11am Chelsea news LIVE: Lampard eyes £160m-plus transfer spree, Kai Havertz updates, Timo Werner LATEST, Sancho bid off – The Sun

CHELSEA are preparing for their return to action next weekend at Aston Villa – but off the pitch they are planning a spending spree.

With Hakim Ziyech arriving on a £38m deal and Timo Werner expected to join for £58m, boss Frank Lampard is keen to splash the cash with a £70m bid for Kai Havertz.

And while the Blues are also pursuing Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, they think they have lost out to Man Utd in the race for Jadon Sancho.

Follow all the latest updates and transfer gossip from the Bridge below…

  • CHILLED OUT

    Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Ben Chilwell as Leicester are reportedly lining up a move for Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico.

    The Blues have been after the English ace for some time as they look to replace Emerson and Marcos Alonso this summer.

    And the deal could be one step closer as the Foxes have highlighted Argentine Tagliafico as the man to replace Chilwell, according to the Mirror.

    The East Midlands side have not named a price for the England international who is also said to have attracted interest from Manchester City.

  • KEP-T OUT

    Premier League football is back on June 17 and thousands of fans can't wait to see their heroes take to the turf once again.

    The break has given most players a chance to recover from injuries and many teams will have full squads available to them come kick-off.

    Most teams have stars vying for starting spots in each position apart from between the sticks where the No1 jersey is usually an automatic pick for most managers.

    SunSport compiles a list of the top five goalkeepers ahead of the big return – but Blues stopper Kepa fails to make the grade.

    1. Alisson

    2. Ederson

    3. Dean Henderson

    4. David De Gea

    5. Nick Pope

  • PUL THE OTHER ONE

    Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of big name players this summer.

    The Blues have already signed Hakim Zieych, are believed to be close to wrapping up a deal for Timo Werner, and still have interest in Kai Havertz.

    And they are not completely out of the race for the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Jadon Sancho.

    Now ESPN have thrown doubt on where it leaves one of their current crop – Christian Pulisic.

    Most players linked are attacking midfielders or wingers, where Pulisic plays. Is his Stamford Bridge career already under threat?

  • DOR CLOSED

    Chelsea are looking at alternative options as they believe Jadon Sancho will join Manchester United, according to reports.

    The Blues are among the long list of clubs that are interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund star this summer.

    But according to ESPN, Chelsea fear the in-demand 20-year-old would prefer a move to rivals United.

    Frank Lampard's side will continue to keep tabs on Sancho while assessing their other options.

    The Blues have reportedly identified Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz as an alternative signing.

  • COUTINHO TALKS

    Newcastle are reportedly in talks to sign Philippe Coutinho and are the Barcelona outcast's most likely destination should their £300m takeover go through.

    But the Magpies have competition, with Tottenham and Everton also keen on the 27-year-old.

    Spurs tried to sign him last summer before he joined Bayern Munich on loan, while Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti is a big admirer and is keen to bring Coutinho back to Merseyside.

    France Football say Newcastle are the frontrunners, but their bid is dependent on their proposed takeover led by Mohammed Bin Salman going through.

    The MailOnline add that Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are also weighing up loan offers for the playmaker.

  • GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS 

    Frank Lampard is sweating on winger Pedro signing a temporary deal to help the club through Project Restart.

    The vastly-experienced Spaniard has agreed to stay on at the club for the remaining nine Premier League games once his contract expires at the end of this month.

    But veteran Pedro, 32, is holding out on putting pen to paper in solidarity with team-mate Willian who will also become a free agent from July 1.

    But the Blues have been given a boost as N'Golo Kante has been pictured in full training. 

    The midfielder had been training alone due to fears over coronavirus, but it appears he will now play a full part in the remainder of the Premier League season.

    However, Kante's long-term future is less certain with reports doing the rounds that he could be sold to fund a move for Kai Havertz.

  • HAVE A GO

    Kai Havertz is open to playing abroad – and says he wants to join a club already competing for trophies.

