23.15pm - Romano confirms Perisic interest
Fabrizio Romano confirms what I said about Ivan Perisic last week, that Chelsea are interested. He’s now making a decision on his future.
23.10pm - Then The Daily Mail drop theirs!
Again, much of the same really as they’re using the same briefing. However, they claim Thomas Tuchel wants four new defenders. Assuming they’re including full backs in that.
23.00pm - The Times turn to drop their transfer report
Same as the rest really, but they name Thomas Tuchel’s three top targets as:
Jules Kounde, Josko Gvardiol, and Declan Rice!
16.47pm - Right on cue, Jacob Steinburg of The Guardian with HIS report on summer plans
Amazing, the owners aren’t even in the doors officially yet and we’re having all these detailed reports on summer plans!!
But anyway, here’s Steinburg’s report:
“Boehly’s group is determined to hit the ground running and intends to show Tuchel its ambition is to help Chelsea catch Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
“Chelsea’s first signing is expected to be the Sevilla centre-back Jules Koundé, and they are also interested in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. Other names on Chelsea’s shortlist include Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez. They are also huge admirers of Torino’s Gleison Bremer, though Internazionale are favourites to sign the 25-year-old Brazilian.
“Tuchel will also look at strengthening his midfield
“Much will depend on how much Chelsea can raise through sales. Kepa Arrizabalaga, the No 2 goalkeeper, is available for the right price and Tuchel’s hopes of upgrading his attack could rest on whether buyers are found for Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, who has two years on his deal.
“Chelsea’s attack has lacked consistency and Tuchel wants new forwards. He is monitoring Raheem Sterling, who has a year on his deal at Manchester City and could seek a new challenge. Chelsea are also interested in Christopher Nkunku, although it will be hard to convince RB Leipzig to sell the prolific 24-year-old this summer. Lille’s Jonathan David, Benfica’s Darwin Núñez and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé, who is out of contract, are other targets. Tuchel would love to sign Robert Lewandowski but the Bayern Munich striker wants to join Barcelona.
“Chelsea could end up needing to raise money by selling their 20-year-old forward Armando Broja, a key target for West Ham. The owners will look to hand improved contracts to Mason Mount and Reece James.”
- Jacob Steinburg.
15.32pm - Boehly has ‘big ambitions’ in the transfer market
According to BBC Sport, the new Chelsea owners want to take a more strategic and data-led approach to their recruitment, such as is in place at clubs like Liverpool, and have pledged to invest £1.75bn in Chelsea over the next 10 years. They have "big ambitions" in the transfer market.
15.20pm - Chelsea preparing announcement
Also from the article below, Matt Law claims that Todd Boehly has received confirmation on the final clearing of his takeover from Government, the Premier League AND Europe, with Chelsea now preparing an announcement.
This is BIG NEWS!
14.33pm - Chelsea’s new era - Another Matt Law (Telegraph) report
More from Matt Law today:
“Thomas Tuchel has not scheduled any holiday as he bids to get straight to work on Chelsea’s new era under the Todd Boehly-led consortium.
“Tuchel has remained at his home near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground to immerse himself in transfer meetings and how Boehly and his consortium want to plot their way through the start of the club’s post-Roman Abramovich era.
“Chelsea’s new owners will allow Tuchel to rebuild the squad in his own identity - just as Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp have done.
“Players such as Marcos Alonso, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Ross Barkley and Kenedy will all be open to moves if Chelsea receive bids.
“The Boehly group, which includes season ticket holders Daniel Finkelstein and Barbara Charone, have been hugely impressed by the way Tuchel has dealt with the impact of the restrictions that were put on Chelsea as part of the sanctions placed on Abramovich.
“They also rate him as one of the very best head coaches in the world and want to allow the German to redirect all of his energy and focus into football and his squad, rather than having to deal with issues surrounding global or club politics.
“Fans can expect more dialogue from the board under the Boehly regime.”
- Matt Law.
12.00pm - Tuchel wants to address squad deficiencies
According to James Robson of The Evening Standard, Tuchel has warned Boehly he faces an impossible job to catch up to Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in one summer, with serious investment required just to replace outgoing defenders.
Thomas Tuchel is growing increasingly frustrated with Chelsea’s enforced inactivity in the market and wants to address deficiencies in his squad.
11.57am - Perisic also still on the cards
According to Corriere della Sera, Juventus are unwilling to table a major contract offer for Ivan Perisic, with Chelsea and Newcastle serious about bringing him to England.
11.55am - Colwill in U21s
Levi Colwill has been named in the England U21s squad for their European qualifiers next month.
11.53am - Koulibaly noise keeps bubbling
According to Corriere dello Sport, Chelsea ‘remain in the window’ to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, who has an initial valuation of €40m’.
10.10am - Marina and Buck to get windfall
According to The Times, Marina Granovskaia will earn £20m for her part in the Chelsea sale, and Bruce Buck will earn £30m.
Lucky them. Bloody heck.
9.13am - Nizaar Kinsella of Goal with his ‘£200m’ update
“Chelsea now intend to model themselves on Liverpool, who have managed to compete with Manchester City for Premier League titles by making signings specifically suited to their manager's footballing philosophy.
“It is understood that Thomas Tuchel could be handed up to £200 million in his transfer budget, but that figure is targeted after player sales.
“It is understood that Boehly's camp are concerned by the amount of expiring contracts among the playing staff. The new owners are desperate to ensure that neither Mason Mount nor Reece James are tempted to quit Stamford Bridge, given that they are not on the kind of lucrative salaries that their talent merits.” - Nizaar Kinsella.
8.03am - Catching up on some other late news from last night
Matt Law of The telegraph’s transfer article (I’ll write more on this later today):
Thomas Tuchel will be given £200m to spend this summer. He will prioritise the defence. But as well as this, he could also try to sign a new midfielder, whilst also making it clear he needs to look at the attack.
“Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that Chelsea will have to act quickly and decisively in the transfer market. Boehly, who spoke to the German and the squad after the final-day victory over Watford, is determined to do just that.
“The new Chelsea owners reportedly want to mark the end of the Roman Abramovich era by giving Thomas Tuchel a clear signal they are serious about Chelsea making ground and eventually catching Manchester City and Liverpool.” - Matt Law.
Emma Hayes win deserved award!
The LMA WSL Manager of the Year award goes to Emma Hayes! Unreal achievements from Hayes, who is consistently showing her sheer quality.
7.20am - Government approve Chelsea sale!
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