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      Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech ‘would have run’ to join Roma and only completed transfer after Serie A club refused to pay up

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      CHELSEA star Hakim Ziyech was keen to move to Roma before sealing his Stamford Bridge switch last summer, it has been revealed.Morocco team-mate Medhi Benatia claimed that the attacker ‘would have run’ to the Italian capital when a move was discussed in 2019.
      Hakim Ziyech may never have ended up at Chelsea if Roma had coughed up the cash for himCredit: AFP
      At the time, Ziyech was off the back of a stunning run to the Champions League semi-finals with an Ajax team being poached by Europe’s biggest clubs.
      He ended up remaining in Amsterdam for another 12 months before a £36.5million move to Chelsea.
      The 28-year-old star made 62 appearances since signing for the West London side, finding the 11 times.
      Although things could have worked out very different had then-Roma president James Pallotta agreed to fork out for the playmaker, according to Benatia.
      The former Roma defender, now with Al-Duhail, told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I had tried to get him to come to Roma, and he would have run to join this club.
      “I spoke to Francesco Totti and Edin Dzeko, telling them that this is the man they want.
      “As a director, Francesco did everything he could to get the deal concluded, but Pallotta said it would be ‘an excessive expense’ and nothing ever came of it.”
      Club legend Totti would famously quit the Stadio Olimpico later in the same summer, citing a lack of influence on transfers.

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      He famously complained upon leaving: “They knew of my desire to offer a lot to this squad but they never wanted it.
      “They kept me out of everything. It’s a day that I hoped never would have come.”
      Unpopular owner Pallotta eventually sold up to fellow American businessman Dan Friedkin last year after almost a decade in charge of Roma.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ex-Roma defender Medhi Benatia says he recommended his international colleague to the GiallorossiCredit: Getty
      New Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech says he idolised current manager Frank Lampard growing up in first interview since transfer from Ajax More

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      Chelsea considering Ousmane Dembele transfer move with winger at war with Barcelona over seeing out his contract

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      CHELSEA are among the clubs considering a swoop for Barcelona outcast Ousmane Dembele.The France forward, 24, joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund for an initial £97million in 2017.
      Ousmane Dembele has fallen out with Barcelona and is set to leave this monthCredit: Getty
      But Barca will let him go in a £3m loan deal until the end of the season — when his contract ends.
      Newcastle could also join the race.
      The Catalan giants’ director of football Mateu Alemany yesterday insisted he will go before the January 31 deadline.
      Alemany said: “He doesn’t want to be part of our project.”
      But Dembele wrote on Instagram he would not respond to “blackmail”.
      He added: “Gossip about me has been piling up for four years. It’s been fours years since people have spoken for me, shamefully lied with one sole purpose – to harm me.
      “As of today it’s over. From today I will speak honestly without giving in to any kind of blackmail.
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      “My message is transparent. I forbid anyone to give the impression that I am not involved in the sports project.
      “I forbid anyone to attribute intentions to me that I have never had. I forbid anyone to speak for me or my representative, whom I fully trust.
      “Still under contract, I am fully involved and at the disposal of my club, my coach.
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      “I have always given everything for my colleagues and also for all the partners – it is not now that this is going to change. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail.
      “As you know there are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it’s his turf.
      “My field is the ball, playing football, sharing moments of joy with my team-mates. Above all, let’s focus on winning.” More

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      Man Utd battle Juventus for pole position in Ousmane Dembele transfer as Chelsea join race for Barcelona contract rebel

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are battling Juventus for pole position in the Ousmane Dembele transfer race, according to reports.But Chelsea also look set to try their luck in landing the Barcelona contract rebel.
      Ousmane Dembele is a transfer target for Manchester United, Juventus and ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Dembele’s current deal at the Nou Camp expires at the end of the season and he does not look likely to put pen to paper on an extension.
      And that would open the door for interested clubs to land him for free this summer.
      According to Sport in Spain, the Red Devils and the Old Lady have been in ‘especially intense’ contact with Dembele’s representatives since the middle of 2021.
      And the report even adds a suggestion that Dembele may have already signed a pre-contract agreement with one of those two clubs.
      United almost landed Dembele two summers ago.
      But with Anthony Martial set to leave Old Trafford, Dembele could come in as a direct replacement for his compatriot.
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      However, Juventus may be able to lure the World Cup winner to Turin.
      They have lost winger Federico Chiesa for the rest of this season through his cruel ACL injury.
      And the favourable tax rates for professional footballers in Italy could also help Juventus’ attempt.
      The report also adds Chelsea have been in touch with Dembele this January over a potential offer.
      However, Bayern Munich will not be making any offers because Dembele’s wage demands are too high.
      And Paris Saint-Germain also have no interest in the winger because they do not trust his physical conditioning and want to pursue other targets.
      Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for £99million.
      He has 31 goals in 129 appearances – including one in 11 this season – but has been plagued by injuries throughout his time in LaLiga.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta ‘wanted in Atletico Madrid transfer as replacement for Newcastle-bound Kieran Trippier’

