AMERICAN billionaire Todd Boehly has been named as the preferred bidder for Chelsea despite a last-gasp £4 billion bid from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Boehly’s team were told they had been granted a “period of exclusivity” to discuss the final terms and conditions of a takeover package.
Which has reportedly pushed Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton out of the running who had invested around £10 million along with Serena Williams – spearheaded by Sir Martin Broughton.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are eyeing a shocking summer move for out-of-form Blues attacker, Romelu Lukaku.
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
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Everton team news vs Chelsea
Frank Lampard has confirmed that Yerry Mina will return to the Everton squad ahead of their huge clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
Ben Godfrey, Donny van de Beek and Andre Gomes are unavailable.
“Yerry’s back in the squad. Yerry was more being careful with him because he’d been out for a while and played the previous game, a few days before.
“Ben’s out and will be a few weeks out. We would love to get him back before the end of the season but it will be a close call.
“Dominic’s back in the squad. He’s been training the last couple of days. Donny’s out, Donny’s not fit and nor is Andre Gomes.”
Mino Raiola’s family release statement
Super-agent Mino Raiola has died aged 54, his family have confirmed.
In a statement posted on Twitter, it was announced the Italian sadly lost his health battle.
It read: “In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing Football Agent that ever was.
“Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend out players.
“As usual, Mino made us proud and never realized it.
“Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football.
“His presence will forever be missed. Mino’s mission of making football a batter place for players will continue with the same passion.
“We thank everybody fo the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect and privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief.
“The Raiola Family.”
Chelsea team news vs Everton
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all unavailable for Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday.
“For sure, Ben Chilwell, no, and for Kova it is too early – he has not had a minute in team training so far. He will not come back.
“Callum Hudson-Odoi as well. Maybe Andreas Christensen, but let’s see after he was ill. And the same for Ross Barkley.
“Let’s wait until the day after tomorrow (Saturday) to see how they feel.”
Lazio want Loftus-Cheek
Lazio are lining up a transfer for Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports.
The Italian side are expecting star man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to leave the club this summer, meaning they’ll be in the market for a replacement.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and is enjoying arguably his best season.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri will be sorry to see him go, but could replace him with an old favourite.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Loftus-Cheek is Sarri’s dream signing.
Credit: Getty Loan star wants Chelsea chance
Chelsea star Nathan Baxter reckons he’s done enough on loan at Hull this season to be given a chance with the Blues next season.
Baxter told League of 72: “From my point of view, I believe I’m good enough to play for Chelsea and that’s still my goal.
“But if the decision is taken that it’s not going to be the route forward for me, then the [Hull] fans can tell how much I enjoy playing for this football club.
“But from my point of view, it’s all about playing games. If I’ve got to take a move elsewhere, whether on loan or permanent, my priority is going to be where I’m going to play every week.”
Super agent Mino Raiola dead
Mino Raiola has died aged 54, his family confirmed.
In a statement posted on Twitter, it was announced the Italian sadly lost his health battle.
Cassano’s shocking Lukaku admission
Ex-Inter Milan star Antonio Cassano has declared he will boycott Barcelona games if they ever sign Romelu Lukaku.
Cassano told Bobo TV: “He can’t play three passes with Chelsea where he has no competition, at Barcelona they play 55 passes before going for goal, how could he do it?
“I’m in love with Barca’s philosophy, but if they sign Lukaku I won’t watch a game anymore.”
Tuchel on Lampard’s Chelsea appointment
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he was happy to see predecessor Frank Lampard take over at Chelsea.
Tuchel explained that Lampard’s presence at Stamford Bridge where he played as a midfielder was like when Pep Guardiola took over at old club Barcelona, and when new Blaugrana head coach Xavi did the same earlier this season.
Tuchel said to Chelsea TV: “I was happy to see a legend like him on the sidelines for his club.
“I think this was a very nice story which football also needs; like Pep [Guardiola] and Barcelona, and now Xavi [Hernandez] — I like this kind of stories.
