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    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang offered chance of Chelsea transfer exit just months after move as Paul Merson says ‘he’s DONE’

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG could find himself on his way out of Chelsea just months after signing for the Blues from Barcelona.The 33-year-old has been linked with a transfer, while Paul Merson has claimed Aubameyang is “done” at Stamford Bridge.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled for Chelsea since signing from BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
    Chelsea are desperate for goals and have today confirmed the signing of Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.
    Aubameyang has netted just once in the Premier League this season and has fallen out of favour in recent games.
    The former Arsenal man is now set to be even lower in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
    And Atletico, now in need of a forward, have enquired about Aubameyang’s services.
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    That’s according to the Evening Standard, who say Aubameyang’s name was mentioned during negotiations for Felix.
    However, the striker has not been made available for a transfer or loan move as of yet.
    He is also unable to play for a third European club this season having already featured for Barcelona and Chelsea.
    Nevertheless, Merson still reckons Aubameyang’s Chelsea career is as good as over.
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    Especially after Aubameyang was subbed off having come on for Raheem Sterling early in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
    Merson wrote in his Sky Sports column: “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was taken off after coming on as a substitute in the first game against Man City and I think he will now be moved on.
    “I think they will cut their ties with him.
    “As soon as you are sub-subbing a 30-something player, I think that is probably the end.
    “Maybe you can get away with it with a younger player, but in football it’s one of those unwritten rules. It’s a don’t-do.
    “But Potter did it with him at 33 and, for me, I think he’s done.” More

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    Chelsea draw up five-man shortlist for statement midfield transfer including Bellingham, Rice and Fernandez

    CHELSEA have drawn up a five-man shortlist for a big name signing, reports suggest. It includes England duo Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice among other World Cup stars.
    Jude Bellingham headlines Chelsea’s wish list for a new midfielderCredit: Getty
    Declan Rice is one of Chelsea’s main midfield targetsCredit: Rex
    With the contracts of both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante expiring in the summer, The Telegraph have reported there are contrasting positions on new deals for them.
    They report “positive talks” have been held for a new Kante deal, while Jorginho appears to be edging closer to the exit door.
    This means an overhaul is desperately needed in central midfield.
    And Todd Boehly, as well as transfer chiefs Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley, has drawn up their list of stars to replace them…
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    Jude Bellingham
    Bellingham is perhaps the most sought-after player in world football at the moment, so it makes sense that Chelsea would be linked with him.
    However, regardless of Boehly’s “obsession” with him, the teenager appears destined to head to either Real Madrid or Liverpool – though a transfer is set to cost north of £100million.
    Declan Rice
    Having once been a part of the Blues academy before rising to prominence at West Ham, Rice has been heavily linked with a move to a bigger team for many years.
    Chelsea have been earmarked to rekindle his friendship with Mason Mount, but as it stands Arsenal are leading the race for the £88m-rated ace with his Hammers deal expiring in 18 months’ time.
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    Enzo Fernandez
    Enzo Fernandez has already been the subject of a bid from Chelsea, with reports suggesting a £79m-plus player offer was submitted to Benfica.
    However, the bid was branded “disrespectful,” and any bid for Fernandez will now likely need to wait until the summer after Fernandez himself appeared to squash rumours of his exit with his latest goal celebration.
    Chelsea have already failed in one bid to sign Enzo FernandezCredit: Getty
    Alexis Mac Allister
    Fellow Argentine World Cup hero Alexis Mac Allister is a name familiar to Chelsea manager Graham Potter, and his good form has seen the Blues consider him for a transfer.
    The Brighton star is not at the top of their list, but if Chelsea are genuinely interested they may need to move swiftly to beat the equally keen Arsenal or Tottenham to his signature.
    Here’s how Alexis Mac Allister has performed for Brighton this season
    Moises Caicedo
    The final name on Chelsea’s wishlist is another star who emerged under Potter at Brighton – 21-year-old Moises Caicedo.
    Like Mac Allister, Caicedo is not top of the list, but he is arguably more in demand across European football with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United all monitoring him. More

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    Chelsea COMPLETE £10m Joao Felix loan transfer ahead of Man Utd and Arsenal after he extends Atletico Madrid deal

    CHELSEA have completed the loan signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.The Blues have bolstered their forward line by bringing in the Portuguese international on a temporary deal until the end of the season.
    Chelsea have signed Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the seasonCredit: Twitter @chelseafc

