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
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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.
HAVERTZ CRITICISED
Kai Havertz has come in for some criticism after a slightly underwhelming debut against Brighton.
The Daily Mail gave Havertz’s bow a 6/10, and said the German “couldn’t get into the game at all”.
EMERSON INTEREST
Talksport have echoed yesterday’s report from The Athletic claiming West Ham are interested in signing Emerson Palmieri.
Chelsea are eager to sell Palmieri, who is behind Marcos Alonso and new £50 million signing Ben Chilwell in Frank Lampard’s plans.
CHELSEA STILL PUSHING FOR EXPENSIVE RICE
Chelsea are still pushing behind-the-scenes for West Ham’s Declan Rice, according to Talksport’s Alex Crook.
But with West Ham reluctant to sell, a sizeable fee - in the region of £80 million - may be required to get the England international to move across London.
Hammers chiefs David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady are already the subject of intense fan pressure after the sale of Grady Diangana to West Brom, and the departure of Rice would further increase supporter unrest.
Crook claims West Ham’s owners are “desperate” to keep hold of Rice, and it would take a “massive” bid to persuade them to sell.
HUDSON-ODOI KEEN ON BAYERN
Earlier we brought you reports from Sky Sports Germany that Bayern Munich are back in for Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The champions of Europe engaged in a public pursuit of the winger in January 2019, and have continued to monitor him since.
And Sky claim the 19-year-old would be happy to leave Stamford Bridge after growing disillusioned with Chelsea’s massive summer spending.
Bayern reportedly want to take Hudson-Odoi on loan with an option to buy, with RB Leipzig and Juventus also listed as interested.
LAMPARD OFFERS INJURY UPDATE
Frank Lampard has confirmed Christian Pulisic is a doubt for Chelsea’s clash against Liverpool this Sunday.
The American was unable to feature in The Blues’ win over Brighton after suffering a set-back in training.
Lampard was more optimistic over new signing Timo Werner’s fitness.
Werner suffered a dead leg at The Amex, but should recover in time for the Liverpool match.
You can read more here.
NO MENDY AGREEMENT
RMC Sport claim a deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has not been reached, despite reports to the contrary.
Mohamed Bouhafsi tweeted that Mendy is still waiting to fly to London, despite already agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal.
Fabrizio Romano commented that Chelsea had “already completed the deal” last night.
And Jamie Carragher speculated that Kepa’s performance against Brighton might force Frank Lampard’s hand.
“It may actually push the club to get this deal [for Mendy] done a lot quicker because it could have cost them,” Carragher said.
GALLAGHER CLOSE TO WEST BROM
Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher’s loan to West Brom is close to completion.
Gallagher was the subject of temporary bids from the Baggies and Aston Villa, and permanent interest from Leeds, after his loan to Crystal Palace fell through last week.
But The Hawthorns looks to be the eventual destination for the 20-year-old, who impressed on loan at Charlton and Swansea last season.
JUVENTUS OPT FOR DZEKO
Juventus look set to sign Roma striker Edin Dzeko and pull out of a possible deal for Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud.
Giroud had been strongly linked with a move to the Serie A champions, who are looking to replace Gonzalo Higuain and offer more support to Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.
But Fabrizio Romano reports that Dzeko is Juventus’ number one choice, and an agreement has been reached, thereby scuppering any chances of a deal for Giroud.
RENNES FAIL IN GIROUD COUP
Rennes desperately tried to include a move for Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud in the deal for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy according to French reports.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 side demanded a £37m fee for Mendy along with an option of signing the 33-year-old Giroud on loan or no a free transfer.
It appears the Blues rejected the offer and came to an agreement with Rennes for the 28-year-old goalkeeper in the region of £28m whose contract with the French club runs until 2023.
Chelsea conceded 54 goals in 38 Premier League games last season and although manager Frank Lampard says he is happy with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mendy’s signing would help eradicate such a poor record.
BAYERN WANT HUDSON-ODOI AGAIN
Bayern Munich will reignite their interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi, report Sky in Germany.
They are not the only interested club though, with Juventus and RB Leipzig keen too.
The England under-21 winger was omitted from the starting line-up against Brighton, with Hakim Ziyech injured, effectively relegating him to third choice for either wing position.
With a few weeks remaining in the window, interest will begin to pick up for the talented wide player if Frank Lampard is unable to give him a starring role.
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