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      Chelsea hero Malouda names Mbappe’s next club, predicts Pochettino’s debut season and reveals how Arteta can use Havertz

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      CHELSEA legend Florent Malouda insists it is “only a matter of time” until Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid… but could still move to the Premier League at some point.Mbappe has informed PSG he won’t trigger the option to extend his contract until 2025, which means he will be a free agent next summer and the French champions are not keen to lose him for nothing.
      Florent Malouda believes Kylian Mbappe will join Real Madrid if he leaves Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      Malouda, though, believes Mbappe could join the Premier League at some pointCredit: Getty – Contributor
      This stunning development has put Europe’s top bidders on high alert with Manchester United linked with an interest for the star striker who may cost more than €250million (£216m).
      However, Malouda believes Real are the France international’s likeliest destination if he decides to depart from Parc des Princes but it will all come down to a project that fulfils his ambitions.
      That is why the former winger believes the only Premier League team that could attract Mbappe is Manchester City as he aspires to win the Champions League in the near future.
      Malouda told SunSport, via Genting Casino: “For me, it is only a matter of time before he plays for Real Madrid. He has that desire to wear the white shirt because he liked the team when he was young. Eventually, I think he will try the Premier League, but right now, I don’t see any team apart from Manchester City that would attract him. It is not the right time for him to come to the Premier League.
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      “Everybody associated with PSG and France would love him to stay, but his priority is the sports aspect and the project. He wants a competitive project and PSG have to do their part. Kylian could play for any club in the world. This isn’t about money. He is looking for greatness and wants to find a club that can match his talents and give him the opportunity to win the Champions League.
      “He had the opportunity to go to Madrid and he extended his contract, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he found an agreement with PSG in the future. I would be very surprised if he left this summer. I think from his point of view, everything has always been clear: he wants PSG to give him a project that can fulfill his ambitions.”
      Malouda retired in 2018 after a celebrated career that saw him spend six years at Chelsea after his arrival from Lyon in 2007 and went on to win the Double in 2010 as well as the Champions League in 2012.
      The former France international still watches his former club and insists new manager Mauricio Pochettino will have his hands full after a disastrous campaign that saw the Blues finishing 12th.
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      The 43-year-old expects Pochettino to be under immense pressure and is adamant he can only hit the ground running if he wins over the dressing room.
      Malouda added: “He needs to rebuild a lot of things. He needs to rebuild an identity and a culture. He has already been studying what happened at Chelsea last season and has been talking to people at the club.
      “There were a lot of problems at the club last season, and you could tell that something was very wrong, the results and where Chelsea finished the league confirm that. He is the leader now and he needs to demonstrate that leadership from the first day. There are so many people that will be looking towards him, the players, the staff, the fans. They want to see Chelsea back at the top. He has to lead them with confidence.
      “He will understand the size of the job that he is taking on and he will know that he will be under pressure almost immediately. He has been doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes and he will know that having a good pre-season is the first step in the journey.
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      Malouda predicts Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will be under tremendous pressureCredit: Getty
      “To get off to a good start, he will have to get the players on his side. He will need to completely believe in his methods and the targets that he will set. It’s a huge job, and he has experience, but he will need his players to support him and give everything from the first match of the season.”
      Pochettino has started by offloading players from Chelsea’s bloated squad and one of the club’s most notable departures is Kai Havertz, who joined London rivals Arsenal after a £65m deal.
      Malouda believes Havertz’s move to the Emirates signals at a new strategy by the Gunners with manager Mikel Arteta opting for players with experience of winning trophies, like Gabriel Jesus.
      The Frenchman doesn’t expect the Germany international to play as a No9, like he did last season for the West Londoners, but could instead feature as a “supporting attacking midfielder”.
      Malouda believes Kai Havertz will play as a “supporting attacking midfielder” at ArsenalCredit: https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1674138215266111501/photo/1
      Malouda said: “I think this is part of Arsenal’s strategy. They are looking to bring players into their squad that are a certain age with the experience of winning trophies.
      “You must also think that Mikel Arteta has a development plan for Kai Havertz and he will know exactly how he will use him to make Arsenal better. I think this is a signing that is similar to when Arsenal bought Gabriel Jesus last summer.
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      “I definitely don’t see him as a number nine. I see him as more of a supporting attacking midfielder who can play around the striker. He has the ability to make long runs and he is comfortable arriving in the box and timing his runs well. I think he needs to create things in the midfield.
      “I’m sure his game will be more suited to Arsenal than at Chelsea because Arsenal play with a lot of interchanging and movement between positions.” More

