Chelsea transfer news LIVE: N’Golo Kante nears Saudi move, Levi Colwill swap deal for Moises Caicedo, Gabri Veiga eyed, Kai Havertz to Real Madrid latest
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours from Chelsea in talkSPORT's live blog.
New Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to hit the ground running once the summer window officially opens after inheriting a mess at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea finished a pitiful 12th in the Premier League - their lowest since the 1993/94 season - following a series of errors on and off the pitch.
Pochettino will be keen to bring his own players in to put his stamp on an already oversized squad but equally that may mean several high-profile stars could be on their way out.
Top stories
- Chelsea told Moises Caicedo transfer fee as Blues step up interest in Arsenal and Liverpool target
- Chelsea turn to Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia after refusing to match Paris Saint-Germain’s offer to Manuel Ugarte
- Kai Havertz to Real Madrid ‘imminent’ as Chelsea star emerges as potential Karim Benzema replacement
- Christopher Nkunku fires RB Leipzig to cup glory as he prepares for Chelsea move
- Mason Mount agrees terms with Manchester United
- Man City in talks to sign Mateo Kovacic
Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from Chelsea…
Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has undergone successful surgery following his ACL injury.
Abraham had been attracting interest from the Premier League, with Everton linked and Chelsea having a buy-back clause in their academy product’s Roma contract.
However, after suffering the unfortunate injury which will see him sidelined for a considerable amount of time, a summer move is now off the cards.
Roma released a statement reading: “Tammy Abraham underwent reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Wednesday.
“The operation was performed by Dr Andy Williams at London’s Cromwell Hospital, with AS Roma head of medical Massimo Manara in attendance, and was a complete success.
“The player will remain at the London clinic for a few days before beginning the rehabilitation programme drawn up by the club’s medical staff.”
“Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tammy!”
Saudi state media sources have confirmed that Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante has agreed to join Al-Ittihad.
According to L’Equipe, a source from inside the Saudi club has confirmed that Kante will make the move away from the Premier League this summer.
The majority of the contracts have now been signed and the final details are being completed before the €100m-a-year deal is officially announced.
Napoli have joined the race to sign Chelsea target Gabri Veiga.
The Blues were already facing competition from Barcelona and Liverpool for the 21‑year‑old Celta Vigo midfielder.
But now Napoli have shortlisted Veiga as a possible replacement for Piotr Zielinski, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chelsea have landed themselves a bargain after confirming the signing of South American wonderkid Kendry Paez.
The 16-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder is set to move to Stamford Bridge after he turns 18 in May 2025 after a £17.27m deal was agreed.
Now, Paez’s club Independiente del Valle have confirmed Chelsea will actually pay less for him.
“Because of what the country is experiencing, I would not dare to give the amounts for the transfer of Kendry Paez to Chelsea,” he told Mach Deportes.
“But it is not the $20 million that is being talked about, it’s a smaller amount.”
N’Golo Kante to Al-Ittihad is a done deal, according to reports.
CBS Sports claim Kante is is already undergoing his medical ahead of his free transfer from Chelsea.
The Frenchman accepted the two-year deal – with an option for a third – last night worth €100m per season.
Marco Asensio rebuffed an offer from Chelsea to join Paris Saint-Germain instead, according to reports.
According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Liverpool and Chelsea were among the clubs reportedly vying for his signature once it became clear the Spaniard was leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer.
The report adds that Asensio’s decision to join the Ligue 1 giants was due to guaranteed first-team assurances.
Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has claimed Declan Rice will want to stay in London, meaning Chelsea or Arsenal should be his priority.
He told Neue Online Casinos: “I think Declan Rice will play for either Chelsea or Arsenal next season.
“I can see why Bayern Munich want him but I can’t see him going there. He’s a London boy and he’ll want to stay at home. The other big clubs will still be looking at Jude Bellingham, so I think he’ll end up at Chelsea or Arsenal.
“Rice is irreplaceable. West Ham will have to get as much money as they can, sign four or five players who between them can fill the void and improve the team. They won’t be able to sign another Declan Rice though.
“They can try to get over £100million for him, or even £110million with the way the market is at the moment.”
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard is no closer to deciding his future following his Real Madrid exit.
Spanish outlet Marca report that the Belgian only has one club interested in his services and that is MLS outfit the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The former Belgium captain is now considering the move or to retire from the game at the age of 32.
AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Christian Pulisic but have put talks for Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek on hold.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that talks over midfielder Loftus Cheek are on stand-by after Paolo Maldini’s sacking.
But Milan remain among the clubs keen on landing Pulisic, who is widely expected to leave this summer as Chelsea begin their summer clear-out.
Levi Colwill will push to leave Chelsea unless he is guaranteed playing time by new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues have rejected an initial offer from Brighton worth up to £30m to sign Colwill permanently after he impressed Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi during his loan spell.
Pochettino wants to keep Colwill, but with Brighton preparing to up their bid, the England under-21 international is keen to become a Premier League regular.
talkSPORT understands Brighton are also willing to entertain part-exchange offers for Chelsea target Moises Caicedo involving Colwill.
Unlike Liverpool-bound Alexis Mac Allister, Caicedo does not have a release clause in the new contract he signed in February, so Brighton are in a strong position to make their demands.
Chelsea’s pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is heating up!
The French stopper is one of four Milan stars who could look to leave the club, due to being unhappy at directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara being sacked, according to the Sun.
The 27-year-old is under contract until 2026 but the Blues are desperate to replace current No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga, with back-up Edouard Mendy already being allowed to leave.
Chelsea have been handed a blow in their pursuit for West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT that Rice is getting close to joining the Blues’ London rivals Arsenal.
He revealed on White & Jordan: “I saw him at the golf club last week but I didn’t ask him [about his future].
