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    Fans say same thing as Chelsea staffer escorting Aubameyang ‘attacks’ Sky Sports’ cameraman to stop ace being filmed

    A CHELSEA staff member bizarrely tried to stop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from being filmed after the striker was spotted in London.The heavy handed tactics drew the same response from fans, who were baffled as to why there was any need.

    Piere Emerick Aubameyang in London for his Chelsea medicalCredit: Sky Sports News
    A Chelsea staffer blocks the cameramanCredit: Sky Sports News
    Sky Sports managed to get the lowdown on where Aubameyang would be in London to complete his transfer.
    As the former Arsenal man exited a taxi and walked into what appeared to be a hotel, he seemed happy to chat to reporter Gary Cotterill.
    But one member of Aubameyang’s entourage, understood to be a Chelsea staff member, didn’t take too well to the ambush.
    Numerous times he shoved his hand into the camera lens in an attempt to stop the Sky Sports cameras from filming the forward.
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    Fans were left confused, with one saying: “You’d rather attack the mic guy and have it on film? Lol.”
    Another added: “Attack the camera man but allow the guy with the mic to interview the player? What sort of logic is this.”
    One commented: “Lol who is the dork covering up the camera? I mean weird ambush on Aubameyang but what does that dude think he’s protecting by covering up the camera.”
    Another joked: “Why’s he covering the camera as if Aubameyang is bouncing into court.”
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    They even laughed about the incident back in the Sky Sports studio, with pundit Clinton Morrison getting out of his seat to put his hand in front of the camera.
    The awkward incident came as Aubameyang, 33, arrived in London ahead of his move to Chelsea.
    They struck a deal with Barcelona of £12million with Marcos Alonso, 31, heading the other way.
    It sets up a reunion between Aubameyang and Thomas Tuchel, who worked together at Borussia Dortmund.
    The striker later left in 2018 to join Arsenal, where he would make 163 appearances, scoring 92 goals and captaining the side.
    But following a fallout with manager Mikel Arteta, which saw the forward stripped of the armband and exiled, Aubameyang left.
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    He saw his Gunners contract terminated, paving the way for a move to Barcelona last January.
    The Gabonese international managed 13 goals in 24 matches but Aubameyang is now braced for a return to London.
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona in JanuaryCredit: Getty More

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    Aubameyang arrives in London to complete Chelsea medical ahead of £12m transfer with Alonso joining Barcelona

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has arrived in London to complete a £12million Chelsea transfer with Marcos Alonso set to go the other way.The Blues agreed a deal with Barcelona for the forward Aubameyang, who has worked with Tuchel previously at Borussia Dortmund.

    Aubameyang arrived in London for a Chelsea medical on Thursday nightCredit: Sky Sports News
    The Blues latest offer is worth £12m plus AlonsoCredit: Rex
    Alonso is a long-time target of BarcaCredit: Getty
    And Sky Sports footage shows Aubameyang, 33, has arrived in England in order to complete the deal.
    The video shows the ex-Arsenal striker getting out of a taxi in the capital with his representatives.
    The Blues are proposing a two-year contract for Aubameyang with the option for a third.
    But the extension depends on the player’s performances during the second year of his contract.
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    All parties are confident of finalising the move before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday evening.
    The Blues have been in the market for a forward following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner and have finally got the man they wanted.
    Academy product Armando Broja is the only recognised striker in Thomas Tuchel’s first team but Kai Havertz is preferred to lead the line.
    A move to London may suit the Aubameyang family after their Catalonia home was broken into at the weekend.
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    Aubameyang was smashed on the chin with an iron bar, breaking his jaw, while trying to protect his wife and two children from the robbers.
    He is set to be out of action for a number of weeks and could potentially undergo surgery.
    Going under the knife would see him return to action sooner than waiting for his jaw to heal naturally.
    Long-time servant Alonso will go the other way back to his homeland.
    Barca will be pleased to have Alonso a part of the deal having tracked the left-back, 31, all summer. More

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    Chelsea ‘reach agreement with Juventus for transfer of Denis Zakaria’ with boss Tuchel desperate for midfield cover