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      Arsenal CONFIRM £65million Kai Havertz transfer as Mikel Arteta hints he will play in different position than at Chelsea

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      KAI HAVERTZ has completed his £65million transfer to Arsenal from rivals Chelsea.But he looks set to feature in a new position under Mikel Arteta.
      Kai Havertz has joined Arsenal for £65mCredit: https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1674138215266111501/photo/1
      Havertz will wear the No29 at the EmiratesCredit: Twitter / @Arsenal

      The Gunners confirmed the deal this evening – just moments after also agreeing to sign Declan Rice for £105m.
      And the German will wear his beloved No29 shirt – after having the number at Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea.
      Havertz, 24, said: “It’s super exciting for me to be joining this amazing club and to be part of the Arsenal family.
      “This club has such a big history, and I hope we can achieve lots of things.
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      “The mentality in the Arsenal squad is very high and you can feel that.
      “That was one of the reasons why it has been so hard to play against Arsenal recently.
      “The aim is to win trophies and I’m going to give everything to do that for the supporters and everyone at the club.
      “I’m now looking forward to meeting all the players and the staff when we come back for pre-season.”
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      Havertz spent three years at Stamford Bridge, scoring the winner in the Champions League final before adding Super Cup and Club World Cup winner’s medals.
      However, after playing as a forward – and usually as a striker – for Chelsea, Arteta hinted he could be ready to switch into a new role at the Emirates.
      Manager Mikel Arteta added: “Kai is a player of top quality. He has great versatility and is an intelligent player.
      “He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.
      “We welcome Kai and his family to Arsenal Football Club and we are all excited to start working with him when we start pre-season training soon.”
      Havertz scored 32 goals in 139 appearances for the Blues under four different Chelsea managers, including two spells with Frank Lampard in the dugout.
      The most important of those was his memorable finish against Manchester City in Lisbon two years ago as the West Londoners were crowned Kings of Europe.
      In an emotional open letter on his Instagram, the 37-cap Germany international bid farewell to Chelsea supporters, three years on from his £70m switch from Leverkusen.
      He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.Arteta on Havertz
      He wrote: “I would have preferred for you to hear my thoughts on leaving Chelsea first from myself before my thoughts on me joining my new team. This isn’t my style and it upsets me that you had to hear of it in this way.
      “Today, I find myself at a crossroads, where words can’t describe the emotions I’m feeling.
      “It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, saying goodbye to the club that has become my second home, and to the incredible fans who have supported me throughout this amazing journey.
      “Today I want to thank each and every Chelsea supporter, member of staff, coaches and my team-mates for the last years.
      “Joining Chelsea three years ago was a big moment in my life and I’m looking back on these years with nothing but pride, gratefulness and loads of sporting success.
      “Every second of my time at Chelsea I identified with what it means to represent the club on and off the pitch and I hope that everyone remembers me for this. I’m looking back at memories that last a lifetime. The club will be forever in my heart and I made friends for life.”
      The Havertz transfer was confirmed soon after the Gunners agreed a deal in principle with West Ham over Rice.
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      Arsenal will pay £100m up front with a further £5m in add-ons with the two clubs “very close” to securing a payment structure they are both happy with.
      The Hammers captain always wanted to join Arsenal but a late surge from Manchester City threatened to see Arteta miss out on his No1 transfer target.
      Havertz could be playing in the Arsenal midfieldCredit: https://twitter.com/kaihavertz29/status/1674132409699258369/photo/1
      The German scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League finalCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea star Wesley Fofana leaks team-mate’s transfer exit before it has been confirmed with heartfelt message