    The Bayer Leverkusen star is a £70million target for the Premier League Chelsea and Man Utd this summer after a stunning season in the Bundesliga.

    The versatile forward – also linked to Arsenal – revealed in an old interview that he wants to join a club where he can immediately win silverware.

    Havertz told Marca in November: “The team is always the priority, success is collective.

    Then, the individual [trophies] come when you play well.

    “I want to win the biggest trophies during my career: Champions League, World Cup or Euros.”

  • NEW ERA

    Gareth Southgate hopes Ashley Cole can map out a route for new BAME coaches in English football.

    Southgate said: “Ashley Cole is developing very well on a similar route to what Steven did in working in Liverpool’s academy for a couple of years.

    “Ashley is doing that with Neil Bath at Chelsea and I talked to Ashley amongst a group of coaches a couple of weeks ago andhe is progressing really well.

    “I must say he has impressed me on the calls I’ve been on with him.

    “On a broader scale, we lack that representation. The biggest crime for us in any area, if we’re adults looking at kids, is if they sit and think a path in life isn’t possibleor accessible.”

  • TAG, YOU'RE IT

    Leicester have identified Nicolas Tagliafico as the man they would like to replace Ben Chilwell, should he leave the King Power Stadium.

    That will come as a boost to Chelsea, who have made the England left-back their top target in the summer transfer window.

    However, The Mirror still adds that Leicester will be expecting the same £80m fee they received for Harry Maguire in order to part company with Chilwell.

  • AVOIDING A PED-ROW

    Pedro appears set to avoid an awkward reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, by reportedly shunning Juventus interest in favour of a switch to Serie A rivals Roma.

    With his contract set to expire at Stamford Bridge this summer, the 32-year-old has been linked extensively with both clubs.

    And while on paper a move to Turin would seem attractive, meeting old adversary Ronaldo again maybe not so much.

    Tensions between the pair once flared during Barcelona's infamous 5-0 rout over Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side in the 2010-11 season.

    The Portuguese had attempted to wind-up the future Blues winger by sarcastically asking: “Who are you?”

    In response, newly crowned World Cup winner Pedro coolly responded: “I’m a world champion.”

  • STAMFORD RIDGE

    Miss BumBum UK Jessica Lopes has promised to strip NAKED if Chelsea win the Champions League.

    The former Playboy model, who once took her clothes off in front of the Houses of Parliament, is a huge Blues fan.

    And she has promised to pose naked if Frank Lampard can guide his side to glory in the Champions League.

    According to the Daily Star, she said: “If Chelsea win the Champions League I will pose naked with their shirt on, nothing will stop me.”

  • GAME ON

    All Premier League matches will be available to watch on Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and the BBC depending on the right holders.

    Amazon have said the four games they will broadcast will be free to watch.

    And players are very unlikely to wear masks but they would probably be asked to wear them when travelling to and from stadiums.

  • PALM HIM OFF

    Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri is set to leave the club.

    Tuttosport report the left-back will be let go.

    They claim Juventus are already in negotiations with the Blues over a potential deal.

    Stamford Bridge transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia is already thought to be working on the specifics for the 25-year-old's move away.

  • GER GET HIM

    Chelseaare reportedly chasing Flamengo's £30m-rated midfielder Gerson.

    Frank Lampard is set to continue his squad overhaul this summer having already made some big moves.

    Ajax ace Hakim Zyech's £33m move has already been agreed, while the Blues are also believed to be close to bringing in RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner for £54m.

    Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Kai Havertz is believed to be their next big transfer target.

    But according to Fox News, Gerson is also interesting the Londoners.

    Borussia Dortmund are also chasing the 23-year-old, who is the most expensive Brazilian player to be signed by a Brazilian club.

  • ROUD AWAKENING

    Tottenham will make an enquiry for Olivier Giroud, according to Football.London's Alasdair Gold.

    He wrote: “I think Spurs will still make an enquiry despite Chelsea taking the option on his contract so he doesn't leave for free. He ticks plenty of boxes.

