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    Seven Chelsea stars with just two months to save their futures including Sterling and Gallagher

    CHELSEA are ready to embark on another epic transfer quest this summer.And seven current stars may have just two months to save their Stamford Bridge futures.Seven Chelsea stars are entering a key two months to convince Mauricio Pochettino of their futuresCredit: AlamyTodd Boehly is ready to splash the cash, but will also have to sell to balance the booksCredit: APTodd Boehly has already spent a mind-blowing £1billion on signings since taking charge in 2022.However, that figure is yet to transform into success on the pitch.Mauricio Pochettino is the fifth man to take charge of Chelsea’s dugout after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard.And after finishing 12th last season, the Blues are sitting just one place better this term in 11th.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s now reckoned Boehly will make another big push in the market to cover specialist areas.He wants to land a free-scoring striker, with SunSport exclusively revealing Chelsea’s interest in Brentford star Ivan Toney.There could also be an addition at centre-back and left-back, while a technical winger is also on the agenda.But Chelsea are already toeing the line with Financial Fair Play.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIt means if there are any incomings, there must also be outgoings.Boehly hopes to offload wantaway flops Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku to Saudi Arabian sides once their respective loans at Real Madrid and Roma end.Could Jose Mourinho return to Chelsea?However, a host of other players who are hoping to remain put could also be forced out.And they are now in a fight for their futures at Chelsea.Here, SunSport looks at the seven stars who in a scrap for survival…England international Raheem Sterling could be set for the Chelsea exit doorCredit: AlamyRAHEEM STERLINGCosting over £47million in 2022, the winger looks a shadow of the player who won four titles at Man City.He is yet to win over Chelsea fans, who loudly jeered his performance against Leicester on Sunday.And his exit would open the door for Mykhailo Mudryk to finally develop, while also giving space for the signing of a new speedster.But with Sterling on a reported £325,000-a-week in west London, there may not be many takers for him this summer.Conor Gallagher could fetch a hefty fee for the BluesCredit: GettyCONOR GALLAGHERThe academy man has really stepped up to the plate this season.After looking set to leave last summer, Gallagher has been a key part of any success Pochettino has enjoyed this season.He is desperate to stay put as his contract approaches its final year.But Boehly appears hesitant to reward Gallagher with a deserving salary, which could end up with the midfielder making a controversial move to rivals Tottenham.Robert Sanchez could fetch a quick quid for the BluesCredit: ReutersROBERT SANCHEZA curious buy after dropping down to third-choice at former club Brighton.The £25m goalie looked unconvincing before his injury allowed Djordje Petrovic to become No1.And Sanchez did his chances of reclaiming the spot little good with a jittery showing in the FA Cup win over Leicester.There are several youngsters at Chelsea desperate for a chance too, making Sanchez a prime candidate to earn a quick buck for Boehly.Marc Cucurella has yet to justify his heft price tagCredit: GettyMARC CUCURELLAIs starting to finally show glimpses of his undoubted talent after an awful debut season.He was a surprise £60m investment from Brighton, especially given the options Chelsea already had at left-back.However, it’s reckoned the Blues want ANOTHER player in that position following Ben Chilwell’s latest injury problems.And Cucurella could be sacrificed if Chelsea are able to recoup their losses.Trevoh Chalobah has caught the eye of several clubsCredit: GettyTREVOH CHALOBAHLike Gallagher, another academy product who would represent pure profit on the books if sold.He was wanted by Spurs and Nottingham Forest last summer before an injury scuppered any chance of an exit.Chalobah also stayed put in January and is now back in Chelsea’s starting XI after impressing Pochettino.But history shows Boehly is operating on his own wavelength, and is likely to sell Chalobah should a decent offer arrive — regardless of his performances.Armando Broja could fetch a decent fee for the BluesCredit: AlamyARMANDO BROJAChelsea slapped an outrageous £50m price-tag on the striker in January, leading to ridicule from rival fans.Broja managed just one goal before his winter loan to Fulham.But he is yet to make a single start for the Cottagers, meaning Chelsea will have no chance of sticking to their original asking price.And with Poch hoping for a deadly No9 to arrive, Broja’s future at the Bridge is likely over already.Thiago Silva is a prime candidate leave Stamford Bridge this summerCredit: AlamyTHIAGO SILVAThe biggest casualty of Chelsea’s recently revival in form, Silva’s age and lack of speed has finally caught up to him.The Brazilian legend is out of contract this summer and, barring a miracle comeback, will be released when it expires.READ MORE SUN STORIESSilva would love to stay put, and many fans would also like to keep him around.But after his wife criticised Pochettino’s decisions earlier this season, an exit may be the best solution for all parties. 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    How Brazil lined up last time they lost to England with forgotten Chelsea stars and QPR’s goalkeeper

