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    Chelsea ‘told to smash club record transfer to land Rafael Leao from AC Milan due to clauses from ex-clubs’

    CHELSEA have been warned they must splash out an astonishing £126.1million to land Rafeal Leao.The Blues are desperate for a striker after letting flop Romelu Lukaku leave for Inter Milan on loan.
    Rafael Leao helped AC Milan win Serie A title last seasonCredit: Getty
    But respected Italian sports daily La Gazzetta Dello Sport have now claimed that Milan will demand £126.1m (€150million).
    That staggering fee is in part because Leao owes his former club Sporting Lisbon £13.85m after terminating his own contract.
    Leao tore up his deal with Sporting in 2018, after fans attacked the players at the club’s training ground.
    The Portugal star then join Lille on a free transfer, before moving on to Milan in 2019.
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    But in 2020, the Portuguese Sports Arbitration Court ordered Leao to pay Sporting £13.85m and his appeal against the ruling failed.
    Striker Leao bagged 11 goals in Serie A last season as the Rossoneri charged to the title.

    But Chelsea may baulk at the fee for Leao and focus on other targets, such as as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon.
    Barcelona want around £25m for the former Arsenal striker which now seems like snip compared to Leao.
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    The Blues have also boosted their offer for Everton winger Gordon to around £60m.
    But Toffees boss Frank Lampard is now pushing for Chelsea squad players Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja to form part of any deal. More

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    Chelsea told to include Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja in transfer bid for Anthony Gordon by Everton

    CHELSEA might have to sacrifice either Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja in a loan deal with Everton to get Anthony Gordon.The 21-year-old has told Everton he wants a move to Stamford Bridge, but the Toffees are so far refusing to sell.
    Anthony Gordon told Everton that he wants to move to Chelsea despite having three years left on his contract
    Everton want Conor Gallagher as part of a deal to take Gordon to ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Chelsea saw a shock £45million bid rejected last week and are believed to be lining up an improved offer of up to £60m for the Goodison academy kid.
    But, according to talkSPORT, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel might need to sweeten the deal with player to finally get his man as the transfer window edges closer to an end.
    They report that the Merseyside club are ready to renegotiate as long as either Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja are included in the deal.
    Toffees boss Frank Lampard is desperate to strengthen his squad after picking up just one point so far this season.
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    Midfielder Gallagher suffered a nightmare first Premier League start for Chelsea last weekend in the horror 3-0 loss to Leeds.
    The 22-year-old could be allowed to leave the club, but also has West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace in the race to sign him.
    The Irons are planning to place a loan bid to strengthen their forces after they lost their first three Prem matches to Man City, Nottingham Forest and Brighton.
    Striker Broja has only featured once, as a last-minute substitute, against Spurs this season after impressing on loan at Southampton last campaign.
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    Lampard is aware that Chelsea are after his wonderkid but admitted that he will not make it easy for them to sign him.
    After winning 1-0 to Fleetwood on Tuesday night in a Carabao Cup tie, he told talkSPORT: “He’s our player and the latest is the same as what I said after the game against Nottingham Forest – he’s our player and he’s got three years left on his contract.
    “We’re aware of the interest of Chelsea as the world is now.
    “This situation has to be right for Everton Football Club and for me as the coach of the team so we’re in the same position that we were a few days ago.”
    “We’ve had some players coming in and probably a couple of more players to come in for sure that we’re looking at.” More

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    Wesley Fofana forced to train with Leicester U23s after he is banished from first-team amid Chelsea transfer bids

    LEICESTER defender Wesley Fofana has been forced to train with the Under-23s after he failed to turn up to training one day last week.His manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he has been banished from the first-team amid the player wanting to leave for Chelsea.
    Wesley Fofana wants to leave Leicester with Chelsea desperate to sign himCredit: Getty
    Brendan Rodgers has punished Fofana for his lack of commitment amid the ongoing sagaCredit: Getty
    SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Blues are now pulling out of the deal after seeing a third bid of £70million rejected.
    Leicester are holding out for a reported £85million.
    Rodgers said: “There was an offer gone in and its been rejected.”
    He also confirmed the 21-year-old has not been in the right frame of mind to play after missing the last two games: “He’s training with the under-23s so he can get his football fitness and keep working.
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    “It’s so important at this stage to control any sort of distractions that may be there.
    “He’s a good kid, it’s just been a really challenging situation for him.
    “I’ve had it a number of times in my career where there’s players who can deal with it, cope with it, get on, want to help their teammates. There’s others that just can’t deal with with the distraction.
    “You need the full commitment from your players. These guys get well paid. The very least you can do is turn up. And if you don’t, with all due respect, you cant then just think you can walk into our group.
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    “Of course, if it [Fofana leaving] happens, the sooner the better, because it might allow us to do some work [in the transfer window].”
    Fofana was not part of the Foxes’ squad that lost to Southampton 2-1 at the weekend.
    He was also pictured not celebrating when Leicester scored.
    He has since also missed out on the Carabao Cup penalty win against Stockport.
    With Chelsea refusing to up their bid it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman will resume playing again.
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    Thomas Tuchel’s side could turn their attention to Brighton’s Adam Wesbter, according to reports.
    As for Leicester, they have made just one signing this summer in back-up goalkeeper Alex Smithies. More

