4pm Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz LATEST, Kepa replacement wanted next, Klopp responds to Lampard – The Sun
CHELSEA go into their final Premier League game of the season at home to Wolves on Sunday sitting fourth in the table – level on points with third-place Man Utd.
Off the pitch, the Blues are pressing ahead with a move for Kai Havertz – and former Man City winger Leroy Sane appears to have let slip that the German will be heading to West London.
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from Stamford Bridge here…
GUNNERS 'CONFIDENT' OVER WILLIAN
Arsenal are “confident” of signing Willian from Chelsea, according to ESPN.
The Brazilian would become the latest to make the switch from West to North London, following in the footsteps of Petr Cech and David Luiz in recent years.
The winger is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge, but as he has proven under Frank Lampard, he could act as the perfect right-wing-back in Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3 system.
According to ESPN Brazil, Manchester United are also monitoring the situation, while Tottenham have also reportedly been interested.
Willian has been offered a two-year deal at Chelsea but the 31-year-old wants a longer-term contract.
WE'LL BE O-KAI
Peter Bosz has confirmed Kai Havertz WILL be part of Leverkusen’s squad for the Europa League.
Reports are that Chelsea are close to agreeing a fee for the German, 21, but there has been no confirmation as such.
Leverkusen’s only chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League is if they win the competition, which takes place next month.
They face Rangers in the second leg of their last-16 tie, before playing either Getafe or Inter in the quarter-finals.
The Dutchman told the club’s official Twitter feed: “Kai Havertz will be there right at the start of the training session and I am confident that he will also be with us in the Europa League.”
KEPA LOAD OF THAT
Valencia are chasing an audacious double-swoop for Premier League duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Silva, according to reports,
The LaLiga side slumped to a disappointing ninth-place finish this season – and are hoping to find a way to improve next time out.
According to 90min, club chiefs believe that moves to bring Kepa and Silva back to Spain could do just the trick.
Finances are expected to be tight at the Mestalla following the coronavirus pandemic, however, making big-money acquisitions difficult.
But with Chelsea rumoured to be desperate to offload their blundering £71million goalkeeper – a multi-year loan move could potentially be thrashed out.
KLOPP: WIND IT IN
Frank Lampard has been told to show some respect after his touchline bust-up during the 5-3 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday.
The German said: “We are not arrogant. We are pretty much the opposite. Frank was in a competitive mood, I respect that a lot.
“For me after the game it's over.
“What Frank has to learn is to finish it with the last whistle, he didn't do that. I don't like that.”
SEPTEMBER 12 RE-START
Prem clubs have agreed to start next season in September, reports MARTIN LIPTON.
The 20 current shareholder clubs held their last video meeting of the season and confirmed plans to begin the 2020-21 season on the weekend of September 12.
It is understood the Community Shield will be confirmed at Wembley for August 30, with the majority of Prem players then heading around Europe and the world for the first international break since November.
But clubs and fans are set todiscover the fixture schedule less than a month before the big kick-off.
SunSport understands the clubs agreed that the fixture list should be agreed and published by August 21, barely three weeks before the new term begins.
But Prem chiefs have to wait until the outcome of the Championship play-off Final before they can work properly on what will be a congested schedule with only a maximum 32 weekend dates rather than the normal 34.
KEEPS TO HOLD ON TO
Frank Lampard has decided to target a goalkeeper after Chelsea complete a deal for Kai Havertz, according to reports.
Andre Onana, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson have been mooted as possible contenders for the gig between the sticks.
Although any deal for German playmaker Havertz has not been announced, it seems a transfer agreement is imminent with a fee still being disputed between the clubs.
FRANKY NOT A PROBLEM
Frank Lampard will reportedly escape punishment from Chelsea for his foul-mouthed rant at the Liverpool bench.
The Blues boss was caught on camera telling the Reds camp to “f*** off” during a heated touchline row.
The incident was sparked in the first half, seconds before Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a brilliant second from a free-kick.
Mateo Kovacic was adjudged to have fouled Sadio Mane as the Senegal star broke at pace.
Lamps was furious with the decision and let rip on the fourth official.
It sparked a reaction from Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool bench who were then locked in a war of words from the technical area.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERRY
It's a happy 59th to Stamford Bridge legend Kerry Dixon.
