CHELSEA are continuing their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz and have reportedly made a breakthrough in their bid to sign Leicester's Ben Chiwell.
Meanwhile Frank Lampard is said to have made Jose Maria Gimenez of Atletico Madrid his top defensive target after being priced out of a move for West Ham's Declan Rice.
Follow all the latest transfer updates from the Bridge below…
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HAV A BIT OF THAT
Chelsea's transfer guru Marina Granovskaia has reportedly come up with a plan to seal a deal for Kai Havertz.
Italian media outlet calciomercato claim the Blues are ready to reduce the £36million asking price for midfielder Jorginho to rush through with a deal for the German.
Juventus and former Chelsea chief Maurizio Sarri are believed to be leading the race for the former Napoli star.
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SERGE FORWARDS
Chelsea target Sergio Reguilon has remained coy about his future following his standout season on loan at Seville from Real Madrid.
He told Marca: “I do not think about these possibilities now — I’m sorry if that sounds like a cliche. I’ve been saying since quarantine that until the season is over I won’t be talking about my future.
“Until then it would be unfair on myself, my teammates and club.
“If my year at Sevilla had not been good, then this would not be happening. These teams would not ring.
“If I am fine, the team is fine and the club is fine, everyone is happy… I have no complaints about anything, about the city, the club, my colleagues. I feel very loved. Who knows what will happen in the future?
“We should talk about that sitting quietly with Real Madrid, my representative, with everyone. And see the possibilities for next year, let’s see what happens. I don’t know.”
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DON'T MISS THE BOAT
Chelsea target Jerome Boateng is open to a Premier League move and could be available on a free next summer.
The German centre-back admitted he loved his short time in England with Manchester City and would not rule out a return to the UK.
The 76-cap German international told the Guardian: “I would not say no, I loved it when I was there.”
Boateng had an injury plagued season with City in the 2010/11 campaign but that hasn't put him off a Prem return.
He added: “For me it was really unlucky because I got injured straight away and then I didn’t really play the position they promised me.
“But I still took a lot from playing in the Premier League. It helped me a lot to play and train with great players.
“I am definitely down for it, but I don’t know the future.
“You never know. But it’s not that I would say: ‘I never want to play there.’ It’s one of my favourite leagues for sure.”
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HIGHS AND LOWS
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has revealed how he is missing his pals at Cumberland High School in Pennsylvania.
The American winger, who hails from Harrisburg, the PA state capital, grew up close to the home of Hershey chocolate.
He has had one heck of a freshman year at Stamford Bridge, where he has scored nine Premier League goals.
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#tbt to some of the best training sessions there ever were?? missing these guys
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VAR'S COME FAR
The Premier League has voted to get its VAR rules in line with that of other countries.
But 'armpit offside' decisions are staying – getting England in line with Fifa's law interpretations.
Decisions on goalkeeper encroachment during penalties will also be tweaked.
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TIMO PLAYER
Timo Werner faced up to N'Golo Kante in Chelsea training today.
The German striker will not be able to play in the last-16 second-leg tie against Bayern Munich with the team 3-0 down from the first leg.
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STURR IT UP
Daniel Sturridge is keeping fit during the close season with the striker linked with FIVE clubs.
Sturridge is a free agent having left Trabzonspor in February after being banned from football for four months over a breach of betting rules.
But once the season re-starts, the 31-year-old could still attract interest from around the globe.
According to The Times, Premier League Aston Villa, Scottish giants Rangers, Italian outfit Benevento and the MLS could all be possible destinations for the former England man.
And there are even calls from some fans of Trabzonspor for the club to try tempt him back to Turkey.
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TIME FOR A CHANGE
Premier League clubs have voted to revert to a maximum of three substitutes and seven players on the bench for next season, reports MARTIN LIPTON.
The vote of the 20 clubs at their virtual summer meeting is understood to have demonstrated the divisions that exist.
While the top half of the league backed Chelsea proposals to continue to allow five substitutes from a bench of nine, they fell well short of the required two thirds majority.