    “With another striker joining he's just not going to play much but will Chelsea let him leave for Spurs?

    “Osimhen is going to cost £75m plus and his agent has said he won't sign if Kane is at the club.”

  • DOWN THE PJAN

    Miralem Pjanicreportedly turned down Chelsea and will not leave Juventus for any club other than Barcelona.

    Marca state that the Blues and PSG have both had approaches turned down for the Bosnian.

    Maurizio Sarri is keen to do a deal which will see Pjanic move to West London with Jorginho going the other way, but the midfielder does not seem keen to play ball.

    And Sarri would also sell Pjanic to Barcelona if he can get Arthur in exchange, but the Brazilian has no intention of moving to Turin.

  • IS IT A SIGN?

    Chelsea are sweating on winger Pedro signing a temporary deal to help the club through Project Restart.

    The vastly experienced Spaniard has agreed to stay on at the club for the remaining nine Premier League games once his contract expires at the end of this month.

    But veteran Pedro, 32, is holding out on putting pen to paper in solidarity with team-mate Willian who will also become a free agent from July 1.

    A Blues source said: “Pedro is ready to play on. He knows he is pretty much certain of leaving Chelsea at the end of this season.

    “He wants to do the right thing by the club too after a long time there and see the season out. But equally, he does not want to be the first one who signs before his pals have done the same.

    “And Willian’s situation is a bit different to his own. Willian is open to staying on at Stamford Bridge. Pedro is not keen to ‘break ranks’ and go it alone.”

  • READY TO N'GO

    N'Golo Kante has been picture in full training today in a welcome boost to Frank Lampard.

    The midfielder had been training alone due to fears over coronavirus, but it appears he will now play a full part in the remainder of the Premier League season.

    However, Kante's long-term future is less certain with reports doing the rounds that he could be sold to fund a move for Kai Havertz.

  • SEE YOU ZOU-N?

    Jose Mourinho wants Tottenham’s top bods to help him seal a summer swoop for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, according to reports.

    The Spurs boss, who landed Zouma for the Blues during his time in charge of the club, hopes to reunite with the player he bought for £12million.

    The France centre-back, who’s been a part of the Blues squad since joining from Saint Etienne in 2014, enjoyed two successful loan spells at Stoke and Everton.

    Although Frank Lampard made more use of the 25-year-old’s defensive talents this season, the player looks to be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit.

    Media outlets in France claim Mourinho has been in talks with Tottenham’s board over a possible move for Zouma.

  • LOFT-ED PASS

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek is continuing his comeback from injury.

    The Chelsea midfielder can be seen here in action against Billy Gilmour, who he will go up against for a place in Frank Lampard's side.

    View this post on Instagram

    Ready to go when the time comes! #X19 @adidasfootball

    A post shared byRuben loftus-cheek (@rlc) on

  • FULL KANT-ACT

    N’Golo Kante is back in full contact training with Chelsea.

    The news is a huge boost for Blues boss Frank Lampard, who feared being without the World Cup winning-midfielder for much of the season end due to his concerns over coronavirus.

    Kante took part in contact training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, say The Telegraph.

    He previously had been training in isolation after expressing his fears about contracting Covid-19.

    But his future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain owing to Lampard's interest in Kai Havertz.

    Kante had previously been granted compassionate leave by Chelsea bosses and it was originally not known when he would return.

  • WERN-ING SHOT

    The Frank Lampard revolution at Chelsea is set to gather pace this summer, with the Blues in the market for a number of star acquisitions.

    Having secured Hakim Ziyech for next season back in February, and with the announcement of Timo Werner's arrival believed to be imminent, Chelsea could be a frightening prospect for their title-rivals next season.

  • BLUEPRINT FOR EXITS?

    Sky Sports' Anton Toloui makes a good point about Chelsea's attacking overload if they sign Havertz.

  • HAVERTZ LATEST

    SunSport's Duncan Wright has tweeted about the Kai Havertz transfer situation at Chelsea.

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