THOMAS TUCHEL has reportedly placed three players among his top attacking targets after being told he can lead Chelsea’s transfer business this summer.
Man City’s Raheem Sterling, RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku and PSG’s Ousmane Dembele are the players the German is said to be most keen on.
The Blues have also reportedly been offered Gabriel Jesus by Man City.
Meanwhile Richarlison is said to be keen on a move to Chelsea over Real Madrid, and has already ruled out joining Arsenal in private.
And talks between Romelu Lukaku and Inter are reported to have got underway, with both clubs keen to push a quick deal through.
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BREAKING – Inter make Lukaku bid
Inter Milan have made an opening bid for Romelu Lukaku today, according to reports.
The Belgian is eager to return to San Siro, just one year after his £97.5million return to Chelsea.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter offered just £4.3m to loan Lukaku back for the season.
The bid was quickly rejected by the Blues, but the striker will continue to push.
Lukaku has informed Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel that he only wants to return to Inter.
Blues urged to flog striker
Chelsea should accept £60million for Romelu Lukaku, claims talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.
The Belgian arrived from Inter Milan for £97.5m last summer, but has struggled to fit in Thomas Tuchel’s style of play.
Speaking about Lukaku’s future, Jordan said: “If they ship him out for £60million, they’ve got no loss on their balance sheet and they can go again with somebody that might actually want to be there and somebody that might actually do what they’re paid to do.
“He doesn’t really want to be there, so sell him.”
Chelsea raid Saints for goalkeeper
The Blues have signed young Southampton ace Eddie Beach, according to reports.
According to Football London, Chelsea have beaten off plenty of competition to sign the teenage goalkeeper.
Beach, 18, was a regular for the Saints’ Under-18s last season.
Chelsea in defender hunt blow
Jules Kounde is closing in on a move to Barcelona, claim Spanish paper Sport.
The Frenchman is among the Blues’ top targets to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.
Reports in Spain, however, suggest that Barcelona are in “very advanced” negotiations with Sevilla for the Frenchman.
The fee could be around £50million, with Sergino Dest moving in the other direction a possibility.
Blues striker shortlist revealed
Chelsea have compiled an attacking wishlist, with Romelu Lukaku likely to leave.
According to the Telegraph, Inter Milan have opened talks with the Blues over bringing the Belgian back to San Siro.
They add that Raheem Sterling, Ousmane Dembele and Christopher Nkunku are among their top targets.
While Manchester City ace Gabriel Jesus is claimed to have been offered their way.
Gabriel Jesus race hotting up
Arsenal remain the frontrunners in the quest to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City but face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Sky Bet make the Gunners odds-on favourites at 4/7, with Chelsea having the next shortest odds at 11/4.
Sky Bet odds
- Arsenal – 4/7
- Chelsea – 11/4
- Real Madrid – 9/1
- Tottenham – 10/1
- AC Milan – 22/1
- Juventus – 22/1
- Aston Villa – 25/1
- Atletico Madrid – 25/1
- Bayern Munich – 25/1
- Barcelona – 33/1
- Borussia Dortmund – 33/1
- Inter Milan – 33/1
- PSG – 33/1
- Roma – 33/1
Rob-bed of seeing Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski’s former agent has revealed why he believes the Polish striker has never played in the Premier League.
The 34-year-old has made it clear his desire to leave Bayern Munich this summer.
However, he looks poised for a move to Barcelona rather than any of the top English sides.
And Cezary Kucharski, who represented Lewandowski until 2018, has given his view as to why a transfer to the Premier League has never occurred.
Speaking to Sport1, he said: “I always heard Robert give a childish explanation that it rains so much in England.
“But I think the real reason was that he didn’t think he could be as efficient as in Germany. Robert was really afraid of that.”
Maat’s the matter with you?
Chelsea are in danger of losing ANOTHER defender as young prospect Ian Maatsen is reportedly being eyed up by Feyenoord.
The 20-year-old left-back made his debut for the Blues under Frank Lampard in 2019 during a 7-1 League Cup win over Grimsby.
According to Voetbal International, Feyenoord are now eyeing up the possibility of bringing him back to the club – nine years after they let him go as a youngster.
Maatsen is under contract with Chelsea – with the Blues announcing two years ago that he had penned a new deal which will run until at least the summer of 2024.
But a lack of game time could see the Holland U18s defender look elsewhere for the benefit of his career.
Prem to ditch festive fixtures
The Premier League will reportedly scrap the traditional fixtures between Boxing Day and New Year after the World Cup.
The December 28 games have been axed this year in an effort to help ease players back from the World Cup following the tournament in Qatar.
The normal fixture list for that date has been moved due to the concerns over the physical conditioning of players that will have returned to domestic duties on Boxing Day – just eight days after the final in Doha.
Telegraph Sport says that the Prem “will announce in its club fixture lists on Thursday that its festive calendar will now only include Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and Jan 2” this term.