    Graham Potter’s side have agreed to pay a £10million loan fee to take Felix until the end of the season.
    They will also cover the entirety of the player’s wages for the rest of the campaign.
    The deal will NOT include an option for Chelsea to make the move permanent, with Atletico having extended his contract by a year to 2027 before allowing the forward to leave.
    Felix, 23, also attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal this month – but opted to snub both for the Blues.
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    The West Londoners won the race for his signature after he was attracted by the project at Stamford Bridge.
    Felix said: “Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives, so I am very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge.”
    The former Benfica ace joined Atletico in a bumper £112m deal in 2019.
    He has made 131 appearances for Atleti, scoring 34 goals.
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    Felix’s relationship with boss Diego Simeone turned sour this season, prompting him to seek a January exit.
    He was spotted driving to the airport this morning as he headed to London to seal a deal.
    His £250,000-a-week salary sees him become Chelsea’s joint-fourth top earner.
    The new recruit’s wages are level with Reece James’, but behind the £325k deal earned by Raheem Sterling, £310k given to Kai Havertz and £295k pocketed each week by Kalidou Koulibaly.
    Felix has started both of Atletico’s LaLiga matches since the World Cup.
    He scored in the 2-0 victory over Elche on December 29, before playing 73 minutes of Atleti’s fiery 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at the weekend.
    Chelsea have already been busy this month, spending over £60m on Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana.
    The Blues’ forward line will be further boosted by the summer arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig in a £53m deal.
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    Having missed out on Felix, Man United are set to prioritise their move for Dutch forward Wout Weghorst.
    While Arsenal remain keen on Mykhailo Mudryk.
    Felix signed a contract extension at Atletico before securing the loanCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea ‘leapfrog Tottenham in Pedro Porro transfer race’ with Blues desperate to seal £37m deal

    CHELSEA have overtaken Tottenham in the race to sign Pedro Porro, according to reports.Spanish full-back Porro, 23, is highly-rated at Sporting Lisbon and has attracted heavy interest from the Premier League.
    Pedro Porro is the subject of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and TottenhamCredit: EPA
    Here’s how Porro has performed in the Champions League for Sporting Lisbon this season
    Tottenham have been a long-term admirer of his, owing to their lack of quality at right wing-back.
    However, with the North Londoners baulking at the Spaniard’s £37million release clause, Chelsea have the opportunity to take advantage.
    And according to Mundo Deportivo, the Blues are now the club “closest” to signing him.
    They suggest the recent run of poor results has added to arguments to bring in reinforcements, with Reece James a frequent injury worry.
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    Graham Potter will be happy to add a genuine quality option in the position after he bolstered his misfiring attack with a loan move for Joao Felix.
    For Antonio Conte and Tottenham, it will come as a bitter blow given their desperate need for an improvement in the position, with Fabrizio Romano reaffirming that Porro is their main target.

    Conte heavily endorsed a move for a right wing-back in the summer, with Tottenham securing Djed Spence and Ivan Perisic.
    But Spence seldom plays under the Italian, while Perisic operates mainly on the left flank.
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    Both sides are seeing the top four slip away from their grasp, which would deprive them of the Champions League next season, unless one of them can win the competition.
    Tottenham remain close to fourth placed Manchester United after losing the spot over the festive period and have been erratic since the World Cup.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea’s struggles speak for themselves.
    They are currently 10th in the Prem, with a damning stat revealing their poor form under Potter – though the Blues had slipped below par even under predecessor Thomas Tuchel. More

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    ‘World’s most beautiful footballer’ desperate to date Cristiano Ronaldo and reveals she is Chelsea fan

    GLAMOROUS footballer Ana Maria Markovic appears desperate to date Cristiano Ronaldo – and revealed she is a Chelsea fan. Ana Maria Markovic – dubbed the world’s most beautiful footballer – has made it no secret she is a big admirer of Ronaldo.
    Ana Maria Markovic is dubbed the world’s most beautiful footballer
    Ana Maria Markovic appears desperate to date Cristiano Ronaldo
    Cristiano Ronaldo is an idol of Ana Maria MarkovicCredit: PA
    She even once claimed she earned an international call up with Croatia after copying her idol.
    And Markovic, 23, looks keen to try and repay Ronaldo, 37, after she posted a selfie and tagged the ex-Manchester United star.
    Unfortunately for Markovic, Ronaldo is in a long-term relationship with Georgina Rodriquez and the couple have just moved to Saudi Arabia following his transfer to Al-Nassr.
    Despite that, Markovic did reveal she is a Chelsea fan, having been asked to name her favourite English side.
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    And despite Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic winning the Champions League with the Blues, Frank Lampard is still her all-time favourite Chelsea player.
    Markovic currently plays for Swiss Women’s Super League club Grasshopper and has nine international caps to her name, with one goal.
    Real Madrid legend Luka Modric is an idol of hers, but Ronaldo is her ultimate inspiration.
    She told 20min: “Modric is definitely a great role model for me. He is a world footballer and represents Croatia.
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    “There are many good players among the women, such as Bachmann.
    “But my absolute favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo because he’s just so disciplined.
    “I think it’s super important that you give your all in sport and have a good mindset like him.”
    Ana Maria Markovic plays for Swiss Women’s Super League club Grasshopper
    She has one international Croatia goal to her name
    Ana Maria Markovic is a Chelsea fan More

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    Man Utd tipped to seal Edouard Mendy transfer as replacement for David De Gea from Chelsea as he holds contract talks