    BRAZIL had a bad case of the Blues the last time they lost to England.Chelsea stars David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar were all in line for some brutal banter back at the training ground after team-mate Frank Lampard grabbed the winner for a Three Lions side also featuring Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole.Brazil’s line-up for the 2013 friendly at Wembley featured familiar faces and some forgotten namesCredit: Times Newspapers LtdAnd former Stamford Bridge boss Luiz Felipe Scolari had an unhappy return to London as the man in charge of the first Brazil team to be beaten by England for 23 years.It could all have been different if Ronaldinho had converted a penalty awarded for handball against Jack Wilshere.But the 32 year old former Barcelona star saw his kick saved by Joe Hart and seven minutes later Wayne Rooney gave England the lead.The visitors hit back soon after the break when half-time substitute Fred, the Fluminense striker, capitalised on a Gary Cahill error.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut another sub, England’s Lampard, decided the game with an effort from the edge of the box on the hour.In addition to the Chelsea trio, there was one other Premier League player in Brazil’s starting line-up.England’s Best and Worst KitsAnother from the XI would go on to play for Tottenham, as would one of the substitutes. And two players ended up in prison. Here’s how Brazil lined up:Most read in Euro 2024JULIO CESAR (QPR)The Brazil goalkeeper arrived as part of QPR’s 2012 spending spree, and with huge pedigree. In 2010 with Inter Milan, under boss Jose Mourinho, he won Serie A, the Italian Cup, Super Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup – on top of four previous Scudettos. But the Hoops were relegated and Cesar found himself frozen out, having a loan spell at Toronto FC before his contract was torn up in 2014. He went on to win three Portuguese titles in a row with Benfica before ending his career back in Brazil with Flamengo. Won the 2004 Copa America with Brazil and earned 87 caps overall.DANI ALVES (Barcelona)Former full back, 40, was convicted in February 2024 of raping a woman in the bathroom of a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. He was sentenced to four and a half years in jail and ordered to pay his victim nearly £130,000 in damages. Alves’ legal team said he would appeal against his conviction. Barcelona removed him from the “Legends” section of their website, only to restore him a few days later. Before his disgrace, he was one of the most successful players in football history, winning titles with Juventus and PSG after a stellar eight seasons with Barca.DAVID LUIZ (Chelsea)David Luiz clears from Wayne Rooney but could not stop him scoringCredit: ReutersThe unmistakable centre back has won titles in three countries, starting with Benfica in Portugual. Luiz lifted the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup in his first spell at Chelsea, then the Premier League and Europa League again in his second. In between, he enjoyed success with Paris Saint-Germain, and won the FA Cup again, this time with Arsenal, in 2020. Now 36 and back in Brazil with Flamengo, in 2022 he added the cup there and the Copa Libertadores, South America’s CL equivalent, to his honours. Last played for Brazil in 2018.DANTE (Bayern Munich)The former Belgian league winner with Standard Liege made his senior international debut in this game, at the age of 29. It was quite the year for the centre back, as he won the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with Bayern. After one season at Wolfsburg, Dante moved to Nice and is still there now, going strong at 40 as captain of the team owned by new Manchester United co-supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His last game for Brazil was the 7-1 trouncing by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi final. ADRIANO (Barcelona)After winning two Spanish Cups and two Uefa Cups with Sevilla, the two-footed full back moved to Barcelona. There he won 14 trophies in six seasons, including a 2015 Treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League, although he wasn’t always a regular in the first team. Competition on either flank of the Brazil defence from Alves and Marcelo restricted him to just 17 international appearances. Now 39, he retired in 2022 after a season in the Belgian top flight with EupenPAULINHO (Corinthians)Paulinho would soon be back in London after Brazil’s defeat at WembleyCredit: PA:Empics SportA few months