Chelsea transfer news

LEANDRO TROSSARD has admitted he would be open to leaving Brighton if the right team came in for him.The winger is attracting transfer attention after scoring five goals in seven Premier League games this season, including a hat-trick at Anfield on Saturday.
Leandro Trossard is attracting transfer interest with five goals in seven gamesCredit: EPA
The Belgian also has two assists and revealed he is happy at Brighton and is excited about starting a new chapter on the south coast under new boss Roberto De Zerbi.
He refused to give a definitive answer when asked about his future on the BBC’s Monday Night Club.
He said: “It’s difficult to say anything about that now.
“It completely depends on which club would come.
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“If I feel good and things are good on a private level… but I also know how good I am at Brighton, also with new coach Roberto De Zerbi it looks promising.”
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in the winger and Trossard, 27, admitted he would like to join former manager Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge.
He is refusing to dwell on the speculation linking him to Blues, but said he would go if the opportunity arises in January – as long as he gets assurances over game time.
Trossard said: “I have evolved tremendously. I now know how Premier League works. I’ve grown tremendously in that. Confidence, mentally, physically, … I have become better.
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“I have mastered the tricks now. Our coach did leave for Chelsea now but speculations about me following him make no sense.
“If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I want to play and not sit on the bench.”
Trossard was also linked to Manchester United and Newcastle in the summer and speculation about his future is likely to continue with his contract expiring at the end of the season. More

A LEADING British football agent is under investigation for blackmail after reportedly sending a threatening email to ex-Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.The Russian-born executive arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2013 and played a key role in Chelsea’s transfers.
An agent is under investigation for sending a threatening email to ex-Chelsea director GranovskaiaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
She represented the interests of the then Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and also brokered lucrative sponsorship deals for the club.
Granovskaia was largely seen as a powerhouse in the football world and was once ranked by Forbes as the fifth most powerful woman in sport.
But according to The Times, Granovskaia received a threatening email from a leading British football agent before her departure following Abramovich’s sale to US billionaire Todd Boehly in May.
The agent is reported to have demanded a payment of £300,000 for what he considered to be his role in a big-money transfer.
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Blame for not receiving the payment was placed at Granovskaia’s door and the agent promised to “make you pay for the way you have been with me”.
Granovskaia informed Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police of the email.
The email shared with The Times reads: “I will make you pay for the way you have been.
“That’s not a threat . . . it’s a promise. If Chelsea don’t pay it’s on you . . . see you when I see you.
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“I will give you the chance to make things correct if you apologise for your behaviour towards me.
“If you don’t then I promise you I will make you pay for the way you have been with me on a personal and business level.
“This is not a threat so take it how you want.
“This is a promise that I give to anybody who f***s/tries to f*** me over in anything in life.
“In summary you owe me and my partners 300k which needs to get paid ASAP.
“If Chelsea don’t pay it then the debt will be on you to pay. I am done trying to be nice to you.”
The Times reports that the agent was arrested and released on bail, which means he cannot be named for legal reasons.
A solicitor acting for the agent said his client “strenuously denies the allegation” and “has not been charged with any offence at this time”.
A police spokesperson confirmed an arrest in connection with the investigation was made on September 19.
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They said: “Officers from Met’s MO6 Public Order Crime Team are investigating an allegation of blackmail reported to police in June.
“On September 19 a man was arrested in connection with the investigation. He was later released on bail.” More