Spurs ‘to leapfrog Blues’
Shaun Wright-Phillips fears that Chelsea could be left behind by rivals Tottenham next season.
He told Genting Casino: “I can see Chelsea getting left behind by Tottenham.
“They became so resilient towards the back end of the season and were so good on the counter attack.
“Antonio Conte is a great manager and the club seems to be opening the cheque-book for him so he’ll make things very difficult for the teams around him.”
Mounting a challenge
Mason Mount can be a future Ballon d’Or winner, claims former Blue Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: “If Chelsea were to win trophies and Mason Mount is the stand out player, there is no reason why he couldn’t win the Ballon D’Or one day.
“Mount is still a young player and is still learning to be consistent. He’s played so well and is carrying Chelsea on his shoulders and helped them get into the Champions League, but people need to remember how young he is and that he’s still got a lot to learn.
“You look at when he came back to Chelsea from his loan spell, he played well when they were under a transfer ban, the season after that, Frank Lampard got sacked, Thomas Tuchel came in and he still played well. It’s normal that he has a dip in form.
“I hope Mason stays a one-club man at Chelsea and as long as they start to win trophies again, there will be no reason why he won’t stay for his whole career.”
Ex-Chelsea star heads to Djibouti
Former Chelsea striker has joined ambitious Djibouti champs AS Arta Solar 7 in a vintage link-up with ex-Arsenal rival Alex Song.
Ivory Coast hero Kalou, 36, and Gunners’ cult star Song, 37, aim to help Arta to glory in the African equivalent of the Champions League.
The duo team up with a rich array of internationals, including one-time Cameroon keeper Idriss Carlos Kameni, Indomitable Lion defender Dany Nounkeu, Senegal frontman Diafra Sakho and Burkina Faso attacker Alain Traore.
But it’s Kalou coming together with Cameroon legend Song that will capture the imagination of African football fans.
Arta are keen to become one of the major names in football’s fastest- emerging continent.
And Kalou has signed a short-term deal after spells with Lille and Hertha BC.
Blues willing to pay Kounde clause
Chelsea and Newcastle are both reportedly willing to meet the release clause in the contract of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde but Barcelona are also interested.
Barca, due to financial difficulties, may not be able to afford the £69million it will take to buy Kounde.
Therefore, Xavi’s side are weighing up alternative options such as offering players as part of the deal.
Mundo Deportivo claim full-back Sergino Dest is one man that Barcelona would be willing to send to Sevilla to help lower the fee for the centre-back.
Kounde has also reportedly expressed his desire to play for the Catalan giants over any other team.
Chelsea ‘enter Richarlison hunt’
West Londoners have reportedly joined rivals Tottenham in the race to sign Everton ace Richarlison, according to reports.
The Brazilian helped the Toffees avoid a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League last term.
Richarlison scored ten and assisted five in the league last season, with five of his strikes coming in Everton’s final ten games.
Antonio Conte is looking to cement Spurs’ place inside the top four by starting the summer transfer window early.
The Italian is a big admirer of Richarlison, who would provide cover for both Son Heung-min and striker Harry Kane.
But according to UOL, Chelsea have also registered an interest in Richarlison.
Flop nearing Serie A return
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly closing in on a return to Inter Milan from Chelsea.
The striker has informed Blues chiefs that he has his heart set on a move back to Italy after a disastrous season at Stamford Bridge.
And the two clubs are now set for face-to-face talks as they aim to wrap up a deal as soon as possible.
Lukaku has been pining for a reunion with Inter for months after going off the boil in London.
The Belgian is ready to take a 50 per cent pay cut to force through a move.
But Inter are unable to afford a permanent deal and want Chelsea to accept a loan offer.
Fabrizio Romano claim the Blues are receptive to Lukaku’s exit, however, they want a £17m loan fee or a player in exchange – with the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Alessandro Bastoni admired by Thomas Tuchel.
A Slo burner for Tuchel
Also on the club’s radar is American starlet Gabriel Slonina with the 18-year-old establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at Chicago Fire.
However should Chelsea manage to nab the teenager, he would be sent back to the MLS club to continue his development.
Romano tweeted: “Gabriel Slonina, different deal – he’d be one for the future, staying at Chicago Fire on loan.”
It is understood that Chelsea are battling Real Madrid for his signature, with Slonina’s representative stating it is his client’s “dream” to play for Los Blancos.
Blues in for Strakosha
Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on signing goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, writes Jake Lambourne.
It has been said that boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to find a back-up for Edouard Mendy should Kepa Arrizabalga depart Stamford Bridge.
Kepa has been limited to just 11 Premier League appearances, and Tuchel confirmed last month that showdown talks are planned to take place.
It is claimed that Chelsea are pondering a move for Albania international Strakosha.
