Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews that we think you guys may have missed over the past 24 hours featuring the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Riley Ebho and Julian Alvarez….
Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has opened up and claimed that Chelsea transfer target Julian Alvarez is a player that is destined to make the move to the Camo Nou, amid all the speculation regarding the future of the Atletico Madrid star.
The Blues would have to pay a big fee if they were to lure Julian Alvarez back to the Premier League, that is according to ex-Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, amid the many reports that Chelsea are still keen on a transfer deal.
Over the past few weeks, it is no secret that have been heavily linked with a move for Julian Alvarez ever since news broke that Spanish giants Atletico Madrid would be open to letting the little striker leave the club during the summer transfer window.
However – CHELSEA are not the only club that is interested in a move for Alvarez at the end of the season, as there are also alot more reports in the media which have claimed that Arsenal are actually leading the chase to sign the forward for a fee of £82 million
But now, According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea are already ‘holding talks’ with Alvarez about a move and the Blues are also ‘ready to move quickly’ for the player, if given real encouragement that his preferred move to Barcelona could be off the cards.
Barcelona captain Araujo is among Alvarez’s many admirers and insists the best players like the Argentine ‘belong’ at the club: ‘He’s a great player; for me, he’s one of the best strikers in the world. You can see the quality he has,’ Araujo told Mundo Deportivo.
‘The best players belong at the best club, which is us. That’s obvious. But it’s not my job to do that or make that decision.’
IcFootballnews Says…
It seems that the future of Alvarez is about to be talked about on a weekly basis, and no-one really knows where he could end up or what move he would like to make should he decide to leave Madrid.
But if Barca really do wants Alvarez, it will be really tough for CHELSEA to get him all signed up that is for sure.
PRICE SET FOR KROUPI
Bournemouth expect to receive a transfer bid of at least £80 million (€93.6m/$100.8m) for the sale of teenage forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who is reportedly a player that Chelsea are very much interested in signing.
Kroupi’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The France U21 international has impressed in his debut Premier League campaign, scoring eight goals in 20+ appearances and ranking among the most efficient strikers in the division based on expected goals metrics.
Bournemouth signed him from Lorient for a relatively modest fee of around £10 million in February 2025 — making his swift impact on the top flight even more remarkable, but his performances have caught the attentions of all the big Premier League sides.
Now, according to the Sun, CHELSEA will need to pay a massive fee of around £80 million if they are to try and get a transfer deal done, although the Blues may want to splash such an amount on the talented star.
Is £80 Million Justified?
From Bournemouth’s perspective, pushing for an £80 million valuation is hardly surprising. The club has developed a solid reputation in recent years for producing lucrative transfers, having previously secured sizeable fees for players such as Antoine Semenyo.
The proposed contract talks that include a “blockbuster” new deal are designed to both reward Kroupi and ensure Bournemouth can leverage maximum value in any future sale.
But from Chelsea’s viewpoint, would spending such a sum be wise? Transfer market valuations by sources like TransferFeed suggest Kroupi’s likely range sits closer to £40m–£50m, with the £80m figure representing the upper end tied to bidding wars.
IcFootballnews Says…
Kroupi’s emergence has rightly catapulted him into the spotlight, attracting interest from elite clubs including Chelsea. While an £80 million headline fee reflects Bournemouth’s belief in his potential and the broader market’s inflationary trends, whether CHELSEA will meet that valuation is an open question.
Financial logic and squad strategy suggest they might prefer a more modest fee or competition with rivals before committing — but in the unpredictable summer transfer market, anything is possible.
CHELSEA ANNOUNCE EBHO DEAL
Chelsea Football Club has taken another stride in strengthening its burgeoning youth setup by securing Academy defender Riley Ebho, who has now officially signed his first professional contract with the Blues.
The 17-year-old right-back — who joined from West Ham United’s academy as a scholar in October — has quickly become a fixture in CHELSEA’s youth ranks and today signed professional terms shortly after celebrating his seventeenth birthday.
Ebho’s journey to Stamford Bridge reflects Chelsea’s increasingly proactive strategy of investing in promising young talent. After leaving the Hammers, the defender swiftly integrated into Chelsea’s Under-18 side, establishing himself as a regular starter in both the Premier League U18 and FA Youth Cup competitions this season. His rapid adaptation to a new environment has not gone unnoticed, with the club’s coaching staff praising his maturity and potential since his arrival.
The defender has already gained valuable experience beyond the Under-18 level. Ebho made his debut for the Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup, showcasing his readiness to test himself against older and more physically mature opposition — a key step in the development pathway honed by Chelsea’s Academy structure.
Ebho’s profile isn’t limited to club football. On the international stage, he has represented England at youth level, having previously featured for the Under-15s, highlighting his standing among the country’s elite young prospects.
Though still in the formative stages of his career, his involvement with England youth teams underscores the potential for future international recognition.
The Blues posted on the club website: ‘Ebho, 17, officially joined the Blues as a scholar from West Ham United in October and has established himself as a regular in our Under-18s side.
‘He has featured in the Under-18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup this season, while making his Under-21s debut in the Premier League International Cup last month.
‘Congratulations, Riley.’
IcFootballnews Says…
We have seen CHELSEA sign up so many of their talents over the past few months, so the news that Ebho has now agreed his first contract with the club will not be a shock to many that have seen the lad play.
This is a very good decision from Chelsea to make and now he needs to work harder than he ever has before.
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