Chelsea are considering a £63.9m swoop for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain, according to various reports.
Chelsea are desperately seeking a new forward to support Spain's Diego Costa, who has struggled for fitness in recent times.
Chelsea have the money, and Napoli will apparently be forced to sell if Chelsea can find the sums to trigger the former Real Madrid forward’s transfer.
Arsenal and Manchester United are also apparently keen on the Argentina striker, who rejected a one-year extension to his contract earlier this month.
OUR VIEW
Napoli will not be keen to lose Higuain, but may have no option
if Chelsea come in with such a whopping amount of money. Chelsea’s
inconsistent start to the season in drawing with Swansea and losing at Manchester City may increase their desire to complete a deal for Higuain.
August 16
Galatasaray have reportedly rejected a £5 million bid from Chelsea for Brazilian left-back Alex Telles.
Manager Hamza Hamzaoglu says the Turkish side want at least double that figure for the defender.
He said: "We have not received a bid which matches our valuation for Alex Telles."
OUR VIEW
So Jose Mourinho's search for a Filipe Luis replacement goes on. Chelsea failed to agree a fee with Augsburg for Rahman Baba and Tottenham are unwilling to sell Danny Rose, leaving Chelsea light in the position.
With unrest growing with various on-field and off-field issues
at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea could do with a marquee signing to restore
the feelgood factor.
Everton's John Stones in action against Villarreal - PA Photos
August 15
Everton appear resigned to losing John Stones to Chelsea as they are linked with another centre-back.
Everton have lined up River Plate's £5.5m Ramiro Funes Mori to bolster their resources at centre-back, claims the Liverpool Echo. With the Toffees also interested in AC Milan's Cristian Zapata, surely that means Stones is on his way to Stamford Bridge?
OUR VIEW
Not so fast - Everton need reinforcements following the departures of Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin. Chelsea may indeed get Stones if they up their offer - but Everton are already short of personnel and in no hurry to sell.
August 14
Chelsea received boosts in their attempts to sign both Baba Rahman and John Stones on Thursday.
German newspaper Bild claims that Rahman actually passed a
medical on Thursday, and could have his £14m deal confirmed at any
moment.
As for Stones? Everton are reported to be close to sorting out a
deal with AC Milan for Christian Zapata - and if they have a
replacement, then a sale of Stones could be on the cards.
OUR VIEW
It's not odd that Chelsea are signing two of the best young
defenders in Europe. But it's very, very odd that they've done their
business so late, appearing content with their lot for months and yet
now ramping up efforts to bring in some new blood. Anyone would think
Jose Mourinho had little confidence in his team doctors' ability to keep
the squad fit over the course of the season!
- - -
August 13
Chelsea are set to complete the £6.7m signing of Brazilian
forward Kenedy, after the youngster successfully secured a work permit
The Daily Mail reported
on Thursday afternoon that the 19-year-old had successfully received a
work permit to make the switch to London, having already impressed for
the Blues during their pre-season tour of North America.
Previously linked with both Barcelona and Manchester United,
Kenedy will be helped in his adjustment to life in England by
compatriots Diego Costa, Willian and Oscar (among many others). Fellow
teenager Nathan also signed for the club this summer, although he has
already been sent on loan to Vitesse Arnhem.
OUR VIEW
After looking decent in Chelsea colours during pre-season it
always seemed likely that Kenedy would officially become a Chelsea
player sooner rather than later. But the news he has been given a work
permit will nevertheless delight the club, and now allow them to move on
and plot the next stage of his development as they look to turn him
into a first-team regular.
August 12
Chelsea midfielder Ramires is set to join Serie A champions Juventus, according to reports in Italy. The Corriere dello Sport are reporting the Brazilian player is on his way to Turin.
Juventus are also in the market for Schalke forward Julian Draxler, but face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal to land the 21-year-old.
Ramires is apparently out of the picture at Stamford Bridge with
Chelsea willing to do business to sell him on before the end of August.
