TODD BOEHLY has SIGNED a purchase agreement to complete the Chelsea takeover according to reports.
The American billionaire was pictured at Stamford Bridge on Friday and will now be put forward for Government and Premier League approval.
Meanwhile, the Blues have been left frustrated that the sanctions placed on the club have restricted their transfer pursuit of Erling Haaland.
But it reportedly hasn’t stopped Chelsea from setting their sights on Torino defender Gleison Bremer.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
Cobham academy products
Chelsea academy products ran wild against Wolves under Frank Lampard.
Tuchel on Pulisic
Thomas Tuchel has insisted there is NO problems between him and Christian Pulisic, despite the players’ father’s comments.
The German said: “I’m not concerned if a father does not say a player does love me or not!
“Every manager we have our reasons to choose a line-up and have our reasons to go for players in the first eleven.
“You will never see in this kind of level of competition happy faces from players that are not selected.
“Between Christian and me exists zero problems. He had a fantastic training week so far, he is in some matches a huge impact from the bench.”
Premier League winners
Will Chelsea win a Premier League title in the next decade?
Exclusive: West Ham eye Broja
West Ham are planning a move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja this summer following his loan spell at Southampton.
The Hammers are in desperate need of a centre-forward and explored a deal for Broja, 20, during the January window but could not make it happen.
David Moyes and his players have been impressed by the Albanian ace during his three appearances against them this season.
Broja tormented the West Ham defenders in both Premier League games this season and scored a stunning solo goal as the Saints knocked Moyes’ side out of the FA Cup in March.
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have also registered an interest in the past.
Blues eye Torino defender
Chelsea are keeping an eye on Torino star Gleison Bremer, according to reports.
The Blues will need to potentially replace THREE central defenders this summer.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are set to leave for FREE with their contracts up.
And club captain Cesar Azpilicueta could also be on the way out, despite penning a year extension.
According to Football.london, Torino’s Bremer is one of the defenders Chelsea could look at.
The 25-year-old Brazilian is ready to take the next step in his career.
Chelsea ‘frustrated in Haaland transfer race’
Chelsea have been left frustrated that the sanctions placed on the club have restricted their transfer pursuit of Erling Haaland.
The Blues were hit when owner Roman Abramovich was identified to have ties with Russia President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.
Although the club were granted a special licence to continue their fixtures, they are unable to sign any players until a takeover is completed.
Now ESPN claim that a Chelsea source has revealed to them their anger and frustration that those sanctions have squandered their attempt to land Haaland.
And the 21-year-old now seems set to join Manchester City.
Tuchel on opponents Wolves
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has spoken on Saturday’s opponents Wolves.
Premier League managers’ salaries revealed
ARSENAL have awarded Mikel Arteta a lucrative £8.3million a year deal to keep him at the club.
But it only makes him the FIFTH highest earning Premier League manager.
SunSport exclusively revealed in February that Arsenal were preparing to hand Arteta the same salary Arsene Wenger was on during his final year at the Emirates.
They have now done so – but his new annual wage of £8.3m is still less than HALF of old pal Pep Guardiola’s pay packet.
The Manchester City boss rakes in £19m a year – but is repaying the club in the form of Premier League titles.
The Spaniard is on course to secure City a fourth league in five seasons – although Liverpool are hot on their heels.
Lukaku top earner
Summer flop Romelu Lukaku is Arsenal’s top earner.
Rice faces three-match European ban
Declan Rice faces a three-match European ban after his X-rated tunnel rant at a referee.
And that spells bad news for Chelsea and Manchester United, who are both chasing the England midfielder this summer.
West Ham star Rice, 23, blasted Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzan after last night’s Europa League semi-final defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sensational footage captured Rice losing his head in the tunnel after a game which saw Aaron Cresswell and David Moyes receive red cards.
Rice shouted at the official: “Ref! Ref! it is so poor. All night, it is so bad. How can you be that bad? Honestly.
“You’ve probably been f***ing paid. F***ing corruption.”
How Chelsea could line up against Wolves
Recent results for Chelsea mean the Blues are starting to look over their shoulders a tad nervously.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have just a five point cushion over fifth-placed Tottenham after two wins in their last six Premier League games.
A win on Saturday against Wolves though would help settle some nerves.
Bruno Lage’s side are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on a torrid run of form of their own – losing four out of their last five games.
Chelsea though are set to be without two key midfielders for the 3pm kick-off.
Tuchel confirmed today that both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are sidelined for the clash through injury.
Abramovich transfer history
As Todd Boehly closes in on a Chelsea takeover, let’s look at Abramovich’s spending numbers.
Tuchel on Chelsea new owners
Thomas Tuchel has given his opinion on the Chelsea ownership situation.
He said: “I’ve been told last week that we have a preferred bidder and things are going forward.
“It’s a pretty important week for the club, but I was fully focused on the pitch. But after what I heard last week, I’m confident.
“Clearance is always the best, because when the situation is clear you can take actions, make judgements, take actions.
“Otherwise you’re in a passive role, and this is what we are right now.”
Tuchel on Pulisic drama
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he and Christian Pusilic have no problems after the star’s dad make cryptic comments about his future.
Tuchel said in response: “I am not concerned if the player’s father says he does not love me [on Twitter].
“As ever, we have our reasons to choose our line up and at this level you will never see happy faces when not selected.
