mkh

Elanga replacement 😉

🔵SebSB on Gittens release clause: "It was a funny one. And this is actually why the negotiation has been a little bit protracted because his release clause is dependent upon which European competition Dortmund qualified for next season. So if they finished in the Champions League places, it was at its highest. If they missed out on European football together, it was at its lowest. And the problem was that over the last eight weeks of the Bundesliga season, Dortmund went from mid-table to snatching the fourth place on the final day of the season. No one kind of knew what their leverage was in that. So it was really, really awkward for everybody." (via@TheAthleticFC)

🔵JUST IN: Arsenal want Eberechi Eze AND Noni Madueke. Arteta likes Noni. The Sources are very reliable for this Story! (via@EduardoHagn)

Academy coach Jimmy Smith announces he will be leaving. +18 years at the club. Joined as an U8. Got a debut in 2006 under Mourinho and then came back after retiring to spend five years being a coach.

West Ham open to selling Kudus to Spurs while Arsenal consider move for Eze. (via@JacobSteinberg)

Chelsea are enthusiastic about Antonio Silva and Hato as Cucurella's replacement and want to sign both. 🔵There is a sense that £60m may be enough to get a deal done for Kudus. (via@guardian_sport)

If the rumours of Kudus are true, then the one thing that Chelsea has in attack next season is elite defence. What I mean by that is Delap, J. Pedro, Pedro Neto and Kudus are 4 of the most relentless pressers you could wish to ask for. They will hound a defence all day. Sancho, Madueke, Jackson, Mudryk etc have/had their own qualities but they were renowned for their play off the ball. Certainly not to the level required. Might be harsh on Jackson who does work hard but it’s often at the wrong time and wrong area of the pitch to make a difference. This might be a key reason for signing them. With Caicedo, Lavia, Santos and Essugo also snappers behind them, not to mention Cucurella, Chelsea really will have a team of turnover titans.

Simon Phillips

Chelsea looking for up to 3 more 1st team incomings before priority shifts to outgoings. Could adjust numbers if a surprise sale or departure does happen. CFC have a few 'untouchables' but outside of them, high quality offers will be considered, or if players ask to leave.

🔵Kudus: wants Chelsea, if we don’t pay up he won’t come it’s very simple. West Ham will not accept any swap deals. 60-65 should do the trick.. West Ham need to sale before bringing players in.

Understand João Pedro is now flying to the US in order to formally complete his move to Chelsea! João and his agents are on the way for final part of medical tests and then deal until June 2032 will be signed. He’ll be already available for FIFA Club World Cup. (Fabrizio Romano)

Alejandro Garnacho: the signing of J.Gittens and J.Pedro ends interest in Garnacho. 💙💙💙💙

Tottenham have identified Mohammed Kudus as a PRIMARY target who are believed to be optimistic they can clinch a deal for well below his £85m release clause. (via@Matt_Law_DT)

News on Kudus: Chelsea will not try and hijack a deal if they think the valuation is excessive and if they cannot include players in the deal.

Asmir Begovic a possible option as 3rd choice keeper. He is weighing up retirement but might do a year.

Besiktas reach verbal agreement to sign Tammy Abraham on permanent deal from AS Roma, here we go! Transfer fee around €20m. Abraham has accepted the destination. Time for paperwork between clubs. (Fabrizio Romano) NEOM SC are close to finalising a deal to sign Nice keeper Marcin Bulka. (Ben Jacobs)

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku are not longer central in Enzo Maresca’s Plans and could leave Chelsea in the summer transfer window. (via@NicoSchira)

EXCL: Liverpool are now in direct discussions with Marc Guehi. The move is set to accelerate after Jarell Quansah officially leaves. Guehi only wants Liverpool move. (via@DaveOCKOP) Chelsea have a 20% sell-on clause for Marc Guehi.

Jackson & Nkunku⛱️👀

Chelsea are still discussing whether another forward is needed. Hugo Ekitike is one potential target. Whether they move may now depend on whether Nicolas Jackson departs. (via@JacobsBen)

I will not be surprised if ChelseaFC adds ONE more player to their squad in an OFFENSIVE position this summer. They are still looking at options, and let's see what happens with outgoings. Let's keep an eye on it. (via@FabrizioRomano)

Newcastle had reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Joao Pedro, but the desire to play for Chelsea spoke louder, and the Brazilian made a decision in the last few days. (@felipee_sil, @andrehernan, Bruno Andrade, & @UOLEsporte)

🔵Now I am almost sure that these players will all leave Chelsea. Nkunku, Madueke, KDH, Felix, Carney, Ugo, Sterling, Broja, D.Fofana and Jackson!!! George, Paez, Amougou and Guiu will be loaned out. D.Washington is still on loan to FC Santos until January 2026. Mudryk no idea how it goes on there now after the doping ban!!!

João Pedro DOES qualify as Premier League homegrown. That should also be another reason for his commitment!!!

Chelsea still trying for Kudus as well, and Maresca’s other wants are a new GK and a CB. Antonio Silva was scouted again last night and has been on the shortlist for some time. Chelsea rejected a chance to go for Jhon Duran this week too. As always, more on my site every day. (Simon Phillips)