Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Frenkie de Jong fee and deferred wages AGREED, Fofana £85m interest, Werner £25.3m exit
CHELSEA are said to be ready to up their bid for Wesley Fofana to £85m, making him the most expensive centre-back of all time.
Thomas Tuchel hinted after the win at Everton that he wanted to bring some younger players to his experienced backline which includes Thiago Silva, 37, and Kalidou Koulibaly, 31.
And according to reports, the Blues are ready to "go big" to agree a deal with Frenkie de Jong.
It is claimed that Tuchel and Todd Boehly are ready to agree the fee Barcelona have requested, as well as paying off the money they owe the Dutchman in unpaid wages.
However, the club are said to want personal terms agreed with the player before making any offer to Barcelona.
It is also reported that Chelsea have not given up on signing former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, despite reports that the player is keen to fight for his place at Barca.
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world.
- IN: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Omari Hutchinson (Arsenal), Marc Cucurella (Brighton)
- OUT: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Romelu Lukaku (loan to Inter), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (released), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Sam McClelland (Barrow, loan)
Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge in our live blog...
New Chelsea blog
The Chelsea blog has moved.
You can now catch the latest Chelsea news here;
PSG join Fofana hunt
Chelsea reportedly face competition from PSG in the hunt for Leicester City ace Wesley Fofana.
The Blues have been knocked back twice by the Foxes so far and are planning to launch a third offer.
But their next proposal will have to be lucrative enough to ward off PSG who are also eyeing the defender, according to Le Parisien.
Werner transfer slammed by fans
Chelsea fans aren't happy with the club's decision to sell Timo Werner.
Werner's sealed a return to RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £16.8m.
And Blues supporters have question the club's choice to let him go, especially for less than the £25m they brought him for.
One fan raged: "£17m is absolutely nuts, Chelsea have done some terrible business over the last few years. No wonder they're after [Michael] Edwards.
Another stated: "What a loss for Chelsea considering how much they bought him for."
And a third warned: "Wrong move! We will regret this."
Chelsea plan third Fofana bid
Chelsea are planning to launch a third bid for Wesley Fofana.
The Foxes have rejected the Gunners' last two bids for Fofana.
But the Blues are still intent on signing the defender despite their resilience.
And the Blues plan to test the Foxes resolve with a third offer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He said, via CaughtOffside: "So far, Chelsea have submitted two proposals for Wesley Fofana: the first at £60m and the second at £70m – both turned down by Leicester City.
“Chelsea want to prepare a third offer that will arrive at Leicester in the next few days, also because Fofana is keen on the move and would love to join Chelsea. That’s why Todd Boehly will be back with a new proposal soon.”
Koulibaly chant confuses fans
Chelsea fans have been left perplexed by the new chant attributed to Kalidou Koulibaly,
The chant goes: "Aaaaaaaaay Koulibaly, ooh aah, I wanna knoooow he's from Senegal."
One supporter in disbelief said: "Can't be real, no way man."
Another sympathized: "That Koulibaly song. What’s the poor bloke done to deserve that?"
While a third asked: "Are they asking us or telling us he's from Senegal? Need some clarity here."
Jorginho set for exit
Jorginho is the next star set to leave Chelsea this summer, according to reports.
The Blues plan to axe some stars to raise cash for new signings.
And Jorginho is the most likely to be sold in the midfield department, football reporter Dean Jones claimed.
He said: "I was always told to expect that one of [the holding midfielders] would probably leave Chelsea.
"At this stage, it’s most likely to be Jorginho because he’s got the most interest and there’s the potential of him going to Serie A."
Aubameyang transfer expected 'this week'
Chelsea feel optimistic about signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona in the coming days.
Barca have to offload some players in order to register their new signings, and are willing to sell Aubameyang, reports claim.
The Blues are on the hunt for a new striker as they look to challenge for the title.
Their need for a new attacker's been exacerbated by the imminent exit of Timo Werner.
And the Telegraph claims Chelsea are hopeful of striking a deal this week.
Werner completes RB Leipzig transfer
Timo Werner's transfer from Chelsea to RB Leipzig has been completed, according to reports.
The two clubs worked throughout the night to finalise a £16.8million deal for Werner which includes add-ons.
And granted the striker's medical is successful, the transfer will be wrapped up today, Fabrizo Romano
Azplicueta reveals reasons for stay
Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed why he chose to remain with Chelsea despite interest from Barcelona.
