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    Jude Bellingham set for bargain £60m transfer as Dortmund star ‘has SECRET release clause’ which is bad news for Chelsea

    JUDE BELLINGHAM could be on the move for just £60million if the sensational reported secret release clause is genuine.And that would be bad news for Chelsea in their hopes of signing the midfielder.
    Jude Bellingham is a transfer target for a host of European clubsCredit: PA
    Bellingham, 19, is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund for a European powerhouse next summer.
    Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all battling it out for his signature.
    Dortmund want at least £100m – possibly even more – for the England ace.
    However, according to the Daily Mail, Bellingham’s Dortmund contract allegedly has a shock £60m release clause included.
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    And that would make the Three Lions World Cup ace totally affordable for the clubs interested.
    But Chelsea could lose out as a result.
    With United way down in the pecking order, the Blues were ready to rival City and Liverpool to bring Bellingham to the Premier League.
    Should Chelsea trigger that apparent release clause detailed by the Mail, though, it may still not be enough to convince the youngster to head to Stamford Bridge.
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    That is because Bellingham and his family are said to prefer a switch to Liverpool.
    He has a strong relationship with Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as seen at the World Cup, and may be more open to joining the Anfield giants instead.
    Liverpool may well be able to afford a £60m transfer fee, even after securing Cody Gakpo in a shock £37m deal.
    Jurgen Klopp has wanted to sign Bellingham for a year but said on a January switch: “I’m the wrong person to ask about whether Jude is available in January.
    “The January window? We are looking and if something happens, we’ll see. From a sports side, we are always prepared.”

    However, as reported by SunSport, City are confident Bellingham will snub both Liverpool and Champions League holders Real Madrid to join them.
    Etihad sources reckon the prospect of working with Pep Guardiola will swing the Dortmund star’s decision in their favour. More

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    ‘I love Arsenal’ – Chelsea transfer blow as Rafael Leao reveals Gunners fandom as he confesses Premier League dream

    CHELSEA transfer target Rafael Leao has revealed his admiration for Arsenal.Leao, 23, is one of the most sought-after young players in Europe right now, with seven goals and nine assists for AC Milan so far this season.
    Leao has expressed his admiration for ArsenalCredit: Alamy
    His impressive form has attracted interest from numerous Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
    However, he recently expressed his love for Arsenal.
    In an interview with RDP Africa, Leao said: “I’ve seen a lot of games this year.
    “I like Arsenal, I think they play very well.”
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    The winger currently has 18 months remaining on his AC Milan contract, but he is yet to agree terms for a new deal.
    Chelsea are expected to submit a lucrative offer in the next few weeks worth upwards of £86million.
    Blues boss Graham Potter is understood to be eager to bolster his squad in January, with Leao the priority target.
    But, Man Utd are also interested in signing the Portuguese superstar.
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    United boss Erik ten Hag had been plotting a move for Cody Gakpo, however the Dutch winger has since agreed to join Liverpool in a shock £37m transfer.
    A statement from PSV read: “PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the upcoming transfer of Cody Gakpo.
    “The 23-year-old attacker will immediately leave for England where he will undergo the necessary formalities to complete the transfer.
    “Both clubs are not making any announcements about the transfer fee. ‘But this is a record transfer for PSV.” More

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    Chelsea ‘want Joao Felix in stunning January loan transfer’ as Todd Boehly targets three players

    CHELSEA are considering a stunning move to sign Joao Felix on loan in the January transfer window, according to reports.The Atletico Madrid forward, 23, has started just five of the Spanish giants’ 13 league matches so far this season.
    Joao Felix impressed for Portugal at the World CupCredit: Getty
    He has contributed four goals and three assists in 18 games in all competitions.
    But he has struggled to live up to the £113million price tag he joined for from Benfica in 2019.
    And according to The Telegraph, Chelsea could now be set to try to prise him away from the Wanda Metropolitano.
    Atletico Madrid are thought to be “braced” for an offer from Graham Potter’s men as owner Todd Boehly bids to improve his squad in the mid-season window.
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    Chelsea are keen for the design of the deal to be a short-term loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer.
    Felix, who has also been linked with a move to Man Utd, would come in as a left-sided forward that can also play on the right – with Kai Havertz believed to be the preferred option through the middle.
    Despite a lack of game time at club level, Felix started four of Portugal’s five matches at the World Cup before they were knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
    He scored in their opener as they secured a 3-2 win over Ghana, before producing a stunning display in their 6-1 demolition of Switzerland.
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    Boehly is also considering moves for a pair of centre-backs.
    RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who was sensational for Croatia at the World Cup, is on their radar as a £45m option but is set to attract interest from a host of top clubs.
    Should the Gvardiol deal not come off, Chelsea are also looking at Monaco man Benoit Badiashile who would cost in excess of £30m.
    Chelsea lost four games in a row before the World Cup break, dropping to ninth in the Premier League table.
    They are also the lowest scorers in the top half after netting just 17 times in 14 games.
    Josko Gvardiol was one of the standout defenders at the World CupCredit: Getty
    Benoit Badiashile is now thought to be on Chelsea’s radarCredit: AFP More