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      CHELSEA star Wesley Fofana has leaked a team-mate’s exit before it has been confirmed with a heartfelt message.The French defender took to social media to share an emotional farewell to a departing Blues star.
      Wesley Fofana has leaked a team-mate’s Chelsea exit earlyCredit: Getty
      Edouard Mendy is set to leave Chelsea to join Al-AhliCredit: Reuters
      Edouard Mendy is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with a deal in place to take him to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli.
      However, the transfer has yet to be officially announced by either club.
      That has not stopped Fofana from bidding Mendy farewell on Instagram.
      In a post shared to his story, Fofana wrote: “My big brother, I will miss you. All the best to you and your family.”
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      He also added three love heart emojis and a link to one of Mendy’s posts showing him holding the Club World Cup.
      Fofana and Mendy only played together once for Chelsea last season following the former’s arrival from Leicester City.
      Mendy was limited to just 12 appearances after losing his place to Kepa Arrizabalaga in October.
      Meanwhile, Fofana’s opportunities were limited by a pair of knee injuries which hampered his first season in West London.
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      Senegal international Mendy will depart Chelsea after making 105 appearances in three years at the club.
      In that time he has won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
      He follows N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly by leaving Chelsea to head to Saudi Arabia. Hakim Ziyech is also said to be on his way to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
      The Blues have reportedly lined up AC Milan’s Mike Maignan to replace Mendy. More

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      How Man City dragged Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea into ugly bidding wars for SIX players costing them millions

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      MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice, clearing the way for Arsenal to seal a deal.Pep Guardiola’s men saw a £90m offer rejected by West Ham earlier this week.
      Sheikh Mansour has invested heavily as Manchester City ownerCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola has often forced rival clubs to pay over the odds to fend off their interestCredit: AFP
      And the Gunners’ third bid now looks to have finally seen off competition from the Premier League champions.
      But City are no strangers to forcing rival clubs into paying more for their targets.
      Manchester United and Chelsea have both been on the receiving end of a bidding war with those at the Etihad.
      Here are six examples of Man City ramping up the price of a player by getting involved in a bidding war.
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      Fred – Transfer to Man Utd for £52m
      Fred signed for Manchester United back in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Brazilian international Fred was reportedly set to join Man City in 2018 when they agreed a £44.5m deal with Shakhtar Donetsk.
      In the end, he ended up moving to the red side of Manchester when United trumped their rivals with a £50m bid.
      And while the midfielder has racked up more than 200 appearances for the Red Devils, many supporters would argue he is yet to repay his substantial transfer fee.
      Jorginho – Transfer to Chelsea for £50m
      Chelsea pipped Man City to the signing of Jorginho five years agoCredit: Getty
      Many forget Jorginho was once on the verge of a move to the Etihad.
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      The Italian, 31, who has since left Chelsea for Arsenal, looked set to leave Napoli for Man City in 2018 as the Sky Blues closed in on a £46.5m deal.
      This forced Chelsea into eclipsing them with a late £50m offer as they hijacked City’s negotiations with the midfielder.
      But Guardiola waited patiently for 12 months, before snapping up Rodri the following summer – with the Spaniard going on to star for the English champions.

      Harry Maguire – Transfer to Man Utd for £80m
      Harry Maguire joined Man Utd for a British record fee four years agoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Harry Maguire was a wanted man in the summer of 2019 as he prepared to leave Leicester.
      Man City were interested in acquiring the England international, but refused to exceed £65m.
      United then paid a considerable amount more than their city rivals – clinching a record £80m deal.
      And it’s safe to say it has not worked out for Maguire, who has struggled for form since joining four years ago.
      He looks set to depart Old Trafford this summer after spending much of last season on the bench.
      Cristiano Ronaldo – Transfer to Man Utd for £12.9m
      Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Man Utd in 2021Credit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo returned for a second stint with Manchester United in 2021.
      But not before he was heavily linked with a STUNNING move to Man City.
      Guardiola’s side were reportedly offered the opportunity to sign the Portuguese legend, before United swooped in to offer Juventus £12.9m for the man who was entering the final year of his contract.
      He scored 27 goals in 54 appearances during his spell back in England, but ultimately ended up leaving in difficult circumstances as the club ripped up his deal following an astonishing interview with Piers Morgan.
      Alexis Sanchez – Swap deal to Man Utd for Henrikh Mkyhitaryan
      Alexis Sanchez joined Man Utd from Arsenal back in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Alexis Sanchez joined Man Utd in 2018 after Arsenal agreed a swap deal for Henrikh Mykhitaryan to go the other way.
      But Man City’s interest in the Chilean forced United into offering the player an astonishing £500,000-a-week salary.
      This was nearly DOUBLE the £290,000-a-week City were prepared to pay Sanchez.
      But Guardiola’s men had the last laugh as he bagged just five goals in 45 games for United before leaving for Inter in 2020.
      Declan Rice – Transfer to Arsenal for £105m
      Declan Rice looks set to leave West Ham for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Rice looks set to become the latest player to sign for one of Man City’s Premier League rivals – after the Sky Blues had jacked up the price.
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      City’s £90m bid was rejected by West Ham, shortly before Arsenal then stormed in with a £105m offer.
      It remains to be seen whether he will be a success at the Emirates, but there is no denying the Gunners have had to fork over a remarkable fee to secure his services ahead of City. More