    LOUIS SAHA has claimed signing Edouard Mendy “would make perfect sense” for Manchester United if David De Gea doesn’t sign a new Old Trafford deal.Spanish stopper De Gea, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season.
    David De Gea’s Manchester United contract expires at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils have been urged to move for Edouard Mendy if De Gea leavesCredit: Getty
    He is reportedly facing a huge pay-cut to his current £375,000-a-week deal in order to stay at the club.
    Although De Gea himself recently claimed he wants to finish his career at Old Trafford amid reports of contract talks.
    But Saha, 44, who spent four years at United, has urged the Red Devils to “take a punt” on Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy if De Gea does leave.
    The Stamford Bridge goalie, 30, has fallen out of favour to Kepa Arrizabalaga in recent months.
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    Saha told Football Odds and Betting: “Man United should take a punt on Edouard Mendy if De Gea leaves.
    “De Gea is still right at the top level, but of course making mistakes like he did against Everton is never good.
    “Over the years, De Gea has done tremendous performances to save the team and he deserves the time and credit for that.
    “If De Gea doesn’t sign a new contract then a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy would make perfect sense.
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    “He has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world the last few years and I’m not sure what happened.”
    United do have the option to extend De Gea’s deal by a further year, but are alleged to have opted against triggering the clause.
    Mendy meanwhile recently snubbed a six-year contract offer from Chelsea.
    SunSport exclusively revealed that Mendy turned down the deal because he believed the Blues didn’t show him enough “respect” over wages.
    Mendy earns around £100,000 a week and wants parity with his Blues rival Kepa who picks up almost twice that. More

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    Arsenal ‘considering shock Eden Hazard transfer move’ with 32-year-old ex-Chelsea star mulling over Real Madrid future

    ARSENAL are considering a shock move for Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, according to reports.The former Chelsea winger is supposedly holding showdown talks over his future with the LaLiga side open to letting him leave.
    Real Madrid seem to be willing to let Eden Hazard leave the club this monthCredit: Getty
    And he could have a surprise offer from the Gunners as they look to bolster their squad for the title race.
    Outlet Mediafoot claims that Hazard could go to Arsenal if their proposed transfer for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk doesn’t materialise amid competition from Chelsea.
    Reports suggest that initial contact between Mikel Arteta’s side and representatives in the Spanish capital has been made.
    Hazard’s contract expires at the end of the next season and there has supposedly been interest from MLS teams, Fenerbahce and Al-Nassr.
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    The 32-year-old has found minutes hard to come by at Real Madrid this season, being an unused substitute on 16 occasions.
    He has featured only seven times, managing to score just once in all competitions.

    His big money move to Los Blancos back in 2019 has not gone to plan as he has suffered a number of injuries and because of the emergence of Vinicius Junior.
    Hazard was even recently mocked by a fourth-division player in the Copa del Rey as he was hooked off by boss Carlo Ancelotti in the 67th minute.
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    Demanding Real Madrid supporters also slammed his performance in the rare start.
    Hazard’s best days came in England with Chelsea, helping the Blues win two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues.
    He would offer Arsenal experience and he is hoping to rejuvenate his career having also retired from international football with Belgium after a disappointing World Cup More

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    Enzo Fernandez appears to end Chelsea transfer speculation with passionate celebration after scoring on Benfica return

    ENZO FERNANDEZ appeared to end any Chelsea transfer speculation after passionately celebrating a goal on his return to Benfica. The Argentinian World Cup winner has been subject to heavy interest from the Blues, following his breakout performances in Qatar.
    Enzo Fernandez appeared to suggest he is staying at BenficaCredit: Twitter
    Fernandez, 21, was even left out of Benfica’s 1-0 win over Portimonense last Friday amid Chelsea’s pursuit of the player.
    But the midfielder returned in a cup match against Varzim, scoring on 78 minutes as the game ended 2-0.
    And Fernandez gave the biggest hint yet that he is not leaving after pointing to the Benfica badge and ground, insinuating he is staying put.
    Chelsea were at loggerheads with the Portuguese giants as they refused to pay the playmaker’s £105million release clause and failed in their bid to negotiate.
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    And Benfica manager Roger Schmidt ruled out Fernandez leaving just a day before his return to the starting XI.
    Schmidt said: “The Enzo story is closed, there’s nothing left. He’s our player.

    “He’s in a good position, Enzo is happy, training well, he’s part of the team. He’s a key player. That’s all.”
    Chelsea have now turned their attention to Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, 23.
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    Felix has agreed to move to Stamford Bridge on a six-month loan, worth £10m, despite interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.
    Chelsea have also signed defender Benoit Badiashile, 21, attacker David Datro Fofana, 20, and 18-year-old midfielder Andrey Santos this month.
    But Chelsea boss Graham Potter could be ready to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, who was signed by previous boss Thomas Tuchel.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang faces the axe at ChelseaCredit: Getty More