CHELSEA are nearing a completion of their Todd Boehly takeover as the government is expected to approve the deal within the next 24 hours according to reports.
The government have received legal guarantees that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich will not benefit from the sale.
Which means that the £4.25 billion deal can finally be approved in the as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Jorginho could be heading to Juventus but the Italian giants are refusing to ‘spend big’ to land their target.
And Barcelona’s chief has given a clear indication on the future of Ousmane Dembele who is heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the Stamford Bridge…
Alonso to go
Chelsea star Marcos Alonso is set to be the fourth defender to quit this summer.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta has reportedly worked out a two-year deal with Real’s rivals Barcelona.
And Andreas Christensen is also on his way to the Nou Camp after agreeing a five-year contract with the Blaugrana.
Alonso is about to follow his defensive compatriots to Spain to shore up a new-look defence for Barca.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims the LaLiga titans are in advanced talks with the 31-year-old.
Giroud and Tomori star in Serie A win
Milan’s 3-0 win at Sassuolo on Sunday saw them win their first title in 11 years.
Top scorer and former Blue Giroud and ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori again shone as Stefano Pioli’s men ended one of the longest barren spells in the club’s history.
AC went 15 games unbeaten after losing to Spezia on January 17.
And most incredibly, they let in just six goals during that title-turning run.
Giroud, Tomori and team-mates received their trophy on Sunday in jubilant scenes of celebration.
Tuch and go
Chelsea manager revealed he has a unique relationship with Blues’ supporters.
Tuchel said: “It’s so nice to have this bond with the fans. I was not famous for that in my last clubs. I don’t know why it’s suddenly like this, but I’m very happy about it.
“This game is a different game with fans, we always said it. It’s a different game.
“If the stadium is empty, half empty or full, we need full stadiums, this makes the game exciting, emotional.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES “This creates something you can’t find without them. We are doing this for entertainment, for making our fans happy.
“We are responsible for the spark, energy, and we want to provide a level of energy that they can feel it.
“If you go to the stadium you [want to] feel this team giving everything, playing as a group of friends, not only just employees.
“That’s the challenge. Once we do this the fans are happy and they feel it. This is where we want to continue”
James on Boehly
Chelsea star Reece James has insisted that the club’s levels of ambition will not change under incoming owner Todd Boehly.
James told the club’s official website: “It’s been a strange moment for the club with the change in owners.
“It’s going to be different moving forward. The ambition is still going to be the same.
“We’re a massive club in the world and our aim is to win every trophy we can”
Jul in the crown
Sevilla star Jules Kounde is edging closer to signing for Chelsea after agreeing personal terms over a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Transfer guru Andreas Korssund has claimed that Kunde has agreed personal terms with the Blues, who are ready to meet the Andalusians’ £59million asking price.
Korssung tweeted: “Jules Kounde is closing in on a move to Chelsea.
“The Blues will conclude talks with Sevilla as soon as Boehly’s takeover is complete and they are ready to pay the required fee.
“Personal terms have already been agreed and the Frenchman is only waiting for Chelsea”
Darwin Nunez blow
Chelsea have been dealt with a transfer blow amid their reported interest in Benfica star Darwin Nunez.
That is because Real Madrid have joined the transfer war to land Nunez in the summer transfer window.
According to Record, the LaLiga champions have identified the striker as a potential target after they missed out on Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
The Uruguay international has stood out this season with a whopping 34 goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
He has also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United
New John Terry
Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill has been enjoying an excellent season while on loan at Huddersfield and has been dubbed the “new John Terry”.
Speaking earlier this month, Colwill, who is linked with Frank Lampard’s Everton, revealed he was delighted to be compared to the Blues’ hero.
The defender said: “I’ll take it, I’m not going to complain. It’s not a bad thing to be called the new John Terry.
“I haven’t made the comparison myself so the fans and media can make whatever comparisons they want to make, it isn’t going to affect me.
“John Terry is a club legend and leader, someone every centre-back at Chelsea should look up to. A great guy and player. I’ve not had the chance to speak to him too much.
“When he was around the academy building we’d have the odd little chat but it’d be more of a, ‘Hi, how are you?’, kind of thing, not on a personal level about football or things like that”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Lampard’s Levi keen
Everton manager Frank Lampard is plotting a move for Chelsea’s brilliant youngster Levi Colwill, reports SunSport’s Alan Nixon.
Lampard hopes his old club will help him out with a loan agreement for Colwill who was a key part of Huddersfield’s push to the play-off final.
The Toffees’ top spies have been keeping tabs on the defender, who was briefly under Lamps’ wing at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old is due to go back to the Blues and may be needed for their first-team squad if it is drastically changed next season.
But Everton want to offer him Premier League football after staying up, which gives them a chance of success
Xav some of that
Chelsea have been handed a transfer boost as Barcelona manager Xavi admitted Ousmane Dembele may have played his last game for the club.
