REAL MADRID have reportedly reach a ‘verbal agreement’ with Chelsea’s superstar defender Antonio Rudiger.
The German international is out of contract in the summer and Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will leave the club.
One man the Blues are reportedly looking at to replace the German is Leicester’s Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea are also said to be negotiating with Ajax over a potential deal for Brazilian winger Antony.
And the next owners of the Blues must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the club for a minimum of TEN years.
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
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Chelsea target Araujo signs new Barca contract
Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has agreed a new four-year contract at the club – with a ONE BILLION EUROS release clause.
The 23-year-old defender had been a target for both Manchester United and Chelsea.
Barcelona confirmed today that they had reached any agreement with the Uruguayan international to extend his stay with the club.
And it looks to be a lengthy one, with his release clause working out at a whopping £850million.
Araujo will officially put pen to paper in a ceremony on the pitch at the Nou Camp on Friday.
The centre-back joins midfielder starlet Pedri in signing a new contract this season with a one billion euros release clause.
Liverpool ‘make contact’ over Tchouameni
Liverpool have initiated contact with Monaco star and Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.
That is according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who claims that the Reds have approached Tchouameni as manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to strengthen in midfield.
Klopp is reportedly a big fan of the midfielder, who has attracted immense interest following a series of impressive performances in Ligue 1.
The France international is also open to the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old is keen to leave Monaco in the summer and the club could be willing to strike a deal, even though his contract expires in 2024.
Next five fixtures
Chelsea face top-four hopefuls Manchester United at Old Trafford NEXT.
Jorginho: We’d all miss Rudiger
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho says everyone at the club will miss Antonio Rudiger if the Germany defender’s expected move to Real Madrid happens this summer.
The Italy playmaker told Sky Sports: “He’s been here a long time so if he leaves then we’re going to miss him.
“He’s a big personality and he’s helped us a lot.
“We’ve had amazing times here and he’s a good friend of mine, and if he leaves then everyone at the club will miss him, not just me.”
Is Gvardiol right for Blues?
Could RB Leipzig prospect Josko Gvardiol be a good option in Chelsea’s defence?
The Blues experts at football.london have taken a closer look at the 20-year-old Croatia centre-back’s credentials and concluded he might be the man to fill their Antonio Rudiger-shaped hole next season.
Their report says: “It’s no wonder why [Thomas] Tuchel is a big fan. His defensive stats this season display why he is rated so highly.
“As per FBRef.com, Gvardiol ranks highly among other Bundesliga defenders when it comes to pressures applied per game with 11.78.
“That is coupled with a few other metrics such as tackles per 90 (2.07), interceptions per 90 (3.34) and successful blocks per 90 (2.07).”
Can Torres fill Rudiger’s boots?
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Villarreal centre-half Pau Torres.
And with news Blues defender Antonio Rudiger is set to join Real Madrid this summer, it seems certain the Spain star would have to fill the void left by the versatile German in the Blues backline.
The Telegraph says Torres would be the stand-out option as Rudiger’s successor, but add they are likely to face competition for his signature from Manchester United.
And, of course, any business by Chelsea in the transfer market will only be possible once sanctions are lifted following the arrival of new owners.
Lukaku costs £0.5m per shot
A new study suggests Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has cost them nearly half-a-million pound for every shot he has made this season.
A bettingodds.com report says the £15.33million Lukaku has earned so far this campaign from his £18.2m annual wage means that each of his 31 shots on goal have cost the club £494,397.
Belgium star Lukaku, who rejoined the Blues from Inter Milan last summer for a club record fee of £97.5m, has 12 goals so far this term.
Chelsea ‘missed out on Alisson’
Chelsea reportedly missed out on the chance to sign Brazil keeper Alisson fours years ago.
The Daily Telegraph says the Blues were unwilling to pay Roma’s asking price before he joined Prem rivals Liverpool for a then world-record fee of £66.8million in July 2018.
Their report points out Chelsea instead paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m a month later for shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who now regularly warms the Blues bench.
Chelsea eye Reims teen Ekitike
Chelsea and Manchester United have both joined Newcastle in the race to star Reims teenager Hugo Ekitike, according to Goal.
The France Under-20 striker, 19, is being tracked by Europe’s big hitters after bagging nine goals in in 22 Ligue 1 games.
Reims president president Jean-Pierre Caillot says they knocked back a £29million bid in the winter but admits they will sell at the right price.
Reims starlet Hugo Ekitike is said to be attracting interest from some of Europeâs biggest clubsCredit: Getty
Lukaku pay cut at Inter?
Romelu Lukaku would have to cut his annual salary in HALF to secure a move back to Inter Milan, according to Football Italia.
Chelsea’s £97.5million striker has reportedly started talks with the Serie A club about a return after leaving them last summer.
The Belgium star will still command a big fee but he might have to make his peace with a reduced salary of only £5.5m-per-year rather than his current £10-11m pay packet to return to the Nerazzurri.
Duo should go for Rudiger
Glen Johnson says Prem pacesetters Manchester City and Liverpool will be missing a trick if they do not make a move for Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany centre-half, 29, has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid when his deal with Chelsea expires at the end of the season.
Retired England and Liverpool defender Johnson, 37, told ggrecon.com: “I am a bit surprised that neither of those teams seemed to make a move for him because great players available on a free don’t come around very often.”
He added: “I think if he could get into one of Manchester City or Liverpool’s starting elevens, then I’d say Liverpool.
“I’d have liked seeing him alongside Virgil van Dijk. When he’s on song he’s fantastic, but he does have faults, so you can’t break the bank for that.”
Good morning Chelsea fans
Antonio Rudiger is on the verge of joining Real Madrid this summer.
Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed the defender will leave Chelsea on a free transfer.
