CHELSEA have reportedly launched a fresh bid for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, as their search for a centre-back goes on.
The Blues are also keen on signing Raheem Sterling in a £60m deal, SunSport can reveal.
The club’s new American owners are keen to make the Man City star the marquee signing of their new era.
However, Sterling would like assurances that he will be a key player and not be placed on the bench by Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be in advance talks with Jules Kounde, with a £56m fee believed to be enough to prize Sevilla’s hand.
The Blues reportedly have a defensive shortlist consisting of the Frenchman, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe.
Elsewhere SunSport can also reveal that Richarlison has told Everton he wants to leave but only for a team in the Champions League next season.
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Chelsea quoted £60m for Skriniar
Inter Milan have reportedly slapped a £60million price tag on defender Milan Skriniar.
Chelsea are in the market for at least one centre-back this summer after Antonio Rudiger and Andrwas Christensen both quit the club.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, both Chelsea and Tottenham are interested in the 27-year-old.
Skriniar, who is out of contract at San Siro next year, is also understood to be a target for Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s claimed Les Parisiens have already had an offer worth £43m rebuffed, while Chelsea and Tottenham are yet to table proposals of their own.
Three academy stars released
Chelsea have confirmed today that three academy stars will leave the club this summer.
George McEachran, Thierno Ballo and Karlo Ziger will all depart when their deals expire at the end of the month.
They join Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Danny Drinkwater, Charly Musonda and Jake Clarke-Salter in bidding farewell to the Blues.
Silva “sending texts” to Kimpembe
Thiago Silva has reportedly been sending texts to Presnel Kimpembe in a bid to get the defender to join Chelsea.
According to France Football journalist Olivier Bossard, Silva has been in contact with his old Paris Saint-Germain teammate.
The veteran defender wants Kimpembe, 26, to join Thomas Tuchel’s project at Stamford Bridge.
French international Kimpembe is one of a number of big name centre-backs linked with the Blues.
Reinforcements in that position are expected following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s respective departures.
Jules Kounde is a top target, while Matthijs de Ligt has also been mentioned, as well as Kimpembe.
Credit: AFP – Getty
Simon Jordan: Sterling NOT world class
Raheem Sterling could be on his way to Chelsea this summer as Todd Boehly kickstarts his reign at Stamford Bridge.
But talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan DOESN’T think Sterling fits into the world class category of player.
The 27-year-old has scored 131 goals in 339 games for City, winning the Premier League four times.
But Jordan said on talkSPORT: “I don’t think he’s a world class player. I think he’s a very good player, otherwise he wouldn’t play for his country.
“I think he’s a good player. I don’t think he’s anywhere near as good as people somehow advance him to be.”
Credit: AP In case you missed it…
SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Chelsea want to sign Raheem Sterling — but the Blues need to prove they will match his ambitions.
The Manchester City star, 27, has been identified as a marquee signing for Chelsea’s new owners after their £4.25billion takeover.
Sterling is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is open to all options — but wants to play regularly in the countdown to the winter World Cup.
The winger does not want to sit on the bench and is eager to still be competing for trophies, if he is to leave champions City.
Read more HERE.
Blues in Koulibaly bid
Reports in Italy claim Chelsea have launched a bid for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
According to newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Blues have offered the 30-year-old personal terms worth £8.5m-a-year.
That works out at just over £160k-a-week.
Napoli though are claimed to be demanding £34m for their star centre-back.
But the Serie A outfit could be forced into a sale this summer with just 12 months left to run on Koulibaly’s current contract.
Barcelona are also understood to be interested in a swoop for the Senegalese international.
Credit: AFP Hayes shuts down EFL rumours
Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes has shrugged off rumours linking her to a role in the EFL with a men’s team.
Hayes led Chelsea to a WSL and FA Cup double last season.
But speaking on the links with a job in the football league, Hayes told Sky Sports: “That happens every week. I can’t comment on different rumours that keep coming out every week.
“I’m committed to what I’m doing at Chelsea and my focus is having a break and getting ready for the pre-season when it comes around.”
Blues planning busy summer
Chelsea chief Petr Cech has revealed he is expecting a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge.
New owner Todd Boehly is set to back Thomas Tuchel with the funds to try and compete with Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
Multiple signings could be on the cards, with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde strongly linked with a switch to the Premier League.
When asked by Sky Sports if it’s set to be a busy summer, Cech said: “Yeah it will be, of course we plan, we prepare and we try to be as strong as we can next season.”
Rich pickings for Everton ace
Chelsea are prepared to pay £64million to sign Everton star Richarlison, according to Fichajes.
But the Blues face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.
PSG are also claimed to be willing to pay £64m to secure his services.
