REAL MADRID have reportedly reach a 'verbal agreement' with Chelsea's superstar defender Antonio Rudiger.
The German international is out of contract in the summer and Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will leave the club.
One man the Blues are reportedly looking at to replace the German is Leicester's Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea are also said to be negotiating with Ajax over a potential deal for Brazilian winger Antony.
And the next owners of the Blues must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the club for a minimum of TEN years.
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
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- James Colasanti
Chelsea 'missed out on Alisson'
Chelsea reportedly missed out on the chance to sign Brazil keeper Alisson fours years ago.
The Daily Telegraph says the Blues were unwilling to pay Roma's asking price before he joined Prem rivals Liverpool for a then world-record fee of £66.8million in July 2018.
Their report points out Chelsea instead paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m a month later for shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who now regularly warms the Blues bench.
- James Colasanti
Chelsea eye Reims teen Ekitike
Chelsea and Manchester United have both joined Newcastle in the race to star Reims teenager Hugo Ekitike, according to Goal.
The France Under-20 striker, 19, is being tracked by Europe’s big hitters after bagging nine goals in in 22 Ligue 1 games.
Reims president president Jean-Pierre Caillot says they knocked back a £29million bid in the winter but admits they will sell at the right price.
Reims starlet Hugo Ekitike is said to be attracting interest from some of Europeâs biggest clubsCredit: Getty - James Colasanti
Lukaku pay cut at Inter?
Romelu Lukaku would have to cut his annual salary in HALF to secure a move back to Inter Milan, according to Football Italia.
Chelsea's £97.5million striker has reportedly started talks with the Serie A club about a return after leaving them last summer.
The Belgium star will still command a big fee but he might have to make his peace with a reduced salary of only £5.5m-per-year rather than his current £10-11m pay packet to return to the Nerazzurri.
- James Colasanti
Duo should go for Rudiger
Glen Johnson says Prem pacesetters Manchester City and Liverpool will be missing a trick if they do not make a move for Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany centre-half, 29, has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid when his deal with Chelsea expires at the end of the season.
Retired England and Liverpool defender Johnson, 37, told ggrecon.com: "I am a bit surprised that neither of those teams seemed to make a move for him because great players available on a free don’t come around very often."
He added: "I think if he could get into one of Manchester City or Liverpool’s starting elevens, then I’d say Liverpool.
"I’d have liked seeing him alongside Virgil van Dijk. When he’s on song he’s fantastic, but he does have faults, so you can’t break the bank for that.”
- Gary Stonehouse
Good morning Chelsea fans
Antonio Rudiger is on the verge of joining Real Madrid this summer.
Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed the defender will leave Chelsea on a free transfer.
And Real are now close to agreeing a lucrative four-year deal with the German.
Chelsea are already on the hunt for replacements.
And it’s reckoned Tuchel’s top choice is Jules Kounde.
Indeed, the defender has already told Sevilla he wants to leave.
But it remains to be seen if the Spaniards play ball after effectively blocking a transfer last year.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Riyad Mahrez this summer.
The Man City star is out of contract in 2023 and is a prime target for AC Milan.
Foot Mercato claims PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.
But Chelsea have emerged as prime contenders to Milan for Mahrez's signature.
Finally, the successful bidders for Chelsea must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the football club for at least ten years.
Raine Group, the merchant bank overseeing the sale of the Blues, has contacted the three remaining parties to ask that any controlling shareholders do not sell their prospective stakes until at least 2032.
- Anthony Chapman
Jordan blasts ‘greedy’ Rudiger demands
Simon Jordan believes Chelsea are right to let Antonio Rudiger leave due to his ‘greedy’ demands.
Jordan told TalkSport: “Have a look at the conditions, are you looking at some of the conditions they [Rudiger and his representatives] want?
“£200k-a-week, which by the way is outrageous amounts of money.
“He wants a £10million sign on. This is madness. Greed, it’s absolute greed.
“He’s going to Real Madrid because he’s greedy, end of discussion. Good riddance.”
- Anthony Chapman
Terry urges final Rudiger offer
Chelsea legend John Terry has urged the club to make a final mega-money offer to Antonio Rudiger.
He wrote on social media: “Give him 300k a week then, we will have to always [spend] 80-100 million to replace him and also give that player at least 300k a week.
“And won't know how long it will take him to settle or if he even will."
- Anthony Chapman
Chelsea's top earners this season
Romelu Lukaku is being linked with a move away from Chelsea just one year after his return.
Lukaku was re-signed by the Blues from Inter for a record £97.5million fee.