OUR VIEW
Juventus have been forced to move for Ramires with midfielder Sami Khedira and Kwadwo Asamoah
out injured. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has intimated that he is
unwilling to flog the Brazilian midfielder, but that hasn't stopped him
changing his mind in the past. Especially if they receive good money for
the player. Selling Ramires would enable Mourinho to recruit a new
midfielder before the end of the window. And create vital space in the
champions' squad.
August 11
Juventus are set to bid for Chelsea midfielder Ramires, according to the Evening Standard.
Ramires has been on the fringes of the Chelsea team since Jose
Mourinho returned to the club, and Juve are said to have been tracking
the Brazilian for some time, adds the report.
While Chelsea are not actively seeking to sell the player and
Mourinho is an admirer of his versatility, the Blues could be persuaded
into doing a deal as the former Benfica man has entered the last two years of his contract.
OUR VIEW
This move could come down to the will of the player. Chelsea are
happy with Ramires’s role within the club. So much so that they offered
the Brazilian a new contract at the end of last season but while that
remains unsigned, uncertainty will continue over his future.
The question is a simple one: is Ramires happy with a bit-part role at Chelsea? If so, sign the deal.
AUGUST 10
Atletico Madrid's Koke looks dejected after missing a chance to score - Reuters
Atletico Madrid have reportedly turned down Chelsea’s £46 million bid for Spain star Koke, report Marca.
Jose Mourinho was said to also be interested in Koke's Atleti team-mate Arda Turan as he seeks to add further energy to his midfield.
However, having already lost one key component of their midfield
in the shape of Turan, the Madrid club are said to be highly unlikely
to sanction any move for Koke, Marca report.
OUR VIEW
Jose Mourinho may see Koke as an upgrade on his current No. 10
of choice Oscar. However, £46m is quite the risk on a player who has no
Premier League experience, so a move of this magnitude would be in stark
contrast to Chelsea’s current transfer modus operandi.
From Koke and Atletico’s point of view, this move makes little sense. As Kevin de Bruyne, Andre Schurrle and Juan Cuadrado
will attest, reputation or transfer fee are no guarantee of a starting
spot at Stamford Bridge. Why would Koke elect to move from Atleti where
he is the fulcrum of the team to the comparative uncertainty of Chelsea.
Furthermore, Atleti are highly unlikely to countenance the loss
of another their midfield stalwarts after the loss of Arda Turan.
Abdul Baba Rahman - Augsburg - Reuters
AUGUST 8
Chelsea’s proposed move for Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman has
hit a snag, with the deal reportedly pushed back until after the Blues’
season opener.
The Express have suggested the deal will be delayed until after Chelsea’s match against Swansea on Saturday.
Rahman, 21, is expected to provide competition to Cesar Azpilicueta.
Chelsea sold Felipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid earlier in the transfer window, leaving them short in the left-back position.
OUR VIEW
No need to panic.
Chelsea have ages to wrap up the deal and while it would be
handy to announce it sooner, Azpilicueta (aka Dave) can easily hold the
position until then. Rahman is not going to wade into the first team
upon his arrival - his role is simply to cover injury. The Blues would
have to be hugely unfortunate to lose Azpilicueta in their opening
match. Plenty of time yet.
- - -
AUGUST 6
Everton boss Roberto Martinez admits John Stones has been affected by interest from Chelsea.
But the manager has emphasised once again that the Toffees are not a club looking to sell their top players.
There has been talk of Chelsea preparing a third bid for England
defender Stones after so far having £20million and £26million offers
rejected by Everton this summer.
And asked on Thursday whether the situation had affected the
21-year-old, Martinez said: "Yes, and it is something where you hope you
learn from it and you get more mature and those experiences are good
experiences.
"Clearly John is one of the outstanding young talents that we
have in the squad and you are going to get that sort of interest from
the outside.
"But all we are focused on is (Saturday's Premier League home
match against) Watford. John is an Everton player and there is nothing
else to comment on that."
When asked about the prospect of Chelsea coming back with an
improved offer for Stones that Everton would find hard to ignore,
Martinez said: "You shouldn't worry about situations you cannot affect
or control.
