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    Chelsea line up big-money Wesley Fofana transfer and offered De Ligt from Juventus as they prepare for Rudiger exit

    CHELSEA are reportedly lining up a swoop for crocked Leicester defender Wesley Fofana as a potential replacement for Antonio Rudiger.The Blues initially showed interest in the Foxes centre-back in the summer before he was sidelined with a fibula injury that will keep him out of action until the New Year.
    Fofana is said to be high on the Blues wishlist to replace RudigerCredit: Getty
    De Ligt may also be an option as Juve have reportedly offered him to the BluesCredit: Sportphoto24/Marco Canoniero
    Rudiger has been heavily linked with a move to Real next summer when his contract ends
    However, according to Goal, the Champions League holders have reignited their desire to sign the 20-year-old French ace as Rudiger’s Stamford Bridge exit seemingly edges closer.
    Rudiger’s contract is up next summer and he is yet to pen an extension with the Blues.
    Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of one of their prized defensive assets.
    But Rudiger doesn’t seem to feel the same and has reportedly been in talks with Real Madrid over heading to the Bernabeu.
    And if the Blues have issues recruiting Fofana, they may turn to Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt to fill Rudiger’s boots.
    Goal also claim that Juve have offered De Ligt to the West London side as they look to cut down their astronomical wage bill.
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    The 22-year-old is currently costing the Serie A giants a whopping £280,000 a week despite not being a regular starter.
    De Ligt is said to be content with his situation at Juve but his agent Mino Raiola has opened the door to his exit.
    The super-agent recently said: “De Ligt could leave Juventus at the end of the season.
    “This is how the market works, there are many clubs who are interested in his services.”
    However, the Holland youngster may cost the Blues an arm and a leg as he reportedly has a release clause of £125million. More

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    Liverpool ‘ready to trigger Barcelona wonderkid Gavi’s £43m buyout clause’ as they join Chelsea in transfer race

    LIVERPOOL are ready to trigger Barcelona wonderkid Gavi’s £43million buyout clause, reports say. The teen starlet has broken into the first-team set-up at the Nou Camp this season and has made a big impression in 13 LaLiga appearances.
    Liverpool are linked with Barcelona wonderkid GaviCredit: Getty
    His contract expires in 2023 but according to Elnacional, the midfielder is stalling on extending his deal.
    It comes with the club seventh in the league and still struggling even with Barca legend Xavi in charge.
    Gavi is said to have a £43m clause in his contract, which many teams are believed to be interested in paying.
    Liverpool are among them with manager Jurgen Klopp keen to add a central midfielder into his side.
    But Chelsea and Bayern Munich are two others linked with the 17-year-old.
    Barca are also said to be considering increasing Gavi’s clause to a huge sum of £840m – just as they did with Ansu Fati and Pedri.
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    The Catalans are determined to hold on to their prized assets, with Gerard Pique likening Gavi and Pedri to Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
    Pedri is reportedly keen to put pen to paper on a new deal which would extend his stay until 2026.
    But Barca face a fight to convince their current and rising stars to stay put after being dumped out of the Champions League.
    A 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Germany saw them fail to progress into the knockout stages for the first time in 21 years, adding further misery to their already disastrous season.
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    Bayern Munich dumped Barcelona out of the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters More

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    Fenerbahce forced to deny Attila Szalai to Chelsea is a ‘done deal’ and say there are ‘no’ transfer negotiations

    FENERBAHCE have denied that it is a ‘done deal’ for Attila Szalai to join Chelsea.The Blues are looking for defensive reinforcements with Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all out of contract in June.
    Fenerbahce have denied Attila Szalai’s move to Chelsea is a ‘done deal’Credit: Getty
    The Blues have been linked with a transfer switch to Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP
    Although he wants to keep them, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is taking no chances and is already searching for replacements.
    That has led to speculation that the Premier League side were preparing a move for Fenerbahce’s Szalai, 23.
    And that talk intensified yesterday when the Hungarian international’s national manager Marco Rossi claimed it was already a ‘done deal’.
    When asked if any of his players looked set for a big-money move in 2022, he said: “It’s hard to name just one player but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce… I think he is joining Chelsea.
    “Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal.”
    Fenerbahce were furious about those remarks and the speculation, leading to them issuing a statement last night.
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    It read: “The allegations regarding the transfer of our player Attila Szalai, which have been made public in the last few days, based on foreign press and social media, do not reflect the truth.
    “Our club has not made any transfer negotiations regarding our successful football player Attila Szalai.
    “Our player continues his work completely concentrating on the goals of our team. We present it to the public.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019.
    Reports suggest he would cost in the region of £20million.
    He is one of a number of defensive transfer options Chelsea could look at. More

