Chelsea transfer news LIVE updates: Hazard to Barca claims, Costa swipe, Conte doubts

Chelsea Transfer News LIVE: All the latest updates from Stamford Bridge as Antonio Conte desperately seeks new signings.

Monday August 14

Danny Rose WON’T be sold

09:00: Danny Rose will not be sold despite his public criticism of Tottenham.

Rose stunned Spurs by giving an interview to a national newspaper last week where he hit out at the club.

The 27-year-old suggested among other things that he could be ready to quit Tottenham, insisting he will return home to the north at some point in his career. 

Rose has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea but neither club have yet made an offer.

And the Daily Mail claim Tottenham will not sell Rose during the summer transfer window.

The window slams shut at 11pm on August 31, giving the former Leeds man just over two weeks if he does want to seal a move.

Barkley to take pay-cut

07:45: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is ready to accept a significant pay-cut to join Tottenham.

Barkley, 23, has been told he can leave Goodison Park by manager Ronald Koeman after refusing to sign a new £100,000 a-week contract.

And The Sun claim that he’s willing to take a £70,000-a-week deal instead to join Mauricio Pochettino in North London.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were previously linked with the England international, but its Spurs who remain front-runners.

Virgil van Dijk offer

05:00: Chelsea are reportedly planning a move for Virgil van Dijk this week, reports claim.

Antonio Conte is keen to bring in a proven centre-back and Van Dijk is on his radar.

Their need has become more pressing after their shock defeat to Burnley on Saturday.

And according to the Daily Mail, the Blues will make a formal offer.

It is said they are prepared to spend more than £50million to bring him to west London.

Antonio Conte’s £130m spree

02:30: Chelsea are ready to spend £130million before the end of the transfer window to try to keep manager Antonio Conte happy.

The Premier League champions had a disastrous start to the defence of their title on Saturday as they crashed 3-2 at home to Burnley and had two men sent off.

Conte, who has repeatedly said he needs more players, has been promised three more by owner Roman Abramovich, Express Sport understands, before the deadline on August 31.

“We have a small squad… Everyone can see the situation, not because the coach shouts, ‘I want this’, or, ‘I want this’,” Conte said.

“The situation is very clear. We are trying to improve the situation but, for me and for my players, the best way now is to be focused on the pitch, to work, to try to improve and don’t think of the other situation.”

Diego Costa swipe

00:30: Diego Costa has admitted he’s not expecting Antonio Conte to change his mind and pave his return to Chelsea.

Costa was informed by Conte in June via text message telling him he wasn’t a part of his long-term plans.

And the Spaniard feels like he has been treated like a ‘criminal’ by the club.

“They want me to be there training with the reserves. I wouldn’t be allowed access to the first-team dressing room and I would have no contact at all with the guys,” Costa told the Daily Mail.

“I’m not a criminal! I don’t think it is fair after all I have done to be treated like that.”

Sunday August 13

Neville’s Matic shock

22:50: Gary Neville says he can’t believe Chelsea gifted Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

“You cannot believe Chelsea have given Mourinho a piece of the jigsaw in Matic,” he said. 

“I can’t think of one reason why Chelsea sold him.

“United beat Chelsea to Lukaku and then Chelsea have handed them Matic. They look like the type of players that were needed to correct what was wrong last season, and Chelsea have helped them and had a big influence on that.”

Mourinho on Matic

19:50: Jose Mourinho has admitted his surprise at Chelsea letting Nemanja Matic join Manchester United.

He said: “It depends on what was happening behind the doors [at Chelsea]. I bought him to Stamford Bridge years ago as he has special qualities.

“I always thought he’d be a perfect player for us. I never thought it was possible – until his agent told me he could have him, you just have to pay. He’s a player our team needs.” 

Eduardo exit

15:45: Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Eduardo is looking to leave Stamford Bridge.

The Sun say the arrival of Willy Caballero as Thibaut Courtois’ back-up has frustrated Eduardo.

The Portuguese keeper is concerned he may lose his place in the Portugal World Cup squad.

Chelsea’s mistake

14.45: Frank Lampard thinks Chelsea have made a mistake in selling Nathaniel Chalobah.

The former England under-21 international completed a permanent switch to Watford last month for an undisclosed fee, with some reports claiming it to be worth £6million.

It has been a turbulent summer for Conte at Chelsea and he saw his nine-man side suffer a shock 3-2 defeat to Burnley in their first Premier League game of the season yesterday.

The Italian manager named a number of youngsters on the bench and gave 20-year-old academy graduate Jeremie Boga his first league start for Chelsea.

Chelsea are often criticised for letting too many players go out on loan but Lampard believes the permanent departure of Chalobah is an even worse decision.

“Looking at the number of players gone out on loan, 17 or something, but a lot of them are not near the first team,” Lampard said on BT Sport.

“I’ve seen a lot of them and it’s not a criticism of them, they’re developing as players, they’re not knocking on the door to make a difference.