“But what I’m hearing is Arsenal and that it’s pretty done. I know Bayern have come in late but I don’t know anything about that.”
Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, according to reports in France.French publication, Le10 Sport, claim that the Blues ‘has just contacted PSG to officially open negotiations’ over a transfer for the Brazilian.The Ligue 1 side are said to be ‘listening’ to the proposal from Stamford Bridge as they are not opposed to Neymar leaving this summer.
Chelsea have entered the race to sign highly-rated Gabri Veiga.
The Guardian claim that the Blues face competition from Barcelona and Liverpool for the 21‑year‑old Celta Vigo midfielder.
But the report adds that Chelsea are prepared to push hard for him with Spaniard Veiga emerging as one of the best young midfielders in Europe.
And he contains a relatively modest £34.4m buyout clause.
Hello and welcome back to talkSPORT.com’s live blog of the latest Chelsea news – our top stories this morning are…
Brighton are hoping to sign Levi Colwill permanently in a part-exchange deal with Chelsea for Moises Caicedo.
The Blues have no intention to sell the defender, however, talkSPORT understands that the Seagulls are hoping they can change that by using Colwill in any deal to let Caicedo head the other way.
Elsewhere, N’Golo Kante is close to a Chelsea exit as he gets set to sign for Al Ittihad.
Kante has reportedly been offered a salary of around £86million and now looks to depart Stamford Bridge as a free agent in the coming weeks.
That’s all for today’s Chelsea transfer news.
Visit our live blog tomorrow for the latest updates on the Blues!
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has been presented with a lucrative offer to sign for Al Ittihad.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Saudi Arabian side are ‘confident’ they can get the green light to sign the Frenchman soon.
Kante has been offered a salary of around £86million that includes image rights and commercial deals, as well as a creative ‘investment portfolio’.
His contract at Chelsea will expire in the summer, so he could depart Stamford Bridge as a free agent in the coming weeks.
Chelsea are setting their sights on signing another young prospect.
The Daily Mail report the Blues are interested in 18-year-old Mikayil Faye.
He currently plays for Croatian side NK Kustosija, for whom he has made 13 appearances this season.
Marseille and Reims were both keen on signing the Senegalese youngster last summer.
Chelsea could face competition for his signature though, with German giants Borussia Dortmund also interested in the defender.
Brighton are hoping to sign Levi Colwill in a part-exchange deal with Chelsea for Moises Caicedo amid reports of a record bid for the defender.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Brighton are now preparing a record £40m bid for Colwill after seeing their first offer rejected last week.
Chelsea have no intention to sell the defender, however, talkSPORT understands that the Seagulls are hoping they can change that by using Colwill in the deal to let Caicedo head the other way.
And this may sway the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, with Mauricio Pochettino interested in bringing Caicedo to the club after missing out on Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.
Chelsea target and Barcelona wonderkid Gavi has now been officially registered by La Liga.
Gavi was removed from Barcelona’s register of first team players earlier this year due to the club’s financial issues.
As a result, it made the 18-year-old available for a free transfer this summer with Chelsea reportedly holding talks with the player’s representatives over a potential deal.
However, he has now been registered once again and will remain at Barcelona on a contract that has a release clause of £1billion, ending the Blues’ hopes of the signing.
Kai Havertz has reportedly told Chelsea that he wants to join Real Madrid.
Havertz is being targeted by the Spanish giants who are looking for a Karim Benzema replacement.
And the 23-year-old has told Chelsea that he wants fresh challenge, according to The Guardian.
The Blues will demand a fee of £75m for the German whose stance may force the club to sell this summer.
Havertz now looks likely to be one of many Chelsea players to leave Stamford Bridge, with Mauricio Pochettino overhaulling the squad.
Chelsea have joined the race to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga.
The Guardian report that Veiga has a £34m release clause in his contract and Chelsea are prepared to push hard to sign him.
After missing out on Manuel Ugarte, new manager Maurico Pochettino has turned his attention to the 21-year-old who has emerged as a real talent in Spain this season.
The Blues will have to compete with Barcelona and Liverpool for the signing, with Jurgen Klopp’s side expected to make a move for Veiga after getting the Alexis Mac Allister deal over the line.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been spotted in Saudi Arabia amid N’Golo Kante links.
Boehly met with a fan who tweeted an image of the American with the caption: “Today we met the owner of Chelsea, Todd Boehly, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically the capital, Riyadh, and he assured us that the future of the club would be bright.
“Welcome to Saudi Arabia Todd Boehly.”
N’Golo Kante has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this week, with negotiations still ongoing with between the Frenchman and Chelsea over a new contract.
Boehly’s appearance will no doubt spark rumours over Kante’s future and possibly hint at further transfers to and from Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella’s future at Chelsea is uncertain after less than a year in west London.
The Blues signed the Spaniard from Brighton for £62million last summer but he really struggled to adapt and failed in various positions across the backline.
The Evening Standard report that Ian Maatsen, who spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Burnley, is up for sale this summer but Mauricio Pochettino might decide to keep him, which would open the door for Cucurella’s departure.
Christian Pulisic has admitted that his last season at Chelsea was ‘really tough’.
Speaking whilst on a training camp with the USA ahead of their upcoming international fixtures, Pulisic reflected on the campaign and commented on transfer links.
“It’s been a really tough season for me personally and for our team of course at a club level,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s been an interesting journey at club level for me. I thought it was a great couple years and the last couple years just haven’t gone at all how I’ve planned them to be and right now my focus is obviously here with the national team.
“I’m just excited to get back playing and just enjoy myself and do what I love to do out on the field. And from there, this summer, we’re obviously going to have to see what happens.
“It’s obviously very early. As of right now I’m a Chelsea player and I plan to go back. But a lot of things can happen. A lot of things can change.”