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    Chelsea closing in on Benoit Badiashile transfer in £35m deal from Monaco as Graham Potter targets new defenders

    CHELSEA are closing in on defender Benoit Badiashile as Graham Potter looks to recruit new centre-backs.The Blues have been busy ahead of the transfer window opening and could be set to spring again.
    Benoit Badiashile has impressed in Ligue 1 for Monaco this seasonCredit: Getty
    Talks over Monaco’s Badiashile are now at an “advanced stage”, according to well-connected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
    He reports that Chelsea have submitted an official proposal for the 21-year-old.
    The club’s interest in the Frenchman was well known and reports have indicated that he could cost between £30-35m.
    Badiashile is strong in one-on-one situations, well-built, quick and is a strong passer.
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    His young age means he could form part of Chelsea’s defence for several years, alongside countryman Wesley Fofana.
    The new ownership have targeted new defenders since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
    Along with Fofana, the London side have also turned to Kalidou Koulibaly to help mend the defence.
    And they have been linked to several up-and-coming centre-backs around Europe.
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    World Cup star Josko Gvardiol, 20, has attracted the interest of Chelsea but his rising value and reputation has left the Blues considering more immediate options.
    Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie, also 20, of Bayern Leverkusen and Evan Ndicka of Eintracht Frankfurt have also reportedly been looked at by the Premier League side.
    Reports suggest Chelsea have already made one signing for January – Molde striker David Datro Fofana.
    They also appear very close to landing Brazil wonderkid Andrey Santos from Vasco. More

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    Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea scout Yousuf Sajjad who helped unearth top young stars becomes technical director of Den Bosch

    FORMER Arsenal and Chelsea scout Yousuf Sajjad has reportedly become the technical director of Dutch side Den Bosch.The 30-year-old left the Gunners back in September and has turned down job offers from League One and Championship clubs over the past three months.
    Yousuf Sajjad is the new technical director of Den Bosch
    But now he has taken a senior role with Den Bosch who currently play their football in the Eerste Divisie – Holland’s second tier.
    And in doing so he becomes the youngest person in the EU to hold the technical director position.
    Sajjad is incredibly well-respected as a scout having previously discovered talent at both Arsenal and Chelsea.
    While working for the Blues, he brought through the likes of Ian Maatsen, Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu.
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    Now his move to Den Bosch – reported by The Mail – could spark a host of English talent joining the club given his knowledge of the country’s pool of talent.
    Den Bosch is part of a multi-club model, with other outfits in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Holland.
    They are currently struggling in the Eerste Divisie after a poor start to the campaign.
    Three successive defeats have seen the club drop to 15th place in the table.
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    However, there is no relegation from the second tier.
    They have not played in the Eredivisie since being relegated back in 2005.
    And they have not finished in the top half of the second division since coming fourth in 2019. More

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    Chelsea star N’Golo Kante wanted by Al Nassr in ambitious free transfer as Saudi side also target Cristiano Ronaldo