“There are some there, Boga as I said had a good pre-season.

“Losing Chalobah I think was a mistake. I don’t know quite how it happened, for quite a low price as well.

“(Ruben) Loftus-Cheek, he’s got to take it upon himself this season to show why they let him out and to show he needs to be back there.”

Rahman Schalke return

12.10: Chelsea are in talks with Schalke about taking Baba Rahman on loan for a second successive season.

Rahman made 21 appearances for the German side last term before suffering a season-ending cruciate ligament injury.

Schalke’s sporting director Christian Heidel said: “We are in talks with the player, his agent and Chelsea.

“Ultimately, it is about when Baba will be able to play again. No decision has been made yet.”

Mourinho shocked with Chelsea stance

10.45: Jose Mourinho admits he thought he had no chance of signing Nemanja Matic from Chelsea.

Matic sealed a £40m move to Old Trafford this summer as part of Mourinho’s rebuild.

But the Portuguese was surprised he was given the chance.

“I was not thinking of signing Matic because I never go for players who I think are an impossible mission to sign,” said Mourinho. “I felt that there would be no chance.

“So when I got the call that Matic wants to play for me and wants to play for Manchester United – and that we could make it happen – I thought he’s the perfect player for me.

“When I joined United last year I thought immediately that we needed a Matic. There aren’t many like him. Just a couple. He is one of those players who has no question marks over him.”

Conte pleased with Morata

09.55: Antonio Conte was pleased with Alvaro Morata’s contribution despite Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat to Burnley on the opening day of the season.

Morata came off the bench to score as Chelsea tried to get back into the game.

And Conte thinks the £70m signing will be a huge player this season.

Conte said: “Morata is very important and it’s important that he now adapts himself to our philosophy – today he played a good game with the right intensity.

“Now he has to continue to work with all the rest of our players.”

The Chelsea boss also insisted he was unconcerned by Chelsea’s struggles in the transfer market and stressed he is determined to fight for his players.

Conte added: “We must focus on working very hard with these players. As for the transfer market, the club is trying to do the best. I am not worried, I am ready to fight with these players.

“I repeat: it is important for us to concentrate on our work, to be focused every day in training and to try to work in our best way. No excuses.”

Hazard to Barcelona

08.50: Chelsea will reportedly sell Eden Hazard for £109million, according to shock reports from Spanish outlet Diario Gol.

They claim the Blues are resigned to losing the Belgium international and are prepared to cash in this summer.

Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign the winger ahead of their rivals Real Madrid.

And Chelsea could favour a deal with the Catalan side if it would help facilitate a deal for Sergi Roberto.

Chiesa transfer battle

07.45: Chelsea are set for a battle with Manchester United for Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa.

Reports from Italy have suggested the Premier League duo are going head-to-head for the 19-year-old’ signature.

However, TuttoMercatoWeb claim they face stiff competition from Fiorentina themselves who are keen to tie the teenager down to a new contract.

Chiesa’s current deal with the Serie A side runs until June 2021.

Conte to leave?

07.00: Charlie Nicholas is not convinced Antonio Conte wants to be at Chelsea anymore.

“He handled the Costa situation through the season fantastically well, he showed him who was the governor,” Nicholas said on Sky Sports. 

“‘I’m in charge and you’ll pay later and you can go and sit at home and watch the team this weekend’.

“He handled it well but then after that it’s been such a mess. 

“Whether he feels guilty or whether he really did want to come back to Chelsea, or to England, I’m not convinced of that. 

“He has to convince all the Chelsea fans now.” 

Saturday August 12

Conte wants new signings

Antonio Conte says Chelsea are working hard to bring players in but his happy with his players despite their 3-2 defeat to Burnley.

Conte added: “We must focus on working very hard with these players. As for the transfer market, the club is trying to do the best. I am not worried, I am ready to fight with these players.

“I repeat: it is important for us to concentrate on our work, to be focused every day in training and to try to work in our best way. No excuses.

New Drinkwater bid

Chelsea are preparing to make a second bid for Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

The Blues want another midfielder after selling Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

Tiemoue Bakayoko will miss the start of the season with an injury leaving Chelsea short in the middle.

And Drinkwater, despite being injured himself, is wanted by Antonio Conte.

The Telegraph claim the Blues will make a bid in excess of £25m and will look to make at least three new signings before the window closes.

No Cancelo bid?

Valencia general manager Mateu Alemany has denied any knowledge of Chelsea wanting to sign right-back Joao Cancelo.

The Blues are in desperate need of new signings and Antonio Conte is reportedly keen to add Cancelo to his defensive ranks.

However, Alemany has insisted he has not heard anything from the Stamford Bridge club regarding the 23-year-old.

“I’m convinced we will make four more purchases, but [Ezequiel] Garay is close to a Russian club while I know nothing about Chelsea wanting Cancelo,” he said.