Richarlison has been linked with a Goodison exit after helping fire the Toffees to Premier League safety last season.
SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that the striker has told Everton he wants to leave the club this summer.
Credit: AFP
Bakayoko set for Chelsea return
Chelsea forgotten man Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The flop midfielder joined AC Milan on a two-year loan last summer.
But, according to Sky in Italy, he will have his stay in Italy cut short and return to the Blues.
The 27-year-old played 18 times for the Serie A champions, although the majority of his appearances came from the bench.
Blues youngster pens new deal
Chelsea prospect Xavier Simons has agreed a new contract at Stamford Bridge, according to football.london.
The 19-year-old’s current deal had been due to expire this summer.
Simons made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Brentford in December.
And the midfielder was thought to be a target for a number of Prem teams if he had left Stamford Bridge.
Simons was not included on the list of players confirmed to be leaving Chelsea today.
Credit: AFP Kounde keen on Sevilla exit
Sevilla general director Jose Maria Cruz de Andres has confirmed Chelsea target Jules Kounde wants to leave the club to play in a “more competitive team”.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the French defender is desperate to sign for the Blues this summer.
And De Andres told Sport Witness: “Again, the player, I am sure, respects Sevilla FC. He is happy with us. In the case of Kounde, it is not a matter of money.
“It’s a matter of him wanting to play in a more competitive team than Sevilla FC.
“I am sure he is a player that is attractive for teams like Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and these types of teams.
“He wants to play in a more competitive team.”
Ruben happy to stay
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is reportedly happy to stay at Chelsea next season, despite not starting games week in, week out.
The Academy product is happy with his role under boss Thomas Tuchel, according to football.london.
A number of Serie A clubs have been said to hold an interest in the 26-year-old midfielder.
But any switch to Italy would require Loftus-Cheek to take a hefty pay-cut to his current £150,00-a-week deal.
Credit: Alamy Blues bid farewell to Andreas Christensen
Chelsea have confirmed defender Andreas Christensen has left the club, along with three other players.
The Blues have confirmed their retained list at the end of the season.
Also leaving are Danny Drinkwater and Charly Musonda.
Jake Clarke-Salter is also set to depart, with the defender thought to be set to join a Championship club on a free transfer.
Elsewhere it has already been confirmed that Antonio Rudiger will be joining Real Madrid.
Rudiger: Grealish will star at World Cup
Antonio Rudiger has praised Jack Grealish after the Manchester City forward after coming off the bench in England’s 1-1 draw against Germany.
And the defender has talked up England’s chances of glory at this year’s World Cup.
Rudiger said: “Grealish gave the team a real impact. He is a very dangerous player and those sort of players are going to win you games.
“The England squad has great quality. [Bukayo] Saka comes out, Grealish comes in.
“I saw a lot of big, big names were on the bench. England have a lot to be optimistic about for the future.”
He added: “Players like [Marcus] Rashford and [Jadon] Sancho didn’t even make the squad. You have a lot of depth and you have big players like Harry Kane, [Raheem] Sterling and Grealish.”
Azpilicueta set for talks on future
Cesar Azpilicueta is set to hold talks with Chelsea next week over his future, writes ANDREW DILLON.
The club captain wants to leave but does not want to submit a transfer request out of respect to the club he has served for ten years.
Barcelona are keen to sign the veteran right back but are reluctant to pay a transfer fee even though the player has 12 months left on his contract.
Boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Chelsea’s longest serving player could be allowed to leave for nothing as a reward for his loyalty and key part in bringing huge success to the club.
Merson: Lukaku’s a bargain Belgian
Paul Merson believes Arsenal are the perfect club to rescue Romelu Lukaku from his Chelsea nightmare.
And the former Gunners star reckons his old team could land the Belgian for a cut-price fee.
“Arsenal should make a cheeky £60m bid for Romelu Lukaku this summer,” Merson said in his column for the Daily Mirror.
“Because if Chelsea are so desperate to let him go that they’re talking about loaning him to Inter Milan, surely they would take the money!
“I know he hasn’t scored a lot of goals this season but Lukaku is an elite goalscorer. Arsenal play great football up to the edge of the box but then it often fizzles out.
“Arsenal go through the lines. They want their striker on the edge of the box. It would suit him.”
Lukaku scored just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances last season following his £97.5m move back to Stamford Bridge.
Kounde wants to be ‘competitive’
Jules Kounde hopes he will be competing for major trophies once he completes his move from Sevilla to Chelsea.
The 23-year-old centre-back is in advanced talks with the Stamford Bridge club about a transfer, and his current club’s chief executive has been explaining why a deal will be done.
Jose Maria Cruz told Sports Witness: “The case with Jules Kounde is very similar to the case of Diego Carlos.