According to Get Football News Spain, the Spanish tactician said of Dembele: “It could be his last game, but it could also be the last game for others.
“I like him and he can help us in the future. It depends on the negotiations”
Arms race for Broja
Chelsea loanee Armando Broja is at the centre of a transfer war between Newcastle and West Ham.
Broja impressed with a series of strong performances at Southampton and has attracted the attention of other clubs before the summer window.
According to Goal, the Hammers and the Magpies are both attempting to sign the forward up during the summer.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is believed to be open to the Albania international returning to Stamford Bridge next season.
But the 20-year-old could have options if he wants more first-team football
Tuch and go
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has taken a swipe at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund by revealing his unique bond with the Blues’ supporters.
Tuchel said: “It’s so nice to have this bond with the fans. I was not famous for that in my last clubs. I don’t know why it’s suddenly like this, but I’m very happy about it.
“This game is a different game with fans, we always said it. It’s a different game.
“If the stadium is empty, half empty or full, we need full stadiums, this makes the game exciting, emotional.
“This creates something you can’t find without them. We are doing this for entertainment, for making our fans happy.
“We are responsible for the spark, energy, and we want to provide a level of energy that they can feel it.
“If you go to the stadium you [want to] feel this team giving everything, playing as a group of friends, not only just employees.
“That’s the challenge. Once we do this the fans are happy and they feel it. This is where we want to continue”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Smash and Gnab
Real Madrid have joined a host of Premier League clubs in the transfer war to sign Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry, who has been linked with Chelsea.
According to Sport1, Gnabry is open to leaving the Allianz Arena as he doesn’t feel valued by the Bundesliga champions and Real are interested.
The German is facing an uncertain future with his contract set to run out in 2023.
It has been claimed that the winger has turned down a new deal to remain in in Germany.
A Prem return has been touted, with former club Arsenal linked with a move to bring him back to the Emirates.
Liverpool and Manchester United are also all rumoured to be keeping tabs on the Germany international
Aur or nothing
Real Madrid have opened talks with Monaco star and Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are among the teams who had been targeting Tchouameni.
Real will be hunting for high-profile summer signings after being snubbed by Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
And journalist Santi Aouna reports that Los Blancos have been in contact and ready to make an offer for the highly-rated midfielder
Alonso to go
Chelsea star Marcos Alonso is set to be the fourth defender to quit this summer.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta has reportedly worked out a two-year deal with Real’s rivals Barcelona.
And Andreas Christensen is also on his way to the Nou Camp after agreeing a five-year contract with the Blaugrana.
Alonso is about to follow his defensive compatriots to Spain to shore up a new-look defence for Barca.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims the LaLiga titans are in advanced talks with the 31-year-old
Dean’s Mike drop
Legendary referee Mike Dean ended his career in typically extravagant style and was was quickly overwhelmed with emotion as he blew his final whistle.
Dean took charge of his last game on Sunday before retiring into a permanent VAR position.
The iconic official had the pleasure of looking after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against Watford at Stamford Bridge.
And as he put the whistle to his lips for one last time, Dean gave a huge flourish with his arms before bringing proceedings to an end.
But as soon as the whistle had returned to his pocket, he took a moment to quietly reflect
Premier League’s Fab Five
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed the five teams he believes will be fighting it out for the Premier League title next season – and it includes his own club but not Arsenal.
Tuchel said: “It will be a super tough race. Manchester United will be in the race, Tottenham will be in the race with Antonio Conte for sure, and we want to stay in the race.
“And Liverpool and Man City will do everything to even make their squads bigger.
“They set the standard so, so high and it will take the same to be competitive next season.
“While like everybody else tries to close the gap to us…the two top teams are what they are, a benchmark of consistency.
“That’s the situation and from there on we do our very best to be competitive because this is what we want to be”
Last Gall for Conor?
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has refused to rule out a transfer for Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.
Vieira said of Gallagher, who is set to return to Stamford Bridge after the end of the season: “Conor has been fantastic for us.
“He felt like he is at home the way he has been performing for us. He understands the way that we want to play the game, and he brings his energy and his determination.
“We know that he has to go back to Chelsea. Then, what will happen? We don’t know.
“But what is important is that he came for a year, and he worked hard and worked well, and he gave something to the team and the football club. It was a win-win.
“He was really happy with us. He played really well, which allowed him to go to England. He’s happy, so we are happy”
Juve not so keen
Juventus won’t “spend big” for Chelsea star Jorginho ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who believes Juve are prioritising moves for Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba over the 30-year-old.
The midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge has become uncertain amid the takeover drama.
The Italy international’s contract expires next year and rumours suggested he is keen on a Serie A return
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Boehly at Stamford Bridge
Incoming Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was at Stamford Bridge for the club’s final Premier League match of the season.
