Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Chilwell bid boost, £100m deal ordered, £47m Isco bid readied

Chelsea handed boost in Ben Chilwell chase

Chelsea appear to have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Leicester City star Ben Chilwell.

The Foxes are looking at signing Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand as a replacement for the England international, according to the Daily Mail.

But, he’s still unlikely to make the move to Stamford Bridge before the summer.

Chelsea’s priority lies with finding a new striker, with the imminent departure of Olivier Giroud.

Thomas Meunier race

Chelsea have been linked with Thomas Meunier in the past, and now Manchester United and two unnamed Premier League clubs are said to be in the hunt for his signature, according to Le Parisien.

His contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season, so he will be free to join other clubs.

The Belgian could provide cover in both full-back competitions and has Champions League experience.

A deal could hinge on whether Marcos Alonso or Emerson leave the club, despite the fact Meunier is predominately a right-back.

Moussa Dembele hope

Chelsea have been handed hope they can complete a deal for Lyon’s Moussa Dembele.

That’s after L’Equipe claim that the French club have agreed a loan deal plus £17million obligation to buy for Villarreal striker Karl Toko Ekambi.

That could potential prove key in persuading Lyon to let Dembele leave the club this month.

Express Sport understand that Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in the forward.

Man Utd battle

Chelsea are locked in battle with Manchester United over the signing of Boubakary Soumare, according to Sky Sports.

The report claims the Lille midfielder is set to decide between the two Premier League clubs before deadline day.

Express Sport reported that United had sent scouts to watch Soumare in action for Lille last weekend at Dijon.

It was a match in which the 20-year-old was shown a red card, but that hasn’t put either side off.

Soumare was a shining light for Lille in this season’s Champions League and made an impression on Chelsea when the two sides met in the group stages.

Issa Diop responds to Blues links

Express Sport reported earlier this month that Chelsea are weighing up a January bid for West Ham defender Issa Diop.

The Frenchman has now spoken out on speculation, which has also included links to Tottenham and Manchester United.

“It doesn’t make me hot or cold,” he told Foot Mercato.

“I’m not in negotiations, I don’t want to know which club is interested in me.

“So for me, it doesn’t really change anything.

“Most of the time, they are friends who send me screenshots to tell me: “Issa is watching” . I don’t even know first.

“Then it’s the transfer window, there are things that are true, others that are false.

“So honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to it.”

Higuain reflects on Chelsea stint

Gonzalo Higuain admits he could have done better during his loan spell with Chelsea last season.

The Argentine is now back with Juventus and playing under former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “I could have done better. But I think what I did is not bad and then we managed to win the Europa League and reached the Champions League, so they were good results.

“People expected more from me, but I think the goals were fine in that short time.”

Abramovich approves Sancho deal

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has decided he wants to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

The winger is valued at around £100million by the Bundesliga club and a number of clubs are set to battle it out for his signature in the summer.

According to journalist Duncan Castles, the billionaire Russian sees Sancho as a long-term replacement for Willian.

He said on Reach PLC’s Transfer Window Podcast: “Their priority is on the wing, where they envisage losing Willian because they have offered Willian a new contract but only a one-year contract because of his age.

“Chelsea are preparing for his exit. I’m told they are focusing on wingers at present. One of those strong options for them is Jadon Sancho.

“My understanding is the club, i.e. Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia, are very keen on taking Sancho. They’re keen on making a statement signing.”

Werner makes decision

Timo Werner has clarified that he will not be leaving RB Leipzig this month.

Express Sport understands that the striker is one of the names on Frank Lampard’s shortlist, but a deal is unlikely to be pursued until the summer.

Werner has now offered the Blues hope though, by claiming the Premier League is an attractive proposition.

The 23-year-old told Bild: “The Premier League is certainly the most interesting league, you have to say.

“There is a certain flair to watching the English league and playing there.

“But many Germans have also been very successful in Spain, such as Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.”

£47m Isco bid readied

Chelsea are keen on bolstering their midfield options and according to Spanish outlet El Desmarque, they have turned attentions towards Isco.

The midfielder is open to the idea of a new challenge after several mixed seasons at the Bernabeu, and the report claims Chelsea are weighing up a £47m offer.

They are also said to be already in talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez over a potential deal.

It remains unclear whether Zinedine Zidane would be open to a sale.

Giroud exit looms

Olivier Giroud is expected to complete his move to Inter Milan this weekend.

The medicals are being prepared in Milan, where he is expected to sign until 2022.

Inter are confident of wrapping up a deal, despite being unwilling to match Chelsea’s £8.5m asking price.

Giroud wants a change of surroundings with his place in the France squad under threat.

He has agreed personal terms with the Italian giant, who are expected to shake hands on a deal worth around £4.2m plus add-ons.