after this game, Tottenham broke their transfer record to sign the powerful midfielder for £17m from Corinthians. Paulinho joined an exodus to the Chinese Super League, whose cash caused a splash like the Saudi Pro League. He lifted three titles with Guangzhou Evergrande, either side of a season at Barcelona where he won the Double. After an aborted move to Saudi side Al-Ahli, he returned to Corinthians but a knee ligament injury appears to have ended his career at the age of 35.RAMIRES (Chelsea)Like his team-mates in the England side, the dynamic midfielder made himself a Stamford Bridge legend – especially in the 2012 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. In the second leg, he defied a yellow card that ruled him out of the final through suspension to give a Roy Keane-style performance and level the aggregate before Fernando Torres made Gary Neville moan. Won every trophy going with Chelsea, then headed for the Chinese Super League.  Returned to Brazil to end his career at Palmeiras in 2020 when still only 33.RONALDINHO (Atletico Mineiro)Ronaldinho was unable to sprinkle much of his stardust on Wembley that nightCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe buck-toothed entertainer, now 43, was back in Brazil by this time, but he had already done England enough damage with the flukey free kick that decided the 2002 World Cup quarter final clash. The Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG star remains the only player to have won the World Cup, Copa America, Confederations Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Ballon d’Or. Jailed in Paraguay in 2020 when he and his brother entered Paraguay on false passports, he promptly inspired his team to the prison futsal championship.NEYMAR (Santos)Less than four months after this game his transfer to Barcelona was announced. He had four fabulous seasons at the Camp Nou, but stunned football by moving to Paris Saint-Germain for what is still a world-record fee of £200m.Neymar won plenty in France but the lack of Champions League glory, injuries and ego clashes soured his spell. In September 2023, he became the Saudi Pro League’s most expensive recruit to date by joining Al Hilal for nearly £77m, on reported wages of £130m per season. Ruptured an ACL on international duty after just five games for his new club. Still only 32, but already the highest goalscorer in Brazil’s history with 79 goals in 178 appearances.LUIS FABIANO (Sao Paulo)A prolific goalscorer yet one who never played for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Earned a bad boy reputation in his first spell at Sao Paulo, not least for kicking a River Plate player in the neck in a Copa Libertadores clash in 2003.His best days were probably at Sevilla, where he won two Copa del Reys and two Uefa Cups alongside Wembley team-mate Adriano.After scoring hatfuls in a second spell at Sao Paulo,  he, too, hit the money trail to China in 2016. Started all five matches in Brazil’s Copa America triumph of 2004 and scored 28 goals in 45 internationals.OSCAR (Chelsea)Won two Premier Leagues, a League Cup and a Europa League with the Blues without ever really living up to his potential. Questions about his desire to play top-level football arose when he also left for China in 2017 at the age of just 25 – although reported wages of £400,000 per week would turn anyone’s head. Oscar has bucked one trend, though, by staying in China all these years despite all the scandals, financial problems and long pandemic shutdown. At 32, he captained Shanghai Port in their first game of the season at the start of this month.Luiz Felipe Scolari’s starting XI for the Wembley friendly against England in February 2013SUBSTITUTESFRED (Fluminense)(for Luis Fabiano, half time)Striker scored after just 3.17 seconds for America Mineiro in 2005, one of the fastest ever goals.MARCOS AROUCA (Santos)(for Ramires, half time)This was the fourth and last cap for the defensive midfielder(for Ronaldinho, half time)Became a fan favourite at Spurs, scoring the dramatic late goal against Ajax that sent them to the 2019 Champions League Final.JEAN (Fluminense)(for Paulinho, 62)Enjoyed success in Brazil but never played in Europe. This was the second of six international appearances.FILIPE LUIS (Atletico Madrid)(for Adriano, 70)Part of Atletico’s emergence as major power but lasted only a season at Chelsea before returning to Madrid.READ MORE SUN STORIESMIRANDA (Atletico Madrid)(for David Luiz, 79)Like Filipe Luis, won major trophies with Atletico and reached the 2014 Champions League final. More

