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    Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ‘to meet with Gavi’s parents’ as Blues step up free transfer chase for Barcelona star

    CHELSEA have stepped up their pursuit of Gavi with Todd Boehly set to meet with his parents, according to reports.The wonderkid has impressed since breaking into Barcelona’s first-team and played a key role for Spain at the World Cup.
    Chelsea hope to sign Gavi on a free transferCredit: AP
    But he could be available on a free transfer in the summer despite penning a deal until 2026 last September.
    Barcelona’s financial issues means Gavi has been stripped of his contract and squad number and re-registered as an academy player on his previous contract.
    And it appears Boehly is trying to take advantage of his contract situation by luring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge.
    Chelsea have reportedly held talks with Gavi’s agent Ivan de la Pena.
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    And now Boehly is set to meet with his parents to outline Chelsea’s plans for the 18-year-old and their desire to make him a key part of the team, report AS.
    The Blues hope to pinch Gavi away from the Nou Camp on a free but it is believed the youngster would rather stay at Barca.
    However that could prove impossible if the Blaugrana are unable to cut a significant chunk off their wage bill.
    Chelsea could offer much more than Barca and could hand Gavi a huge signing-on fee.
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    And if the West Londoners were to bring in ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique as manager for next season, that could further sweeten the deal.
    Barcelona have been effectively placed under a transfer ban by LaLiga until they sort their finances out.
    Ten players could reportedly leave the league leaders as they need to raise £178million. More

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    Chelsea star Joao Felix drops huge hint over future with two-word response when asked about Atletico Madrid return

    CHELSEA star Joao Felix dropped a huge hint about his future when asked about a return to Atletico Madrid.The forward is back in the Spanish capital with the Blues taking on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final tonight.
    Joao Felix was coy when asked about his future
    Felix is on loan at Chelsea but has hinted at a permanent stayCredit: Getty
    And he was asked about his future by a reporter ahead of the match.
    Felix simply responded: “Tengo contrato”, which translates to “I have a contract”.
    The Portuguese joined Blues on loan until the end of the season but still has more than four years remaining on his Atletico deal.
    Felix, 23, has remained coy on his future at the Wanda Metropolitano, but his time at the club could be up as he does not always see eye-to-eye with manager Diego Simeone.
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    Felix himself hinted that he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge when his loan deal expires at the end of the campaign.
    And his chances of joining Chelsea have been boosted following reports that Felix’s Atletico team-mates are “sick to the teeth of him”.
    The Blues could try to sign the Portuguese on a permanent basis in the summer but may need to fight off interest from elsewhere.
    Manchester United were interested in a loan deal in January but were deterred by Atletico’s £10m loan fee.
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    However Erik ten Hag is reportedly prioritising a move for a striker when the summer transfer window re-opens.
    And it is believed Felix could be available for £88m, though the Red Devils are hopeful of a more “favourable deal”. More

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    Kepa ‘passed Real Madrid medical but had transfer vetoed by Zidane’… before joining Chelsea for FOUR TIMES the price

    KEPA ARRIZABALAGA was on the verge on joining Real Madrid before Zinedine Zidane blocked the transfer, according to reports.The Chelsea goalkeeper is set to feature at the Bernabeu tonight as the Blues take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga almost joined Real Madrid before his Chelsea transferCredit: Getty
    But he almost became a Real Madrid player in 2018 – just a few months before signing for Chelsea.
    That’s according to AS, who claim the shot-stopper even passed a medical at the club.
    The report claims Real activated a buyout clause in his Atletic Bilbao contract worth £17.5million.
    And after the deal fell through because Zidane felt his side did not need a new keeper, Chelsea came knocking.
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    But unfortunately for Blues, Kepa had put pen to paper on a new contract in the meantime, and increased his release clause to an astronomical £71.6m.
    Chelsea were happy to pay it and let Thibaut Courtois leave for Real Madrid in the same summer.
    The Belgian was named European goalkeeper of the year in 2022 after helping Los Blancos win their 14th Champions League title.
    Courtois helped Real beat Chelsea in last year’s quarter-final and is expected to line up tonight.
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    Kepa, 28, remains the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, with Liverpool star Alisson second after joining the Reds for £55m. More

