Chelsea transfer news

CRYSTAL PALACE’S American money man David Blitzer is headhunting former Chelsea super spy Scott McLachlan.Blitzer wants someone to lead his growing football group — with clubs in Germany, Spain and Belgium as well as Real Salt Lake in MLS.
Crystal Palace are headhunting former Chelsea super spy Scott McLachlanCredit: AFP
He is keen to recruit top players for them.
McLachlan is the man he fancies for the role after he left his position at Stamford Bridge.
The Scot was at Chelsea for 11 years and has a big knowledge of foreign players and emerging talent.
Meanwhile, the Blues are still on the hunt for a sporting director, after RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund ruled himself out.
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So they have reportedly made contact with Luis Campos with owner Todd Boehly keen to hire him.
Campos is currently employed by Paris Saint-Germain having made the move to Parc des Princes in June to become their football advisor.

Arsenal were linked with hiring the ex-Lille talent spotter in June 2021 following his huge success in Ligue 1.
Meanwhile the ex-Portuguese gaffer held talks with Newcastle last year following their Saudi-backed £300million takeover.
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And according to The Times, it is now Chelsea’s turn to try and persuade Campos in swapping France for England.
It has been said that Boehly has already spoken with Campos about him coming to Stamford Bridge to work with new boss Graham Potter.
And the American businessman wants Campos to spearhead their spending spree in the winter transfer window.
Chelsea’s new American owner Todd BoehlyCredit: Getty More

ROMELU LUKAKU’S Chelsea career might not be dead and buried just yet.New boss Graham Potter is reportedly open to giving the £97.5million flop another chance at Stamford Bridge.
Romelu Lukaku is on loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea for the campaignCredit: Getty
Graham Potter is reportedly open to giving the striker a chance next seasonCredit: PA
Lukaku, 29, was shipped off on loan to Inter Milan in the summer after underwhelming in his first season back with the Blues.
The striker said it was “like coming home” after he ended his Stamford Bridge nightmare.
But now Potter is set to hold talks with the Belgian ace regarding his future, according to ESPN.
Discussions are reportedly set for the end of the season, when Lukaku’s loan with the Serie A giants expires.
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The striker is claimed to be keen on making his temporary stay at San Siro a permanent one.
But Inter do not have an option or obligation to sign him back for good.
And Potter is thought to be open to Lukaku returning to the Premier League if no permanent deal is agreed.
Lukaku scored 30 goals in 44 games the season before signing for Chelsea in a 3-5-2 system – Potter’s formation of choice.
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Although a second loan stint back at Inter next season does remain another possibility.
The striker quickly fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel after arriving for nearly £100m, and hit out at the former manager in a highly controversial interview with Italian TV.
Lukaku has struggled for injury since his loan switch back to Inter in the summer.
He has played just three games so far this season, scoring one goal. More

CHELSEA could look fresh in defence, midfield and attack come the end of next summer’s transfer window.The Blues, now managed by Graham Potter following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, are eyeing a number of Europe’s top talents.
Nkunku had a medical ahead of a potential 2023 summer move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
Skriniar can leave Inter for free next summer at the end of his contractCredit: Rex
How the Blues could line up after another summer spending spree
RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku could give Chelsea’s frontline a new lease of life after holding a secret medical. 
The France ace underwent a preliminary examination earlier this month with a view to making a £52.58 million move next summer.
Leipzig bosses are adamant that Nkunku will not be allowed to leave before the end of this season but that has not deterred Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly.
The American is trying to lure the player to the Premier League and an advance medical is seen as one way of showing commitment, albeit a bizarre one.
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Should Nkunku seal a move to Stamford Bridge, he’d bring technical excellence inside the final third.
The 24-year-old scored 35 goals and registered 20 assists last term, and helped Leizpig win the German Cup, beating Freiburg 4-2 on penalties.
Nkunku could play anywhere across the front four.
Defence is also an area Chelsea could look to improve on with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva not getting any younger.
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Long-term transfer target Milan Skriniar will be available on a free transfer next summer.
The 27-year-old joined Inter Milan in 2017, and helped the San Siro club break Juventus’ dominance in Italy by winning Serie A in 2021.
He could partner Kalidou Koulibaly in the heart of the defence, with Edouard Mendy behind him.
Reece James and Marc Cucurella would man the flanks.
Like in defence, Chelsea are starting to plan for their midfield’s long-term future.
And they’re keen on England midfielders Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
The pair have shown promising signs of compatibility while playing for the Three Lions.
Rice, 23, was on Chelsea’s books as a kid, but was released as a teenager before joining West Ham.
Hammers boss David Moyes says Rice would cost £150m.
And Borussia Dortmund want upwards of £83m for star man Bellingham, depending whether suitors pay up front.
A double swoop is more than possible considering the amount Chelsea splashed on players in the summer just gone.
Boehly and Co backed former boss Tuchel to the tune of nearly £300m.
‘Future of English football’
Rice has hailed Bellingham as the future of English football.
The West Ham captain said on the 19-year-old: “He’s 19 but he’s got the body of a 28-year-old — he’s a man!
“He thinks like a man, plays like a man and shows personality and character.
“He’s the future of English football for the next 15 years if he wants to be.
“He is top lad as well — he really pushes you on the pitch. We push each other on and it’s a privilege to play next to him. I’m still only 23!
“I’ve been around and played so many more games than he has but you can just tell as a 19-year-old what he brings to the team already, the energy he’s got. 
“Jude can play in a holding role, he can play as an eight, he can play as a No10.
“He can play anywhere in midfield and I know he’s going to be crucial for us. Every time I play with Jude we’re building that connection. 
“Hopefully he keeps flourishing. I say to him, ‘You go and bomb on and attack and I’ll sit here and defend for you!’
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“He’s a young man with an old head, really. All the lads love him.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as good as he is for 19. He’s got the whole package.”
Bellingham (left) and Rice (right) have been linked with moves to ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

