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    Chelsea ‘face having to pay Mount £300k a week as they plot stunning double transfer swoop for Bellingham and Rice’

    CHELSEA reportedly face having to pay Mason Mount £300,000-a-week on a new contract.The Blues are plotting an ambitious double swoop for England pals Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
    Chelsea could end up having to pay Mason Mount £300,000-a-week on a new dealCredit: Getty
    The Blues are hoping to land England pals Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice next summerCredit: Getty
    Mount, 23, has been one of Chelsea’s key players since breaking into the side three years ago.
    He’s been the club’s Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
    And Mount is now a regular for his country, playing a key role in Monday’s 6-2 World Cup win over Iran.
    He looked right at home in a midfield three with Borussia Dortmund’s Bellingham and West Ham’s Rice.
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    And the Telegraph claims Chelsea are looking to swoop for both aces in a mega midfield rebuild next summer.
    However, that could force the Blues to pay top dollar to contract rebel Mount, who is one of their lowest earners on £88k per week.
    He has just 18 months remaining on his Stamford Bridge deal.
    And although talks are progressing, there is yet to be a breakthrough over fresh terms.
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    Mount is now thought to be attracting interest from both Liverpool and Juventus.
    But he is sure to stay if presented with a contract boasting a weekly wage of £300k.
    That’s because Rice and Bellingham would reportedly command that salary should they move to west London.
    And Mount would want to be on level terms with his Three Lions teammates.
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    It now remains to be seen whether Chelsea can find a breakthrough after the World Cup.
    Mount will be hoping to keep impressing when England face the USA on Friday. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes ‘set to reopen Chelsea transfer talks’ after Man Utd exit with Todd Boehly keen

    CHELSEA are reportedly set to open talks to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after he was axed by Manchester United.The Portuguese attacker saw his contract terminated by the Red Devils following his interview with Piers Morgan.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is a free agent after leaving Man UtdCredit: Reuters
    Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly set to open talks with ChelseaCredit: Reuters
    Now a free agent the 37-year-old will be on the lookout for his next club.
    And he may not have to wait that long as Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge according to CBS Sports Golazo.
    Reporter Ben Jacobs tweeted: “Todd Boehly sees the appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo.”
    He also revealed that Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is will “offer” him to Chelsea again.
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    However, a move remains “complicated” as new manager Graham Potter is “less convinced” about the idea of signing him.
    A move for the attacker will require the backing from Potter, who is still adjusting the side to fit his style.

    Chelsea spent big in the summer bringing in over £200million worth of talent, but they have yet to make a positive impact on the team.
    The Blues are currently eighth in the Premier League having lost three and drawn two of their last five games.
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    Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon and with clubs in the MLS.
    Piers Morgan also has suggested that Arsenal should try and sign him.
    He is currently on international duty with Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar. More

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    Chelsea transfer blow with PSG the ONLY team to open negotiations with Palmeiras about wonderkid Endrick, says dad

    CHELSEA have suffered a blow in their pursuit of wonderkid Endrick after falling behind their rivals in negotiations. Paris Saint-Germain are the only team to have put forward an official proposal to sign him from Palmeiras.
    Endrick celebrates after helping Palmeiras win the Brazilian Serie ACredit: Getty
    Endrick contributed to four goals in seven senior matches this seasonCredit: Getty
    Speaking to Canal do Nicola, Endrick’s father Douglas revealed: “Paris Saint-Germain are the only club that opened negotiations with Palmeiras with an official proposal, as things stand.
    “There are many club from different countries keen on signing him. PSG have already moved.”
    The other clubs he refers to include the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.
    Both have been linked with a move for the 16-year-old alongside Chelsea and PSG.
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    United’s hopes may have somewhat rested on the forwar’ds admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo after he copied the Portugal legend’s celebration.
    However, given the way Ronaldo spoke about the club in his recent tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, that factor may have been rendered mute.
    Endrick cannot leave his current club until he turns 18, but he is already gearing up for a move to a Champions League side.
    He said: “I’m not gonna answer about my future club. Of course, I’d like to play Champions League in 2, 3 or 4 years.
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    “I’m open to all the clubs, waiting for the best proposal for me and my family.”
    Clubs could sign the Brazilian, who scored 165 goals in 169 games at youth level, for £51million due to a release clause inserted into his contract. More