Havertz’ favourite position
Kai Havertz has revealed where he enjoys playing the most.
The versatile attacker has played in a number of positions over the years.
But if given the choice, he’d like to play in the No.9 slot for the Blues, which is where he plays for Germany.
Havertz said: “I played a lot of positions in the last couple of years, now it is no. 9. I play there in the national team.
“I guess it’s a good position for me, I like to play there as well.”
Schurr thing boss
Andre Schurrle has revealed why former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho let him leave Stamford Bridge.
“I had quite good stats, important goals and confidence from the manager too.
“It was amazing but the second year it was just very difficult. I had bad salmonella, got really weak and coming back never got the chance to prove myself.
“That was when I got the opportunity to go back to Germany and he let me go.”
Ruben Loftus-Cheek interest
Lazio are lining up a transfer for Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports.
The Italian side are expecting star man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to leave the club this summer, meaning they’ll be in the market for a replacement.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and is enjoying arguably his best season.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri will be sorry to see him go, but could replace him with an old favourite.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Loftus-Cheek is Sarri’s dream signing.
Schurrle’s chicken dilemma
Andre Schurrle once revealed he chickened out of Chelsea and the Premier League.
Speaking back in 2018, Schurrle said: “It was a bit of chicken and I’ve never eaten chicken since.
“It was only me. It was an away game in Poland.
“You see how skinny I am so to lose three, four, five kilos it took me a really long time to get my strength back.
“I was being sick and really feeling like I can’t get out of bed. We found out it was salmonella.”
Rudiger ‘didn’t love Chelsea’
Antonio Rudiger had no love for Chelsea which is why he’s chosen to leave the club.
That’s the view of ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson.
Merson said: “Antonio Rudiger is the one player Chelsea couldn’t afford to lose, but he clearly didn’t love the club enough to stay.
“He is risking the wrath of the fans now because he is turning down a lot of money and leaving them in the lurch, but let’s be honest: it’s been on the cards for a long, long time.”
Tuchel wants to meet Lampard
Thomas Tuchel has revealed he’s looking forward to meeting Frank Lampard when they meet this weekend.
The Blues take on Lampard’s Everton side at Goodison Park, and Tuchel can’t wait to bump into the Chelsea legend.
Tuchel said: “(Frank) sent me a very kind, respectful message after I took over at Chelsea that meant a lot.
“I was a huge fan of him as a player and he is and will remain a legend at our club and this is a given.
“It is a very exciting week for me, I would love to meet him. We need the points, they need the points urgently as well.”
Hav some of that
Kai Havertz has admitted that he admires rival Man City star Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne’s been in great form for City as they push for the Prem title and Champions League trophy.
And Havertz is one of De Bruyne’s many peers that have been in awe of the Belgian.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, Havertz revealed when discussing his favourite Prem players: “The brain, I would say, De Bruyne maybe. He is a very good player for me.
“I love to watch him play. He is very good.”
Good morning Blues fans
LA Dodgers boss Todd Boehly is set to win the battle to own Chelsea – despite a last-gasp bid by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That’s because Boehly’s group has ALREADY been given preferred status by Roman Abramovich’s brokers, the US-based Raine Group,
Boehly’s team were told they had been granted a “period of exclusivity” to discuss the final terms and conditions of a takeover package.
And there are no suggestions that Raine are willing to entertain such a rapid change of course, with Ratcliffe simply too late to the party.
The British billionaire approached Raine this morning and submitted an offer in the area of £4billion.
The owner of petrochemicals giant, Ineos, met with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck on Thursday to discuss the possibility of a bid for consideration.
Ratcliffe told The Times: “We put an offer in this morning.
“We are the only British bid. Our motives are simply to try and create a very fine club in London. We have no profit motive because we make our money in other ways.”.
Ratcliffe, a season ticket holder at Stamford Bridge, wishes to use £1.75bn of his offer in order to upgrade the team and stadium.
But Boehly’s bid now looks set to be the successful one.