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      CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta is a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, according to reports.The Blues defender, 32, will be out of contract in the summer and is stalling on a new deal.
      Cesar Azpilicueta is a target for Atletico MadridCredit: Getty

      And that has tempted boss Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who is said to be a big fan of the versatile Spanish international.
      Simeone likes that Azpilicueta can play as a centre back and right back, according to as.
      While his experience could only help improve Atletico’s already tight defence.
      The Argentinian manager is set to lose Kieran Trippier to Newcastle and sees Azpilicueta as the ideal replacement.
      The England full-back was the last player off the pitch as he appeared to say farewell to the Atletico fans after their 2-0 win against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
      After Atletico’s game, Simeone said: “We want him to stay – he’s a very important player.
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      “But nowadays, when a player wants to leave, you can’t force them to stay.”
      He also remarked: “We have always had to live with these situations – important and very good players within the team who have possibilities of leaving.
      “Then it will depend on what the footballer himself wants.
      “Consequently, we will try to follow what is happening and look for solutions.
      “He is an important player for our team and we coaches can’t do too much in terms of players’ decisions, we can only tell Trippier how important he is for the team.”
      The Magpies submitted a bid for a permanent move within hours of the transfer window opening on New Year’s Day, but a fee has yet to be agreed. More

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      Chelsea star Christensen signs with agency linked to Lionel Messi’s brother fuelling Barcelona transfer talk

      by

      ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN has signed up to an agency with strong links to Lionel Messi’s brother – fuelling speculation he is Barcelona bound.Chelsea’s Danish centre-half is out of contract at the end of this season and talks over a new deal stalled just before Christmas.
      Andreas Christensen is free to enter talks with other clubs with his contract due to expire at the end of this termCredit: Rex
      About the same time, Christensen teamed up with the KIN agency, in which Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi’s older brother Rodrigo has huge interests.
      Under freedom of contract rules, the Denmark star is now free to talk to rival clubs as his contract winds down at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea have grown increasingly impatient with negotiations as they try to persuade their one-time academy player to agree to an extension.
      And first-team head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed his exasperation, admitting that several times he was convinced a deal had been sorted only for the situation to change.
      Christensen has traditionally been represented by his father Sten.
      KIN also look after world-class players such as Manchester City’s German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
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      Christensen has had a special affection for Barcelona for many years, which endures despite their recent troubles on and off the pitch.
      Chelsea are fighting battles on two fronts as they try to convince the centre-back that his future lies with them
      And the two-Champions League winners are also facing an uphill struggle to keep hold of fellow defender Antonio Rudiger.
      Rudiger, 28, who has made 175 Blues appearances, is also out of contract this summer.
      It is reported the Germany international has now opened talks with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona’s main Spanish rivals Real Madrid about a possible deal in the summer.
      Antonio Rudiger has been linked with Bayern Munich and LaLiga giants Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger ‘in talks over FREE transfer with Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus’