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    Chelsea star at centre of court battle as former club claims striker was ‘stolen’ after controversial exit

    CHELSEA star David Datro Fofana is at the centre of a court battle after a former club claimed the striker was “stolen” from them.The ace, 21, joined Chelsea from Norwegian side Molde for £13million in January 2023.David Datro Fofana is at the centre of a court battle between two of his former clubsCredit: GettyHe played just four times at Stamford Bridge before joining Union Berlin last summer.But Fofana was recalled from the Germans this winter after two goals in 17 games.And he is now on loan at Burnley, where he has four goals in eight matches.Fofana is now hoping for another shot at glory with Chelsea when he returns to London this summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, the three-time Ivory Coast international now finds himself at the heart of a court battle between Molde and his first club, Abidjan City.According to The Telegraph, the Ivorians claim Fofana was “stolen” from them by Molde.The Norwegians landed him on a free transfer in 2021, with Fofana netting 24 times in 65 outings before his Chelsea switch.But Abidjan City claim the forward had a long-term deal with them and his transfer should therefore not have been free.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAs a result, they believe they are entitled to 20 per cent of Fofana’s £13m Blues fee from Molde, which amounts to £2.5m.And they also want £1m which they claim to have missed out on after lining up a deal to sell him to French side Angers.Chelsea’s plans for £1bn new stadiumFofana is currently on loan at BurnleyCredit: PAThe Ivorian club have already had their case rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Fofana, Molde and Chelsea have also not commented on Abidjan City’s claims.But club president Marc Ne is ready to take his side’s three-year battle to a higher body.He said: “We just want justice. Without it, it means big clubs can come and take our players. This is dangerous for African football, not just for me.“Many clubs would take him if he was free. He was in the national team, how could he be free? Everyone knows he was under contract.“I even talked with Leicester. I spoke with Kolo Toure as he is my brother from the same academy. But everyone helped the move, even the federation.“We think this is not justice. The player had a licence with us and only with us. He started with us when he was 14 and, when he was old enough, signed for five years in 2017.”Chelsea players away on loanDo they have futures at Stamford Bridge?

    David Datro Fofana (Burnley)
    Romelu Lukaku (Roma)
    Armando Broja (Fulham)
    Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund)
    Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
    Angelo (Strasbourg)
    Andrey Santos (Strasbourg)
    Kepa Arrizabalaga (Real Madrid)
    Hakim Ziyech (Galatasaray)
    Gabriel Slonina (KAS Eupen)
    Lucas Bergstrom (Brommapojkarna) More

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    Chelsea hasn’t felt so distant from fans since electric fences were mooted, Todd Boehly has done an impressively bad job

    IT IS small beer to billionaires like Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.Understandably, the price of a pint at Chelsea, the cost of a coach to Bramall Lane or admission to a youth game won’t even register in the big men’s bank balances.Things have not gone to all according to plan since Todd Boehly arrived at ChelseaCredit: RexBut when you run an English football club, even if you don’t know what’s of value to the fans, you should make sure there are people nearby that do.Boehly and his sidekick are clearly failing in this regard and have scored an own goal just as spectacular as that from defender Axel Disasi against Leicester on Sunday.The letter from Chelsea Supporters’ Trust to the chairman and his co-owner was not your usual fed-up fan rant.It may have been a devastating four-page assassination job on Boehly and Eghbali’s entire regime.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut did you notice how little griping was aimed at some of the abject football played by a massively overpriced and underachieving bunch of players?What two hard-nosed American financiers make of being warned about the “irreversible toxicity, almost irrespective of results on the pitch” in a withering assault on their ability to run a Premier League club would be a joy to know. Way to go, boys.It takes some doing to p*** off the normally mild-mannered CST, an elected group of diehards ranging from mid-20s to retirement age and made up of largely professional people.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERTo them and many others who devote themselves to the pursuit of Chelsea FC, it is not all about silverware — contrary to outside perception.There are some at Stamford Bridge with a sense of entitlement after so many years of winning trophies. FA Cup semi-final draw CONFIRMED as Man Utd, Chelsea, Coventry and Man City find out their fateBut to most, it is a cult, a religion, a devotion. It’s about belonging and feeling part of it. Like at other clubs, win or lose.The price of a pint, a hot dog, a matchday programme, a season ticket or away travel may seem insignificant to those spending £1billion on a development squad.But it means a lot to the fans who were there before and will be there long after Boehly and his pals from Clearlake Capital have cleared off.And they don’t take kindly to being blanked either. The owners of Chelsea have predictably missed the point when it comes to the fan base. Next month’s game at Sheffield United is on Sunday, April 7.Kick-off is at 5.30pm because of the city’s half-marathon earlier that day. There is also a train strike.Yet the away end at Bramall Lane will be full. Just like it was on Christmas Eve at Wolves.A friend paid £600 on the black market for two tickets to see Chelsea the day before New Year’s Eve. He still hasn’t told his missus the true cost.He was at Middlesbrough when a pathetic Chelsea lost 1-0 in a midweek Carabao Cup semi-final.Chelsea have been awful most of this season and last. Yet my friend will still go. So will thousands of others who just want to feel part of the team, even a losing one. The perceived lack of communication from the owners is seen as a rejection of worth.The CST points to a disconnect between club and supporters not seen since the early 1980s.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat was when then chairman Ken Bates tried to electrify the fences surrounding the pitch to thwart the hooligans in The Shed.With crowd numbers on the slide at Stamford Bridge as a result of Boehly and Behdad’s detached, lofty air, they may have to do the same again — only now to keep the fans in. More