“We have rejected [previous offers] because we thought that this player can improve his performances. It was better to wait because the market at the time was depressing. We thought that waiting a while would [help us] obtain more money.
“In the case of Kounde, it is not a matter of money. It’s a matter of him wanting to play in a more competitive team than Sevilla.
“I am sure he is a player that is attractive for teams like Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and these types of teams. He wants to play in a more competitive team.”
Big Blues offer for Koulibaly
Chelsea hope to tempt Kalidou Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge with a whopping €10m-per-year offer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Napoli centre-back has previously spoken about his desire to finish his player career with the Italian club, but may be enticed by the contract tabled by the Premier League outfit.
However, any deal would have to be financially beneficial to Napoli too, and the Serie A side are holding out for a transfer deal in the region of €40m.
The 30-year-old Senegalese international has made more than 300 appearances in eight years with the Naples club.
Kante available for reduced fee
Manchester United are hoping to land Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante at a knocked-down price this summer.
The Red Devils have been tracking the status of the French international, and plan to take advantage of the fact that only one year remains on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel hopes to keep hold of his midfielder, but there are concerns within the club over his injury record.
The Blues boss had previously said: “I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch.
“He plays only 40% of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.”
Breaking: Blues bag Buchanan
The men’s team may be struggling to get new signings over the line, but Chelsea Women have had no such difficulties.
The ladies have this morning confirmed the signing of five-time Champions League winner Kadeisha Buchanan.
The centre-back joins on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at Lyon, and will take the number 26 shirt so famously associated with John Terry at Stamford Bridge.
Blues consider alternative to Rice
England star Declan Rice remains one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets this summer, but the Blues are considering alternatives if West Ham refuse to do business.
The Hammers have slapped a £150m asking price on their main midfielder with the Stamford Bridge outfit so far proving reluctant to offer in excess of £75m.
And now the Blues are threatening to look elsewhere.
According to football.london, Chelsea scouts have been watching RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer for some time, and believe the 25-year-old could excel in England.
However, they face competition from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who had been preparing to pounce for Laimer following the expiry of his current contract.
Morning Chelsea fans
SunSport have exclusively revealed how Chelsea are keen to sign Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.
The England international is understood to be considering his future with the player to become a free agent in 2023.
With Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to compete for a place in the starting XI, there is a fear that Sterling could be dropped to the bench.
And the Blues would be willing to bring him to Stamford Bridge following their takeover.
In other news, Ousmane Dembele has reportedly decided to join Chelsea over PSG this summer.
The Barcelona winger will leave the Catalan giants when his contract expires in a matter of weeks.
The chance to work with Thomas Tuchel again, as he did at Borussia Dortmund, has proved to be a big factor in his choice, claim the Mirror.
Meanwhile, transfer guru Christian Falk has revealed Chelsea are targeting three centre-backs.
Commenting on the Blues’ targets, Falk tweeted: “Chelsea have on their list for new defenders.
“Presnel Kimpembe, Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde.”
And finally, Chelsea’s forgotten man Baba Rahman is wanted by a host of clubs this summer with Middlesbrough and Reading leading the chase.
According to Ghanasoccernet.com, the two clubs are keeping tabs on the player.
And another of Rahman’s former employers, Augsburg, are also reportedly in the chase to try and secure his signature.
Chelsea in for Raheem Sterling
EXCLUSIVE – Chelsea want Raheem Sterling — but they need to prove they will match his ambitions.
The Manchester City star, 27, has been identified as a marquee signing for Chelsea’s new owners after their £4.25billion takeover.
Sterling is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is open to all options — but wants to play regularly in the countdown to the winter World Cup.
The winger does not want to sit on the bench and is eager to still be competing for trophies, if he is to leave champions City.
Despite starting 32 games in all competitions last term he was left out of both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and the decisive last game of the season against Aston Villa.
The imminent arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez will make competition for forward places even tougher.
Read more HERE.
Rich pickings for Arsenal
Arsenal will reportedly turn to Chelsea target Richarlison if they miss out on Gabriel Jesus.
It has been claimed that the Everton ace would welcome a move to the Blues should he depart Goodison Park.
But according to TeamTalk’s Graeme Bailey, the Gunners could look to tempt Richarlison into an Emirates switch.
Speaking on the ‘Talking Transfers’ podcast about Arsenal’s pursuit of Jesus, he said: “I think there are legs in this one yet.
“Arsenal are trying, there’s a chance, but I’d keep an eye on other players such as Richarlison – a player we know Arsenal like and have liked for a long time.
“His people are close to Edu (Gaspar), so I think he’s a player whose name will come up again and he may end up being more likely than Jesus.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