Instead, the opposition to the proposal, led by Aston Villa, was joined by the teams in the lower half of the table.
Indeed, a majority of the clubs voted against the five sub plan, with a 10-10 tie on the proposal to stick with the larger bench.
Of the promoted trio, Leeds are understood to have backed retaining a bench of nine but joined fellow new boys West Brom and Fulham in rejecting five replacements being allowed.
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YORKSHIRE PUDDING
Leeds are among the clubs interested in taking Blues youngster Conor Gallagher off Frank Lampard's hands.
The 20-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at Swansea City, who missed out on promotion after defeat to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals.
Gallagher is currently enjoying a well-earned break in the South of France, but he could soon be on his way to pastures new with Marcelo Bielsa's side.
According to Football.London, Fulham, Southampton and Crystal Palace are all interested in Gallagher.
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It’s been a pleasure @swansofficial thank you to everyone involved at the club, treating me so well since day one. Fans have been brilliant and It’s a shame we couldn’t get into the premier league but I’m sure you’ll be back there soon. I wish the club all the best for the future! ? #YJB
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WILLIAN STATS
Here is what the Brazilian has brought to the table this season for Chelsea.
Arsenal are set to benefit from his services after reports he has agreed a contract with the North London club.
- Games played 36
- Minutes played 2601
- Goals 9
- Assists 7
- Dribbles completed 65
- Dribble success 65%
- Crosses 78
- Passess 1188
- Duel success 57.9%
WRITTEN IN HIS WILL
Willian is joining Arsenal on a three-year deal, according to reports.
The Chelsea winger is walking away from the club at the end of his contract and will join the North London club for a £100,000-a-week deal.
ESPN claim the transfer is imminent and he will follow David Luiz to the Emirates.
KEPABILITIES
Frank Lampard faces a tough choice against Bayern Munich – to play Kepa or not to play Kepa.
The Spaniard has been hard at work in training in a bid to convince his manager he is ready for the Champions League second leg.
The flying keepers! ? #CFC #Chelsea
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BACK AKE
Chelsea had a 72-hour window to bid for Nathan Ake after Manchester City offered £41million for the ex-Bournemouth defender.
The Dutchman, 25, completed his move to the Etihad after signing a five-year deal.
Pep Guardiola moved quickly to sign Ake after the Cherries were relegated to the Championship.
But Manchester United and Chelsea both had doubts over the Dutchman’s lack of physicality, according to the Athletic.
It is cited as the main reason why neither Frank Lampard nor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were interested in moves for Ake.
REGUILON LATEST
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Real Madrid’s Sergio Reguilon, according to reports.
It is no secret the Blues are trying to sign a left-back and Frank Lampard‘s side have been strongly linked with Leicester star Ben Chilwell.
But the Foxes demands of £80million plus for the England ace may have made a move impossible and caused the West London side to look elsewhere.
ESPN reports the negotiations to bring Reguilon from the Bernabeu to Stamford Bridge are at an advanced stage with just the finishing touches required.
Reguilon, 23, has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Sevilla under former Los Blancos and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui.
TRIPLE THREAT
Chelsea are apparently using Antonio Rudiger, Timo Werner and Michael Ballack to convince Kai Havertz to join the club.
The Blues want to land the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker for less than his £90m asking price.
According to the Bleacher Report, current Chelsea centre-back Rudiger, new signing Werner and club legend Ballack have all been trying to help the deal along.
Werner and Rudiger both play with Havertz for the Germany national team, as did Ballack who also cut his teeth at Leverkusen.
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS
Chelsea have moved a giant leap closer to signing Ben Chilwell – and perhaps a pigeon step nearer to recruiting Kai Havertz.
These two would surely cost more than £100million between them – bolstering the arrival of Frank Lampard's other main targets, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
The Blues are said to have made a real breakthrough in their bid to prise England left-back Chilwell from Leicester.
Nonetheless, they are also thought to be well-placed in the hunt for a much cheaper back-up option in Real Madrid's Sergio Reguilon
Germany attacker Havertz is available for Bayer Leverkusen's Europa League clash with Rangers tonight.