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    Arsenal and Chelsea transfer blow as top target to begin new contract negotiations including bumper £102m release clause

    SPORTING LISBON are opening talks on a new mage transfer release clause for Viktor Gykores to “protect” them from the Premier League clubs circling.The Swedish striker cost a club-record £17m last summer from Coventry City but he has already repaid that faith with his scintillating form.Sporting’s hope to convince Viktor Gyokeres to sign a new deal with an improved release clauseCredit: AFPThe 25-year-old has scored 27 goals in 33 appearances, as well as recording double figures in assists, to catch the eye of Europe’s big guns.Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with the hotshot – with the latter allegedly having a £74m approach rejected in January.Previous reports had claimed that Sporting Lisbon were holding out for the £87m release clause fee that was part of his package.Now A Bola have claimed that the Portuguese league leaders want to secure him to a new agreement that would not only land Gyokeres a bumper pay rise but would also offer them “greater protection”.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey are well aware of the growing interest in their star striker.As well as Arsenal and Chelsea, Bayern Munich are also keen to bring him to the Bundesliga while French giants Paris Saint-Germain have joined the transfer chase.This update also adds that several Spanish teams are in the hunt – but a host of the interested clubs may soon be ruled out of signing him.Sporting Lisbon are hoping that the reward of a pay rise would see Gykores pen his new contract and agree to a release clause of a whopping £102m.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd that would ensure that any sale of their prized-asset would turn out to be a record departure for the club.The agents of Gykores, who was snapped up by Coventry in 2021 after failing to make the grade at Brighton, are also allegedly making a trip to Portugal in April.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnd Sporting will be looking to use that time to thrash out terms on the updated agreement.Meanwhile, the transfer speculation does not seem to be having any adverse effect on the player himself.He fired a hat-trick against Boavista on Sunday as the 6-1 victory ensured they remain a point ahead of rivals Benfica, who have played a game more, at the top of the table.The forward will now be hoping to take that form on to the international stage with Sweden, who he has scored five times in 19 caps for.They take on Portugal away tonight in a friendly before taking on Albania on home turf on Monday. More

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    Thiago Silva speaking to former club ‘almost every week’ as Chelsea star nears ‘inevitable’ summer transfer

    CHELSEA star Thiago Silva is in talks with his old club about a transfer return “almost every week” it has been claimed.Silva, 39, is out of contract with the Blues this summer.Thiago Silva has been in contact with his old club ‘almost every week’Credit: GettySilva has found himself for Chelsea out of favour in recent weeksAfter four seasons of being a mainstay in team when fit, he has now not featured since February 12 under Mauricio Pochettino.This has led many to believe the veteran defender will call time on his Stamford Bridge career this summer. And according to reports in his native Brazil, a return to his old club could be on the cards. In an interview with ESPN Brazil, Fluminense sporting director Fred has claimed Silva has been in contact with the club on a weekly basis and remains a “dream” signing for the South American outfit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “Thiago Silva has been a dream of ours for a long time, the president talks to him almost every week. “Thiago has a contract in England, we’re rooting for him, I personally am a friend of his, and I’m a big fan of his character, and he deserves all the best. “He knows that here the doors are wide open for him to return.”Silva played for Fluminense in two stints. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe first came in a 2006 January to June loan transfer from Dinamo Moscow, while the second came between January 2007 and January 2009 before he sealed he transfer back to Europe with AC Milan.Fred continued: “There’s nothing [imminent]. We have to be careful not to put pressure on Thiago. Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”The fans love Thiago, we love Thiago, and Thiago loves Fluminense. “One day it’s inevitable, it will happen, it’s the player’s wish, the club’s wish and we hope it happens as soon as possible.”Silva has played 29 games for Chelsea this season, scoring three times. Chelsea are one of six clubs said to be interested in a transfer for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, while 18-year-old Lille prodigy Leny Yoro is also of interest.Thiago Silva starred for Fluminense twice previously in his careerCredit: AFPThiago Silva’s Chelsea trophy haul