The defender seemed set to be heading to Spain before making a U-turn which he explains was inspired by the Blues' new owners who were desperate to keep hold of him.
He said: "[But the new owners] wanted me to stay here to lead the team both on and off the pitch. It’s a big thank you to them.
"They were very honest and transparent from the first day. I felt a responsibility to stay here in my home.
"My family are happy here. We have a new project with new players and youngsters coming in. I feel right and ready to look forward.”
Good morning Chelsea fans
Timo Werner is expected to complete his permanent return to RB Leipzig today after landing in Germany last night.
The misfiring forward will reportedly re-join the Bundesliga outfit in a deal worth £17million plus add-ons.
Malang Sarr could also be confimed as a Monaco player today after reportedly completing the first part of his medical with the Ligue 1 club yesterday.
The defender is set to leave Stamford Bridge on loan, although Monaco are thought to have an obligation to buy for £15m if Sarr makes a certain number of appearances for them.
Elsewhere on the exit front, Hakim Ziyech remains keen to leave the club.
But reports suggest his future will not be resolved until nearer the end of the transfer window, with AC Milan interested in a loan move.
Meanwhile the Blues will find out this week whether a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the cards.
With Werner and Romelu Lukaku both being shipped off, Thomas Tuchel is in need of a striker.
And discussions are claimed to be taking place this week to see if a swoop for Aubameyang is possible.
Ed in the clouds
Chelsea are claimed to have started talks with Edouard Mendy over a new and improved deal.
The 30-year-old was immediately targeted as one for a new contract following the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital earlier this summer.
But despite kicking off talks, the two parties are some way off striking an agreement, according to the .
Mendy signed a five-year deal when he joined the Blues from Rennes in 2020, and has played a starring role for the club ever since.
Ziyech still keen on exit
Hakim Ziyech remains open to leaving Chelsea this summer, according to reports.
But his future will not be decided until the latter stages of the transfer window, according to the .
The Blues have been in discussions with AC Milan about a potential deal for the 29-year-old.
The Serie A champions are believed to been keen on taking the Moroccan international on loan.
Neville - Blues need a striker
Gary Neville believes Chelsea "need" to sign a striker before the transfer window slams shut.
Raheem Sterling has been added to the forward line, but Timo Werner is set to join Romelu Lukaku in leaving the club.
And Neville said on Sky Sports: "There are still questions over Chelsea. Tuchel has been a little bit critical [in pre-season].
"Maybe I’m doubting them too much, but I just feel as though they’re not quite smooth, not quite satisfied.It feels as though [the ownership change] has been difficult for the squad and the manager.
"They’ve had all these events to deal with, so you feel a bit less sure about Chelsea."
He added: "The transfer strategy seems a bit pinball-like.
"Your head keeps moving and you’re not sure where they’re going to move next. They need a centre forward.’
More on potential Auba deal
A bit more news on the potential Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal.
Spanish football Alvaro Montero has told Sky Sports that Barcelona would consider a sale if they received a bid of between 15-20million euros.
That works out at around £13-17m.
Barcelona have bolstered their forward ranks this summer with the signing of Robert Lewandowski.
And Montero said Barcelona could be open to selling Aubameyang to help ease the financial woes currently crippling the club.
The Spaniards are unable to register any of their new signings for LaLiga until they reduce their spending.
Blues could be Auba the moon
Chelsea will reportedly find out this week whether or not they can secure a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Barcelona are set to part ways with either Aubameyang or Memphis Depay.
And the Blues are set to hold discussions this week to find out if a transfer is possible, according to the .
The 33-year-old only joined the Spanish giants earlier this year after having his Arsenal contract terminated.
Aubameyang has scored 13 goals in 23 games for Barcelona, but could find himself sold on less than a year after joining the club.
Timo has landed
Timo Werner has reportedly landed in Leipzig ahead of securing his return to the Bundesliga club.
The German striker travelled from the UK with his agent today, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Werner is set to re-join RB Leipzig in a deal worth an initial £17million, plus add-ons.
It bring a miserable two-year spell at Stamford Bridge to an end.
Cucurella debut touch map
Marc Cucurella enjoyed a tidy debut after coming on as a late second half substitute against Everton.
