Chelsea transfer news: Declan Rice, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Edouard Mendy, Marash Kumbulla - plus Premier League updates
The Blues remain active in the market despite already spending more than £200m this summer
Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
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.
GALLAGHER SET FOR WEST BROM MOVE
Conor Gallagher is due to move to the Hawthorns after signing a new contract with Chelsea on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old impressed last season during his loan stints at Charlton Athletic and Swansea City and was rewarded with a new long-term deal by Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea manager wants Gallagher to continue his development and has agreed terms for a season-long loan to West Brom which is set to be completed today.
CHELSEA FRONT THREE ‘MOST EXCITING’ IN PREM
talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino believes Chelsea now have the most exciting front three in the Premier League after their big spending spree this summer.
Frank Lampard's new attack consists of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic and could challenge Liverpool’s forward trio of Sadio Mane. Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah as the most prolific in the league.
Writing in his column for The Times, the former striker said: “I cannot wait to see Havertz, Werner and Pulisic leading the line for Chelsea.
“Frank Lampard’s team now have the most exciting front three in the Premier League and, whisper it, they have what it takes to be more prolific than Salah, Mane and Firmino at Liverpool.
“Pulisic and Havertz are blessed with pace and great technique, and Werner is a lethal finisher.
“Havertz, in particular, is going to be a massive player for Chelsea. He is a better acquisition this summer than Jadon Sancho would be.”
‘HIS PASSING IS RIDICULOUS’ SAYS LAMPARD
Rio Ferdinand says Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, is impressed with Hakim Ziyech’s arrival at Stamford Bridge and especially in one area.
'" spoke to Frank the other day about Ziyech and he said: "His passing is ridiculous." Ferdinand told the Five YouTube channel.
"I'm looking to see them passes when he cuts with his left foot and has the likes of Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz etc all making runs, and I think Ziyech will be putting it on a plate for these boys."
Ziyech joined the Blues this summer in a £37.8million transfer from Ajax.
The winger is yet to make his Chelsea due to a slight knee injury sustained last month in a pre-season friendly against Brighton.
MERSON BEWILDERED BY WILLIAN MOVE
Paul Merson has hit out at Chelsea’s decision to let Willian move to Arsenal on a free transfer this summer. The Brazilian’s time at the Bridge ended as his deal expired after an unsavoury contract stand-off.
'I cannot believe Chelsea let Willian go. I know they have gone out and got special players, but there is nothing to say they are going to hit the ground running,' Merson told Sky Sports.
'In Willian, you have got someone there who is ready-made. I like who they have signed, but they cost a lot of money, and their wages are probably the same as Willian.'
Frank Lampard has spent heavily in this window, shelling out over £200 million to bring in players like Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.
Speaking of Ziyech…
CARLO WANTS TOMORI
Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly targeting defender Fikayo Tomori as he looks to continue his spending spree at Everton.
The Toffees have spent £60 million this summer with the arrivals of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
talkSPORT are claiming that Ancelotti is willing to sell Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi and Gylfi Sigurdsson in an attempt to raise additional funds for more signings.
One of which would be the 22-year-old Chelsea defender as the Italian looks to bolster his back four. However Everton would have to sell before they can buy.
CHELSEA REIGNITE RICE INTEREST
Chelsea are re-considering a bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
At least that is according to Fabrizio Romano. The transfer guru claims the claims will move on Rice immediately after signing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes.
This is in contrast to a report from The Athletic yesterday that said Chelsea were unwilling to pursue the England international after West Ham demanded an £80 million asking price.
THURSDAY’S TRANSFER NEWS
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s Chelsea transfer news live blog, where we’ll keep on top of all the latest comings and goings at Stamford Bridge right up until the 5 October deadline.
Chelsea have been the big movers in the transfer market this summer, having already landed the high-profile signings of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell, but Frank Lampard is not about to stop there.
With a move in the pipeline for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Che;sea could also look to splash the cash out on West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who would be redeployed at Chelsea in defence in the hope of strengthening them up at the back.
Here’s a look at the biggest headlines this moring.
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.
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.
Timo Werner: ‘I joined Chelsea to win Premier League titles’
‘I am here to win titles and win a lot of games, as many games as possible’
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.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies