the Blues after completing his medical in London.
The US international has returned home to see out the rest of the MLS season with Chicago.
Meanwhile, Napoli are close to agreeing a loan deal with Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Kostas Lianos
Frenkie de Jong talks
Chelsea are confident of sealing the transfer of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
And talks with Barca are said to be "hurried" as they look to try and get the deal over the line ahead of the new season.
Manchester United have been desperate to sign him but De Jong has snubbed their approaches, despite the Blaugrana accepting a bid of around £72million from the Red Devils.
According to Sport, negotiations are underway and the midfielder is thought to be more open to making the switch to Stamford Bridge – whereas he was reluctant to head to Old Trafford.
Barcelona are continuing to demand the same fee agreed with the Manchester giants.
However, any deal could include transfer targets Cesar Azpilicueta or Marcos Alonso going the other way
Credit: GETTY - Justin Lawrence
Koulibaly speaks on Chelsea decision
Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed why he chose to join Chelsea from Napoli this summer.
The defender said, via the Daily Mail: "I learned a lot about football so I decided with my friends and family to come with Chelsea.
"And why Chelsea? They are the only club that wanted really that I come. We had the first link in 2016 when [Antonio] Conte came here and wanted me to come.
"It didn’t happen but I was always linked to Chelsea and this time the stars were in a good line so I came here and I’m really happy to join Chelsea and the Premier League."
- Justin Lawrence
Leipzig think Timo Werner's "exciting"
RB Leipzig have confirmed their interest in Chelsea striker Timo Werner.
When asked about Werner, Leipzig chief Christopher Vivell declared to Sky Deutschland: "Of course we find him exciting, he’s incredibly fast and a Germany international. We have been in exchange with him since his transfer.
"But we are not close to a deal and will only announce something when it makes sense."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea battle Arsenal for starlet
Inter Milan could be set to lose the best talent coming through their academy.
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly locked in a battle for free-scoring midfielder Cesare Casadei, 19, who is considered the jewel of the Nerazzurri's youth side.
The Blues thought they had stole a march on their London rivals by bidding £7million for the talent, but that offer was swiftly rejected.
Now, the Gunners are believed to be considering hijacking the deal that's closer to Inter's valuation of the player.
The Serie A giants are said to be hoping for as much as £17m for the player – despite him having NEVER played in the first team yet.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea reveal price demands
Chelsea have reportedly named their price to Barcelona for defensive pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
The Blues are prepared to let the duo go for €25million, according to Sport.
However, Barca are yet to respond to Chelsea's demands.
It comes after Barca hijacked the Blues' transfer pursuit of Jules Kounde.
- Justin Lawrence
Slonina makes bold claim
New Chelsea signing Gabriel Slonina has endeared himself to the club's fans already.
The 18-year-old completed his switch to the Blues and declared they're the best club in London.
Slonina tweeted: "Honoured to join such a massive club with so much history.
"It’s a privilege to wear the badge of the best side in London. Thank you to all the fans for the warm welcome. Can’t wait to get started."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea weigh up defensive options
Chelsea will only table a bid for Southampton ace Kyle Walker-Peters if they fail to land Inter Milan ace Denzel Dumfries.
The Blues are keen to bring in Dumfries as they look to bolster their full back options.
But they've also been eyeing Soton ace Walker-Peters.
However, the Blues will only move to sign him if their pursuit of Dumfries collapses, according to Sport Mediaset.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea's covert Chukwuemeka operation
Chelsea conducted a covert operation to sign Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa, reports claim.
Barcelona were also keen on Chukwuemeka, along with AC Milan.
So the Blues kept their talks with Chukwuemeka under wraps to avoid Barca pouncing on the youngster as they did with former Blues targets Raphinha and Jules Kounde, according to Fabrizio Romano.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea close in on De Jong
Chelsea are confident of sealing the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.
And talks with Barcelona are said to be "hurried" as they look to try and get the deal over the line ahead of the new season.
According to Sport in Spain, negotiations are underway and De Jong is thought to be open to the transfer.
- Justin Lawrence
City's last-ditch Sterling ploy
Man City reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to keep of hold of Raheem Sterling.
Sterling opted to join Chelsea this summer, but City weren't prepared to let him go without a fight.
That's according to CBS Sports, who claim City desperately tried to dissuade the winger to remain at the Etihad.
But Sterling's mind was already made and he proceeded to join the Blues.
- Justin Lawrence
Napoli's potential last African star
New Chelsea signing Kalidou Koulibaly may be one of the last African players to have ever played for Napoli.
That's because the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis refuses to buy another player from the continent unless they agree not to play in the AFCON tournament.
Laurentiis, shared his frustrations to Football Italia and said: "I told them lads, don’t talk to me about Africans anymore!