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    Saul Niguez’s horror Chelsea loan takes bizarre twist with Thomas Tuchel looking at playing flop star as a wing-back

    THOMAS TUCHEL revealed struggling Saul Niguez has been used as a wing-back in Chelsea training. The midfielder signed on loan this summer from Atletico Madrid but after seven games he has struggled.
    Thomas Tuchel revealed struggling Saul Niguez has been used as a wing-back in trainingCredit: Getty
    On his debut against Aston Villa in September and in his most recent game at Watford, Niguez was hooked at half-time.
    But with Ben Chilwell, 24, out injured and Marcos Alonso, 30, Chelsea’s only other recognised wing-back, Tuchel said the Spaniard has been tested in defence.
    He said: “I think he could play in a wing-back role.
    “We sometimes do this in training, that’s why we have the impression he could be a good fit. Maybe in the next games, we have to try it.”
    Niguez, 27, has played on the left side of midfield before, but never in the backline.
    He was subbed off for Thiago Silva, 37, at Vicarage Road with centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, 22, moved to midfield as Chelsea eventually won 2-1.

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    But afterwards, his performance came under question by boss Tuchel.
    He said: “I don’t know where he goes from this performance but he was on a yellow card so we had two options.
    “We could have taken Marcos off who also had a yellow card and try Saul as a wing-back.
    “I had this in my mind before the game, if something happened to Marcos.
    “But I thought maybe it was not the right match to try things with new positions so it was [subbing] him to change the shape a little bit and have Thiago on the pitch with his organising.
    “Having Trevoh on the number six who is more physical – unfortunately Trevoh injured himself and we ended up with Ruben on the single six.
    “But it was a tactical decision.”
    Saul Niguez was taken off at half-time against WatfordCredit: Getty More

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    Five defenders Chelsea could sign to replace Rudiger including Kounde and Szalai as Real Madrid close in on centre-back

    CHELSEA are still sweating over the future of Antonio Rudiger. The German, 28, is yet to sign a new deal and has attracted attention from Europe’s elite, most notably Real Madrid.
    Chelsea are still sweating over the future of Antonio RudigerCredit: Rex
    Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, Thiago Silva, 37, and Andreas Christensen, 25, are also defenders Chelsea face losing for nothing unless contract extensions are agreed.
    The Blues are said to be prepared to offer all four new deals, but it will not stop them from scouting out alternatives.
    Here, SunSport runs down five centre-back options for Chelsea.
    Jules Kounde
    Frenchman Kounde, 23, looked all set for a move from Sevilla to Stamford Bridge in the summer and is believed to have agreed personal terms.
    But, after Chelsea sold Kurt Zouma, 27, to accommodate the move, Sevilla raised the price tag to £60million at the last minute, opposed to the original £43m.
    That is said to have caused Chelsea to pull out of the deal, which in turn paved the way for 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah’s emergence in the squad.
    Jules Kounde looked all set for a move to Stamford Bridge in the summerCredit: Getty

    Attila Szalai
    Fenerbahce’s Szalai, 23, has emerged as a cut-price alternative option at the back for the Blues.
    And speculation from Turkey has even claimed Chelsea have agreed a deal of £20m to sign the defender in the winter window.
    Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019.
    Attila Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019Credit: PA
    Marquinhos
    Chelsea were last summer linked to the Brazilian, 27, who is the current PSG captain.
    And despite reportedly being prepared to pay up to £86m for Marquinhos, neither the player or PSG appeared interested in the deal.
    But that is not to say Chelsea would not try their luck again, especially as Marquinhos could be deemed the perfect successor to former team-mate Silva.
    Marquinhos is the current PSG captainCredit: Getty
    Niklas Sule
    Earlier in the year, German Sule, 26, was rumoured to be a target Chelsea were considering signing in the summer.
    Since then, he is yet to sign a new Bayern Munich deal, which is set to expire at the end of this season.
    It means Chelsea could be cleared to negotiate a free transfer with Sule as soon as next month, with Newcastle also linked with the defender.