And he is also Chelsea's top earner on £325,000-a-week wages.
Money well spent, Blues fans?
- Anthony Chapman
From SunSport reporter Martin Blackburn
Man City have ruled out a summer move for West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice.
That’s because Pep Guardiola is focused on signing Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
City are big fans of Rice, but they already have Rodri in his position while West Ham want upwards of £150million.
That means Chelsea and Man United are set to battle it out for the anchorman alone.
- Anthony Chapman
Kounde tells Sevilla he’s off
Chelsea target Jules Kounde has reportedly told Sevilla he wants to leave this summer.
The centre-back is believed to be Thomas Tuchel’s top choice to replace Antonio Rudiger.
The Mail claims Kounde has informed Sevilla chiefs he wants to join the Blues.
And he is eager to avoid a repeat of last summer’s transfer saga, where Sevilla raised Kounde’s price at the last moment to block a deal.
- Anthony Chapman
Chelsea join hunt for Mahrez
Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Riyad Mahrez this summer.
The Man City star is out of contract in 2023 and is a prime target for AC Milan.
Foot Mercato claims PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.
But Chelsea have emerged as prime contenders to Milan for Mahrez's signature.
- Anthony Chapman
Biggest manager pay-offs in history
Chelsea boast a whopping 50 PER CENT of the top boss pay-outs ever.
Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho are among those to cash in after being axed by the Blues.
Check out the full list below!
- Anthony Chapman
Chilwell muscles in on Pulisic
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic found his post-match interview raided by Ben Chilwell on Sunday.
The American came off the bench to give Chelsea a late winner over West Ham.
But his talk afterwards was interrupted when Chilwell hilariously gate-crashed the chat for a hug.
Watch Chelsea star Ben Chilwell hilariously gate-crash Christian Pulisic’s TV interview after last-gasp West Ham winner
- Anthony Chapman
Chelsea hunt for Rudiger replacement
Chelsea have confirmed Antonio Rudiger will indeed be leaving on a free transfer this summer.
But just who will the Blues sign to replace their star defender?
From THREE players based in Spain, to a big name struggling in Italy, there are plenty of stars on Thomas Tuchel’s list.
And there could even be hope for one of Chelsea’s very own Cobham products.
READ MORE HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Thuram available for bargain fee
Arsenal and Chelsea target Marcus Thuram could be available for as little as £10million this summer.
The Athletic claims Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to let their versatile striker leave for a bargain fee.
That’s because Thuram is out of contract in 2023 and unlikely to extend his deal.
Spurs are also thought to be keen on the France international.
- Anthony Chapman
Cesar Azpilicueta's incredible silverware collection
Cesar Azpilicueta's dwindling contract was automatically extended this month after reaching 20 Premier League appearances.
But the Blues skipper continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona.
Fellow defenders Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are already on their way out.
Can Chelsea afford to lose the man who's won it all at Stamford Bridge?
- Sam Dymond
Blues busy tracking new Zlatan
Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly braced to do battle for Inter Milan hot-shot Martin Satriano, who's been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The 6ft 2in striker has been in rare form whilst on loan with Ligue 1 side Brest this season – netting four goals in just 12 appearances across all competitions.
The youngster made his debut for Inter this season – making three appearances before being shipped out on loan to France in the January transfer window in order to aid his development.
And Satriano's impressive displays have caught the attention of London rivals Chelsea and Spurs who are both prowling for attacking reinforcements this summer, The Mirror claim.
The Blues are bracing themselves for the departure of Romelu Lukaku, who is eyeing return to Satriano's parent club Inter, and are keen to make the 20-year-old part of any deal.
- Sam Dymond
New owners must stay for decade
The successful bidders for Chelsea must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the football club for at least ten years.
Sky News understands that Raine Group, the merchant bank overseeing the sale of the Blues, has contacted the three remaining parties to ask that any controlling shareholders do not sell their prospective stakes until at least 2032.
The move has been designed by the New York-based bank in order to provide long-term continuity to a club that has endured two months of upheaval.
It is understood that such criteria will be incorporated into the sale contract, thus making it a legally enforceable act.
- Sam Dymond
Blues to wait for Rice
West Ham are determined to keep captain Declan Rice this summer, but The Athletic understand that the club have conceded that they will most likely have to sell their prized asset in 12 months' time.
The England international has two years to run on his current deal with the Hammers, who do hold the option of triggering an extra year if they so wish.
However, Rice has once again passed up the opportunity to pen an extension, and so West Ham officials are resigned to cashing in.