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    Chelsea PULL OUT of Wesley Fofana transfer deal and turn to other targets after Leicester reject third £70m-plus bid

    CHELSEA have pulled the plug on their bid to sign Wesley Fofana after Leicester City threw out a THIRD bid worth £70million including add-ons.SunSport understands Thomas Tuchel, who was desperate to land the 21-year-old French sensation, will now turn his attention to alternative targets.
    Wesley Fofana was left out of Leicester’s loss against Southampton at the weekendCredit: Getty
    Frustrated Chelsea chiefs feel the Foxes have priced Fofana out of his dream move after digging in for a joint world record fee of £85million for their star defender.
    Even the big spending Blues – bankrolled by ambitious new owner Todd Boehly – believe that’s way too rich for a 21-year-old.
    He also missed half of last season with a leg break and has played fewer than 40 Premier League games.
    Chelsea were prepared to offer £60million with a further £10million in add-ons.
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    However, Leicester felt the incentives were far from realistic and refused to budge.
    It had been speculated that the Foxes were willing to offload Fofana, after Brendan Rodgers made him watch Saturday’s defeat at home to Southampton, from a seat in the main stand.
    That seems to have sparked Chelsea’s latest take-it-or-leave-it final bid.
    However, the Stamford Bridge negotiators were stunned to find the Foxes refused to budge and were in fact doubling-down on their original valuation.
    Leicester have gained a reputation as battle-hardened negotiators in recent years.
    They successfully held out and received a world record £85million for Harry Maguire when Manchester United buckled and met their price in 2019.
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    Newcastle United pulled their interest in James Maddison this summer when it became clear Leicester valued the midfielder at £65million.
    Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans’s final year of his contract continues to run down.
    Leicester are yet to receive an offer from long-term admirers Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool.
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    It’s understood that’s partly down to Leicester looking for more than £50million despite the Belgian having less than a season left on his current deal.
    However, Tielemans’ personal demands may also have scared off potential buyers as he is believed to be demanding around £200,000 a week in wages.
    In the meantime, Brendan Rodgers will be left with another selection headache on Saturday when Leicester travel to Stamford Bridge.
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    Any hopes he had of Fofana being in the right frame of mind, fully-focussed on the job in hand, seem slim after this latest transfer twist and he looks likely to be left out again.
    It also remains to be seen if Rodgers will turn to Tielemans, who started Saturday’s defeat on the bench. More

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    Chelsea star Emerson Palmieri joins West Ham in £13m-plus transfer after wage breakthrough on five-year contract

    WEST HAM have completed the signing of Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri.The Hammers began chasing the signature of the out-of-favour left-back earlier this month.
    West Ham United have signed Emerson Palmieri from ChelseaCredit: WEST HAM
    The Italy international has inked a four-year deal with the HammersCredit: WEST HAM
    Palmieri fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
    And manager David Moyes has got his man – who has inked a four-year contract at the London Stadium – after finally agreeing a suitable contract with the full-back.
    An excerpt of a club statement read: ” West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of Italy international defender EmersonPalmieri. 
    “The 28-year-old has joined the Hammers on a four-year contract, with a one-year option, for an undisclosed fee from fellow Premier League club Chelsea. 
    “A pacy and technically proficient left-back or left wing-back renowned for his stamina and attacking qualities, Emerson has won the UEFA European Championship, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League during a stellar career.”
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    Palmieri was open to a move to the London Stadium but snubbed West Ham’s initial pay packet.
    But the 28-year-old put pen to paper on a lucrative contract after the Hammers met his demands.
    He said: “I’m very happy to be here and to arrive here.
    “It’s a big challenge for me, it’s a big team, so I’m very happy to be here and I’m ready.
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    “Personally, since the first day I arrived here in England, I always saw the big clubs and I always watched the big games and I knew the history about West Ham.
    “The history is so, so big for this team and so when I knew about the interest for sure I said ‘Yes, let’s go, I want to go there’ and I’m here now!
    “I can’t wait to get started in a West Ham shirt.”
    Moyes said of his seventh summer signing: “We are very pleased to welcome Emerson to West Ham United.
    “He is an experienced player with a good pedigree, who has enjoyed great success at both club and international level in recent years.
    “He will give us strong competition in defensive areas and brings a winning mentality that we are looking to build here at West Ham.
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    “We look forward to working with Emerson and wish him all the very best in his career with us.”
    Palmieri could make his Hammers’ debut on Sunday afternoon when Moyes’ troops travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa.
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    Chelsea ready to continue transfer splurge with £59m swoop for Porto winger and Arsenal target Pepe