“I love them, but either they sign something confirming they’ll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations, or otherwise between that tournament, the World Cup qualifiers in South America, these players are never available!
“We are the idiots who pay salaries only to send them all over the world playing for others.”
Chelsea evidently don't share Napoli's worry as they signed the Senegal international this summer from the Serie A sluggers.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea chase former Liverpool supremo
Chelsea are reportedly on the hunt for a new sporting director to help new owner Todd Boehly out with the football aspect at the club.
LA Dodgers owner Boehly has taken his first foray into football with Chelsea.
And he and the club feel an expert in the game could provide good assistance for the American.
Which is why they've been tracking former Liverpool supremo Michael Edwards to do just that, according to the Daily Mail.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea blasted for Kounde failure
Chelsea's failure to land Jules Kounde from Sevilla has been slammed by former club defender William Gallas.
He fumed to Genting Casino: "I do find it hard to understand what is happening at Chelsea in terms of the defensive recruitments.
"I feel they should have signed Kounde from Sevilla! I know they were very close to signing him and I think they have made a big mistake by not getting that deal done.
"The board was really close to getting him signed but it seems they took too long.
"They took too long for a player of his quality and you can’t do this with a player like Kounde after the season he just had. He was magnificent last season.
"Chelsea need players of Kounde’s quality."
- Justin Lawrence
Ampadu set for Italy switch
Chelsea have reportedly opened the door for Ethan Ampadu to leave the club this summer.
Italian, club Spezia are reportedly keen on bringing in Ampadu.
And they hope to wrap up his transfer shortly, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea submit Cucurella bid
Chelsea have allegedly tabled a £50million offer to Brighton for Marc Cucurella.
And the left-back is reportedly pushing to join the Blues.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has offered an update on the situation as he stated that the Stamford Bridge club have made their move to get Cucurella.
He tweeted: “Chelsea have submitted bid worth more than £50m for Marc Cucurella on Tuesday evening.
“Club now hopeful to reach full agreement with Brighton, still no official answer – Cucurella's pushing to join Chelsea, he wants the move.”
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Chelsea fans
New boys Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Sterling are tipped to start Saturday's Prem opener at Everton.
But boss Thomas Tuchel's bid to sign a new centre-back by this weekend is spluttering.
Chelsea HAVE, though, recruited two much-wanted 18-year-olds..
Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka chose the Blues ahead of Barcelona in a £20m move.
And American keeper Gabriel Slonina has arrived from Chicago Fire, although he was immediately loaned back to the MLS side.
Manchester City have reportedly had a £67million bid rejected for reported Stamford Bridge target Josko Gvardiol.
It’s understood Tuchel’s Blues have been in talks over swapping the RB Leipzig left-back for the Bundesliga giants’ former striker Timo Werner.
RB Salzburg’s strike starlet Benjamin Sesko would reportedly cost £45m amid links to Chelsea, United and Newcastle.
And Napoli are close to borrowing Chelsea back-up keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the season.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea's Slo move succeeds
Chelsea have finalised the signing of Chicago Fire keeper Gabriel Slonina.
The American stopper, 18, has penned a six-year contract with the Blues after completing his medical in London.
He'll now return home to see out the rest of the MLS season with Chicago Fire.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea 'want £30m for Kepa'
Napoli are close to borrowing Chelsea back-up keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the season.
But it's claimed the Blues would be ready to sell the 27-year-old for £30million.
The Spaniard has been second-choice at Stamford Bridge behind firm No1 Edouard Mendy.
- Ian Tuckey
'Barca want £25m for Sergino'
Manchester United could need to pay £25million for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.
But there are conflicting reports over whether the USA star fancies a move.
The 21-year-old has never been an automatic choice in his two years with the Red Devils.
Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are amongst the other clubs to have been linked with the Holland-born ace.
- Ian Tuckey
Utd and Chelsea target Sesko would cost £45m
RB Salzburg’s strike starlet Benjamin Sesko would reportedly cost £45million amid links to Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.
FourFourTwo say the Slovenia star, 19, has told his Austrian club he wants to move in this transfer window.
And iSport suggest Salzburg will stand firm over their valuation.
Sesko netted 11 club goals last term.
And he’s notched two goals in 11 internationals.
- Ian Tuckey
Conor, Sterling and Kalidou tipped for debuts
Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly are tipped for instant debuts in Chelsea's Premier League opener at Frank Lampard’s Everton on Saturday evening.
Kai Havertz and Mason Mount are expected to complete a front free with Sterling.
West Ham and Southampton strike target Armando Broja faces a race to be fit for the squad having suffered with a few injury problems over the summer.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher could get his first minutes in a Blues shirt, as he is expected to be named in the party to face the Toffees following his superb loan season with Crystal Palace.
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