WILL POWER
Arsenal are “confident” of signing Willian from Chelsea, according to ESPN.
The Brazilian would become the latest to make the switch from West to North London, following in the footsteps of Petr Cech and David Luiz in recent years.
The winger is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge, but as he has proven under Frank Lampard, he could act as the perfect right-wing-back in Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3 system.
According to ESPN Brazil, Manchester United are also monitoring the situation, while Tottenham have also reportedly been interested.
Willian has been offered a two-year deal at Chelsea but the 31-year-old wants a longer-term contract.
CARRAGHER ON DEFENCE
The former Liverpool defender added: “I still think Chelsea need a defender, you see how many goals they’ve conceded. I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper being totally honest.
“You see a lot of centre-halves at Chelsea without seeing one really outstanding one, those are the areas that if they are going to challenge Liverpool and Man City they’ll have to rectify in the summer.
“They are the worst team in the league defending corners. This is a massive problem for Chelsea.”
KEPA'S NO KEEPER
Chelsea will not be able to challenge for the Premier League title with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, says Jamie Carragher.
The Liverpool legend compared Frank Lampard's current charges to the Reds during Jurgen Klopp's first years at Anfield, when they struggled with Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius in goal.
He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea won’t go no further unless they change their goalkeeper.
“Going back to how important goalkeepers are I look at this Chelsea team and there’s a lot I like about it, it does remind me in a lot of ways the position Jurgen Klopp was in a couple of years ago.
“[Lampard] has done as much as he can, yes Frank’s still in his early stages but those big signings can completely transform you as a team.”
JOSE'S NEW SPECIAL ONE
Chelsea’s urgent need for a new centre-back has reportedly led them to Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez.
Declan Rice and Kalidou Koulibaly have also been linked with the Blues following their poor defensive displays this season.
Only seven Premier League teams have let in more goals than Chelsea this campaign, hampering their bid for a top-four finish.
According to the Telegraph, club scouts have taken a look at Uruguay international Gimenez during his starring spell since the restart.
The 25-year-old was a regular in Diego Simeone's team as they comfortably secured Champions League football after a rocky start to the season.
Frank Lampard is said to see Gimenez as a positive solution with his height and aerial ability a key factor.
POPE CHECKS
Chelsea are interested in signing Burnley shot-stopper Nick Pope to replace the struggling Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, Ajax's Andre Onana and Man Utd's Dean Henderson are all on the Blues' radar.
But according to website 90min.com, a source has confirmed that England keeper Pope is also on their list.
The 28-year-old has impressed Frank Lampard's backroom staff, with the club conducting background checks on him ahead of a potential bid.
GOOD MORNING BLUES FANS
Chelsea have won the race to sign Kai Havertz.
That's according to Leroy Sane, who gave the game away following his move to Bayern Munich from Man City.
Sane let slip: “It‘s good for Chelsea that they signed two German top talents with Werner and Havertz this summer.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea will reportedly fly out Petr Cech to Bayer Leverkusen to negotiate Havertz’s fee and personal terms.
According to Sky Germany, Blues technical director Cech is set to hold “face-to-face talks” with the 21-year-old, as well as Leverkusen chiefs.
In other news, Chelsea have reportedly scouted Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez.
The Telegraph claims the Uruguayan could be the man to shore up Frank Lampard’s defence this summer.
Finally, Chelsea must meet Jan Oblak's £109million release clause if they want to sign him this summer.
The Daily Mail claims Atletico Madrid will not entertain negotiations for their star man.
Oblak is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in world football.
And Chelsea will have to pay his full buyout if they want him to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
KEP AWAY
Chelsea will not be able to challenge for the Premier League title with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal, says Jamie Carragher.
He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea won’t go no further unless they change their goalkeeper.
“I still think Chelsea need a defender, you see how many goals they’ve conceded. I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper being totally honest.
“They are the worst team in the league defending corners. This is a massive problem for Chelsea.
“Yes, Werner is coming in and the lad from Ajax, there is talk of Havertz as well. It sounds great and it gets supporters excited but it means nothing if you don’t sort out that back three and certainly that goalkeeper.”
SANE OLD SONG
Chelsea have won the race to sign Kai Havertz.