Officials at the London Stadium hope that if Rice excels at the the World Cup later this year, the club will be able to fetch in the range of £150million for the 23-year-old.
Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of the midfielder that Chelsea released from their academy once upon a time, and desperately wants the club to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
- Sam Dymond
Tuchel explains 'weird' James absence
Reece James was a surprise absentee from Chelsea's limp and late 1-0 win over West Ham, but Thoma Tuchel doesn't expect the right-back to be out for long.
Speaking after yesterday's game, the German explained that he had left the England international out as a precaution after the player expressed slight concerns.
"[Reece James] had a bit of a weird feeling, and was not feeling fully confident about his hamstrings," Tuchel told the press.
"It isn't a new injury or a recurrence of an old injury. We checked the medical images, and there is absolutely nothing, but he didn't feel totally comfortable. We did not want to take the risk of a re-injury and left him out of the squad."
"Not having Reece is a big loss because of his individual quality and what he brings to the team.
"He's been in good form as well, so it is a shame to not have him with us especially when we are already missing Mateo Kovacic and Toni Rudiger."
- Sam Dymond
Rudiger Real deal edging nearer
Antonio Rudiger has verbally agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfers expert reports that while no contract has been officially signed, the defender's move to the European giants has been given the green light.
The two parties have apparently settled on a long-term deal for the German, who will move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer in the summer.
Rudiger moved to Chelsea from Roma in 2019 for a fee of £29million.
- Sam Dymond
Barca meeting with Rudi representatives
Antonio Rudiger's departure from Stamford Bridge was confirmed over the weekend, and the main question now is just where will the German end up?
Real Madrid appear to be the club in pole position to snap up the centre-back on a free transfer, but their LaLiga rivals Barcelona have admitted recent talks with the player's agent.
However, the Spanish giants have been keen to point out that a deal for the defender was not discussed during talks.
Manchester United have supposedly made the largest contract offer to Rudiger, but the 29-year-old will only consider a club able to offer Champions League football.
- Sam Dymond
Chelsea will run for Jules
A new centre-back will be the number one priority for Thomas Tuchel as soon as Chelsea's new owners are in place.
The confirmation that Antonio Rudiger will leave the club this summer has expedited the Blues' need for a defender – especially if Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta follow the German out of the exit door.
And the London club's main target once again appears to be Sevilla's Jules Kounde.
Chelsea were knocked back with approach for the Frenchman last summer, but are keen to revisit a deal following speculation that the player is available for a cut-price £50million.
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Chelsea fans
Thomas Tuchel hailed Chelsea's 'patience' in yesterday's last-gasp triumph but confirmed Antonio Rudiger's has run out.
Late sub Christian Pulisic sank West Ham 1-0 – soon after Jorginho's dreadful penalty miss – to end a run of three straight home losses.
Hammers' defender Craig Dawson saw red when he conceded that woeful spot-kick by fouling another impressive substitute, Romelu Lukaku.
Overall, though, the defiant Hammers were unlucky, having resting six main men, including Declan Rice.
Blues boss Tuchel said: “They defend with eight to nine players around their box and it’s tough to find spaces to accelerate.
“First half was a bit stuck but I think that was because of a bit of uncertainty with the latest results at home. We grew into it, never lost patience.”
And explaining why Chelsea showed caution, he added: “It was also not the moment to take every risk after our recent results."
Meanwhile, Tuchel admitted Rudiger told him in a 'private talk' that the centre-back will leave this summer.
The Blues can't offer new contracts as Government sanctions against outgoing owner Roman Abramovich hit hard.
And Manchester United target Rudiger has finally revealed what everyone expected – that he will be the first big-name departure.
Tuchel said: “We gave everything – me and the club.
"Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied."
- Ian Tuckey
Government back plan to block rogue owners
Powers to stop rogue owners buying clubs at all levels will be formally backed by the Government today, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston will announce the 10 main recommendations of November’s “fan-led review” are to be introduced in a Parliamentary Bill.
That will see the legal establishment of an “independent regulator” with powers to oversee the game at all levels.
Former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch and her team urged the adoption of a new “integrity test” for owners.
That is aimed at ensuring no repeat of the chaos that saw Bury go bust after more than a century of football at Gigg Lane.
Huddleston wants to “protect clubs and their fans from unscrupulous owners” amid concetat the number of clubs throughout the pyramid living beyond their means.
Huddleston said: “Radical change is needed to protect the future of our national game.
“We will establish a strong, independent regulator but the football authorities can take action now to tackle issues currently facing the game.”
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