Chelsea transfers News LIVE: Badiashile bid, Gvardiol talks, Nkunku latest, Kepa replacement

Chelsea target Leeds star as Kepa Arrizabalaga replacement

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to battle it out for the signing of Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

At the age of 22, Meslier is one of the youngest regular starting goalkeepers in the Premier League. To be performing at the highest level at his age is a rarity in his position, so it speaks volumes about the Frenchman’s ability.

A report from Media Foot has now claimed that Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in signing Meslier. There’s been plenty of speculation surrounding the goalkeeper situation at both United and Chelsea.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy could both leave Stamford Bridge in the coming months as Graham Potter looks to make a decision on his goalkeepers.

Chelsea leading race for Declan Rice

Chelsea are reportedly best positioned to secure a deal for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice during the summer transfer window.

The Blues are long-term admirers of the England international, who initially spent time with the Blues academy ranks as a teenager before signing for the Hammers.

Since then, Rice has developed into one of the most highly-regarded midfielders in the world, making a total of 215 appearances for West Ham in all competitions. According to The Athletic, Rice has no intention of entertaining any contract extension and wants to play Champions League football.

Chelsea make £56m move for Jude Bellingham alternative

Chelsea have made a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi who has a £56m release clause.

Transfer insider Simon Phillips has told GiveMeSport that Chelsea have made the first move for Zubimendi ahead of the January transfer window. The report claims that Zubimendi has a £56m release clause in his contract and with a new midfielder necessary for Chelsea, it could be a smart move.

At just 23 years old, Zubimendi has plenty of years left in the game, so at £56m it could be a shrewd long-term investment.

Chelsea have been linked with a host of players leading up to the January transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano confirming to CaughtOffside via his Substack column that Jude Bellingham was a player they could make a move for, but with hefty competition expected, a move for Zubimendi could be more realistic.

Keep or sell? You decide!

Who do you think Chelsea should keep or sell ahead of the January transfer window? Decide now!

Graham Potter on Chelsea January plans

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, Graham Potter hinted that the Blues may struggle to find the correct solutions in the January transfer window.

“What I would say is that historically the January window isn’t so straightforward to find solutions,” he said.

“From my perspective, there was an extreme period and I would not want to make too many drastic assessments based on that extreme period. I think the team, as I see it, has not functioned as maximally as I would like it to and I think it can do.

“The job of a head coach is to focus on the ones that are here and make them better. There is room for improvement there, for sure.”

West Ham’s Declan Rice stance explained

Chelsea are likely to have to wait until the summer to secure a deal for West Ham United and England midfielder Declan Rice with the east London club standing firm on not allowing the 23-year-old to depart in the January transfer window.

The winter window opens next Sunday and Graham Potter will certainly be keen to see some fresh faces come through the door at Cobham with the Blues eighth in the Premier League, eight points off of fourth place Tottenham who have played one game more than their London rivals.

There is serious ground to be made up already and reinforcements next month will be vital to how the Chelsea head coach fares in his role.

However, should the west London club hope to sign a midfielder next month, they will have to look elsewhere than their long-term target and former youth player Rice who is set to stay at the London Stadium until at least the end of the season.

N’Golo Kante drawn into Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga

Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential move to Saudi side Al-Nassr has raised eyebrows – and the possibility of him being joined by N’Golo Kante has now emerged, as per The Mirror.

Ronaldo is without a club after his Manchester United contract was cancelled on the eve of the World Cup last month. Despite looking to find another Champions League club, the Portuguese international has found a shortage of options and is now reported to be closing in on a move to the Middle East.

The big-money move to Al-Nassr, if completed, would see him land a huge, £175m-a-year deal which would only increase when he moves into an ambassadorial role after his playing career is over. It is a lucrative move, and one which could be made even more appealing by the prospect of being joined by Kante in the summer.

The Chelsea midfielder is set to enter the final six months of his contract in January and could be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Every word Potter said on Bournemouth

Chelsea make a long-awaited return to Premier League action when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Graham Potter has been able to spend a few weeks working with his players in Abu Dhabi during a warm-weather training camp ahead of the match.

Chelsea in talks to sign Monaco star Benoit Badiashile

With Josko Gvardiol’s rising value, Chelsea are considering alternative options for January/next summer, including Evan N’Dika and Piero Hincapie. Badiashile has emerged as the priority at present.

No deal has been agreed between Chelsea and AS Monaco for Benoit Badiashile, but multiple sources believe he will join in the weeks ahead for around £30million