Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Federico Chiesa bid, Caicedo talks, Neymar deal, Cherki latest
Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino waiting on big Neymar transfer chance as the window hots up for the Blues
Chelsea continue to chase a deal for Moises Caicedo as Mauricio Pochettino looks to shape his squad.
The midfielder has been identified as the club’s top midfield target that the Blues are hoping to recruit in the summer window. In terms of Caicedo, Liverpool were recently claimed to be considering a move for the Brighton man but the Ecuadorian is reportedly committed to joining the Blues.
football.london understands Chelsea have also been in direct contact with the Cherki’s representatives and have now entered talks with Lyon. However, Lyon boss Laurent Blanc has advised the attacking midfilder to remain in France for another year.
Elsewhere, it has been suggested that Tottenham Hotspur will challenge Chelsea and PSG for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, should Harry Kane seal a move to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, the Blues are also said to be rivalled by Crystal Palace for Brazilian starlet Matheus Franca.
Despite being into double figures of players leaving, Chelsea are still attempting to move more players on with Christian Pulisic confirmed as the latest departee in a £20million transfer to AC Milan. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all been touted with transfers away this summer.
With that said, football.london has got you covered with all the latest Chelsea transfer gossip, news and other updates LIVE throughout the day.
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Kane decision
Chelsea have been handed a significant blow to their hopes of signing Harry Kane. The 29-year-old striker has been heavily linked with an exit from Tottenham this summer, but a move could now be off the cards.
According to the Evening Standard, the Englishman does not plan to ‘agitate’ the north Londoners even if Daniel Levy continues to reject bids from the Bundesliga champions. The report states that Kane is determined to leave Spurs on ‘positive terms’, meaning he would not entertain a controversial switch to Stamford Bridge.
With Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout, many thought that the Argentine would be able to tempt the striker away from the Lilywhites.
Franca issue
Chelsea have been handed a major blow to their hopes of signing Matheus Franca this summer. The 19-year-old forward has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as the Blues look to stock up on some of the world’s most exciting young players.
According to Globo, both Chelsea and Crystal Palace have submitted proposals to the forward’s entourage, with Flamengo set to make a decision in the ‘coming days’. The report states that Franca’s representatives travelled to London earlier this week to hold talks with the two clubs.
Globo add that Flamengo have given the teenager a €25million (£21.4m) price tag, which could include add-ons in order to fulfil valuation. It’s said that Franca has two choices – sign for Chelsea and join Strasbourg on loan or join Crystal Palace and compete for a place in the starting lineup with the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
Cherki claim
Laurent Blanc has advised Rayan Cherki to remain at Olympique Lyonnais for a further year despite interest from Chelsea. The 19-year-old wonderkid has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as Mauricio Pochettino looks to replace Mason Mount.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sport, Blanc addressed the futures of Castello Lukeba and Cherki. The Lyon boss explained why he believes the duo should stay at the club for a further year.
“OL must say, okay if these are figures at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price (€27million), I tell him to stay one more year in Lyon,” said the 57-year-old. “I’d really mind if he left. It’s the same for Cherki. Especially since we made room for them. It would be a little early, but maybe I’m being a little selfish.”
Chiesa chance
Chelsea have received a boost from Juventus over reported target Federico Chiesa. Chiesa, 25, has two years remaining on his contract and has been tentatively linked with a switch to Liverpool this summer.
However, reports have also touted Chiesa as a target for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and Juventus’ stance could clear the way for the Bluesto make a move for the Italy forward. Reports have suggestedthat Chelsea are planning to step up their efforts to sign the Juventus attacker, with the club described as the ‘most interested’ in Chiesa.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has fuelled the idea that the player could soon be on the move after explaining Juventus’ stance on a potential deal. Speaking to Wett Freunde, he said: “Aston Villa have bid €60million (£51.2million) for Chiesa but he hasn’t even listened to the offer as he doesn’t want to join Aston Villa. He only wants to play at top clubs.”
Mount statement
Manchester United have issued a statement in response to a video of former Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount. The 24-year-old midfielder was the subject of a video uploaded to social media which showed a group of people repeatedly asking him to sign autographs.
The former Chelsea ace responded by asking why they ‘keep coming back’ after he had not signed anything for the ‘last three days’. The situation has prompted a statement from the Red Devils, who explain that professional autograph hunters are becoming a recurring problem for players.
“Unfortunately this kind of situation has become far too common. It’s the last thing Mason deserves after being so friendly with everyone he has come across since joining United,” a club source told Manchester Evening News.
“Professional autograph hunters are regularly pressuring United’s players to sign large quantities of items that they then sell for hundreds of pounds. It has become an every day occurrence and a major problem at Carrington.”
Caicedo ‘committed’ to Chelsea deal
Chelsea appear to have been handed a crucial update in their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The 21-year-old has been the centre of a transfer saga ever since outlining his desire to leave the Seagulls in January. At the start of the year, Caicedo looked to be Arsenal-bound but the Blues have since overtaken the Gunners in the race to sign Brighton’s prize asset, who are able to drive a hard bargain after the midfielder signed a new deal in March.
However, despite the back-and-forth, Caicedo is stated to have essentially already ‘committed’ himself to Chelsea. football.london has previously stated that Caicedo has verbally agreed personal terms with Chelsea, although nothing has been signed as it stands.
Spurs could ‘overtake’ Chelsea for Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic is reportedly keen on leaving Juventus with a move to the Premier League a possibility in the summer transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign a new striker at Stamford Bridge despite already welcoming Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to the club this summer.
However, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to ‘overtake’ both Chelsea and PSG in their pusuit of Dusan Vlahovic, if Harry Kane does leave Spurs this summer.
Chelsea ‘monitoring’ Neymar situation
Chelsea are reportedly considering a statement move for PSG forward Neymar.
The Daily Mailhas reported, via French outlet Le Parisien, that Chelsea are ‘monitoring’ Neymar’s situation as he weighs up his next move, though he still has three years remaining on his PSG contract. The report states that Neymar had been ‘considering his future’, prior to the appointment of Luis Enrique, and the Blues are awaiting his decision.