Chelsea appear to have received a double boost in their transfer pursuit of Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
Talks over the midfielder have stalled in recent weeks, but Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal being confirmed will only benefit the Blues. Firstly, his £105million transfer rules out the Gunners making a formal approach to Caicedo, and reports that the deal has been completed have also revealed that Chelsea have done a similar amount of groundwork on Caicedo as Arsenal did in op for the summer for Rice. .
Elsewhere, Chelsea look set to make an official offer for Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki after the Blues were in contact with his representatives in recent days, who soccer.london understand.
In other news, Tottenham have identified Levi Colwill as a summer option, while any remaining interest in Dusan Vlahovic has appeared to no longer be in play. The future of Romelu Lukaku also continues to take more twists and turns, with Juventus now front-runners for his signature following a big decision from Inter.
With that said, soccer.london has got you covered with all the latest Chelsea transfer gossip, news and other updates LIVE throughout the day.
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15:57Kieran Horn
Chelsea get Mane transfer update
Sadio Mane has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent windows amid the possibility of him leaving Bayern Munich this summer.
Thomas Tuchel has now given the latest update on Mane’s future hinting that nothing has been decided yet. In a press conference, he said: “We have a constellation that makes it very difficult for Sadio. The player knows that too.
“Mané has a contract and will stay. And we respect that. But it’s only the first day of training, and many things can happen in football.’
15:25Kieran Horn
Lukaku transfer latest
Romelu Lukaku’s future continues to take several drastic and sudden turns, the latest involving Inter and Juventus.
His former club have now abandoned the race to regain his services, with Lukaku himself holding talks to sign for Juventus instead.
Therefore, Dusan Vlahovic’s departure is the only way Juve can afford to sign Lukaku. Chelsea value the Serbian international, but Paris Saint-Germain are the only club in the race to sign him.
13:54Jake Stokes
Kane decision
Chelsea have been dealt 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 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 says Kane is determined to leave Spurs on “positive terms”, meaning he would not entertain a controversial move to Stamford Bridge.
With Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout, many believed the Argentine would be able to tempt the striker away from the Lilywhites.
12:50Jake Stokes
Frank’s question
Chelsea have been dealt a major blow to their hopes of signing Matheus Franca this summer. The 19-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as the Blues look to sign some of the world’s most exciting young players.
According to Globe, both Chelsea and Crystal Palace have submitted proposals for the striker’s entourage, with Flamengo set to make a decision in the ‘coming days’. The report states that Franca’s representatives traveled to London earlier this week to hold talks with the two clubs.
Globe adding that Flamengo have handed the teenager a €25m (£21.4m) price tag, which could include add-ons to meet the valuation. Franca is said to have two choices – sign for Chelsea and go on loan to Strasbourg or join Crystal Palace and compete for a place in the starting line-up with the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
12:12 p.mJake Stokes
Cherki claim
Laurent Blanc has advised Rayan Cherki to stay at Olympique Lyonnais for another year despite interest from Chelsea. The 19-year-old prodigy has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as Mauricio Pochettino looks to replace Mason Mount.
In an interview with the French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sports, Blanc addressed the future of Castello Lukeba and Cherki. The Lyon boss explained why he believes the duo should stay at the club for another year.
“Olympic have to say, okay, if it’s numbers at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price (€27 million), I say he should stay one more year in Lyon,” said the 57-year-old. “I really wouldn’t mind if he went. It’s the same for Cherki. Especially when we made room for them. It would be a bit early, but maybe I’m a bit selfish.”
11:05Jake Stokes
Chance Church
Chelsea have received a boost from Juventus over reported target Federico Chiesa. Chiesa, 25, has two years left on his contract and has tentatively been linked with a move 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 that Bluesto make a step forward for Italy. Reports have suggestedthat Chelsea plan to step up their efforts to sign the Juventus forward, with the club described as the ‘most interested’ in Chiesa.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has fueled the idea that the player could soon be on the move after explaining Juventus’ stance on a potential deal. Talking to bet friendshe said: “Aston Villa have offered €60m (£51.2m) 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.”
09:39Jake Stokes
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 hadn’t signed anything for ‘the last three days’. The situation has prompted a statement from the Red Devils, which explains that professional autograph hunters are becoming a recurring problem for players.
“Unfortunately, this kind of situation has become all too common. It’s the last thing Mason deserves after being so friendly with everyone he’s encountered since joining United,” a club source said. Manchester Evening News.
“Professional autograph hunters regularly pressure United players to sign large quantities of merchandise which they then sell for hundreds of pounds. It has become a daily occurrence and a major problem in Carrington.”
08:44Jake Bayliss
Caicedo ‘committed’ to Chelsea deal
Chelsea appear to have received a crucial update in their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The 21-year-old has been at the center of a transfer saga ever since he revealed his desire to leave the Seagulls in January. At the beginning of the year, caicedo appeared to be Arsenal-bound, but the Blues have since overtaken the Gunners in the race to sign Brighton’s prize asset, who is capable of driving a hard bargain after the midfielder penned a new deal in March.
Despite the back and forth, however, it is stated that Caicedo has essentially already ‘committed’ to Chelsea. soccer.london has previously stated that Caicedo has verbally agreed personal terms with Chelseaalthough nothing is signed as it stands.
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07:59Jake Bayliss
Spurs could ‘overtake’ Chelsea for Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic is reportedly keen to leave Juventus with a move to the Premier League an option in the summer transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring in 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 pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic if Harry Kane leaves Spurs this summer.
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07:35Jake Bayliss
Chelsea ‘monitoring’ Neymar’s situation
Chelsea are reportedly considering a statement move for PSG forward Neymar.
That Daily mailhas reported, via French outlet The Parisian, that Chelsea are ‘monitoring’ Neymar’s situation as he considers his next move, even though he still has three years left on his PSG contract. The report says Neymar had ‘considered his future’ ahead of the appointment of Luis Enrique and the Blues are awaiting his decision.
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Jake Bayliss
Good morning
For all the latest Chelsea transfer news, stay with us soccer.london for regular updates throughout the day on the Blues’ moves in the summer window!