“Between me & Christian, we have zero problems.”
Tuchel’s Rudiger problem
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that it’s going to be difficult to replace Antonio Rudiger.
That’s because of the sanctions imposed on Chelsea, Tuchel moaned.
But he also admitted that finding Rudiger’s replacement will be difficult even when the ban is lifted.
He said: “”At the moment, it is not possible [to replace him] because of the sanctions.
“And even when the sanctions are in the past, it will still be incredibly difficult to do so.”
Declan Rice tipped for transfer
Declan Rice will leave West Ham for Chelsea or Man United this summer.
That’s the view of Stan Collymore who told CaughtOffside: “West Ham, unfortunately, crashed out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage on Thursday evening after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs.
“Should the club fail to qualify for either of Europe’s two biggest competitions next season, I wonder what this could mean for their best players. Could the Hammers lose significant first-team players this summer?
“Well, Declan Rice is the obvious one. Manchester United and Chelsea and I think even the Spanish giants have been talked about in the press, so the clear answer is yes.”
It Kan happen
Paul Merson thinks Chelsea might cash in on N’Golo Kante if they can get up to £80m for the midfielder.
He said: “Kante’s situation is an interesting one, and I think Chelsea might cash in on him if they get a sizable bid of around £70-80 million for him this summer.
“With the way he plays, it’s hard to hit the heights every year in the Premier League, but it goes without saying that he has been a bit underwhelming this season.”
Chelsea get Wolves boost
Chelsea have been given a huge boost ahead of their game against Wolves this weekend.
That’s because Wolves boss Bruno Lage will be missing from the club’s dugout.
It’s been reported that Lage has been struck with Covid.
Rice’s ref rant
Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice is facing a three-game Uefa ban after he explosively accused officials of taking bribes after West Ham’s defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Aaron Cresswell was sent off and boss David Moyes dismissed to the stands as their European dreams came to an end.
And afterwards their star midfielder exploded at the match official inside the tunnel and now looks set to face Uefa action.
Tunnel cam footage has now emerged from after the clash, and it shows the furious Rice confronting the Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzan outside the changing-rooms.
The England ace blasts: “Ref! Ref! it is so poor. All night, it is so bad. How can you be that bad? Honestly.
He then turned to walk away and added: “You’ve probably been f***ing paid. F***ing corruption.”
Merson fears for Chelsea
Paul Merson fears for Chelsea’s defence when Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave this summer.
He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea need bodies at the back.
“Antonio Rudiger’s gone on a free, Andreas Christensen’s going to go too, they’ve got Thiago Silva who’s outstanding, and they’ve got two kids in Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah who are very talented, but it’s going to be hard to play them week-in, week-out.
“Rudiger will be a massive loss, I can’t express how big that’s going to be. If they played a four at the back, he wouldn’t be missed.”
Abramovich’s ‘anti-Glazer’ request
Roman Abramovich is demanding Chelsea’s new owners commit to not copying the Glazer Manchester United model, MARTIN LIPTON WRITES.
As part of the detailed discussions with the “preferred bidder” consortium headed by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, Abramovich is insisting on stringent conditions.
The Russian’s appointed brokers, the US-based Raine Group, have told Boehly that he must promise not to pay out dividends or take any management fees for a decade after the completion of the deal.
That would prevent Boehly from echoing the approach of the Glazers since their 2005 United takeover – and which has sparked consistent and growing protests from fans.
Boehly, backed by US venture capital investors Clearlake, is closing in on his £4bn takeover despite the late bid by Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group.
But Boehly will have to agree to Abramovich’s conditions before final approval – including limits on future debt levels and a commitment to spending £1bn on Stamford Bridge, the academy and the club’s highly-successful women’s team.
On your Marc
Marcos Alonso reportedly wants to quit Chelsea this summer and return to Spain.
The Blues are already set to lose defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in June.
The duo have both snubbed new deals and will depart Stamford Bridge for nothing, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keen on the pair.
Now left wing-back Alonso, 31, allegedly wants to leave West London also.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims the veteran has made securing an exit from Chelsea a priority.
He states that Barcelona are keen on Alonso, despite the fact that he came through the ranks at their fierce rivals Madrid, and that the star has his heart set on a return to his homeland.
Back in the Blues’ Palm
Chelsea will welcome Emerson Palmieri back from Lyon this summer.
Palmieri’s been on loan with the French side this season, but will head back to Stamford Bridge when the season ends, according to Fabrizio Romano.
But several clubs including Juventus are keeping tabs on the defender, it’s also claimed.
Declan Rice on future goals
Declan Rice has dropped a huge hint about his future after West Ham were dumped out of Europe.
Rice couldn’t help the Hammers get into the Europa League final.
But the England ace admitted that he still wants more in his career.
He said: “I am young, I want more. The lads want more. This club deserves more.
“We have shown as a club we can do these big European nights.”
Cesc pays Raiola respects
Ex-Chelsea star Cesc Fabregras was among the host of stars who came out to pay respects at Mino Raiola’s funeral.
Raiola, who had lived in the Principality for a number of years, died on Saturday following a battle with illness aged 54.
He initially spent time in hospital at the beginning of the year and underwent very delicate surgery in January.
His passing shocked the football world, and many of the players that he represented throughout his career travelled to Monaco to honour him at a private ceremony held for family and close friends at the Saint-Charles church.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