And Real are now close to agreeing a lucrative four-year deal with the German.
Chelsea are already on the hunt for replacements.
And it’s reckoned Tuchel’s top choice is Jules Kounde.
Indeed, the defender has already told Sevilla he wants to leave.
But it remains to be seen if the Spaniards play ball after effectively blocking a transfer last year.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Riyad Mahrez this summer.
The Man City star is out of contract in 2023 and is a prime target for AC Milan.
Foot Mercato claims PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.
But Chelsea have emerged as prime contenders to Milan for Mahrez’s signature.
Finally, the successful bidders for Chelsea must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the football club for at least ten years.
Raine Group, the merchant bank overseeing the sale of the Blues, has contacted the three remaining parties to ask that any controlling shareholders do not sell their prospective stakes until at least 2032.
Jordan blasts ‘greedy’ Rudiger demands
Simon Jordan believes Chelsea are right to let Antonio Rudiger leave due to his ‘greedy’ demands.
Jordan told TalkSport: “Have a look at the conditions, are you looking at some of the conditions they [Rudiger and his representatives] want?
“£200k-a-week, which by the way is outrageous amounts of money.
“He wants a £10million sign on. This is madness. Greed, it’s absolute greed.
“He’s going to Real Madrid because he’s greedy, end of discussion. Good riddance.”
Terry urges final Rudiger offer
Chelsea legend John Terry has urged the club to make a final mega-money offer to Antonio Rudiger.
He wrote on social media: “Give him 300k a week then, we will have to always [spend] 80-100 million to replace him and also give that player at least 300k a week.
“And won’t know how long it will take him to settle or if he even will.”
Chelsea’s top earners this season
Romelu Lukaku is being linked with a move away from Chelsea just one year after his return.
Lukaku was re-signed by the Blues from Inter for a record £97.5million fee.
And he is also Chelsea’s top earner on £325,000-a-week wages.
Money well spent, Blues fans?
From SunSport reporter Martin Blackburn
Man City have ruled out a summer move for West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice.
That’s because Pep Guardiola is focused on signing Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
City are big fans of Rice, but they already have Rodri in his position while West Ham want upwards of £150million.
That means Chelsea and Man United are set to battle it out for the anchorman alone.
Kounde tells Sevilla he’s off
Chelsea target Jules Kounde has reportedly told Sevilla he wants to leave this summer.
The centre-back is believed to be Thomas Tuchel’s top choice to replace Antonio Rudiger.
The Mail claims Kounde has informed Sevilla chiefs he wants to join the Blues.
And he is eager to avoid a repeat of last summer’s transfer saga, where Sevilla raised Kounde’s price at the last moment to block a deal.
Chelsea join hunt for Mahrez
Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Riyad Mahrez this summer.
The Man City star is out of contract in 2023 and is a prime target for AC Milan.
Foot Mercato claims PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.
But Chelsea have emerged as prime contenders to Milan for Mahrez’s signature.
Biggest manager pay-offs in history
Chelsea boast a whopping 50 PER CENT of the top boss pay-outs ever.
Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho are among those to cash in after being axed by the Blues.
Check out the full list below!
Chilwell muscles in on Pulisic
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic found his post-match interview raided by Ben Chilwell on Sunday.
The American came off the bench to give Chelsea a late winner over West Ham.
But his talk afterwards was interrupted when Chilwell hilariously gate-crashed the chat for a hug.
Watch Chelsea star Ben Chilwell hilariously gate-crash Christian Pulisic’s TV interview after last-gasp West Ham winnerChelsea hunt for Rudiger replacement
Chelsea have confirmed Antonio Rudiger will indeed be leaving on a free transfer this summer.
But just who will the Blues sign to replace their star defender?
From THREE players based in Spain, to a big name struggling in Italy, there are plenty of stars on Thomas Tuchel’s list.
And there could even be hope for one of Chelsea’s very own Cobham products.
READ MORE HERE
Thuram available for bargain fee
Arsenal and Chelsea target Marcus Thuram could be available for as little as £10million this summer.
The Athletic claims Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to let their versatile striker leave for a bargain fee.
That’s because Thuram is out of contract in 2023 and unlikely to extend his deal.
Spurs are also thought to be keen on the France international.
Cesar Azpilicueta’s incredible silverware collection
Cesar Azpilicueta’s dwindling contract was automatically extended this month after reaching 20 Premier League appearances.
But the Blues skipper continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona.
Fellow defenders Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are already on their way out.
Can Chelsea afford to lose the man who’s won it all at Stamford Bridge?
Blues busy tracking new Zlatan
Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly braced to do battle for Inter Milan hot-shot Martin Satriano, who’s been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The 6ft 2in striker has been in rare form whilst on loan with Ligue 1 side Brest this season – netting four goals in just 12 appearances across all competitions.
The youngster made his debut for Inter this season – making three appearances before being shipped out on loan to France in the January transfer window in order to aid his development.
And Satriano’s impressive displays have caught the attention of London rivals Chelsea and Spurs who are both prowling for attacking reinforcements this summer, The Mirror claim.
The Blues are bracing themselves for the departure of Romelu Lukaku, who is eyeing return to Satriano’s parent club Inter, and are keen to make the 20-year-old part of any deal.
New owners must stay for decade
The successful bidders for Chelsea must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the football club for at least ten years.
Sky News understands that Raine Group, the merchant bank overseeing the sale of the Blues, has contacted the three remaining parties to ask that any controlling shareholders do not sell their prospective stakes until at least 2032.
The move has been designed by the New York-based bank in order to provide long-term continuity to a club that has endured two months of upheaval.
It is understood that such criteria will be incorporated into the sale contract, thus making it a legally enforceable act.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
