Football

Chelsea news LIVE: Blues secure £31m transfer agreement despite Everton medical claims


Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Wednesday, April 1

  • Chelsea are still pursuing Napoli star Dries Mertens
  • Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also interested
  • Arsenal are preparing to battle it out to sign Chris Richards
  • Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lille for Gabriel Magalhaes
  • However, Magalhaes is said to have undergone a medical with Everton

Nahuel Bustos dream

Nahuel Bustos dreams of playing in the Premier League with Chelsea.

The Talleres forward, 21, can operate on either flank and has recorded 14 goals and three assists in 37 Superliga appearances for the Argentine club.

“I’d like to go outside,” he said during an interview on Instagram via Mundo D. “If I stay in Argentina, I stay at Talleres. I always said so. If they call me from Boca or River, I stay in Talleres. I’m not going to lie to you.

“I’d like to play in Europe. Do you know where I’d like to play? At Chelsea in England. It’s my dream.”

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Philippe Coutinho to Leicester

Chelsea are keen to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer and are leading the way, according to reports in Spain.

Leicester, however, are also desperate to sign the Brazilian and view him as a “big statement”, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.

The Brazilian is on loan at Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga side will not pay to keep him permanently.

However, Barcelona are also said to have lost patience with their club-record signing and it is widely believed that the Blaugrana will look to offload him during the summer window.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Samuel Umtiti decision

Chelsea have received a transfer boost in their pursuit of Samuel Umtiti after it has been reported that the Barcelona ace would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge if he departs the Nou Camp.

Umtiti has mustered just 31 appearances in all competitions over the past two seasons due to serious knee issues, and is now considered surplus to requirements by the La Liga champions.

However, the centre-back is still valued at £45million which is putting off potential suitors who remain wary of his fitness record.

The Daily Star claim Umtiti is not keen to leave Barcelona but intermediaries have let Chelsea know that they are his preferred option if he is forced to depart.

The report also states that Umtiti has already been offered to Arsenal and Manchester United before the Blues launched their enquiries.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Olivier Giroud rejection

Olivier Giroud has rejected an offer from Chelsea to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.

The French striker’s current deal expires this summer and a number of clubs from around Europe are supposedly interested in signing up the 33-year-old.

The French international agreed personal terms with Inter Milan before Chelsea pulled the plug after failing to secure a replacement.

And now reports from Italy claim Giroud is closing in on a move to the San Siro once again after rejecting a new contract proposal from Chelsea.

Tuttosport report that new contacts have been made between the Blues and Giroud’s entourage, with an offer of a one-year extension tabled.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Dries Mertens

Chelsea are still interested in Napoli star Dries Mertens.

The Blues were heavily backed to sign the Belgian international in January to ease the burden on Tammy Abraham but a deal failed to materialise.

The forward was expected to receive a lucrative new contract to extend his stay beyond June and engaged in face-to-face talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

But still nothing has been signed.

Calciomercato now claim several clubs remain interested in securing his signature including Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Calciomercato suggest that a hefty signing bonus in addition to £102,000-a-week salary could tempt the 32-year-old to swap clubs.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Gabriel Magalhaes agreement

Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lille for defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

That’s according to transfer expert Duncan Castles, who claims the Ligue 1 side have accepted an offer worth £31million including performance-related add-ons.

“There have been four offers for Gabriel received by Lille and accepted by Lille,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast.

“Lille are a club dependent on transfer revenue, they’ve agreed a deal with a total value of €35m (£31m). Everton are one of the clubs who have had an offer accepted. Two clubs in Italy have had an offer accepted. The fourth club is Chelsea.”

But there could be a problem for Frank Lampard’s side.

Last week, The Independent claimed Magalhaes had already completed an ‘offsite medical’ with the Toffees.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Chris Richards move

Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing to battle it out to sign Bayern Munich youngster Chris Richards in the summer transfer window, despite the defender not having made a competitive first-team appearance yet.

The 20-year-old American is being tipped to be a star player in the future and has been impressive playing for Bayern’s Under-19 and Under-23 sides.

Richards, who stands at 6’2″tall, is a versatile defender and while his natural position is a centre-back, the American is also comfortable playing as a right-back too.

However, according to The Mirror, because the youngster hasn’t yet featured in Bayern’s first-team there is now uncertainty over his future at the club.

The report claims Arsenal and Chelsea are leading numerous clubs who are interested in the defender, with Barcelona and Valencia also monitoring the player’s situation.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Premier League statement

The Premier League, EFL, FA and FSA have released a joint statement claiming there are no quick answers to when football will return.

Football was originally suspended until April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, due to the severity of the pandemic, the suspension was pushed back until April 30.

It remains to be seen whether the season can be finished and there’s still a possibility the campaign could be called null and void.

Football governing bodies are locked in talks with leagues, discussing how to return to normality.

And the Premier League, EFL, FA and FSA have now confirmed football will not return until it’s absolutely safe to do so.

Read the full statement here.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Lautaro Martinez

Barcelona have a plan to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

That’s according to Spanish publication Sport, who claim the Catalan giants have made Martinez their top priority in the upcoming transfer window.

It’s believed the 22-year-old forward has signalled he would like to join compatriot Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp and that ‘everyone assumes’ a transfer will be completed in June.

Sport continue to claim that Martinez has been assured of a starting role for the Spanish champions.

The Argentine striker, who has scored 25 goals in 66 appearances for Inter Milan, has a £102million release clause that Barcelona will look to lower – perhaps using as many as three players in exchange.



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