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    Jose Mourinho ‘to push for Chelsea move’ if Boehly makes offer, with Special One keen on Blues and one other club

    JOSE MOURINHO is allegedly only prepared to leave Roma for two clubs – but will reportedly “push” for a return to Chelsea.It emerged last week that Blues owner Todd Boehly had sounded out the Special One over a sensational THIRD stint in charge of the club.
    Jose Mourinho is being linked with an exit from RomaCredit: Getty
    Chelsea, who face Real Madrid tonight in the Champions League quarter-final, are currently without a permanent manager after Graham Potter was axed.
    That led to Boehly deciding to bring back former Blues boss Frank Lampard to take charge of the team until the end of the season on a caretaker basis while he searches for a long-term replacement for Potter.
    Mourinho, 60, is currently riding high in Serie A after guiding Roma to third in the Italian top-flight and led them to Europa Conference League joy last term.
    He has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer while Crisriano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr are allegedly plotting a mega-money deal to try and secure his services.
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    However, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna says Mourinho “is ready to leave Roma only for certain clubs” – including both Chelsea and PSG.
    He states that if the Blues make an offer then the Portuguese coach will “push to go” there with his family home still in West London.
    Roma are also “open” to his departure – although this fresh update states that Mourinho is “not interested” in Saudi Arabia.
    Mourinho first took charge of Chelsea in 2004 after guiding Porto to an unlikely Champions League triumph.
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    He guided the Blues to two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cup trophies.
    But he left Stamford Bridge in September 2007 following a series of disagreements with former owner Roman Abramovich.
    The Special One returned six years later after leaving Real Madrid and guided the Blues to a league and cup double in the 2014-15 season.
    But his second love affair with the club ended in dismissal in September 2015 as he was axed following a dire run of nine defeats in 15 league matches.
    He enjoyed Europa League and Carabao Cup joy at Manchester United after that before a two-year stint at Tottenham ended in 2021. More

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    Enzo Fernandez reveals Frank Lampard’s inspirational team-talk for struggling Chelsea ahead of Real Madrid showdown

    FRANK LAMPARD urged Chelsea’s players to find the spirit of 2012 in a pep talk ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid.Caretaker boss Lampard staged a meeting where he told the squad of the Blues’ unlikely win in the final over Bayern Munich under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo.
    Enzo Fernandez says Frank Lampard stirred up Chelsea players by explaining how his own worst season turned round after an interim boss came inCredit: Getty
    Caretaker-manager Lampard recalled Champions League glory 11 years ago as Chelsea prepare for a daunting last-eight tie against holders RealCredit: Getty
    Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said: “Frank talked with the group a bit and he told us to keep our heads straight.
    “Chelsea is a club with a huge history. He told us he won the Champions League in 2012 and he mentioned that it had been his worst season at Chelsea. It is a great example for us.”
    Lampard, preparing for his second game in charge since his Blues return, skippered the team in the 2012 final — but had suffered a nightmare season until Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as boss in March.
    And Fernandez continued: “Chelsea is a very big club with a lot of history, big players.
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    “We trust in what we are going to do.
    “But we are not afraid. Of course there is respect because we know the quality Real have and the forwards they have.
    “But we will try to counteract them.”
    Lampard has a full squad to choose from and N’Golo Kante will return after being rested in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Wolves.
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    Looking at the club’s poor Prem form, it is hardly a surprise that few give Chelsea a chance against the reigning European champions.
    But Lampard said: “The only thing the players can do is prove it on the pitch.” More

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    Liverpool PULL OUT of Jude Bellingham transfer race for incredible reason in major boost to Man Utd and Chelsea