      by

      ANTONIO RUDIGER is in talks with four top European clubs over a free transfer, reports say. The German has just half a year left on his current deal and is yet to extend it, despite efforts from Chelsea.
      Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is entering the last six months of his contractCredit: EPA
      Having entered the last six months of his contract, Rudiger, 28, is now able to negotiate a free transfer abroad.
      And according to Sky Sports, Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus have all opened talks with his representatives.
      It could see him finalise a pre-contract agreement this month and secure a move away from Stamford Bridge.
      But, it is also claimed staying at Chelsea has not yet been ruled out by Rudiger.
      He has started 20 Premier League games this season – the most of any outfield player – and remains hugely valued by the club.
      It is believed the Blues have been unable to strike a financial agreement with the defender, who reportedly earns in the region of £140,000-per-week.
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      The Telegraph had claimed LaLiga giants Real are willing to DOUBLE that salary in order to prize Rudiger over to Spain.
      He is also joined by Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, Andreas Christensen, 25, and Thiago Silva, 37, who are all entering the final stages of their contracts.
      Azpilicueta is understood to be pushing for a two-year extension with the option of a third.
      But Chelsea – who have a policy of offering over 30s only one-year extensions – are expected to counter with a 12-month deal with the option of another year.
      Christensen had appeared close to agreeing terms with Chelsea, but has since changed agents and been linked to Barcelona on a free, Sky in Italy say.
      Silva on the other hand is nearing a one-year extension, which would guarantee him three years at the club.
      Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas ChristensenCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Romelu Lukaku says Chelsea situation is ‘hot’ in message to Tim Howard ahead of showdown talks with Tuchel on Monday

      by

      ROMELU LUKAKU described his situation at Chelsea as ‘hot’ and is due to meet with manager Thomas Tuchel on Monday.That is according to a text he sent ex-Everton team-mate Tim Howard, which the American former keeper, 42, shared live on air.
      Romelu Lukaku and Tim Howard at EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In the alleged message, Howard claimed it said: “I can’t talk too much about it. It’s very hot.
      “There will be another meeting on Monday. I have another meeting on Monday, then I can talk more.”
      It comes after Lukaku, 28, was dropped from Chelsea’s squad that host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this afternoon following his bombshell interview.
      Speaking to Sky in Italy, the striker admitted he wants to return to Inter Milan one day, would never have left had he been offered a new deal and named Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the world’s biggest clubs.
      The words come less than six months after Lukaku re-joined Chelsea from Inter in a club record £97.5million move.
      He has since been omitted from Chelsea’s team completely, with Kai Havertz, 22, starting up front in replacement.
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      Lukaku had admitted he was “not happy with the situation” at Stamford Bridge, in the interview he gave three weeks ago, while out injured.
      But since then, he returned to the side and scored in his last two matches, in Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa and 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.
      However, following the shock quotes, manager Tuchel criticised the impact it could have on his Chelsea squad.
      He said: “We don’t like it. It brings noise that we don’t need and it’s not helpful. We don’t want to make more out of it than it actually is.
      “It is easy to take lines out of context, shorten lines, make headlines and then realise later that it is not so bad.
      “We need a calm environment and focus and this does not help.”
      Romelu Lukaku has been dropped from Chelsea’s squadCredit: Rex More

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      in Soccer

      Barcelona board and Xavi split on raiding Chelsea for Azpilicueta and Christensen despite duo ‘willing to join for free’

      by

      BARCELONA are pondering a move for Chelsea pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, Spanish reports say. The Blues defensive duo are both out of contract at the end of the season, and yet to renew their deals.
      Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are both linked with BarcelonaCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Unless they sign a contract extension, in January they are allowed to start negotiating a free transfer abroad.
      According to Sport, both Azpilicueta, 30, and Christensen, 25, are keen on a move to Barca, with the LaLiga giants also interested.
      But it is claimed no official offers have been made to the pair.
      Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, 22, is said to be Barca boss Xavi’s preferred choice, but a far more expensive one at that.
      That means the club legend oculd soon be at odds with his cash-strapped bosses.
      Especially with fund now even lower after the club somehow funded the £55million deal for Man City’s Ferran Torres.
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      Chelsea also face losing Antonio Rudiger, 28, with the German also facing six months left on his deal.
      And there is growing concern from Stamford Bridge that the German will not renew, with Real Madrid a heavily linked alternative.
      Contrary to reports in Spain, club captain Azpilicueta on the other hand is willing to stay and fight for his place, The Athletic say.
      But Chelsea have long had a policy of only offering players over 30 one-year extensions.
      Christensen meanwhile could be closing in on a new deal, along with Thiago Silva, journalist  Gianluca Di Marzio reported.
      Silva, 37, signed on a free from PSG in 2019 and was handed one year with the option to extend.
      That was triggered, but the Brazilian is set to now sign another 12-month deal.
      Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are both out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: Reuters More