That's according to Leroy Sane, who gave the game away following his move to Bayern Munich from Man City.
Sane let slip: “It‘s good for Chelsea that they signed two German top talents with Werner and Havertz this summer.”
GIME MORE
Chelsea have reportedly scouted Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez.
The Telegraph claims the Uruguayan could be the man to shore up Frank Lampard’s defence this summer.
Gimenez has long been linked with a Premier League switch and was tipped to join Manchester United last year before they opted for Harry Maguire.
Gimenez was also a target for ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery but was deemed to expensive by club chiefs.
GAME ON
Here are all the matches for your viewing pleasure on the final day.
- Leicester City v Manchester United – Sky Sports Main Event
- Arsenal v Watford – Sky Sports Premier League
- Chelsea v Wolves – Sky Sports Football
- Everton v Bournemouth – Sky Sports Golf
- Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur – Sky Sports Action
- Burnley v Brighton – Sky Sports Arena
- Southampton v Sheffield United – Sky Sports Mix
- Manchester City v Norwich City – Pick & Sky One
LIKE IT OR LAMP IT
Frank Lampard hopes Chelsea's experiences against Man Utd and Liverpool can fire them to the Champions League against Wolves.
He explained: “I have seen a lot in the last two games, particularly with Manchester United (the FA Cup semi-final win) and then with Liverpool, of what we are about.
“There has been spirit and character in those two performances and we have to carry it on for one more game in the league.
“Since restart there was a feeling it could go this far. I felt we maybe could get over the line before the (Liverpool) game because we played so well against Manchester United.
“What is absolutely important is the players focus on themselves because it is in our own hands, and that is the job I'll do because we can't affect what is going on elsewhere.
“We have to try to get over the line. We have character in the group, we have quality and we have a good opponent coming and it is on us now.”
GOR BLIMEY
Gordon Strachan has backed his former side Leeds to soar back to the top of English football – just like Chelsea.
He told the Gary Newbon Sports Show: “Some clubs say 'we are a big club', yeah you might have been 80 years ago and you won a couple [of trophies] way back but that doesn't make you a big club,
“What makes you a big club is your support, your history, what you can possibly do again in the future, now Leeds are in that bracket. They're up there, they can be a Chelsea.
“But what they've got to do is add to the Premier League and make it grow even bigger.”
LAST PUSH
Chelsea need just a point from their final game against Wolves to book their place in next season's Champions League.
The Blues' Euro bid took a hit last night with a 5-3 defeat at Liverpool.
But Frank Lampard's men remain in control of their destiny with rivals Man Utd and Leicester facing each other at the same time on Sunday.
OB ONE OUT
Chelsea must meet Jan Oblak's £109million release clause if they want to sign him this summer.
The Daily Mail claims Atletico Madrid will not entertain negotiations for their star man.
Oblak is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in world football.
And Chelsea will have to pay his full buyout if they want him to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
CARRA: SCRAP KEPA
Jamie Carragher reckons Chelsea will not compete for the league title unless they ditch under-par keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea won’t go any further unless they change their goalkeeper. Going back to how important goalkeepers are I look at this Chelsea team and there’s a lot I like about it, it does remind me in a lot of ways the position Jurgen Klopp was in a couple of years ago.
“He’s done as much as he can, yes Frank’s still in his early stages but those big signings can completely transform you as a team.
“I still think Chelsea need a defender, you see how many goals they’ve conceded.
“I think a lot of that is down to the goalkeeper being totally honest.”
SANE SLIP
Leroy Sane has appeared to let slip Chelsea will definitely sign Kai Havertz this summer, writes Duncan Wright.
The Blues have been leading the race for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who is regarded as the brightest young talent in Germany.
And ex-Manchester City ace looks to have confirmed that deal is now done.
Sane appeared to let it slip during his first press conference as a Bayern Munich player.
The German winger said: “It‘s good for Chelsea that they signed two German top talents with Werner and Havertz this summer.”
SUNDAY ODDS
We don't expect this to be a walkover at Stamford Bridge.
Just like the game at the King Power, Chelsea have Champions League qualification in their own hands and will stay in the top four if they win or draw this game.
SunSport's best bets
- Both teams to score: 8/11
- Over 2.5 goals at the Bridge: 17/20
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