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    Chelsea ‘eye transfer for Aston Villa ace Leon Bailey’ to team up with England star and close friend Raheem Sterling

    CHELSEA are considering a move for Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey as they look to beef up their forward line, reports say. The winger, who is close friends with Blues star Raheem Sterling, has enjoyed an improved season and is now thriving in the Premier League.
    Leon Bailey is finding his feet in the Premier LeagueCredit: Alamy
    Meanwhile, Chelsea have found their limp attack to be their undoing again this season, with Thomas Tuchel being sacked in September and form now collapsing under Graham Potter.
    And the London club are being linked to a whole range of stars with the new ownership, led by American tycoon Todd Boehly, looking likely to spend in January.
    Despite Villa’s struggles this season, Bailey has emerged as a talent after a difficult first year at the club.
    After his £25m move from Bayer Leverkusen, the Jamaican struggled to adapt to the league, notching up only a goal and two assists last season.
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    But he’s already surpassed those numbers this season with three strikes and two assists, including a dramatic equaliser against Manchester City in September.
    His improvement has got the Chelsea hierarchy interested in him, according to the Mail.
    They will hope that Bailey can combine with his good friend Sterling to make Chelsea a more dangerous side going forward.
    As has become a regular theme in recent years, the Blues have major shortcomings in attack.
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    They could make the move for Bailey if interests surfaces for American flop Christian Pulisic.
    He has struggled to make an impact following an impressive first season at Stamford Bridge and has become a fringe player.
    Pulisic is set to feature prominently in the United States’ World Cup campaign and Chelsea are believed to willing to let him go if it creates space for Bailey.
    The Aston Villa man has long been a target and was on Chelsea’s radar even when he was at Genk and Bayer Leverkusen. More

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    Chelsea ‘ready to sign Cristiano Ronaldo’ in transfer U-turn if Man Utd go through with plans to rip up star’s contract

    CHELSEA have reignited their interest in Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.The Blues were linked to the striker over the summer before cooling their interest.
    Chelsea have reignited their interest in Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Reuters
    It was claimed owner Todd Boehly was keen on landing Ronaldo but the deal was not given the green light by then manager Thomas Tuchel.
    But with Chelsea struggling for goals they could turn to Ronaldo, report The Mirror.
    However, the Blues will only make an approach for the superstar if he is sacked by United.
    Red Devils chiefs are ready to rip up Ronaldo’s contract and have vowed to take action against the 37-year-old.
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    But first they need a guarantee from lawyers that they can terminate Ronaldo’s contract without having to pay him a penny.
    Reports claim United could even file a lawsuit against Ronaldo over allegations his recent comments have damaged the club’s reputation and caused financial loss.
    Ronaldo slammed the way the club has been run over the last decade in a bombshell interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan.
    The Portuguese claimed the club has not progressed since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
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    He also criticised the club’s appointment of interim boss Ralf Rangnick last season and said he does not respect Erik ten Hag.
    United responded by releasing a statement saying: “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.
    “Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.” More

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    Chelsea blow as transfer target Nkunku out until January as RB Leipzig ace suffers ligament damage that may need surgery

    CHELSEA transfer target Christopher Nkunku has suffered a setback in his injury battle.The Red Bull Leipzig striker has been told he has damaged ligaments in his left knee and will be out until the new year.
    Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku is out of the World CupCredit: AFP
    Nkunku, 24, has been hoping to secure a £56 million move to Stamford Bridge next summer and even underwent a secret medical in the summer.
    But now he may need surgery and could be sidelined for six to eight weeks even before he begins training to regain full fitness.
    RB Leipzig said: “There are different options to treat this kind of injury.”
    Nkunku got injured in a training session with the France team and had to pull out of their defending champions’ squad.
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    The attacker immediately showed his discomfort, sitting on the ground and shaking his hand at the pain.
    It is a blow for Chelsea too after they reached an agreement in principle with Leipzig to sign Nkunku.
    The France star has a release clause of around £53million in his contract.
    But the Blues have reportedly negotiated his price down and could complete the deal next summer.
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    Boehly was very keen on signing Nkunku and used the advanced medical as a show of determination.
    The attacking midfielder also had interest from PSG but it seems Chelsea are favourites to wrap up a transfer. More