Credit: Getty The 27-year-old is set to be available as a free agent when his contract at Lazio expires at the end of the month.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Chelsea’s rivals Fulham were also in the hunt to secure his services.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are now eyeing up a swoop for Strakosha, who has appeared in 208 matches for Lazio since the 2016-17 season.
Romano tweeted: “Thomas Strakosha’s now attracting interest, available on free transfer.
“Chelsea are considering him as one of the options, but only in case Kepa will leave the club this summer.”
Time for Chelsea to look over their shoulder, says Wright-Phillips
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips reckons that Chelsea could lose their place in the top four to London rivals Tottenham.
Wright-Phillips spoke to Genting Casino about Spurs overpowering the Blues.
He said: “I can see Chelsea getting left behind by Tottenham.
“They became so resilient towards the back end of the season and were so good on the counter attack.
“Antonio Conte is a great manager and the club seems to be opening the cheque-book for him so he’ll make things very difficult for the teams around him.”
I can see Chelsea getting left behind by Tottenham
Shaun Wright-Phillips
Pace of English football too much for Lukaku, says Mikel
Former Chelsea star Mikel John Obi says Romelu Lukaku has failed to meet the intense physical demands of the Premier League.
Ex-Nigeria midfielder Mikel, 35, was a Blues team-mate of Lukaku, 29, before the Belgian left Stamford Bridge to join Everton in 2014.
Lukaku has failed to live up to the expectations which came with his £97.5million return to Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer.
When asked why Lukaku appears to now be a “square peg in a round hole” at the Blues, Mikel told Naija FM: “The league is totally different.
“The English league is too strong, too powerful, too fast, whereas the Italian league is too slow.
“The English league has too much quality. The pace of English football is way too much for the Italian league.
“In the Italian league you can play until you’re 40 years old, but in the English league you’re putting in way more work.”
Lukaku swap deal still an option
Chelsea and Inter are in talks to get a deal which is favourable for both parties.
A swap deal for striker Lautaro Martinez is still on the table.
Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports tweeted: “Lukaku will have to take a wage cut and accepts this.
“Chelsea are exploring both a traditional loan and a swap-deal.
“Inter don’t want to let Martinez go. They see his relationship and friendship with Lukaku as key.
“Chelsea sources have always distanced themselves from Martinez and say a swap-deal is just ‘one possibility'”.
Blues willing to consider Lukaku move
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly closing in on a return to Inter Milan from Chelsea, writes Anthony Chapman.
Fabrizio Romano claim the Blues are receptive to Lukaku’s exit.
However, they want a £17m loan fee or a player in exchange, with the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Alessandro Bastoni admired by Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea and Inter chiefs are now set to take the next step forward in talks by directly meeting to thrash out details.
Lukaku netted 47 league goals in just two seasons at Inter, helping them to last year’s title.
But he managed just eight Premier League strikes at Chelsea this term.
His exit means Chelsea are likely going to want a new forward this summer.
Barca switch will happen ‘soon’, says Christensen
Andreas Christensen is keen on completing his transfer from Chelsea to Barcelona in the not-too-distant future.
When asked when his switch to Barca will happen, he said: “Hopefully soon.
“I have known what I was going to do for a while. I’m just waiting for the right time. Unfortunately, it’s not entirely up to me. There are also other things that need to fall into place.
“It is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I think it is for everyone – whether they have had their problems or not, it is still one of the biggest clubs for a player to get to.”
Lewandowski ‘perfect replacement’ for Lukaku, says Wright-Phillips
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips reckons that the Blues should go all in for Robert Lewandowski if Lukaku leaves for Inter.
Rom has been closing in on a return to the San Siro and the clubs are in direct talks for a loan deal.
Should the striker be off, Wright-Phillips told Genting Casino that Lewandowski would fill in perfectly.
However, he did warn that Tuchel’s team would need to play to his strengths, something they haven’t managed with Lukaku.
He said: “Robert Lewandowski would be the perfect replacement for Romelu Lukaku if Lukaku does leave.
“No matter what team he plays in, he always scores goals.
“Chelsea would just have to make sure they play to his strengths.”
Chelsea and Inter have “direct talks” for Lukaku loan
There is reportedly “direct talks” taking place between Inter Milan and Chelsea in order to complete Romelu Lukaku’s loan move back to the San Siro.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Inter are now prepared to open direct talks with Chelsea to discuss about Romelu Lukaku and loan deal details.
“Lukaku has held discussions with Chelsea – but it’s now time for direct contact between clubs.
“Loan fee, salary and more will be discussed with Inter soon.”
Kounde deal now uncertain over injury
Jules Kounde’s dream move to Chelsea has been rocked by an injury storm.
The £70million-rated Sevilla defender underwent surgery on Tuesday on an old pelvic problem which flared up on international duty on Monday.
Kounde fears that although the op is minor it could still affect his chances of securing a big-money transfer to the Prem this summer.
And Sevilla are privately fuming that Kounde opted to play for France against Croatia in the Nations League, while carrying the knock and risking the deal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