    CHELSEA have reportedly reached an agreement with Juventus to sign Denis Zakaria on loan.The Athletic claims the Switzerland midfielder, 25, is undergoing a medical in Turin after the Blues made a late move on deadline day.
    Denis Zakaria is nearing a loan move to Chelsea from JuventusCredit: Rex
    Thomas Tuchel has been desperate to land an anchorman after Chelsea’s dire start to the season.
    And Zakaria is now expected to join the Blues on loan, with his wages being covered entirely.
    Chelsea will then have the option to sign Zakaria for £30million next summer on a five-year contract.
    Chelsea started the morning targeting a £43m deal for Ajax ace Edson Alvarez.
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    The Mexico star refused to train on Thursday as he pushed for a transfer.
    But Ajax sensationally blocked a deal, having already surrendered Antony to Manchester United this week.
    Reports claim Chelsea also made an enquiry for PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Sangare, a target earlier this season.
    However, Zakaria is the midfielder making his way to Stamford Bridge tonight.
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    The former Borussia Monchengladbach ace only joined Juventus in January.
    He played 13 times last term and had featured twice in the new campaign under Max Allegri.
    But the arrivals of Paul Pogba and Leandro Paredes threatened to block Zakaria’s path to the first team.
    And he will now be hoping for more minutes under Tuchel in London.
    Chelsea are also looking to round off deadline day with a £12m move for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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    Marcos Alonso is expected to go in the opposite direction.
    And the Blues are also set to bid farewell to Billy Gilmour as he closes in on a £9m Brighton switch. More

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    Frenkie de Jong saga finally over with Man Utd and Chelsea snubbed by Barcelona midfielder who ‘never wavered’ on choice

    THE Frenkie de Jong transfer saga is finally over – with the Barcelona midfielder staying put. The Dutchman, 25, was a high priority on the transfer wish lists for Manchester United and Chelsea throughout the summer.
    Frenkie de Jong will be staying put at Barcelona after a transfer sagaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona were open to selling the ex-Ajax man with a fee of around £73million agreed with the Red Devils and a £350,000-a-week contract on the table.
    However, De Jong snubbed United because he did not want to sign for the Europa League club while Chelsea, despite being able to offer Champions League football, were also unable to secure a deal.
    As reported by Fabrizio Romano, De Jong “never changed his mind” on his desire to stay at the Nou Camp.
    The 44-cap Netherlands international joined Barca in 2019 for £65m and expressed his delight at playing for his dream club.
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    However, the LaLiga giants – who already owe him millions in deferred wages – slapped him with an ultimatum to either leave or take a major pay cut.
    But despite the financial problems, Barcelona and De Jong appear to have repaired the damage to the relationship.
    The star, under contract until 2026, has featured in all three league games so far this season – albeit starting just once.
    Barca face Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen in a brutal Champions League group.
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    After it became clear he would miss out on De Jong, new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag turned his attention to Barca’s rival Real Madrid and splashed up to £70m on Casemiro to bolster his midfield instead.
    Christian Eriksen has also arrived at Old Trafford and Chelsea signed Carney Chukwuemeka.
    Ross Barkley was released while Billy Gilmour is poised for a £9m transfer to Brighton, leaving Thomas Tuchel short on midfield options.
    But reports suggest Denis Zakaria is having a medical in Turin over a loan move from Juventus. More

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    Chelsea ‘fail in Rafael Leao transfer bid after offering £69m plus players’ as AC Milan demand £130m release clause fee

    CHELSEA have reportedly failed in their pursuit of AC Milan star Rafael Leao.The 23-year-old winger is considered one of the hottest talents in Serie A after helping the Rossoneri to the title last season.
    Chelsea are claimed to have failed in their pursuit of Rafael LeaoCredit: Getty
    His stunning form in 2021-22, which saw him score 14 goals and provide 12 assists in 42 games, led to interest from Chelsea.
    The Blues offered £69million for his services in recent talks with the Italian club, according to Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles.
    The Serie A side are also claimed to have rejected Chelsea’s proposal to include players in exchange for Leao.
    AC technical director Paulo Maldini is believed to have blocked the club from selling their prized asset.
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    The legendary Italian defender is holding out for Leao’s £130m release clause.
    Talks between the two clubs are thought to have been ongoing.
    But the Blues have failed in their latest bid for the winger, and a move before tonight’s 11pm deadline now looks unlikely.
    New owner Todd Boehly has already splashed out over £250m on Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka, Gabriel Slonina and Marc Cucurella.
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    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also set to join from Barcelona before tonight’s 11pm deadline for another £12m, with Marcos Alonso set to go the other way.
    Elsewhere Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has gone on strike in a bid to push through a £43m move to Stamford Bridge.
    So while the Blues are set to be active in the transfer market right up until the deadline, Boehly appears to have failed in his pursuit of Leao. More

