Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Edouard Mendy, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek plus updates
All the latest Chelsea transfer news, rumours, gossip and done deals
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Follow all the latest Chelsea transfer news, rumours, gossip and done deals as the summer window deadline draws closer.
New goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been announced in a £20m transfer from Rennes and the giant Senegalese could well go straight in goal for the Blues’ weekend fixture at West Brom.
Meanwhile a host of Chelsea players have been pushed to fringes following the club’s big-spending summer, and several are looking for a route out to regular playing time.
Antonio Rudiger is one of those after the arrival of Thiago Silva, and Rudiger is the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain, where Silva recently departed, for a season-long loan.
Likewise Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley are all considering their positions at the club, with Aston Villa reportedly interested in loan deals.
NO OFFICIAL BID FOR RICE
Chelsea haven’t made an official bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice, but are in talks with his agent, says Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea are looking to add Rice to their squad, but according to Romano, the London outfit need to reduce the size of their squad before making further additions.
The Blues are working on selling/loaning out players before turning their attention to the England international.
ARSENAL KEEN ON JORGINHO
Arsenal are keen on Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, states Sky Sports.
Boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the Italian midfielder, having been assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City when the former Barcelona coach tried to bring Jorginho to the Etihad stadium.
However the deal collapsed and Jorginho went to London instead. Now Sky Sports believe that Arteta would like to bring across London.
However it remains to be seen if a deal could be finalised, and it’s also believed that the 28-year-old is an integral part of Frank Lampard’s plans at Chelsea.
Jorginho arrived from Napoli two years ago.
SPURS COULD HELP INTER FUND KANTE DEAL
Tottenham’s pursuit of Internazionale defender Milan Skriniar could see the Italian side move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Kante has long been a target for Inter boss Antonio Conte, however it’s believed that Chelsea would ask in the region of €80m for the midfielder.
La Gazzetta dello Sport state that Inter may be able to afford a bid for Kante should they sell defender Skriniar to Tottenham.
It’s believed the north London club are in negotiations with Inter for the signing of the Slovakian, and are demanding at least €60m.
Inter would then take the money from the departure of Skriniar and launch an assault for Kante.
Kante signed for Chelsea four years ago from Leicester City.
MENDY SIGNING WON’T PUT PRESSURE ON KEPA
Liverpool legend John Barnes says Chelsea’s signing of Edouard Mendy from Rennes won’t put pressure on current No. 1 Kepa.
The Spaniard is going through a difficult run of form as late, and Barnes believes Mendy’s arrival doesn’t mean Kepa will be automatically dropped.
“This [Mendy’s arrival] won’t put too much pressure on Kepa for the number one spot,’ Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
”Edouard Mendy isn’t exactly a household name that a lot of people know about so he will immediately be under pressure if they put him straight in.
‘If Chelsea were to sign Jan Oblak or Manuel Neuer, they can put him in straightaway and if he makes a mistake, fans would let it slide as they know he is a top goalkeeper.
"However, if they put this new goalkeeper in at the start and he makes a mistake, fans will be asking for Kepa to be brought back in.
“Chelsea signing Edouard Mendy will not install confidence in the fans as they know that he won’t be directly replacing Kepa.
"With the amount of money that Chelsea paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga, fans should know that they spent that amount because of how good he was, so people need to remember that.”
MILAN TO MISS OUT ON BAKAYOKO
Serie A side AC Milan could be set to miss out on Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to a report in Italy.
MilanNews.It state that French side Paris-Saint Germain have now entered the race to sign the midfielder, and have put a lucrative offer on the table.
Milan have thus far offered €5m for a season-long loan with an option to buy for €40m, but this hasn’t impressed Chelsea.
Bakayoko is reportedly very keen on a return to Milan, and they’re his first choice.
However the interest shown by PSG may prove alluring to the 26-year-old, and the French side have more capital to offer Chelsea than the Italian side.
Bakayoko played for Milan in the 2018-19 season, and was a regular under Rino Gattuso.
MENDY EXCITED TO BE JOINING BLUES
New Chelsea signing Edouard Mendy has spoken about his move to the club.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper officially completed his move to Frank Lampard’s side today, after the club agreed a £22m fee with French club Rennes.
Mendy is expected to challenge current stopper Kepa for the No. 1 position, with the latter being in a bad run of form.
“I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff," said Mendy.
"I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t wait to get started.”
RICE TELLS WEST HAM HE WANTS CHELSEA MOVE
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has reportedly told the club he wants a move to Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.
On his podcast, Here We Go, Romano states that the England international has told The Hammers that he wants to make the move across London.
“If you talk with West Ham, you have to be honest, they're saying the player is staying and the player is not moving," said Romano.
“It won't be easy and Chelsea are now considering selling players.
“But Declan Rice will push to join Chelsea. He will go strongly to join Chelsea
“We will have to see what will happen because he also respects West Ham as normal but he's going to tell West Ham 'I want to join Chelsea'."
CHELSEA SIGN MENDY
Chelsea have officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Ligue side Rennes.
Read the full story here:
Chelsea sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes in £22m transfer
Mendy has signed a five-year contract and is expected to quickly usurp current No1 Kepa Arrizabalaga
CHELSEA WOULD BE MAKING A MISTAKE IN LETTING RUDIGER GO
Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison believes Chelsea would be making a mistake by letting defender Antonio Rudiger go.
Rudiger was dropped from the last two match day squads by boss Frank Lampard, leading to speculation that the defender might seek a loan move ahead of Euro 2021.
Hutchison believes that it would be a costly mistake to let the 27-year-old leave.
“Personally I think it’s a mistake as I think he’s Chelsea’s best defender,” he told ESPN FC. "But the only thing is, looking at his injury record he’s had three operations on his knees in the last four years, one was an ACL.
"So you don’t know behind the scenes, even though age is with him, he’s only 27 and is bang in his prime, Frank and the medical staff will know how durable he is.
"When I look at Chelsea and I look at all the players they’ve got like Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, [Fikayo] Tomori, Thiago Silva, when I look at them I think their best defender is Antonio Rudiger.
“He’s reliable every single week, but for some reason [he’s not wanted], maybe it’s a personal problem and he’s got too much of a voice in the dressing room, or it’s that he’s been playing with these injuries.”
However, Lampard has said that little should be read into his squad selections.
CHELSEA ANNOUNCE MENDY SIGNING
Chelsea have officially signed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
The 28-year-old has made the move to Stamford Bridge for a fee believed to be in the region of £22m.
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