JOE COLE believes not even the management greats of Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough could get this Chelsea team immediately challenging for league titles and European cups.But the former Blues star has urged the club’s new American owner Todd Boehly to give Graham Potter the time and tools to compete on the global stage.
Potter was a long-term appointment by ChelseaCredit: Getty
Not even the legendary United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, could get Chelsea challenging for titles immediatelyCredit: Rex
Chelsea legend Cole says his former club have moved away from their desire of ‘immediate success’Credit: Rex
Potter replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel on September 8 – but owing to fixture postponements has taken charge of just two games since.
On Saturday he earned his first Premier League win as Chelsea boss away at Crystal Palace having already drawn 1-1 with RB Salzburg on his Champions League debut on September 14.
A maiden victory in Europe’s elite competition is next on the list as the West Londoners face AC Milan on Wednesday in a must-win group game.
Yet Cole, 40 – who won three Prem titles, two FA Cups and a League cup during a seven-year stint with Chelsea – is not expecting any European triumphs this season under Potter.
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Cole told SunSport: “When you come to Chelsea, you have to win games and trophies.
“The club has been built on that in the last 20 years. The fans are used to big games and going to cup finals, so Potter can’t just disregard that. It will always be in the background.
“But with so much newness around the club, they seem to have gone away from that immediate success plan that Chelsea are normally associated with.
“This appointment says to me that Chelsea are looking long-term, and it is an intelligent move because the likes of Manchester City are so far ahead.
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“You could employ Sir Alex and Brian Clough, all the all-time greats of management together, and they still wouldn’t make an immediate impact in chipping away at City, competing for trophies with them.
“It will be a process to do that. it might take years over months, but I like the appointment.
“If you plucked a manager from the 80s or 90s and put him into the dressing room now, it would be a disaster.
“Potter is a modern manager with modern methods and modern ways of connecting with people. I think he is the future.
“If he is allowed to build, with the resources he has got, then he is the right man for the job.
“If you go down a road of stability with good people, eventually you will have success.”
Chelsea lost 1-0 in their Champions League opener away to Dinamo Zagreb – a result that saw Tuchel axed less than 24 hours later.
However, Cole does not believe this group of players have anything to prove to Potter or the fans as they look to secure a first win of their European campaign.
Cole added: “The players are a fantastic bunch. They have achieved a great amount. There are good senior players and it is a real good group.
“They won’t be happy with that performance [away in Zagreb]. They have pride and they will want to perform in a marquee game against one of the giants of European football.”
Academy graduate Conor Gallagher is set to make only his second appearance in Europe for his beloved Chelsea after scoring his first senior goal for the club – the winner at Palace.
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And Cole said: “Gallagher is every bit a modern Chelsea player, young and hungry. He is a player that a manager loves.
“He is a Chelsea player through and through and is now a massive player for the club.”
***Watch Chelsea v AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League exclusively live on BT Sport 2 from 7pm on Wednesday 5th October. For more info, visit btsport.com*** More

CHELSEA boss Graham Potter has hailed AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as a “top player” amid transfer speculation.The Blues are set for another big spending spree in 2023 under new owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea boss Potter has labelled Leao a ‘top player’Credit: PA
The Blues are said to be leading the race for LeaoCredit: Getty
Chelsea are said to be closing in on RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku for next summer.
Nkunku, 24, will cost around £53m and underwent a medical in Germany last month as part of the future arrangements.
The West London club would also like to sign Nkunku’s Leipzig team-mate Josko Gvardiol, who is seen as a long-term replacement for the ageing Thiago Silva.
But the spending spree might not stop there, as according to  Corriere Della Serra, Chelsea are “ahead of everyone” in the race for Milan forward Leao.
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However, Milan won’t part ways with the 23-year-old unless a club pays north of £87m.
Nonetheless, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions league clash with Milan, Chelsea boss Potter was full of praise for the forward.
Potter says “top player” Leao has the “capability” to play in the Premier League.
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with Rafael Leao whenever I’ve watched Milan games, he’s a top player.
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“In terms of what happens in the future, who knows whether he can do this in Premier League or not.
“He’s got the capability, for sure.” More

CHELSEA have been linked with signing three new attackers as manager Graham Potter looks to overhaul the squad.The club have reportedly agreed a deal with RB Leipzig to sign Christopher Nkunku next season.
Graham Potter won his first Premier League game in charge of ChelseaCredit: Alamy
How Chelsea could line-up with a reformed attack
The Frenchman has supposedly already had a medical at the club.
Nkunku, 24, is able to play as a striker as well as an attacking midfielder possibly threatening Kai Havertz’s place in the starting XI.
Chelsea have also been linked with a shock move for Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian is apparently being monitored by Potter after making a fine start to the season scoring three goals.
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Reports suggest the Blues as well as the Gunners are interested in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic with the Italian giants struggling for form and risk not qualifying for the Champions League.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly heavily backed Thomas Tuchel prior to his sacking letting the German spend around £275million on players such as Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling.
Boehly is expected to financially back Potter just as much and next summer could see the West Londoners be the big spenders again.
The American could still want more than the three mentioned to be signed such as Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and they could poach players Potter knows from Brighton like Moises Caiceido.
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The futures of plenty of the current squad are in doubt with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante linked with moves away.
Thiago Silva is aged 38 and despite remaining a key man for Chelsea he may soon need replacing, the club are reportedly keen on Milan Skriniar with his deal expiring at Inter Milan at the end of the season.
Chelsea already have a strong squad that could soon be bolstered in the next couple of transfer windows.
Graham Potter likes his team to be able to play in multiple formations More