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    Kenedy finally set to leave Chelsea on permanent transfer after seven years as he closes in on Real Valladolid move

    CHELSEA star Kenedy is on the verge of leaving the club on a permanent basis to sign for Real Valladolid, according to reports.The Brazilian has been spotted by Spanish outlet Marca arriving in Valladolid ahead of his transfer.
    Kenedy was training with the Chelsea first-team in pre-seasonCredit: Getty
    They claim that a deal has been agreed between Chelsea and the LaLiga side but personal terms still need to be agreed.
    Fran Sanchez, their sporting director, was reportedly in London recently to help secure the transfer.
    It will mean Kenedy’s long-term stay at Chelsea is over, he has been on their books for seven years after arriving for a fee of £6.3million from Fluminense.
    The 26-year-old made just 30 appearances for the Blues during that period scoring three goals.
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    He has spent most of his time away on loan having spells at Watford and Newcastle.
    The player is capable of playing at left-back or on the left-wing and already has LaLiga experience having been loaned out to Getafe and Granada previously.
    In total he has gone on loan five times – last season he was back in his homeland playing for Flamengo.
    Real Valladolid are one of the newly promoted side’s in Spain’s top flight and in their most recent game they were hammered by Barcelona 4-0.
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    The club’s majority owner is footballing legend Ronaldo.
    Kenedy is not the only player leaving Stamford Bridge today with Dujon Sterling set to join Stoke on a short-term deal.
    Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso could be set to join Barcelona as part of the transfer that brings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea. More

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    Memphis Depay emerges as shock Chelsea transfer target after Man Utd links with Barcelona ready to rip up contract

    MEMPHIS DEPAY has emerged as a shock transfer target for Chelsea, according to reports. The forward is ready to be let go by Barcelona if a deal can be struck in the next few hours.
    Chelsea could be in for a shock move for Memphis Depay from BarcelonaCredit: AP
    As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have emerged as late contenders to land the Dutch star.
    And Barca will rip up his contract and allow him to leave for free if personal terms can be agreed with Chelsea.
    Depay, 28, is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp following the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer.
    And with the club in financial ruin, getting Depay off the wage bill would be a welcome boost.
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    Depay scored 12 goals in 28 LaLiga games in his first season but has been an unused sub in all three matches so far this term.
    However, there are just a few hours to go until the 11pm deadline.
    It is said Depay – linked with a free transfer to Juventus or even a shock return to Manchester United earlier in the window – put in a request to leave the club on Wednesday.
    However, Barcelona will only sanction the termination of his contract if he can strike a deal with Chelsea in time as Thomas Tuchel looks to bolster his attack.
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    But Romano adds there are no advanced talks taking place at this stage.
    Chelsea’s primary focus is securing Depay’s Barcelona team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
    It is understood a £12million fee plus Marcos Alonso is in place to land the former Arsenal captain on a two-year deal with an option of a third.
    Aubameyang will land in London around 5pm to complete the final details of his Stamford Bridge switch, just seven months after being shipped out by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates. More

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    Billy Gilmour could leave Chelsea in permanent transfer with Brighton unable to loan midfielder

    BRIGHTON are reportedly looking to secure Billy Gilmour on a permanent transfer after being prevented from getting him on loan.The Scottish international midfielder, 21, burst onto the first-team fold at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard back in 2019.
    Brighton are plotting a move for CHelsea’s Billy GilmourCredit: Getty
    But he slipped out of the picture following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in the hot-seat and was sent out on loan to Norwich City last term.
    However, Gilmour struggled to make an impression as the Canaries suffered relegation and found himself back at Chelsea this summer.
    The ace has only appeared 11 times in the Premier League for the West London club but continues to be a regular for his country.
    He was included in the Blues’ party for their pre-season tour to the USA but was then among a group of players that were allowed to leave and link-up with their development squad part way through.
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    Gilmour was then initially not given a squad number but was given the number 35 shirt earlier this week.
    He was then named on the bench for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton but was an unused substitute.
    CBS Sport journalist Ben Jacobs has now stated that Tuchel was due to meet with the player today to determine whether to allow him to leave permanently as they expect an offer from Brighton to arrive.
    The Seagulls originally only wanted to sign Gilmour on a season-long loan, according to the Daily Mail.
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    But any move has to be permanent.
    That is because Brighton already have defender Levi Colwill on loan from Chelsea and are unable to lend another player from the club.
    Now it remains to be seen whether Tuchel will give him the green light to depart the club despite his midfield injury crisis. More