    Niklas Sule is yet to sign a new Bayern Munich dealCredit: Reuters
    Pau Torres
    Villarreal’s Torres, 24, was close to a move to London in the summer, but with Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham.
    And already the defender could be a favourite amongst Blues fans after turning down Spurs.
    He is said to have been a name shortlisted on Chelsea’s defensive targets in the past and is believed to have a £56m release clause in his contract.
    Vllarreal centre-half Pau Torres rejected a move to SpursCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea given easier run at Aurelien Tchouameni transfer after Juventus pull out of race for Monaco star

    CHELSEA have been given a boost in their quest to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after Juventus reportedly pulled out of the race.The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the principality in 2022 following an impressive start to the season.
    Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move to Chelsea next yearCredit: Getty
    Valued at £42million by the Ligue 1 outfit, Tchouameni has chipped in with two goals in 22 games for Niko Kovac’s men.
    His fine form saw him called up to the France senior side in August, with the player since being capped on seven occasions.
    Thomas Tuchel is understood to be a huge admirer of the ex-Bordeuax man, as he looks to lure him to Stamford Bridge next summer.
    Tchouameni, who is tied down at Monaco until 2024, has also been claimed to be on the radar of Juventus and Real Madrid.
    But according to Calciomercato, the Old Lady have decided against securing his services to give the Blues an easier run at landing him.
    They state that the Serie A side have deemed him as too expensive, with the club only open to signing him on loan, while Monaco will only allow him to move on a permanent deal.

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    As a result, Juve will now look to bring in other targets – notably Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
    Speaking to L’Equipe recently, Tchouameni declared that he isn’t paying attention to rumours over his future.
    He said: “My father called me, we talked about everything and he told me that I was on the front page of Marca. I went on Twitter and saw for myself.
    “I told him it was cool, but what does it actually matter? It doesn’t. The front page of Marca will not define me or allow me to perform well in matches.
    “It’s not real life, but it is the media world, the football business. They talk about me today but tomorrow, they’ll be talking about another.
    “In the dressing room, they put the cover up and laughed’ ‘Oh, you’re leaving us already?’.
    “It’s flattering, but I don’t wake up in the morning thinking about it.

    “When I started in Bordeaux, the media were already wondering every summer if Aurelien Tchouameni was going to move to a bigger club.
    “In 2018, they were already talking about Juventus or Milan.
    “I know for a fact that what is true in October is not necessarily what’s true in June. If I start to think that I’m going to leave, it will show directly in my performances on the pitch.”
    Chelsea stars Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso compete in bake off but Blues skipper cooks up ‘complete disaster’ More

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    ‘Just give him the money’ – Chelsea told to give Antonio Rudiger new deal as he will cost at least £30m to replace

    EMMANUEL PETIT has urged Chelsea to extend Antonio Rudiger’s contract by the end of the season to prevent him from leaving for free.The defender is said to be extremely unhappy with the club after they fell short of his wage demands by £60,000.
    Rudiger has been a standout player for Chelsea this seasonCredit: Getty
    Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are all said to be interested in the Chelsea man, who has been a key player for Thomas Tuchel since he took over at the start of the year.
    Rudiger has expressed his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer, but only if the Blues will increase his wages.
    When speaking to Bookmakers.com, former Chelsea midfielder Petit said: “He looks like one of the best defenders around.
    “He could leave on a free and Chelsea would have to spend a minimum of £30 million to find a new defender of his level, and there’s never a guarantee a buy will work out.

    “This guy is a survivor. Since Tuchel has been the manager he’s been one of the top defenders in world football.
    “If he asks for two more years, just give him the money.”
    Chelsea have recently been linked with Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt who could potentially act as Rudiger’s replacement if he were to leave the club.
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    Chelsea ‘make £34m transfer bid’ for Real Madrid star Eder Militao and offer star defender huge salary rise

    CHELSEA have made a £34million bid for Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao, according to reports.The 23-year-old has broken through into Carlo Ancelotti’s first team this season, starting all 12 of their LaLiga matches.
    Militao could be set for a move to Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
    Yet despite coming into favour at the Bernabeu, Chelsea are trying to tempt him to Stamford Bridge with an offer that would see his wages increase significantly.
    Militao signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid in 2019 and so remains under contract until 2025.
    But, according to El Nacional, interest from the Blues is pressuring Los Blancos president Florentino Perez into renegotiating an improved deal for Militao.
    The Brazilian arrived in the Spanish capital from Porto in 2019 for £43.5million, becoming the first signing of Zinedine Zidane’s second spell at the club.
    He has gone on to rack up 57 appearances for the 13-time European champions, scoring two goals.
    Militao’s impressive displays at club level have also earned him a run in the Brazilian national team.

    After making his international debut in 2018, he has now appeared 18 times for his country.
    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel believes Militao would fit into his back three system if he was to join the London outfit.
    The Blues’ interest in Militao comes amid uncertainty over a couple of Chelsea’s current centre-backs.

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    Thiago Silva, 36, looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
    And German defender Antonio Rudiger’s deal is also up in the summer, although Chelsea are keen to try and extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
    Tuchel’s side boast the best defensive record in the Premier League having conceded just four goals in their opening 11 games. More