Boehly was sitting at the stands with his sidekick Hansjorg Wyss and watched the Blues beat Watford 2-1 on Sunday.
Outgoing owner Roman Abramovich, though, was absent as the takeover nears completion.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring and Dan Gosling equalised before Ross Barklay scored the late winner
More from Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is grateful of the Bundesliga club, which is why he is keen to stay despite Chelsea links.
Bellingham added: “I have my destiny in my hands and I know that if I try hard and trust the people around me, I can move forward. I came from England as a young talent.
“There was not much pressure. The first season went well. There were also matches where I sat on the bench and sometimes I did not play at all.
“I think my development this year has meant that I have played a bigger role in every game except two. I am very grateful to Dortmund for the way they have nurtured my talent.
“I think a lot of the credit goes to the coaching staff and the staff who keep the noise around me. In this way I can only focus on winning matches, because that’s what I’m here for”
Bellingham issues transfer blow
Chelsea have been dealt a major transfer blow in their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham after he stated he is staying in Germany.
Bellingham has been linked with the Blues as well as Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten BVB, Bellingham said: “The only future I think about is the next game for Dortmund.
“I look forward to next season. I look forward to it finally starting. But yes, I will be here next season and I will be ready.”
Chelsea takeover near completion
Todd Boehly’s Chelsea imminent £4.25billion takeover may be completed this week.
According to The Guardian, the UK Government are now confident Roman Abramovich’s £1.6bn Blues’ loan won’t go to the Russian oligarch or his family.
Delays have been blamed on debt owed by the Blues’ parent company Fordstam Ltd to Jersey-based Camberley International Investments – a company suspected of links to Abramovich.
But talks intensified after fears of a May 31 sale deadline not being met.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be delighted if the takeover is sealed within days as he’s admitted the uncertainty has been a huge headache for his planning
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Morning, Chelsea fans
The Blues’ takeover is in crisis – over Roman Abramovich’s PORTUGUESE passport.
The Government was ready to sign off a £4.25bn buyout by Todd Boehly’s consortium.
But the EU is holding back approval due to objections over deposed owner Abramovich.
It’s still likely the sale can scrape through – but the Blues are sweating on it.
Ironically the setback comes just as the Government finally seemed confident Abramovich’s £1.6bn Blues’ loan would NOT go to him or his family.
That reassurance paved the way for a takeover this week – until the stumbling block over sanction-hit Abramovich’s passport.
Stamford Bridge manager Thomas Tuchel is desperate for a deal to be sorted out – after admitting the delay is hampering his plans.
Transfer-wise, Chelsea have again been linked with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
And Juventus remain keen on Jorginho but ‘won’t spend big’ on the Italy midfielder.
Finally, Reece James hailed the Blues’ troubled season as a success.
The England wing-back said: “We got to two finals and lost on penalties.
“Our aim is to win every competition we play in. We’re good enough .
“It’s been a difficult season. But we finished the season strongly, qualifying for the Champions League.
“Obviously picking up two trophies at the start of the season and the club World Cup as well.”
Reece rates tough Chelsea season a success
Reece James believes Chelsea coped with a tough season but wants to avoid a repeat, writes ANDY DILLON.
The defender has met incoming new owner Todd Boehly briefly and says the American is as ambitious as the players and boss Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea lost two cup finals and finished third in the Premier League despite massive upheaval with the enforced sale of the club and James is proud of the achievement – but won’t accept the same again.
He said: “No. We got to two finals and lost on penalties. On another day maybe we win and the season is even better. I don’t know how many competitions we play in but it’s more than two.
“Our aim is to win every competition we play in. We’re good enough, so there’s no reason why we can’t do it.
“It’s been a difficult season. We started very well, we were leading the Premier League, then injuries happened and we found ourselves in a difficult position.
“But we finished the season strongly, qualifying for the Champions League next season. Obviously picking up two trophies at the start of the season and the club World Cup as well.”
Chelsea sale hitch over Roman’s PORTUGUESE passport
Chelsea have been plunged into an 11th-hour sale crisis – because of Roman Abramovich’s PORTUGUESE passport, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
SunSport understands the Government is finally prepared to sign off the proposed £4.25bn deal to the consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly.
But Whitehall chiefs are pointing to objections from the European Union that could SCUPPER the entire deal.
And, while it is still expected that an agreement can be reached, there is a genuine risk of Chelsea not being given the EU go-ahead.
SunSport has been told that the Government believes Abramovich has now given sufficient undertakings for the Treasury and DCMS to sign off the takeover.
The Russian billionaire has provided legally binding guarantees over the £1.6bn loan which helped fund the club over the past 19 years and promises that none of it will go to him or his family.
That was seen as the last impediment to a sale, clearing the way for Boehly to take the helm.
But now Government sources claim senior EU officials have yet to accept the terms of the deal.
Abramovoich has also been sanctioned by the EU over his alleged backing for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