    CHELSEA are considering a transfer swoop for Porto winger Pepe.But the Blues have been told that the Brazilian is not available for anything less than his £59million release clause.
    Chelsea are reportedly considering a bid for Porto’s Pepe who was the target of a rejected bid from ArsenalCredit: EPA
    The 25-year-old attacker has previously been the subject of a £25.3m bid from Arsenal.
    And now Portuguese outlet Record claim London rivals Chelsea have sent inquiries to the Primeira Liga side.
    Pepe was given a shot in the first team at Porto last season after Luis Diaz was sold to Liverpool.
    He made 40 total appearances last term, netting six goals and laying on five assists.
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    The Gunners declared their interest in the winger earlier this summer with the £25m bid.
    The offer was instantly rejected by Porto, who continued to hold out for over double that, and there have been no further bids since.
    Arsenal are said to have promised to be “attentive” to the player’s performances in the Champions League this season.
    Chelsea’s interest in Pepe may depend on the chase for Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
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    He has reportedly told the Toffees that he wants to join the West London club.
    The winger, 21, is eager make the move as he wants to play Champions League football.
    He also believes this will help him break into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the Qatar World Cup, which kicks off in November.
    Reports claim that Chelsea are prepared to launch a £60 offer for Gordon.
    The Blues are set to submit an official bid worth £50m PLUS up to £10m in add-ons. More

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    Chelsea have THIRD bid rejected for Wesley Fofana as Leicester snub £70m offer… and could play him vs Blues on Saturday

    CHELSEA have had a THIRD bid rejected for Leicester star Wesley Fofana, according to reports.The Blues are desperate to land the French defender before the transfer deadline.
    Wesley Fofana is eager to move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Fofana, 21, is equally eager to move to Stamford Bridge and was dropped for Leicester’s 2-1 home defeat to Southampton last weekend.
    According to the Telegraph, Chelsea have had a bid worth £70million including add-ons turned down today.
    Should the Blues fail to up their offer, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers will be left with a selection dilemma this weekend.
    Leicester travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday and would hope to have Fofana focused and ready to play.
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    But Rodgers will have to assess whether his defender will be in the right frame of mind to be selected for the match.
    Chelsea have been eager to bolster their defence all summer after seeing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave on free transfers.
    They signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, but failed to acquire Jules Kounde, with the French ace instead ditching Sevilla for Barcelona.
    Koulibaly has experienced a mixed start to life in the Premier League – scoring a thumping volley against Tottenham before being red carded at Leeds.
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    Everton ‘ready to HIJACK Newcastle’s £30m Joao Pedro transfer as replacement for Chelsea target Anthony Gordon’

    EVERTON are set to match Newcastle in the £30million bidding war for Watford’s Joao Pedro.The 20-year-old Brazilian forward wants out of the Championship Hornets, with the club willing to cash in.
    Josh Williams of Birmingham City tackles Watfod star Joao PedroCredit: Rex
    Megabucks Toon made a bid of £25m plus £5m in add-ons for the star.
    And the Daily Mail report that the Toffees are now willing to match that offer.
    The ace is said to prefer a move to St James’ Park, with the club’s fortunes on the rise since their Saudi takeover.
    The Magpies even led champions City during a thrilling 3-3 weekend draw.
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    But with Chelsea keen to land Everton’s star player Anthony Gordon for £60m, the Toffees are desperate to get a replacement in the door.
    After last season’s relegation battle, boss Frank Lampard knows he cannot afford to lose Gordon and Richarlison in the same summer.
    But Toon boss Eddie Howe is keen to add to his Brazilian contingent of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
    And Howe likes the fact Pedro can play both out wide and through the middle.
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    And with the kind of finances behind Newcastle these days, any bidding war with Toon could be financially painful for Everton.
    And that is the harsh truth now facing Lampard, who has already lost Richarlison and now been told by Anthony Gordon that he wants a switch to Chelsea. More