CHELSEA will be desperate to splash some of Todd Boehly’s £200m kitty, with this takeover of the club set to push through on Monday.
And Brighton’s Marc Cucurella has emerged as a shock target for the West London outfit but Chelsea will have to fork out £45 million SunSport can reveal.
Some of that money could also go towards the signing of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who the Spanish club reportedly won’t let go of for anything less than £55million.
And Danny Drinkwater has released an emotional statement to the Chelsea fans after leaving the club following a frustrating time at Stamford Bridge.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the Stamford Bridge…
Colwill speaks about future
Talented youngster Levi Colwill has sent a message to the Blues over his future at the club.
“For me, playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it’s my club,” he explained.
“But if that doesn’t happen, well then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be.”
The 19-year-old centre back has enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Huddersfield Town – playing 30 times in the Championship.
Alonso ‘agrees’ contract with Barcelona
Marcos Alonso is on the brink of signing for Barcelona, reports claim.
The Chelsea defender has agreed a three-year deal with the Catalan giants, according to Diario SPORT.
Alonso’s Chelsea contract expires next summer, but the Blues are hashing out a low price transfer with Barca, the report added.
Chelsea in line for Hazard windfall
Chelsea are set for a £15million windfall after Real Madrid won the Champions League.
That’s because ex-Blues star Eden Hazard has a clause in his transfer to Real Madrid that included the lump sum if Los Blancos lifted the European trophy.
And Real’s win over Liverpool means the Blues can now reap the rewards of their tidy business decision.
Tuchel set for Gallagher talks
Thomas Tuchel will reportedly hold talks with Conor Gallagher over his Chelsea future amid interest from Crystal Palace.
The midfielder, 22, enjoyed a stunning loan spell at Selhurst Park this season, scoring eight goals in 34 Premier League appearances.
Gallagher’s fine form resulted in an England debut last year.
And Palace are now eager to sign the ex-Charlton, Swansea and West Brom loanee permanently.
But Fabrizio Romano claims Gallagher is “highly rated” by Chelsea boss Tuchel.
And the German wants to talk with the Cobham product before deciding on his next move.
Colwill makes future decision
Chelsea ace Levi Colwill has refused to rule out a stay with Huddersfield next season.
He said: “There’s too much respect for me to close the door. We need to get promotion first, which is the only thing I’m thinking of right now.
“I’m not planning for next year, all I can focus on right now is Wembley on Sunday and then the internationals after that. After when I’ve finished all of that, well that’s when I’ll start thinking about that.
“For me, playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it’s my club. But if that doesn’t happen, well then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be.”
Lukaku pushes for exit
Romelu Lukaku is taking matters into his own hands to try and push through a deal to Inter Milan.
The Chelsea ace has started talking directly to the Blues to sort out his exit without the help of an agent, sempreinter reported.
Lukaku hopes he can smooth things over with the Blues to get his transfer to Inter completed, the report added.
Merson makes Chelsea owner prediction
Chelsea’s new owners will not invest the same amount of money that former incumbent Roman Abramovich did at Stamford Bridge.
That’s the view of Paul Merson who claims English clubs are just toys for American owners.
He told the Daily Star: “Chelsea’s new owners are not going to invest the sort of money Roman Abramovich did.
“Those days are over. These Americans are now involved with one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“These toys don’t come along too often – and I call it a toy because it is really, to these people.”
Merson on Chelsea American ties
Chelsea could end up in decline like Arsenal under new American owner Todd Boehly.
That’s according to Paul Merson who reckons American owners treat Prem clubs like toys.
Merson said to the Daily Star: “Chelsea risk ending up like Arsenal unless their new American owners buck a worrying trend.
“It’s a relief for everyone at Stamford Bridge that Todd Boehly’s takeover has gone through and they can finally sign players again.
“But Chelsea is just a toy for them to play with. Look at all the other American owners in the Premier League – their US sports teams all do better than the teams they own over here. Look at Stan Kroenke at Arsenal.”
Bissouma transfer battle
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
That’s according to Football London who claim the Blues have been tracking the Mali international.
But the Blues have competition in the form of Aston Villa who are keen on the midfielder.
Courtois demands respect from critics
Ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois has sent a defiant message to critics in England after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.
He said: “I saw a lot of tweets coming my way today saying that I will be humbled, but I think it was the other way around.
”Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work – to put respect on my name because I don’t think I have a lot of respect in England.”
Inter make Lukaku top priority
Inter Milan are reportedly waiting to see if they can re-sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
Dybala’s set to leave Juve on a free transfer this summer, and Inter are in pole position to sign him.
But the San Siro outfit are holding back from completing the transfer as they would prefer to bring Lukaku back to the club, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Arsenal are another team strongly linked with Dybala.
Courtois makes Liverpool assessment
Ex-Chelsea keeper and Real Madrid hero Thibaut Courtois reckons Liverpool were rattled by Real Madrid’s offside goal in the Champions League final.
He said: “I think they were the most dominant team.
“But a final, you have to win. It’s sometimes hard and a goalkeeper also plays his part.
“We didn’t want them to play at the back of their defence because that’s their strength. In the first half, they did quite well – in general, it was my day.”
Chelsea troll Liverpool
Are the Blues trolling Liverpool?
Chelsea’s Twitter account was quick to fire a congratulations message to Real Madrid after they won the Champions League.
Los Blancos were 1-0 winners over the Reds in the final.