So if Leverkusen risk playing him, many will see that as a dent in Chelsea's hopes of recruiting the 21-year-old.
Speculation is mounting that the Blues would be willing to pay £60m for Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Gimenez.
That compares to the 25-year-old Uruguay star's reported release clause of £110m.
Meanwhile, Arsenal still seem sure to land Chelsea winger Willian 31, on a three-year deal.
KAI'S NOT THE LIMIT
Ilkay Gundogan has described Kai Havertz's potential as “unlimited” as the German starlet gets set for a move to Chelsea.
Leverkusen are desperate to get the best out of the attacking midfielder in what would surely be his last few games for Bayer in the Europa League, starting tomorrow night in their second leg against Rangers.
The Manchester City ace told Bild: “I expect great things from him. Kai’s potential is unlimited, there are no limits.
“He brings a lot with him, and now it’s up to him to show off this enormous talent.
“He has this calm and serenity on the ball, and is a prudent type on the other side.”
PARTNER IN GIME
Chelsea hope around £60million could secure their top defensive target – Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.
Attacking options have benee boss Frank Lampard's apparent focus so far.
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech might soon be followed in by Kai Havertz.
But a tough centre-back like Uruguay star Gimenez and possibly a new keeper are also on the agenda.
And the Blues want Atletico to sell the 25-year-old for way below his £110m release clause.
KAI CAN FACE GERS
Kai Havertz's future is in the melting point
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz says Chelsea's top remaining target CAN playin Thursday's Europa League second leg against Rangers.
That's despite Germany attacker Havertz seemingly indicating he is keen on a move to a Premier League giant.
Chelsea have yet to agree a fee for the 21-year-old.
So it is unsure if Leverkusen would play him and risk injury.
BLUE ALL OUR DOUGH
Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for TEN big-name first-team stars this summer – but could make an £84million LOSS.
Frank Lampard is open to the concept of selling around £300m of talent this month.
Here are the players at risk
CLICK HERE TO READ SUNSPORT’S IN-DEPTH PIECE ON CHELSEA’S FIRE SALE
NOT ON BORU'D TIME
Borussia Monchengladbach star Matthias Ginter added: “Of course I heard of the enquiries and was flattered by this attention.
“But I’ve said often enough how good things are for me in Gladbach.
“The current team has great potential and the coach has brought a huge added value for us.
“The club is in the process of building something with the great fans and the environment.
“I also have big goals with the club and of course I’m still tied into a contract.”
CHELSEA TARGET GINTER GLAD TO STAY
Chelsea transfer target Matthias Ginter says he is “flattered” by their interest – but has ruled out a summer switch.
The Borussia Monchengladbach defender confirmed the Blues had enquired about his availability this summer.
Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard has already raided Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for star striker Timo Werner.
And he is desperate to conclude a deal for Ginter's fellow German top-flight star Kai Havertz of Bayer Leverkusen.
But Ginter says he has no interest in moving to London and is content staying in his homeland.
Ginter, 26, who helped Gladbach qualify for next season's Champions League, said: “I’m definitely staying in Gladbach.”
STILL GUNNING FOR WILLIAN
Arsenal remain in pole position to sign Willian with the Chelsea winger reportedly telling friends he wants to become a Gooner.
Barcelona and Inter Miami are said to be competing with the North London club for Willian, who also has a contract extension on the table from Chelsea.
An agreement with the Blues has not been ruled out yet the Brazilian's priority is securing a three-year deal.
Out of contract at the end of the month, Willian has now informed friends of his preference to move.
The Mirror believe Arsenal to be the 31-year-old's preferred destination, as it will also keep his family settled in the capital.
David Beckham's new MLS club Inter are thought to have offered the winger the highest salary, on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
TELLES STILL ON LIST
Despite Chelsea reportedly making good progress in their pursuit of Ben Chilwell, they are still thought to be looking at cheaper alternatives for the left-back berth.
But Manchester United are said to have joined the Blues in monitoring Porto's Alex Telles.
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