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    Brighton chief reveals shock at Chelsea approaching Graham Potter ‘literally within minutes’ of sacking Thomas Tuchel

    BRIGHTON CEO Paul Barber has revealed that Chelsea approached him about appointing Graham Potter just minutes after they sacked Thomas Tuchel.The Seagulls chief has opened up about the shock phone call he received from Blues owner Todd Boehly in October.
    Graham Potter has won seven games as Chelsea bossCredit: Getty
    Thomas Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea soon after spending over £200million in the transfer marketCredit: AP
    Paul Barber admitted he was shocked when the Blues came in for Graham PotterCredit: Getty
    He was informed of the surprise news that Tuchel had been dismissed as Chelsea manager and that they wanted Potter to leave Brighton and replace him.
    Barber told the Albion Roar podcast: “I think they [Chelsea] had done their homework.
    “We probably felt that most of the top six clubs were fairly settled with their managers for the season. Generally speaking, we felt that there was going to be some consistency.
    “What we didn’t expect to happen, obviously, was for Chelsea’s new owners to decide Tuchel wasn’t for them and there to suddenly be a gap there.
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    “Literally within minutes of Tuchel being told, Boehly called me and asked about Graham.
    “I guess I was probably the first to know outside of Chelsea that Tuchel had been dismissed and it was certainly before it was public knowledge.
    “In that situation you see the name come up on the phone, it’s early in the morning, you think, ‘This isn’t a good call to get early in the morning’, it certainly wasn’t the alarm call I was expecting.
    “These things happen and unfortunately in football, there’s a very small pool of top coaches and a very small pool of clubs that they are likely to go to when one of those clubs has a vacancy.
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    “Then all of a sudden you know you’ve got a very good person and coach and you know you are going to be vulnerable.”
    Barber went on to say the only role he thought may have come up for Potter was the England job.
    But Chelsea got there man just a day after sacking Tuchel as they activated Potter’s release clause.
    Brighton had to find a new boss unexpectedly and opted for Roberto De Zerbi.
    Despite the change in manager they have kept up their impressive start to the season and currently sit 7th in the Premier League table.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea have had an up and down time under Potter with the club in 8th as we enter the World Cup hiatus. More

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    Hector Bellerin voted Barcelona’s WORST transfer by fans following summer move from Arsenal

    HECTOR BELLERIN has been named Barcelona’s worst transfer by fans after his summer switch from Arsenal.The former Gunner moved to the La Liga giants on a free transfer after his contract in North London was terminated.
    Hector Bellerin has struggled to impress since joining BarcelonaCredit: AFP
    Bellerin signed a one-year deal at the Nou Camp, but the return to his boyhood club has not gone as successfully as he would have hoped for.
    Having only made five appearances for Barcelona, three of which were starts, he has failed to make the right-back spot his own.
    Since mid-September, Bellerin has only managed 20 minutes of playing time due to injury and has been on the bench for the club’s last four matches.
    To make matters worse for the defender, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo asked fans to rate Barcelona’s summer business out of ten, a test that he has not done well in.
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    While former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski scored an impressive 9.32 out of 10, Bellerin was only awarded a shocking 4.42 rating.
    Lewandowski was the clear favourite to get the highest approval rating as he has scored 18 goals in his first 19 appearances for the club.
    But other players such as Chelsea transfer target Jules Kounde scored an impressive 7.82.
    Bellerin is closer to former AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie who, after 13 appearances in all competitions and one goal, was rated at 5.38.
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    Bellerin was hopeful of extending his stay with the Blaugrana as he told Radio Catalunya earlier this month: “I want to sign a new deal as I want to stay here at Barca, I’m really happy.”
    But that might be an unfulfilled wish of the Spaniard, as there are already reports surfacing that Barcelona have decided not to renew his deal, according to AS. More