Elsewhere, Anton Ferdinand has urged West Ham to raid Chelsea for Armando Broja.
He exclusively told SunSport: “I’d like us to go and get Broja, who’s at Southampton on loan from Chelsea.
“He’s exciting. He can finish. He’s a powerful young man.
“Not the same but similar to Antonio in terms of his presence and strength.
“He’s willing to run and occupy two centre-backs and for me personally, he’s somebody that West Ham should look to go and get.”
Cesar Azpilicueta’s incredible trophy haul
Cesar Azpilicueta looks set to stay for another season at Chelsea.
During his incredible Stamford Bridge career, the Spaniard has won EVERY club trophy available.
Who is preferred bidder Boehly?
Todd Boehly is an American mogul who is in pole position to take over Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
He is believed to be Raine Group’s preferred bidder, despite a late offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
But just who is sports investor and billionaire Boehly?
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Barcelona line up Lukaku deal
Barcelona are reportedly targeting a summer deal for Romelu Lukaku.
Marca claims the Belgian tops Xavi’s list after the Spaniard was priced out of a move for Erling Haaland.
Chelsea are open to selling Lukaku after his disastrous return.
And Barcelona could now be set to hand the striker a much-needed reprieve.
Exclusive by SunSport’s Joshua Mbu
Anton Ferdinand has urged West Ham to raid Chelsea for Armando Broja.
He said: “I’d like us to go and get Broja, who’s at Southampton on loan from Chelsea.
“He’s exciting. He can finish. He’s a powerful young man.
“Not the same but similar to Antonio in terms of his presence and strength.
“He’s willing to run and occupy two centre-backs and for me personally, he’s somebody that West Ham should look to go and get.”
Chelsea predicted XI vs Everton
Chelsea could be unchanged when they face Everton this weekend.
The Blues put in a good performance against Man Utd, despite drawing the game 1-1.
And with no fresh injury blows, Thomas Tuchel could keep things exactly as is.
Is this how the Blues will line up against Everton?
Exclusive by SunSport’s Joshua Mbu
Anton Ferdinand has warned Chelsea target and West Ham star Declan Rice off a move to Man Utd.
He said: “Man Utd isn’t the place to go right now. They’re going through a massive transitional period.
“For me personally, if I’m Rice, Man Utd is not a place that I’d be going. I’d wait a few years and see what Ten Hag does.
“What’s the point in leaving West Ham to go somewhere you’re not even challenging for a title.”
Boehly is Chelsea’s preferred bidder
LA Dodgers boss Todd Boehly is set to win the battle to own Chelsea – despite a last-gasp bid by Jim Ratcliffe.
That’s because Boehly’s group has ALREADY been given preferred status by Roman Abramovich’s brokers, the US-based Raine Group,
Boehly’s team were told they had been granted a “period of exclusivity” to discuss the final terms and conditions of a takeover package.
And there are no suggestions that Raine are willing to entertain such a rapid change of course, with Ratcliffe simply too late to the party.
Hamilton ‘to drop Chelsea bid’
Lewis Hamilton may be out of the running for Chelsea’s takeover just a week after joining the fray.
Formula One great Hamilton and tennis legend Serena Williams invested around £10million each into a bid spearheaded by Sir Martin Broughton to buy the Blues.
The Telegraph claims that Broughton may be “out of the running” from the ongoing bidding war after Jim Ratcliffe’s late £4.25bn offer.
That means the Mercedes superstar, who previously admitted he was bullied into supporting Arsenal, would also out of the equation.
Bakayoko heading back to Bridge
Chelsea are set to find themselves stuck with Tiemoue Bakayoko again.
That’s because AC Milan will reportedly terminate his loan deal this summer – a YEAR early.
Nicolo Schira claims Stefano Pioli has stopped picking Bakayoko to avoid triggering a £12.5million permanent deal clause.
And the Frenchman is so far down the pecking order that Milan would rather boot him out of the San Siro altogether than keep him until 2023.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
