Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 31,135]

Chelsea face contract problem with second player after Mason Mount left 'unhappy'

Chelsea are keen to avoid players leaving for free when their contracts expire.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1732042/Chelsea-transfer-news-contract-Mason-Mount-Mateo-Kovacic-N-Golo-Kante

Chelsea are reportedly yet to open contract extension negotiations with Mateo Kovacic, with his current deal expiring in 2024. The Blues are prioritising other stars, though those talks are not heading in the right direction.

Graham Potter’s side are in the heart of a rebuild and the former Brighton boss is working to identify the players he would like to keep and those that he is willing to offload and replace. Several signings came through the door in January, and the spending spree will continue over the summer.

Chelsea are keen to bolster their midfield ranks further at the end of the season, despite the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on deadline day. However, Potter is prioritising having options in the centre of the park and would like to retain the services of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Kovacic.

According to The Athletic, talks have not begun with the latter though, despite his contract expiring at the end of next season. The Croatia international has made 15 league appearances so far this campaign, starting seven matches, with minor injuries preventing him from typing down a spot in the starting eleven more regularly.

Despite his lack of game time, renewing Kovacic’s contract is expected to rise up the list of priorities for the higher powers at Stamford Bridge, with the club keen to ensure that players only leave for a fee. They do not want to keep players who anticipate leaving as a free agent, favouring offloading them than retaining their services – hence the sale of Jorginho to Arsenal last month.

Talks with Kante and Mount are ongoing, though the latter is reportedly ‘unhappy’ with the latest offer from his boyhood club. The Mail claim that the two parties are a long way apart from striking a deal, with Mount wanting a contract that reflects his importance at the club – having played 20 league matches so far this season.

The 24-year-old would like to see his wages tripled, though Chelsea do not want the midfielder to become one of the highest-paid players at the club. Talks have therefore been put on pause, though will get underway again imminently once a new offer has been drafted by the club.

Kante is out of contract at the end of this season and talks are underway for him to pen another deal at the club, with hopes that he will be able to return from his hamstring injury in the coming months.

Edited February 8, 2023 by Vesper

[Vesper 31,135]

Erling Haaland 'makes request to lawyers' with Man City star planning to jump ship

Erling Haaland has enjoyed a remarkable first campaign with Man City in the Premier League.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1732036/Erling-Haaland-request-to-lawyers-Man-City-Real-Madrid-Premier-League-transfer-news

Erling Haaland has sensationally asked lawyers to bring forward the release clause in his Manchester City contract ahead of a potential blockbuster summer transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. The 22-year-old has a huge £175m ‘exit clause’ that kicks into his City deal in the summer of 2024. 

However, reports claim that Haaland has not ‘tuned in’ to Pep Guardiola’s methods. That is despite the striker scoring 31 goals in just 28 games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund last summer. 

He believes that his best qualities are not being exploited under the Spaniard. Real Madrid present a better opportunity for the Norway starlet to continue improving, with the 35-year-old Karim Benzema coming to the end of his time at the top of European football. 

Haaland has therefore requested that his exit clause be moved forward a year. That would give him the opportunity to join the Spanish giants this coming summer rather than in 2024. 

That is according to Spanish publication Defensa Central, who rate a move to Madrid for Haaland as ‘real possibility’. It will stun City fans, who hoped that the former Dortmund attacker would lead their line in the Premier League for the next decade. 

Possible sanctions imposed on City for alleged financial irregularities is also playing in Haaland’s mind. On Monday, the Premier League referred its reigning champions to an independent commission and passed on 100 alleged breaches of its financial regulations to be investigated. 

Should they find City guilty, the independent commission has the power to impose sanctions ranging from a fine, a points deduction, or possible expulsion from the league. Haaland would want to get away should the latter punishment occur. 

That is despite enjoying a remarkable debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland has bagged 25 league goals in just 20 appearances and is on course to win the golden boot in his first year in the English top-flight. 

He has already struck 31 times in all competitions and has his eyes on winning City a first Champions League. However, there has been vast criticism of his performances in the biggest games of the season. 

Haaland was anonymous in last weekend’s defeat by Tottenham, outshined by a record-breaking Harry Kane. He also struggled in last month’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, with United coming from behind to win 2-1 under controversial circumstances. 

 

Man City must be stripped of three Premier League titles if found guilty - not just fined

Manchester City must be severely punished if they are guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, writes Express Sport chief sports writer Neil Squires.

It has been a long time in coming but when it finally dropped Manchester City’s charge sheet was longer than Pep Guardiola’s face after a trip to Tottenham. One hundred and thirteen alleged breaches of Premier League rules - it was the kitchen sink being thrown at the English champions.

Read more HERE.

