Chelsea open talks for Lacroix, Cucurella urges Fernández to Madrid
Chelsea have made contact over Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup, but the 22-year-old is prioritising a club in the Champions League. Benfica value him at around €40m, his deal runs to 2028 with a €100m clause, and a new contract to 2031 has been offered.
Ex-Chelsea coach Christophe Lollichon says incoming goalkeeper Mike Penders has “very good potential”, praising his maturity, positioning and proactivity, while noting he must improve with his feet after a Strasbourg loan.
Mykhailo Mudryk is appealing his four-year ban for testing positive for meldonium at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with no hearing date yet set. Even if reduced, he is expected to be down the pecking order and could go out on loan, with Chelsea delaying any decision.
Leeds have been urged to keep left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson despite Chelsea interest in a replacement for Marc Cucurella. With three years left on his deal, Leeds are well placed to demand a sizeable fee.
Chelsea are interested in Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, 21, who made 37 appearances and scored twice last season. Real Madrid hold a buy-back and 50% sell-on clause, and Ramon came through their academy, where he worked under Xabi Alonso in 2018-19.
Chelsea have opened talks to sign Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, with negotiations under way over personal terms before moving on to a fee with Palace. The France defender is viewed by Chelsea as their top centre-back target.
Ben Jacobs says Chelsea could sell Alejandro Garnacho at the right price despite not actively listing him. After a poor year, breaking even on the £40m fee looks unlikely, and a left-wing signing remains a priority.
Milan are assessing a loan with option for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson after Bayern declined to buy. He scored 8 Bundesliga goals and 3 in the Champions League last season and could suit Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1.
Reece James named former reserve goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli as his favourite ex-Chelsea team-mate in a BBC Radio 5 Live TikTok, highlighting his influence in the dressing room amid ongoing squad changes.
Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda is set to arrive in London on Saturday to complete his pre-agreed Chelsea move after rehabbing a foot injury at Cobham, aiming for a smooth transition.
A round-up of Chelsea signings made after World Cups, including Enzo Fernández’s £107m move after 2022, and arrivals such as Mateo Kovacic, Juan Cuadrado, Diego Costa, Ramires, Fernando Torres, Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Khalid Boulahrouz and Marcel Desailly.
Reece James “felt something” in England’s draw with Ghana and will be checked before facing Panama. From a Chelsea perspective, there is hope he is rested to avoid aggravation, with separate reports noting confirmed interest in Marco Palestra and Jacobo Ramon.
A West Ham fan pundit urges the club to emulate Chelsea’s Cole Palmer example by signing Amario Cozier-Duberry from Brighton to find value and impact in their Championship rebuild.
Marc Cucurella has publicly urged Enzo Fernández to join him at Real Madrid, with Chelsea valuing the midfielder at around £120m. Chelsea are on the verge of announcing Marco Palestra, while Como are interested in Trevoh Chalobah.
Chelsea are described as “obsessed” with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and have worked on a deal for some time, but the attacker would prefer Arsenal. A fee could exceed £100m, with mixed form noted last season.
Chelsea are demanding £75m for Malo Gusto amid interest from Manchester City, and would only sell if their valuation is met. The defence is overstocked and a deal has been agreed for Marco Palestra. Gusto recently featured in France’s 3-0 World Cup win over Iraq.
Cesc Fàbregas has praised Marco Palestra as “one of the surprises of the season”, highlighting his strength and performances when Cagliari faced Como in a 1-1 draw. Compliments from Gian Piero Gasperini and Luciano Spalletti are also cited.
Chelsea’s talks with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix and interest in Adam Wharton may involve discussions over Josh Acheampong moving the other way, though Xabi Alonso views the defender as ‘untouchable’ for his back three.
Como are monitoring Trevoh Chalobah’s situation after he made 47 appearances for Chelsea last season. As a Cobham graduate, any fee would count as pure profit, with Chelsea weighing FFP considerations ahead of Xabi Alonso’s first season. He is valued at around €40m.