"I said from the beginning - when you are not a club that is
trying actively to sell players, the focus is just to try to be as good
as we can at the weekend and see how ready we are individually and as a
team.
"Everything else is stuff that does not bother me now at all."
OUR VIEW
The worry is that Stones gets promoted too soon.
He’s looked assured in the Everton defence, but that’s a completely different challenge to playing for Chelsea. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could have benefited from another season at Blackburn and Fulham respectively – hopefully that’s not what we’ll be saying about Stones in a few seasons.
- - -
AUGUST 5
South
Africa's forward Bongani Ndulula (L) challenges Ghana's defender Abdul
Rahman Baba during the 2015 African Cup of Nations - AFP
Baba Rahman has agreed personal terms ahead of a proposed switch to Chelsea, his agent has revealed.
The Augsburg left-back will be expected to provide competition
for Cesar Azplicueta, who has the left back spot sewn up following the
departure of Felipe Luis to Atletico Madrid.
"It is only the clubs that have to find an agreement,” said agent Sascha Empacher. “We on our side are agreed."
Rahman played 31 times as his side secured a surprise Europa League spot last season.
OUR VIEW
Yesterday Danny Rose, today Baba Rahman. It's time to just let this one unfold...
Rose represents less of a gamble, although why either player
would want to join remains to be seen. Is Jose Mourinho really going to
drop Azplicueta? It's highly unlikely - there are few managers in the
Premier League who keep a consistent defence as Mourinho.
- - -
AUGUST 4
Danny Rose celebrates his goal - Reuters
Chelsea have made a shock move for Tottenham full back Danny Rose, according to multiple reports.
The Blues were rumoured to be after Augsburg left back Baba
Rahman, but it now appears they’ve turned their attention to the young
Englishman.
The suggested fee is £15 million, which would surely tempt Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
Rose eventually won the battle with Ben Davies for the left back berth at White Hart Lane last season and was expected to continue in that role next season.
OUR VIEW
It’s rarely straight-forward with Chelsea.
This could simply be a ploy to hurry along negotiations with
Rahman. After all, Augsburg have already signed a replacement (Philipp
Max from Karlsruhe).
Rose has shown quality going forward, but he’s often looked
vulnerable in defence – straying from his intended position, creating
space in behind, and allowing opponents a free route towards the Spurs
goal. Would represent a big gamble from Chelsea.
- - -
AUGUST 3
Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann has reiterated his desire to stay at Atletico Madrid.
The French international has frequently been tipped to make a stunning £28.5m Stamford Bridge switch over the summer.
But Griezmann is keen to quash any lingering speculation about his future.
He told Spanish publication AS: "I only think about Atletico.
"I have just arrived at this club and I want to grow even more with Atletico. Therefore my thoughts are fixed here."
OUR VIEW
It's hard to take many Chelsea transfer rumours seriously -
especially the ones which are reported to happen later on in a transfer
window.
Griezmann - one of Europe's hottest forwards - would probably
end up like Mo Salah and Juan Cuadrado even if he did decide to head to
Stamford Bridge. This is surely a complete non-starter, even if there is
legitimate interest from Jose Mourinho.
AUGUST 1
Abdul Baba Rahman - Augsburg - Reuters
Chelsea are close to wrapping up the signing of the 21 year-old Augburg left-back Baba Rahman for £17.5m.
The Ghana international is set to be Jose Mourinho's second
major signing of the summer as the pursuit of a replacement for Filipe
Luis draws to a close.
The Brazilian departed for Atletico Madrid earlier this week, and Rahman had been identified as the ideal replacement.
“Both clubs are still working on fine-tuning but we hope the agreement will be finalised soon,” Sascha Empacher, who is the agent of Rahman, told the Guardian.
The deal is thought to be in the region of £17.5 million, after
the club had an earlier bid of £14m rejected by Augsburg.
OUR VIEW
Rahman is highly rated after a superb debut season in the
Bundesliga last year. Mourinho is likely to want to groom the
21-year-old into the left-back role with Cesar Azpilicueta thought to be
first-choice.
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