    CHELSEA star N’Golo Kante is being targeted by Al-Nassr, reports suggest.According to Get French Football News, the Saudi Arabian giants want to land Kante on a free transfer in the summer once his contract runs out in June.
    Chelsea star N’Golo Kante is being targeted by Saudi Arabian giants Al-NassrCredit: Getty
    Al-Nassr are also keeping tabs on Cristiano Ronaldo after he left Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    The midfielder has been plagued by injury throughout this season and was left out of France’s 2022 World Cup squad after managing a total of only three appearances.
    Al-Nassr are determined to sign some top stars in the summer, with Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly posing as a priority after his dramatic exit from Manchester United.
    The club is being backed by the Saudi regime to attract some of the world’s biggest names in the country.
    That is due to the nation’s attempts to win their bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
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    As Sun Sport previously revealed, Ronaldo has an offer worth £173million on the table from Al-Nassr.
    It has also been claimed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is “expected to join them” – although SunSport understands he has not accepted a contract from them yet.
    Kante, on the other hand, seems to enjoy life in London and would prefer to join another club in the English capital if Chelsea don’t offer him a contract extension.
    However, the France international is also not against a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
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    The 31-year-old has also been linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
    Barca are looking for reinforcement in midfield and are targeting free agents due to their financial woes. More

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    Chelsea leading race for Declan Rice transfer ahead of Man Utd as his old club target swoop from West Ham

    CHELSEA are reportedly leading the race for England midfielder Declan Rice.The Blues have been chasing the West Ham ace for nearly three years but have yet to come close to securing his signature.
    Declan Rice has 18 months left on his West Ham contractCredit: GETTY
    Rice has rejected THREE new contract offers from the HammersCredit: REX
    Chelsea are reportedly leading the race for the midfielder’s signatureCredit: JAME MCPHILIMEY
    Rice’s future at the London Stadium, however, is currently up in the air as he has 18 months left on his contract.
    And the midfielder has rejected THREE new contract offers from the Hammers.
    Rice won’t be sold in the upcoming January transfer window, but West Ham could cash in on him in the summer.
    And The Athletic claim Chelsea are in poll position to land the 23-year-old – who was once on their academy books – ahead of their Premier League rivals.
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    It’s claimed, however, that the Blues are concerned they could be pipped to his signature by Manchester United or Manchester City.
    Former Chelsea chief Frank Lampard revealed last April that he tried his utmost to bring Rice to Stamford Bridge.
    He said: “We are fortunate to have him in England. West Ham are fortunate to have him.
    “He’s a leader and it is clear that he’s destined for great things. 
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    “I have probably given it away with how I spoke about him, but I think it’s common knowledge that I was a big fan of his.
    “It didn’t happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players in the summer. But I was a big fan of him.”
    Rice put the Premier League’s big boys on red alert after England’s World Cup last-16 win over Senegal by reaffirming his desire to play in the Champions League.
    He said: “One hundred per cent, I want to play in the Champions League.
    “For the last two or three years, I’ve been saying that.
    Frank Lampard tried to sign Declan Rice while he was in charge of ChelseaCredit: GETTY
    “I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.
    “I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.”
    He added: “You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.
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    “I really want to do that.”
    Rice and his West Ham team-mates will be back in action on Boxing Day, travelling to the Emirates to take on Arsenal. More

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    Chelsea in £31m transfer talks for Monaco star Benoit Badiashile as Graham Potter eyes left-sided centre-back

    CHELSEA have begun talks for rising Monaco star Benoit Badiashile, according to reports.The centre-back has become the latest target for the club as they look for young defenders to beef up their back line.
    Benoit Badiashile has impressed fans in France this seasonCredit: Getty
    The 21-year-old has emerged as a priority for Chelsea and will cost around £31million, according to the Athletic.
    He is 6ft 4in and has impressed with his performances in Ligue 1 this season.
    Badiashile is known for being quick, brilliant in one-on-one situations and having good ability on the ball.
    It is believed the Blues are in pursuit of the young Frenchman and will look to land him in the January window with Graham Potter keen on a left-sided centre-back.
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    But the club have been chasing other targets including World Cup star Josko Gvardiol.
    The 20-year-old has long been linked with a Stamford Bridge move but his rising value and reputation has left Chelsea considering more immediate options.
    But the Athletic say he could still be a target in the summer.
    Also linked to the club is Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie, also 20, of Bayern Leverkusen and Evan Ndicka, whose contract with Eintracht Frankfurt expires at the end of the season.
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    Chelsea are looking to recruit another long-term defensive option to sit alongside Wesley Fofana who joined in the summer but has been riddled with injury issues.
    Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly, who have been regular starters this season, are both in their 30s.
    Even though the window has not yet opened, the London side have been quite busy already.
    Chelsea have already reportedly made one January signing – Molde striker David Datro Fofana.
    They also seem very close to landing Brazil wonderkid Andrey Santos from Vasco. More