    LIVERPOOL have ended their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, according to reports.The England international has been tipped to make a summer move amid interest from several Premier League teams.
    Liverpool have made an opening bid in the race to sign Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
    It is believed Dortmund are open to offers for the midfielder as this summer will be their last opportunity to cash in big.
    But Liverpool are no longer in the running to sign Bellingham, according to The Times.
    The Reds are plotting a midfield rebuild this summer but are not keen on spending such a big sum on one player, with Dortmund believed to have set an asking price of £130million for Bellingham.
    They also reportely want to avoid being drawn into a long drawn-out saga, with Dortmund happy to play hardball.
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    Klopp is a big fan of Bellingham but Liverpool could turn to cheaper targets such as Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans, who is available on a free.
    That is a bonus for the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, both of whom hold a long-term interest in the teenager.
    Real Madrid are also said to be interested in Bellingham but are unwilling to match Dortmund’s hefty asking price.
    That could prompt Paris Saint-Germain to make a move, with the 19-year-old said to be a “strong target”.
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    Dortmund are hoping to keep hold of Bellingham for one more season.
    The club are planning to offer him a new contract that would see his salary increase by 150 per cent up to £13million for the year.
    The outlet also claims that his contract would include a release clause of £131m.
    This would allow Bellingham to leave the club to potential buyers while also guaranteeing the Bundesliga side a large transfer fee. More

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    Carlo Ancelotti reveals who should be Chelsea boss and admits he’s ‘sad’ at shocking state of club he still supports

    CARLO ANCELOTTI thinks Frank Lampard is the right man to sort out Chelsea.The Real Madrid boss, who led Blues to the Premier League title in 2009-10, insists he will never return to west London.
    Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard is tipped by Carlo Ancelotti to do a ‘great job’ in his surprise second stint in charge of ChelseaCredit: PA
    But he has no doubts that Lampard, who he managed during his two-year stint in London, could enjoy success in this shock second spell as manager, albeit on an interim basis.
    Ancelotti said: “I have a fantastic memory of Chelsea.
    “I am a supporter of the club. But go back? No.
    “I think Lampard is the right man and he will do a great job with them.
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    “Lampard is a very good coach, he has a great team and he knows how to prepare big matches.”
    Asked about the Blues’ current situation, Italian Ancelotti added: “I am sad as I have fantastic memories and know a lot of people there.
    “I had two fantastic years there.”
    Ancelotti will be hoping for a similar result to last year’s quarter-final, when Real beat Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate thanks to two late goals in the second leg.
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    Real then squeezed past Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate in the semis and beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final for a 14th European crown.
    Asked if his team were maybe a bit fortunate to lift the trophy, Ancelotti said: “Real Madrid lucky in the Champions League? We deserved to win.
    “If you come back, it means you want to win it more. It’s not luck.”
    Real defender David Alaba knows his team will have to be at their best.
    He said: “We don’t underestimate Chelsea.
    “The changes they’ve made could influence things in some way — and we know it.” More

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    Chelsea boss Frank Lampard opens up on only ever Bernabeu appearance as he says ‘I didn’t touch the ball’ in horror show

    CHELSEA interim manager Frank Lampard revealed he only played once at Real Madrid’s legendary Santiago Bernabeu Stadium during his celebrated 21-year career.And Lampard admitted it was not a performance to remember as he didn’t “get a kick” during an international match between Spain and England.
    Frank Lampard will lead Chelsea against Real Madrid in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
    Chelsea caretaker boss Frank Lampard admitted he only played once at the Santiago BernabeuCredit: PA
    However, the 44-year-old tactician insists his players will have to do better than he did back in the day ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final.
    Lampard said: “I only played once in my career [during] England-Spain and we lost 2-0.
    “I don’t think I got a kick, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta were in their heyday.
    “But I absolutely remember the size of the stadium, we’ve got some young players but also we have some players that have achieved a lot.
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    “Champions League winners, World Cup winners and these things, so I don’t think it’s something completely new to them.
    “But of course it’s that stadium and a quarter-final is an occasion and we have to play the occasion because levels go up at this point in the competition.
    “But we have to come with the belief that we can perform under that pressure.”
    Lampard will be without Mason Mount, Thiago Silva and captain Cesar Azpilicueta against Real.
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    N’Golo Kante was surprisingly missing from the caretaker boss’ first squad after coming back from injury the week before.
    But it was later revealed that Kante was left out due to a precautionary decision.
    Benoit Badiashile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana are not in the Chelsea’s Champions League squad. More