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      Chelsea to begin talks with Brighton over Moises Caicedo as they look to beat Man Utd to transfer

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      CHELSEA are expected to step up talks over a move for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo over the next week.The Ecuador international is a key target for new boss Mauricio Pochettino, and the Seagulls have accepted that he could leave this summer.
      Chelsea are pushing to sign CaicedoCredit: Getty
      Brighton rejected a £70million bid from Arsenal for the 21-year-old in January before tying him down to a new long-term deal following the window.
      Caicedo’s longer deal, and impressive performances since his plea to leave in January, means Chelsea will have to offer a package close to £100million to agree a deal.
      Insiders at Stamford Bridge feel a deal is not close at this stage while Brighton are yet to receive a bid from any club.
      Early talks between the player’s camp and interested parties have begun and been encouraging, though there are no agreements over personal terms in place with any club.
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      Manchester United are also keen on the Brighton star, with frustrations growing at Old Trafford over their pursuit of Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
      The Blues have turned down three different bids from Manchester for the England midfielder.
      Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted at the end of his record-breaking season on the south coast that star players were likely to leave.
      He said: “I think it can be the last game of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.”
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      “I think it is right they can leave, change team and play at a higher level.”
      World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has already left for Liverpool in a deal which could reach £55million, and Caicedo is expected to be the next to leave so long as owner Tony Bloom’s valuation is met.
      De Zerbi has added veteran midfielder James Milner and former Borussia Dortmund man Mahmoud Dahoud on free transfers as they look to replace the big names departing. More

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      Forgotten Chelsea star tipped to bounce back from FOUR relegations

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      CHELSEA’S Ethan Ampadu has suffered the pain of relegation FOUR times at just the age of 22. But the versatile Wales star has been backed to bounce back stronger – whether he remains in Mauricio Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge plans or not this summer.
      Ethan Ampadu has suffered the pain of relegation four times in his careerCredit: Getty
      Wales were relegated from League A of the Nations League after a 1-0 home defeat to Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in Cardiff last SeptemberCredit: Reuters
      Ampadu has experienced the drop in three successive club seasons.
      His first relegation came on loan at Sheffield United in the Premier League before the same fate happened at Venezia and Spezia in Serie A.
      The 44-cap Welshman was also part of the side which were relegated from League A of the Nations League last September.
      Chelsea have set a £12million asking price on in-demand Ampadu, who has also played for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
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      On top of that, he has represented his country at both a Euros and World Cup finals in an already colourful career.
      Ampadu, who can play at centre-back or central midfield, has one more year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but there is interest from Prem clubs, Italy and Spain.
      Wales manager Robert Page said: “Of course, the relegations will have hurt him personally.
      “Ultimately, it will make him a better person and player. 
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      “This is about Ethan’s development. I have nothing but respect for him for the challenges that he has faced over the last couple of years.
      “He has chosen to experience different leagues in world football. I’ve nothing but respect for him for that.”
      Ampadu, who turns 23 in September, joined Chelsea from Exeter in a £2.5million deal in 2017. 
      But he has only made 12 first-team appearances for the Blues with his last outing coming against Malmo in the Europa League back in February 2019 before his loan spells away from the club.
      Ampadu is the son of ex-Arsenal, Swansea and Exeter midfielder Kwame, who is now assistant manager at Columbus Crew in the MLS. More

