Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and transfer gossip from Stamford Bridge
Tuesday, February 4
- Chelsea boss Frank Lampard wants to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga and already has a replacement in mind
- Willian has made a decision on his Chelsea future amid interest from Barcelona
- Frank Lampard sent warning over top four finish
- Chelsea accused of not being prepared to negotiate over Olivier Giroud transfer
Nemanja Matic snub
AC Milan rejected the opportunity to sign Nemanja Matic in January.
Magic is running down his contract at Old Trafford and will be available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign should Manchester United not trigger a one-year extension.
The Serbia international, 31, has seen relatively little action this season – making just seven Premier League starts under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Italian website Calciomercato claim United chiefs offered Matic to AC Milan, but manager Stefano Pioli snubbed the approach.
AC Milan rejected the opportunity to sign Nemanja Matic in January (Image: GETTY)
Jude Bellingham bid
Manchester United will revive their interest in Jude Bellingham in the summer transfer window after failing to capture the Birmingham youngster last month.
The 16-year-old has garnered interest from a host of Premier League clubs this season after breaking into Pep Clotet’s starting line-up aged just 16.
United, along with Chelsea, tried to sign Bellingham in January and reportedly chanced their arm with a £25million bid but the Blues did not sell.
Now, Sky Sports claim United will continue their pursuit in the off-season with Bellingham remaining on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shopping list.
Manchester United will revive their interest in Jude Bellingham in the summer transfer window (Image: GETTY)
Mason Mount glad no signings were made
Mason Mount is glad Chelsea failed to sign anyone in the January transfer window as the Blues young players can continue their development.
Frank Lampard wanted to strengthen his side in the January window after seeing the ban lifted but the club were unable to bring anybody in.
“I think that it was like that from the beginning,” he said.
“Obviously, with the two window ban, we thought it would be two windows where we couldn’t buy any players and that we had to step up as young players and have an effect on games and to be big players for the team.”
Frank Lampard wants to replace Kepa this summer (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea plan £150m transfer spree
Chelsea are planning to hand Frank Lampard more than £150million to spend on new recruits in the summer with Jadon Sancho and Moussa Dembele at the top of their list of targets.
Lampard was unhappy at the end of the January transfer window with the club failing to make any new signings.
The Chelsea board are eager to rectify the situation this summer though with the Evening Standard reporting Lampard will be given transfer funds in excess of £150m to bring in new recruits.
It is claimed Lyon forward Moussa Dembele is Chelsea’s No 1 priority heading into the summer and a deal could cost little over £60m.
But the club are also keeping tabs on Werner as another option up front.
Hakim Ziyech is also a target for Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Former Chelsea man makes Mbappe claim
Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton isn’t sure how Kylian Mbappe would fit into Liverpool’s current team.
There has been growing speculation suggesting Liverpool could be getting ready for a big-money move for the French sensation, but Sutton thinks Jurgen Klopp’s current front three are immovable in the starting line-up.
“He wouldn’t get in the Liverpool team just at the moment,” he said on BBC.
“Who would he get in instead of? Who does he play instead of?”
Jadon Sancho is also a target for Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Dubravka to replace Kepa
Former Tottenham midfielder and now BBC football analyst, Garth Crooks, thinks Lampard needs to look at signing Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spaniard was dropped for Chelsea’s recent draw with Leicester and Express Sport understands Lampard is ready to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper in the summer.
And Crooks believes Dubravka would be the ideal target come the end of the season.
“If Chelsea are serious about a top-four place they need to get a top-class goalkeeper.
“They should take a serious look at Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka.”
Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Alan Shearer confused by January decision
Chelsea left Alan Shearer “puzzled” at failing to bring in a striker in the January transfer window.
Tammy Abraham has been the predominant goal threat for Chelsea this season, with Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi struggling when called upon.
The Blues were linked with a host of names in the January window, but Shearer was confused to see the club fail to make a single signing.
“Just like Manchester United, Chelsea have been desperate for a new striker to take the pressure off their top scorer, Tammy Abraham,” he told The Sun.
“They fought so hard to get the transfer ban lifted in time for the January window so it was puzzling that they didn’t make any big signings.”
Martin Dubravka has impressed for Newcastle this season (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea target Kepa replacement
Frank Lampard wants to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was dropped on Saturday after a series of inconsistent displays if the right offer comes in, and replace the 25-year-old, preferably with an English goalkeeper.
Express Sport understands Burnley’s England star Nick Pope is at the top of Lampard’s wish list.
But Chelsea’s board are reluctant to take a massive financial hit on Arrizabalaga, who they signed for a world record for a goalkeeper £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018.
Chelsea director and transfer guru Marina Granovskaia personally pushed the Arrizabalaga deal through, and the Spaniard was handed a seven-year deal worth £10m a year.
Willian wants to stay at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Willian makes transfer decision
Chelsea star Willian is yet to sign a new contract and it’s understood the Barcelona transfer target wants better terms than what Frank Lampard’s side are currently willing to offer him.
Willian can become a free agent at the end of the season and is able to talk to clubs outside of England about a possible move in the summer.
Barcelona have emerged as top contenders, but it’s understood Willian would prefer to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are currently offering Willian a contract for one more year, but the Brazilian is said to be holding out for a two-year extension.
Chelsea were not prepared to negotiate Giroud exit
Inter Milan chief Giuseppe Marotta has taken aim at Chelsea over their stance on Olivier Giroud in the January transfer window.
The French striker looked set to leave Stamford Bridge last month, with Inter among several clubs considering a move.
Ultimately, Giroud stayed but Marotta was not happy with Chelsea for not being willing to negotiate.
“There were some priorities, which were the players we signed, so were completely satisfied,” he said.
“We had wanted another target, which was Giroud, but Chelsea were not prepared to even negotiate with us.”