    Champions League – 2020/21
    Fifa Club World Cup 2022
    Uefa Supercup 2021/22
    FA Cup runner-up: 2020–21, 2021–22
    EFL Cup runner-up: 2021–22, 2023-24 More

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    I was an hour away from getting on the plane to sign for Chelsea – now I play for their Premier League rivals

    WEST HAM midfielder Edson Alvarez has revealed that his former club stopped him from joining Chelsea in 2022.Alvarez, 26, joined the Hammers in a £35million transfer from Ajax last summer and has since established himself as a crucial first team player.Edson Alvarez came close to joining Chelsea in 2022Credit: GettyHowever, he could have found himself on the other side of London just one year prior.The midfielder came close to joining Chelsea in the summer of 2022 but Ajax blocked his move at the last minute.In fact, Alvarez has revealed that he was just an hour away from getting on a plane to London before the Eredivisie giants initiated a dramatic U-turn.He told Burro Van Rankin’s podcast for Caliente TV: “Actually, in year three [at Ajax], I had to go to Chelsea, the plane was waiting for me at the airport. When Ajax told me you know what: ‘you’re not going’.Read More in Football”Whether people believe it or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me, I’m the one who is here and the one who is living it.”I was an hour away from getting on the plane and going to sign for Chelsea and Ajax told me: ‘you’re not going’.”So, you’re not leaving, what do you do? There’s no way you’re leaving.”Despite his failed Chelsea transfer, Alvarez remained a crucial part of the Ajax squad during the 2022-23 campaign.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlvarez has become a key player for West HamHe made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists.Since joining West Ham the midfielder has made 25 Premier League appearances.A look at Chelsea’s forgotten wonderkidsAlvarez is currently set to stay at the London Stadium until 2028. More

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    Arsenal and Chelsea in six-club transfer battle for Murillo as Nottingham Forest may be forced to sell

    ARSENAL and Chelsea are reportedly locked in a six-way tussle for Nottingham Forest star Murillo.The Brazilian defender has been one of Forest’s better players this season, clocking up 27 appearances following a £12million move from Corinthians last summer.Arsenal and Chelsea are among six clubs keen on Nottingham Forest star MurilloCredit: AlamyMurillo, 21, was on the radar of Man City, West Ham and Napoli before sealing his switch to the City Ground.But the centre-back could soon be on the move due to Forest’s financial issues.The relegation battlers find themselves in the drop zone after being docked four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.And regardless of whether they stay up, Forest will likely have to sell several stars to balance the books.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGiven his age, talent and potential, Murillo is one of the top candidates to leave.Indeed, the Mail claims Arsenal and Chelsea are already circling after being left impressed by his performances.Liverpool and Newcastle are monitoring the situation too, with club chiefs having their interest piqued by Murillo’s seamless adaptation to life in England.However, there is interest in the youngster from abroad too.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERParis Saint-Germain snapped up fellow Brazilian kids Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo in January for a combined £34m.And with the club continuing to move in a new direction following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar, they could bid for Murillo this summer too.‘Even Nando’s love the Arsenal’, say fans as Bukayo Saka launches own signature PERi-PERi sauce that ‘actually bangs’There is also interest from Barcelona, who already have a new young defensive star in Pau Cubarsi.Murillo could be a long-term partner for the 17-year-old, who has been called up by Spain.But the Forest man’s ability to play as a holding midfielder could also see him earmarked as a replacement for the ageing Oriol Romeu. More