Chelsea look to shift West Ham’s stance over Declan Rice, though it appears to be a tough negotiation at this stage with the Hammers desperate to retain the England international. The main business in the coming days appears to be through the exit as Frank Lampard prepares to slim down his squad.
The stunning summer in the market has seen the arrivals of Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz and Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell joined Hakim Ziyech of Ajax and Timo Werner of RB Leipzig while defenders Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr arrived on free transfers from Ligue 1.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is set to arrive from Rennes imminently, with Kepa Arrizabalaga failing to show any signs of improvement against Brighton on Monday. Emerson appears destined to leave with Inter Milan and West Ham keen, as Marcos Alonso looks set to remain and compete with Chilwell for game time.
CHELSEA SAY NO TO RICE
It was rumoured earlier today but Declan Rice will not be joining Chelsea this summer according to a report from The Athletic.
The Blues are unwilling to pay the £80 million asking fee for the West Ham midfielder, a price they deem too high.
For their part West Ham never really wanted to sell Rice as he has been a standout performer for the est London club since breaking through in the 2018/19 season.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 16:19
WINNING TITLES KEY FOR WERNER
In his press conference earlier today, Timo Werner explained that part of his decision to join Chelsea came from his desire to win titles.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 15:41
DEAL REACHED OVER BAKAYOKO
Tiemoue Bakayoko could be leaving Stamford Bridge and heading to his prefered club, AC Milan.
Bakayoko made it clear it Chelsea that he only wanted to join the Italian club and is willing to accept a 50 per cent pay cut to ensure a deal is made.
According to Sky Italia the two clubs have reached an agreement with a permanent deal being completed in the next few days although no details have been announced.
Bakayoko signed for the Blues in 2017 for £40 million but failed to make an impact at the club and has spent the last two season out on loan.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 15:27
WERNER HAPPY AT CHELSEA
Timo Werner gave his first press conference as a Chelsea player earlier today. He hinted at other offers he may have had on the table before deciding to join Chelsea for £47.5 million. Werner said:
Michael Jones16 September 2020 14:41
A RETURN FOR RICE?
West Ham are interested in signing Emerson Palmieri from Chelsea and as part of the deal Declan Rice may return to Stamford Bridge.
Or is that the other way around? Do Chelsea want Rice and will give West Ham Emerson?
The Hammers are desperate to keep Rice at the London stadium but the right offer from the Blues could be enough for them to sell, especially if Emerson is included in a potential deal.
Transfer expert Alex Crook told talkSPORT : “West Ham can’t sell Declan Rice, can they? You look at the reaction to the transfer of [Grady] Diangana; if they were to sell another of their perceived crown jewels the fans would be in absolute uproar.
“My understanding is the owners are desperate to keep hold of Declan Rice. Chelsea are still pushing in the background, but it would take a massive offer and I don’t see it happening.”
Michael Jones16 September 2020 14:10
ROOM FOR RUBEN AT CHELSEA?
Gary Neville has suggested that Ruben Loft-Cheek should leave Chelsea after he failed to have an impact on the game against Brighton.
Neville thinks Chelsea could earn up to £25 million for the England international as he now has to compete with Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Ross Barkley for a place in Chelsea’s starting XI.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 13:27
IS KEPA GOOD ENOUGH?
According to Gary Neville on Monday Night Football, no he isn’t.
Which is why Chelsea are in the market for a new goalkeeper with Edouard Mendy of Rennes the rumoured favourite although a deal for the 28-year-old is yet to get over the line.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 12:40
MENDY READY AND WAITING
French journalist, Mohamed Bouhafsi, says Chelsea’s deal with Rennes over goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is all but complete and the 28-year-old is ‘ready and waiting’ to seal the deal.
Mendy is apparantly joining Chelsea on a five-year contract for a fee around £18 million if the clubs finalise the deal. He’s just waiting for the green light to leave France and join up with the London club in the Premier League.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 12:12
FORMER CHELSEA DEFENDER AT WEST BROM
Branislav Ivanovic is ready to go for West Brom after signing for the club on a free transfer. The former Chelsea defender will bring a lot of Premier League experience to the club having made more than 350 appearances and won 9 major trophies with the Blues.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 11:45
WEST HAM ENTER RACE FOR EMERSON
West Ham have reportedly entered the race to sign Emerson Palmieri from Chelsea according to the Guardian.
Inter Milan have been chasing the full-back throughout the window and are still keen on signing the Brazilian. They are expected to renew transfer talks with Chelsea before the transfer deadline next month.
Now they face competition from West Ham who aren’t making progress with first choice signing, James Tarkowski from Burnley. The Hammers would prefer a loan deal for Emerson, in the case that Tarkowski does yet sign.
Chelsea, on the other hand, would prefer to sell putting Inter Milan in pole position for a move.
Michael Jones16 September 2020 11:23