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      Kalidou Koulibaly delivers brutal dig at Chelsea after completing shock £17m transfer to Saudi side Al-Hilal

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      KALIDOU KOULIBALY has delivered a brutal dig at Chelsea after completing his £17million transfer to Saudi side Al-Hilal.The Senegal defender became the latest big name to ditch European football for the Middle East over the weekend.
      Kalidou Koulibaly has joined Al-Hilal for £17millionCredit: Reuters
      Koulibaly has joined former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves at Al-Hilal, signing a three-year deal.
      His exit from Stamford Bridge comes just a year after he was signed from Napoli for £30million.
      However, Koulibaly struggled to adapt to English football, making just 23 league appearances and he was also sent off in just his third match.
      Following his move, the 32-year-old fired a parting shot at Chelsea in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
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      “I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea],” he explained. “I was always professional but I don’t like to sit on the bench doing nothing.
      “I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players. The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.
      “They [Chelsea] expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad. I needed time and in one year I couldn’t prove what I wanted because of the coach’s and club’s choices.
      “I am happy with what I learned about my limits, my family and my kids. My time had come and I had to make a decision.
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      “My teammates sent me so many messages, they are all sorry, but I have to prepare for the AFCON. It’s the most important thing for me, Senegal want to win again, but it won’t be easy.”
      Koulibaly fell out of favour under caretaker boss Frank Lampard last term and was not in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for this season.
      Pochettino still has Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Thiago Silva at his disposal in the centre of defence.
      Kalidou Koulibaly struggled during his solitary season at ChelseaCredit: Rex
      Chelsea will also welcome back loanees Levi Colwill, Ethan Ampadu and Malang Sarr this summer.
      Koulibaly’s Saudi move has seen him follow former team-mate N’Golo Kante to the Middle East.
      Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy are also set to swap West London for Saudi Arabia in the coming days. More

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      Chelsea ‘agree terms with Moises Caicedo with Blues’ summer transfer spree set to continue’

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      CHELSEA have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Moises Caicedo.The Blues are chasing after a new midfielder with Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic set to follow N’Golo Kante away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
      Moises Caicedo is expected to join Chelsea from Brighton this summerCredit: Getty
      And Fabrizio Romano claims personal terms with Caicedo are all wrapped up.
      However, the West Londoners still need to settle on a fee with Brighton, who are notoriously tough negotiators and will refuse to be bullied into selling their star asset.
      The Seagulls – who received huge compensation when Graham Potter left for Chelsea last September – rejected a bid worth £75million from Arsenal in January for Caicedo.
      And they are determined to hold out for around £80m to £100m for their influential midfielder.
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      It is reported an initial bid of £60m from Chelsea was snubbed earlier in June.
      The 32-cap Ecuador international joined Brighton from Independiente del Valle in 2021 and went on loan to Beerschot in 2021-22.
      But the 5ft 10ins star rose to prominence under Potter and Roberto De Zerbi last season, making 43 appearances for the south-coast club.
      Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with Caicedo this summer.
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      And it looked as though the Red Devils could be in pole position after an interview resurfaced from 2020 in which the midfielder confirmed it was a “dream to play for Manchester United” and follow in the footsteps of compatriot Antonio Valencia.
      Now, though, it looks as though Chelsea could come out on top in the race – while Brighton eye a shock swoop for Muhammed Kudus.
      Caicedo would fill the gaps created by Kante’s departure, five months after Jorginho joined Arsenal.
      And he could be paired up with £106m record-signing Enzo Fernandez under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Chelsea have already signed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig this month in a £52m deal.
      They also secured deals with youngsters Dujuan Richards and Kendry Paez, although both players must wait until they turn 18 to move to England and link up with the Blues.
      Villarreal ace Nicholas Jackson could also be on his way to Stamford Bridge after reportedly triggering the Senegalese forward’s £30m release clause. More