Chelsea transfer news

ATLETICO MADRID’s wantaway star Joao Felix was filmed having what appeared to be a heated row with team-mate Thomas Lemar.Felix has fallen out of favour at Atletico with manager Diego Simeone making it clear he is no longer part of his plans since last season.

Joao Felix threw a towel to Atletico Madrid team-mate Thomas LemarCredit: TWITTER VIA @MercadoATM
Lemar threw the towel back to Felix during a heated training ground bust-upCredit: TWITTER VIA @MercadoATM
The forward, who joined Atleti in 2019 following a club record £111million deal from Benfica, spent the second half of last term on loan at Chelsea after a £10m agreement.
However, new Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino opted against signing the Portugal international on a permanent basis and the player has since been looking for a new destination.
And it seems like tensions are rising as the 23-year-old appeared to have a scuffle with Lemar during pre-season training.
The camera caught Felix throwing a towel at the attacking midfielder in front of his team-mates.
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The France international caught the towel and exchanged heated words with the Portuguese ace.
Lemar then threw the towel back while the ex-Chelsea player’s back was turned.
But Felix saw it coming and ducked as the unbelievable scene came to an close.
This comes after the wantaway star shocked Atletico fans by publicly declaring his desire to join LaLiga rivals Barcelona.
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Felix said: “Barcelona has always been my first choice and I would love to join them.
“It was always my dream since I was a kid. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for me.”
Felix’s statement angered Atletico fans so much that his plaque was vandalised outside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. More

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has poured cold water on the possibility for Romelu Lukaku to reignite his Chelsea career.Blues boss Poch left out several key names from his 29-man United States touring group this pre-season as he continues his epic squad streamlining in West London.
Mauricio Pochettio is swinging the axe at ChelseaCredit: Getty
Romelu Lukaku has been told he has no future at the West London clubCredit: Getty
He has overseen a mass departure this summer with ELEVEN outgoings so far, including Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.
Meanwhile, Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are continuing their summer conditioning back in England with the expectation they will leave the club.
Following his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Poch revealed he wanted Lukaku to arrive at pre-season on time ahead of a conversation about his future at the club.
However, it now seems Lukaku is destined to play his football away from Chelsea this upcoming season, with both Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus linked.
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Asked about his decision to keep Lukaku and his three teammates at home, Poch explained: “It is the club and of course it is an interesting situation.
“When this type of decision is [made, it is] because they all agree. The player and club are working hard to try and find best solution.”
Poch continued: “It is obvious the decision had been made on the side of the player also. We act in consequence of the decision. The club and player are in the position they wanted.”
Lukaku – who re-signed for Chelsea from Inter for a club-record £97m in the summer of 2021 – is determined to return to Italy where he spent last campaign on loan with the Nerazzurri, scoring 14 goals in 37 outings and reaching the Champions League final.
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Chelsea were originally keen to offloads Lukaku to the Saudi Super League, along with the likes of former stars N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.
However, Lukaku has no interest in playing in Saudi Arabia, despite the hefty wage increase.
Poch also has a decision to make on defender Levi Colwill, who spent last season on loan with Brighton and is wanted back by the Seagulls, seeing a £30m bid recently turned down.
Wesley Fofana’s recent operation on a ruptured ACL leaves the Argentine coach short at the back, and he has made it clear he expects Colwill to fight for his place instead of leaving.
On Colwill, Poch said: “We were talking. It was a nice talk. It is important that they need to know us.
“To know what we think, to see that the competition will be tough but to challenge for that and know they can be in the starting XI because football is about competing.
“They understood and we understood what they wanted to translate to us. All is clear and we are happy with all the players we have in the USA.” More

CHELSEA are set to sign Newcastle wonderkid Ollie Harrison, according to reports.New manager Mauricio Pochettino is rebuilding his squad after a horrific campaign last season that saw them finish 12th, but is still keeping an eye towards the future.
Chelsea are set to sign Newcastle wonderkid Ollie HarrisonCredit: Getty
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are closing in on Harrison, 15, who is set to leave Newcastle this summer.
Brighton and Wolves are also targeting the midfielder but Chelsea are leading the bidding war.
The England Under-16 international will join the club’s esteemed academy if he puts pen to paper.
Fans are excited with that potential addition and praised the club for thinking ahead.
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One supporter tweeted: “The future is bright. Camon Chelsea.”
Another commented: “We r cooking.”
A third wrote: “We own the league.”
This fan posted: “I’m a Chelsea fan and I must say, this is a very exciting transfer.
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“We need more young talents to be able to compete with the like of Manchester City for the EPL this coming season.”
And that one stated: “With Ollie Harrison playing for Chelsea for at least five years, the Blues will dominate the English Premier League for years to come.”
Harrison has already experienced success in his young career as he was part of the England Under-16 side that won the Mondial Montaigu Tournament.
That is the same competition that has seen a number of football stars compete during their youth, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe. More

CHELSEA’S longest serving player is on the verge of a move to the Championship.The move has been hailed as “terrific ambition” by fans of the side he is close to joining.
Ethan Ampadu is close to joining Leeds UnitedCredit: Getty
Ethan Ampadu became the Blues’ longest serving player earlier this summer following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta.
The versatile defender has been on the books at Stamford Bridge for six years, having signed from Exeter City in 2017.
However, he has not played for the club for five-and-a-half years and now looks set to leave after entering the final year of his contract.
According to The Athletic, Leeds United are close to signing Ampadu, with talks between the two clubs over a permanent deal ongoing.
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The potential transfer has excited fans of the recently relegated side ahead of their return to the Championship.
One supporter tweeted: “Shows terrific ambition does this. Getting excited now!”
Another commented: “What a start.”
A third fan added: “Amazing signing.”
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Meanwhile, one more also wrote: “Out of nowhere, love it.”
Ampadu has made 12 first-team appearances for Chelsea, although just one of those came in the Premier League.
He has spent the last four seasons out on loan, with spells at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia.
The last three of those seasons have all seen Ampadu relegated with his temporary club.
Ethan Ampadu is Chelsea’s longest serving playerCredit: Getty
Still just 22, he already has 43 caps for Wales and was in their squads for the Euros and World Cup in recent years.
A versatile addition to the Leeds squad, Ampadu can play at both centre-back and as a defensive midfielder. More