The 62million signing looked to get forward at every opportunity in the 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
Sarr halfway through Monaco medical
Malang Sarr has reportedly completed the first part of his Monaco medical.
The 23-year-old is set to join the Ligue 1 outfit on loan, with an obligation to buy for £15m depending on how many appearances he makes this season.
Fabrizio Romano reports the defender underwent the first part of his medical this afternoon.
He is now set for more tests tomorrow morning before making the move official.
Blues short of Fofana valuation
Chelsea and Leicester are reportedly £10million apart in their valuation of Wesley Fofana.
The Blues want to bring the talented defender to Stamford Bridge, and are claimed to have had two bids for the centre-back rejected by the Foxes.
Fofana himself is understood to be keen on the move.
But the two clubs remain £10m away from striking a deal, according to the .
Leicester are pushing for a deal worth upwards of £80m for the French ace.
Paul not happy with Blues
Former Chelsea man Paul Cannoville has said he is "not happy" by the way Chelsea have treated Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The ex-winger says the 21-year-old has been frozen out by the Blues after he was not included in the matchday squad to face Everton.
Cannoville also compared Hudson-Odoi's situation to that of Tammy Abraham, who left Chelsea to join Roma for regular football.
Cannoville has written on social media: “Nah. I don’t like seeing that!
“Callum being treated like Tammy. Kid bust a gut working through pre season to be fit again from injury.
“Freezing him out ain’t a good look. Nope! Not happy TT [Thomas Tuchel]!”
De Jong prefers Blues move
Chelsea and Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong reportedly favours a move to the Blues over the Red Devils.
The midfielder is keen to stay at Barcelona, but could be forced out of the club this summer.
Both Chelsea and United are keen on signing the Dutchman.
And De Jong has admitted the Blues are a "good option" for him if he were to leave Barca, according to .
It's believed De Jong wants to join a club competing for titles and playing in the Champions League, which the Red Devils cannot currently offer.
Hail Cesar - Skipper speaks on new deal
Cesar Azpilicueta has admitted he felt "it was the time" to return to Spain this summer.
The skipper was linked with a move to Barcelona before penning a new two-year deal because he wanted to stay "committed" to Chelsea.
And he told the : "Yes, the conversations were there [with Barcelona], all around the club. After the Club World Cup, where I became the only player to ever win every trophy, [I felt] it was the time to go back to Spain.
"But then everything happened with this club. I wanted to stay committed. I never did anything against my club. We had private conversations where I said everything.
"I have never been in a transfer market situation in 10 years. It was different. The last time was Marseille and this time the contract situation made it different because I had this clause [to extend my deal] after a number of games.
"For a period I was a free agent and who knows what could have happened then? I decided to stay silent because there was already enough noise around me.
"I didn’t want to make it worse because I wanted to stay focused on my game."
Take to the skies Timo
An update on Timo Werner's impending exit from Stamford Bridge.
The forward is expected to land in Leipzig TONIGHT ahead of a permanent return to Germany.
Werner is set to join his former club in a deal worth a reported £25million.
And he is travelling back to his homeland today in order to put pen to paper, according to Sky Germany.
Tuchel reveals dressing room jokes
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed his stars were "joking" with each other at half-time in Saturday's win over Everton.
The Blues were far from firing on all cylinders - although nobody in the dressing room was too bothered.
Tuchel told the Evening Standard: "Well, we were joking at half-time and saying maybe it is a typical Chelsea game we win 1-0 and Jorgi scored with a penalty.
"It is what it is. I think Raheem [Sterling] will lift Kai [Havertz], Mason [Mount] and [Christian] Pulisic up.
"Our formation is a deep formation because the centre of the formation is in the three centre backs and the two No6s, so it is a deep formation in which you rely heavily on the two wing-backs."
Rangnick talks on Timo transfer
Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has said Timo Werner's return to RB Leipzig "makes sense".
The Chelsea flop is reportedly set to return to Germany on a permanent deal worth £25million this week.
Rangnick told Sky Germany: "From a sporting point of view, the transfer makes sense.
"Timo has speed and depth. No player in RB has that in the offensive area except [Christopher] Nkunku.
"In order to play at his performance limit, Timo needs trust and the absolute backing of the trainer.
"It's important for Timo that he plays regularly so that he can get in shape for the World Cup.
"I see him as one of two strikers at his strongest and most effective. [Andre] Silva and [Yussuf] Poulsen could benefit from him."