CHELSEA are reportedly targeting deals for Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Christopher Nkunku as Todd Boehly continues his Stamford Bridge revolution.The American has already splashed just shy of £300million on transfers since buying the club earlier this year.
England duo Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are on Chelsea’s wishlistCredit: Getty
Christopher Nkunku is a France internationalCredit: Getty
And that kind of lavish spending is set to continue following the appointment of new boss Graham Potter.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea will look to completely revamp their midfield.
Club bosses would like N’Golo Kante to stay despite his contract being set to expire in June, but have met issues in negotiations over the length of the potential extension.
Jorginho’s deal also expires at the end of the season, with Chelsea chiefs still undecided over whether to try and keep the Italy international.
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The Blues want to revamp their midfield by signing two England regulars.
Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham would reportedly favour a move to Real Madrid or Liverpool – with both sides having been working on a deal for months.
Undeterred despite being warned that his side are behind in the race, Boehly is keen on the £130m-rated 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, the Blues could finally re-sign West Ham star and former youth player Declan Rice – having been scared off by Hammers chiefs last summer.
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Rice, 23, has shown few signs of being willing to extend his contract at the London Stadium – which expires in 2024 – but West Ham possess the option to trigger an extension to 2025.
Chelsea are interested in signing RB Leipzig ace Christopher Nkunku – with the French attacker having scored six goals so far this season after plundering 35 last term.
WOUNDS TO MEND
The Blues could make an unexpected change between the sticks in the near future.
Edouard Mendy has been excellent for the West Londoners since joining in 2020.
But he has recently turned down offers of a contract extension, believing he should be earning more than the £150,000 a week that his deputy Kepa Arrizabalaga pockets.
There are also concerns that Potter may require a goalkeeper more comfortable with his feet, after Mendy made high-profile gaffes against Leeds and Real Madrid.
Chelsea could be forced to recruit a new goalkeeperCredit: AFP More

CHELSEA have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.The Blues are hoping to give their ageing midfield a much-needed facelift next summer.
Chelsea have joined the race to sign Dortmund and England ace BellinghamCredit: Getty
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are both in their 30s and manager Graham Potter will want younger players ready to take over.
Chelsea have joined rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid in the race for Bellingham, who has continued his meteoric rise by nailing down a starting spot for England.
Bellingham is forming a strong partnership with West Ham’s Declan Rice in the middle of the park heading into the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The midfielder is also Dortmund’s main man, following the exits of Erling Haaland this summer and Jadon Sancho in 2021.
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SunSport exclusively revealed Bellingham could be bought for £83m IF the fee is paid up front.
But according to The Telegraph, Chelsea are having to play “catch-up” after being told Liverpool and Real are leading the race.
Real are said to have made Bellingham their priority signing for 2023.
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Liverpool are also in need of fresh legs in the midfield with the likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson ageing.
And the report claims new Blues owner Todd Boehly is personally getting involved after learning his team had fallen behind their rivals for the player’s signature.
Chelsea also remain interested in Bellingham’s England team-mate, Rice.
The Hammers captain and former Chelsea youth player has been linked with a move back to the Blues for a number of years.
But in a bid to ward off any interest, West Ham manager David Moyes quoted £150m MINIMUM.
Rice says Bellingham’s the real deal.
The 23-year-old believes Bellingham will be England’s poster boy for over a decade.
Rice said: “He’s 19 but he’s got the body of a 28-year-old — he’s a man!
“He thinks like a man, plays like a man and shows personality and character.
“He’s the future of English football for the next 15 years if he wants to be.
“He is top lad as well — he really pushes you on the pitch. We push each other on and it’s a privilege to play next to him. I’m still only 23!
“I’ve been around and played so many more games than he has but you can just tell as a 19-year-old what he brings to the team already, the energy he’s got. 
“Jude can play in a holding role, he can play as an eight, he can play as a No10.
“He can play anywhere in midfield and I know he’s going to be crucial for us. Every time I play with Jude we’re building that connection. 
“Hopefully he keeps flourishing. I say to him, ‘You go and bomb on and attack and I’ll sit here and defend for you!’
Read More on The Sun
“He’s a young man with an old head, really. All the lads love him.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as good as he is for 19. He’s got the whole package.”
Bellingham is England’s future, says team-mate RiceCredit: Getty More