And Chelsea’s admin immediately fired a note to Real Madrid fans.
Kenedy chased by Leeds
Jesse Marsch is reportedly looking at Chelsea’s Brazilian ace Kenedy, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claim Leeds United are leading the chase for the out-of-favour winger.
Kenedy is out of contract in 2023, but is seen as surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
He has been at Chelsea since 2015, but been on loan a number of times including at Newcastle and Flamengo.
Dembele move
Chelsea could make Ousmane Dembele the first signing of the Todd Boehly era, according to reports.
Mundo Deportivo report that the Blues are interested in signing the France World Cup winner, who is out of contract next month.
The Catalans want to keep hold of Dembele, but know that financially they may struggle to offer him the deal he is looking for.
Chelsea could face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd.
Gallagher future
Connor Gallagher’s future is up in the air, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian tweeted: “Thomas Tuchel wants to have direct discussion with Conor Gallagher on future and next season plans. He’s highly rated by Chelsea manager.
However, Romano adds: “There are chances for Gallagher to be part of Chelsea squad for next season, as per (another journalist) @jacobsteinberg – but it’s not 100% sure yet.
Merse’s warning to Blues
Paul Merson fears Chelsea’s big spending days are over, following a takeover by American Todd Boehly.
“Chelsea risk ending up like Arsenal unless their new American owners buck a worrying trend,” Merson wrote in his Daily Star column.
“It’s a relief for everyone at Stamford Bridge that Todd Boehly’s takeover has gone through and they can finally sign players again.
“But Chelsea is just a toy for them to play with. Look at all the other American owners in the Premier League – their US sports teams all do better than the teams they own over here. Look at Stan Kroenke at Arsenal.
“Chelsea’s new owners are not going to invest the sort of money Roman Abramovich did. Those days are over. These Americans are now involved with one of the biggest clubs in the world. These toys don’t come along too often – and I call it a toy because it is really, to these people.”
Alonso Barça deal ‘close’
Marcos Alonso’s move from Chelsea is nearly complete, according to reports.
The Spanish defender is set for Barcelona, say Diario SPORT.
They Tweeted: ‘Negotiations between Barcelona and Chelsea for the signing of Marcos Alonso are at an advanced stage.
“It would be a financially beneficial operation for Barça, a transfer fee with variables that would be fulfilled with objectives.”
Mount on Champions League final
Mason Mount is unsure on who will win the Champions League final.
And he also admitted he wished the Blues were participating in the spectacle.
He said to Sky Sports: “I’m not sure [how it will go]. Obviously it’s a top game, two top teams, so I’m very, very excited to watch.
“I wish we [Chelsea] were there but it will be a good game, we will see.”
Out of Luk
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly desperate for a return to Inter Milan, and will do anything to make it happen.
The Belgian is open to taking a pay-cut to play at the San Siro next season, according to Tuttosport.
Inter can afford to pay him just half of his current £12.7m salary which works out to be £5.9m, the report adds.
Mount on Chelsea’s new owner
Mason Mount is excited to begin work with Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly.
The Blues had a topsy turvy season amid their ownership woes, but Mount is optimistic that the club will return to winning ways with Boehly.
He said: “It’s an exciting time now with the owners being confirmed today, going forward it’s going to be exciting and obviously the era under Roman has been brilliant.
“We look forward now and it’s exciting stuff, can’t wait to get back to it.”
More from Abramovich
Abramovich called owning Chelsea the “honour of a lifetime” as his 19-year ownership reaches its conclusion.
He continued: “I am pleased this search has now come to a successful conclusion. As I hand over Chelsea to its new custodians, I would like to wish them the best of success, both on and off the pitch.
“It has been an honour of a lifetime to be a part of this Club – I would like to thank all the Club’s past and current players, staff, and of course fans for these incredible years.
“I am proud that as a result of our joint successes, millions of people will now benefit from the new charitable foundation which is being established.
“This is the legacy which we have created together.
“Thank you. Roman.”
Abramovich’s statement on sale
His statement read: “It has been nearly three months since I announced my intention to sell Chelsea FC.
“During this time, the team have worked hard to find the right custodian for Chelsea FC that would be best positioned to successfully lead the Club into its next chapter.
“The ownership of this Club comes with great responsibility. Since I came to Chelsea nearly twenty years ago, I have witnessed first-hand what this Club can achieve.
“My goal has been to ensure that the next owner has a mindset that will enable success for the Men’s and Women’s team, as well as the will and drive to continue developing other key aspects of the Club, such as the Academy and the vital work of Chelsea Foundation.”
Abramovich speaks on Chelsea sale
Roman Abramovich has penned an emotional statement speaking of his “legacy” at Chelsea as the club prepares to change hands.
And as the Abramovich era nears its conclusion, the sanctioned Russian oligarch has broken his silence for the first time in months.
He wrote a 234-word statement wishing success to Boehly and his consortium, both on and off the pitch.
Abramovich also vowed “millions of people will benefit” thanks to the charitable foundation that is set to receive the proceeds from the sale.
Kante set to leave for cut-price
Chelsea are set to let N’Golo Kante leave for a cut-price fee this summer, reports claim.
His contract is up at the end of next season, and Blues boss Thomas Tuchel wants to switch up his midfield, The Athletic reported.
And he’s willing to let Kante go for a reduced fee to do so, the report added.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