[ZAPHOD2319 4,975]

 

[TheHulk 2,656]

16 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Let him go, sell Mount in summer and extend Kovacic.

Edited February 8, 2023 by TheHulk

[TheHulk 2,656]

 

[TheHulk 2,656]

 

[TheHulk 2,656]

Avoid this beta male at all costs in the summer.

[TheHulk 2,656]

The cheeks on this guy, you aren't an important player but a squad player Mase, you shouldn't be anywhere near close to James.

I so hope Liverpool come in the summer and take him, almost certain he won't be pulling any trees there.

Edited February 8, 2023 by TheHulk

[Vesper 31,135]

23 minutes ago, TheHulk said:

 

hell yes!

the wine on the away trip to see our kingdom!!!

 

[Vesper 31,135]

50 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

he can jog on

hell NO to a 3 year deal unless it is on greatly lowered ages

the bloke is as fragile now as a 

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by Vesper

[TheHulk 2,656]

Go to Arsenal bro and leave us alone.

[Mário César 1,502]

7 years deal to mount?

jesus christ 

wtf?

[Vesper 31,135]

Chelsea, Man United target only wanted Barcelona move, was ready to play for free

https://barcauniversal.com/Chelsea-man-united-target-only-wanted-barcelona-move-was-ready-to-play-for-free/

Barcelona were in contacts with several clubs and players in January, especially on deadline day, making last-ditch attempts to fix some holes in their team. Two players, in particular, were close to joining them on 31st January.

Julian Araujo was one of them, with Barcelona and LA Galaxy having reached an agreement, too. However, the paperwork arrived 18 seconds post-deadline, and the move collapsed, leaving the Mexican defender in MLS.

The other player was Sofyan Amrabat. Barcelona had made a loan-plus-purchase offer to Fiorentina worth €40 million, but it was rejected by the Serie A outfit. In a complicated financial place, the Catalans did not end up countering it.

Amrabat was evidently pushing to move to Barcelona, too. He had skipped training for the day, and was in personal contacts with Fiorentina’s president trying to get him to accept Barça’s proposal.

In fact, the player was so keen on moving to Barça, recent reports from Achraf Ben Ayad have stated that Amrabat had offers from Chelsea and Manchester United, but only wanted a move to Barcelona.

He even offered to play for free for Barça, and had offered Fiorentina all his salary that he would receive from the Catalans.

The Moroccan had an exceptional World Cup campaign, and is on the radar of several clubs. Barcelona have to accelerate any move they want to make for him in the summer.

[Vesper 31,135]

Barcelona not prioritising Bosman move for 31-year-old Chelsea superstar

At 31, Kante evidently does not have a lot left in the tank, and therefore, has been plundered much below in the pecking order for Barcelona in terms of summer targets.

https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-not-prioritising-bosman-move-for-31-year-old-Chelsea-superstar/

Barcelona have not forgotten about N’Golo Kante, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. The Chelsea midfielder becomes a free agent in the summer, and the Catalans are considering a Bosman move for him.

Kante has rejected an extension proposal from Chelsea, who were ready to offer him a two year contract. The Frenchman reportedly wants a three-year deal, with the option to extend it further for another year.

However, Barcelona are not prioritising any transfer move for Kante. They have other priorities in the summer, and will work on them before considering the Frenchman as an addition.

Barcelona have informed MD that they have other players on their radar ahead of Kante, but he is certainly an option.

Kante has been struggling with injuries across the last two year, having played just 26 games last season, and just two out of a possible 21 in the Premier League this season. He has not played competitively in 179 days, but is set to return to action in the coming weeks after resuming training.

He was reportedly an option for Barcelona to replace Sergio Busquets in the #6 position, but far from their first choice. Instead, they were looking at Martin Zubimendi and Ruben Neves for the most part.

Sofyan Amrabat also became an option in the winter, with Barcelona tabling a loan-plus-option to buy offer to Fiorentina worth nearly €40 million. Their advances were rejected on deadline day, though, leaving the player ‘very disppointed’.

 

[TheHulk 2,656]

Time to go bud.

[TheHulk 2,656]

I read Theo has some issues with Piolli if we can get him I'd sell Chilwelll since Cucurella is stuck here for years.

[TheHulk 2,656]

Hope not serious.

[milka 3,407]

 

[Vesper 31,135]

22 minutes ago, milka said:

 

They would more than likely take £80m (€90m)

I am not convinced he is worth that much

he also turns 25yo this fall, so is not like a true youth player

Lewa was already banging in 30 and 36 goals a year (42 and 49 total produced) starting a year or 2 younger than Kolo is now

if he was £50-60m, then yes, I say get all over that

Edited February 8, 2023 by Vesper

[ZAPHOD2319 4,975]

We cover his salary for the rest of the year.