Soonsup-Bell to leave Chelsea
Highly rated Chelsea striker Jude Soonsup-Bell has decided to leave the club and is expected to find pastures new this month.
As reported by Standard Sport in November, Manchester City had opened talks with the 19-year-old who has made just one senior appearance.
Many English and European clubs have looked at the forward, who joined Chelsea as an Under-13 from Swindon Town and made his senior debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup last season.
Tottenham make contact over Porro and Edwards
Tottenham have made contact with Sporting Lisbon over a double deal for Pedro Porro and Marcus Edwards.
Spurs are known to hold a long-standing interest in right-back Porro and are believed to want to bring former starlet Edwards back to north London.
Per Portuguese newspaper Record, talks have already been initiated between the two clubs, though Sporting apparently want to be paid the release clauses of both players – €45m for Porro and €30m for Edwards.
However, such demands are said to be frustrating Tottenham, despite their ability to get the latter at effectively half-price.
Chelsea sent message over Enzo Fernandez deal
Here is more from an angry Schmidt on Chelsea’s seemingly ill-fated pursuit of Enzo Fernandez:
“Enzo, we don’t want to sell him, nobody wants to sell him at this club,” he said. “Everybody knows he has a clause in his contract and, of course, if the player wants to leave and somebody comes and pays the clause we cannot work against that and so then maybe we will lose the player.
“There’s a club who want our player, they know we don’t want to sell the player, they tried to get the player on their side and they know that they only can get this player when they pay the clause so it’s a very clear situation.”
He added: “First of all Enzo is a very good boy and a fantastic football player. We like him a lot and, of course, we want that he stays at Benfica.
“Of course, the situation for him is not so easy because he played the World Cup, he became world champion, he got offers, and there’s a lot of money on the table.
“In this situation as a young player you think about that, [it can] confuse you a little bit. I think that everybody can understand but, nevertheless, he’s a very good boy.
“He was not there last week, he had no permission to go to Argentina. He missed the training so that is not acceptable [and] that’s why it will have consequences.”
Chelsea blasted over Enzo Fernandez talks
In case you missed it yesterday, Benfica boss Roger Schmidt is furious with Chelsea for their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.
It appeared this week as if a blockbuster transfer for Argentina’s young World Cup-winning midfielder was now just one step away, yet talks have since collapsed with the Portuguese club demanding that his €105m release clause is met in full.
Chelsea, meanwhile, want to spread the cost of the deal, a proposition dismissed by Benfica chief Rui Costa.
Schmidt clearly feels such an approach is disrespectful and having a damaging impact on Fernandez, who is set to be disciplined by his current club after taking an unsanctioned trip back to Argentina.
“What the club is doing who wants Enzo, it’s disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing,” said Schmidt.
“To make the player crazy, and then to pretend they can pay the clause and later they want negotiate I think is not what I understand about a good relationship between clubs who maybe want to discuss about the player.”
Man United to announce Butland signing
Manchester United are set to announce the signing of Jack Butland today.
The former England goalkeeper will head to Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace on a loan deal for the remainder of the season as back-up to first-choice David de Gea.
Butland’s services have been sought after Newcastle made the surprise decision to recall Martin Dubravka from his season-long loan at the club last week, with interest from Leicester.
The 29-year-old will join Tom Heaton as competition from De Gea but has yet to play a single match this season, with his deal at Selhurst Park due to expire in the summer.
Chelsea boost in Mudryk fight with Arsenal
The Mykhaylo Mudryk saga continues, with the presence of Shakhtar’s top brass in London this week fuelling further daily rumours regarding Arsenal and Chelsea.
It appears that club legend and director of football Darijo Srna’s movements on Thursday have led many to believe that it is the injury-stricken Blues who are now firmly in the driving seat for the signature of Ukraine’s budding superstar.
The Croatian was spotted dining with Willian in a London restaurant yesterday – a player who represented both clubs during his career but surely still holds a much greater affinity for Chelsea despite now turning out for rivals Fulham.
It is worth noting that former Arsenal, Shakhtar and Croatia striker Eduardo was also present at the dinner, however.
Srna was then later seen in the stands at Stamford Bridge last night as Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in the Premier League.
Man United to battle Tottenham for Disasi
Manchester United are reportedly pondering a move for Monaco’s Axel Disasi.
With Benoit Badiashile now having completed his £33m switch to Chelsea, the 24-year-old is the latest French defender from the principality to be commanding significant transfer attention.
Tottenham and West Ham have also been credited with an interest in Disasi, who remains under contract at the Stade Louis II until 2025.
However, the Daily Mail claim that United are weighing up a possible deal for Disasi amid ongoing uncertainty over Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford.
Arsenal plot huge Declan Rice bid
Arsenal are on the trail of West Ham star Declan Rice, the latest reports suggest.
The England midfielder is highly sought-after by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United and is expected to finally depart the London Stadium this summer after rejecting new contract offers.
However, reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes claim that Arsenal are also ready to battle for Rice and could launch an £88m bid for his services in the summer window.
Badiashile reacts to Chelsea move
Benoit Badiashile has revealed his delight after signing for Chelsea today.
He said: “I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea.
“I’m so excited to start playing for this club. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world.”
And former Chelsea man Cesc Fabregas is certainly a fan of Badashile!
Simeone frustrated over Felix saga
Diego Simeone is desperate for an end to Joao Felix’s transfer saga.
El Larguero de la SER report on the Atletico Madrid boss’ frustration after supposedly being told a decision would be reached quickly.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have turned down a six-month loan deal which would involve paying the striker’s wages in full.
