Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews that you could have missed featuring Murillo, Liam Delap and Yan Diomande…
Striker Liam Delap is reportedly being tipped for a departure from Chelsea this summer, according to transfer outlet CaughtOffside and multiple sources tracking the forward’s situation, with several clubs across the Premier League said to be monitoring the 22-year-old’s future.
Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer for a fee believed to be around £30 million, has struggled to find the sort of consistent goalscoring form that many expected following his promising stint in East Anglia.
With his struggles in front of goal a real issue for the Blues, speculation is mounting that the West London side could be open to proposals for the England Under-21 international if the right deal materialises.
CaughtOffside’s report says Manchester United are among five top-flight clubs who have kept Delap on their radar, alongside Newcastle United, Everton, Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion — underscoring the broad interest in a player still viewed as having significant untapped potential.
CHELSEA’s forward ranks have become increasingly crowded under manager Liam Rosenior, who has additional options including Joao Pedro and Emanuel Emegha, with some observers suggesting that Delap could benefit from regular first-team football elsewhere to aid his development.
From a tactical perspective, Chelsea’s hierarchy may feel that a sale or loan move could make sense for all parties if a sizeable offer arrives. While Delap’s contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2031, reports suggest the Blues could demand a fee above the £30 million they initially paid to offload him.
Opinion remains divided on whether a move would be the right step for Delap at this stage of his career. On one hand, regular minutes at a club where he is central to the attacking plan — rather than on the periphery at Chelsea — might reignite the striker’s trajectory and preserve his England prospects.
Several pundits argue that a season-long loan to a mid-table side would allow him to sharpen his edge and return to Stamford Bridge ready to compete.
On the other hand, CHELSEA’s interest in fresh striking options — reportedly including other Premier League forwards being scouted — suggests the club are ready to move on and recoup funds for their recruitment efforts.
If the speculation turns into a concrete transfer, Delap could find himself taking the next step in a career that has shown peaks of promise but has yet to consistently deliver at the highest level.
As the summer window approaches, Delap’s situation will be one of several intriguing narrative threads — with his destination, and whether Chelsea can command a strong fee, among the key watchpoints in the broader transfer market.
YAN DIOMANDE FEE SET
German side RB Leipzig have reportedly informed the likes of Chelsea that any move for emerging midfield talent Yan Diomande will require an offer in the region of £80 million, according to sources close to the negotiations.
The 19-year-old Ivorian has attracted growing attention across Europe following a breakout season in the Bundesliga, where his dynamic ball-carrying, sharp defensive instincts and rapid developmental trajectory have positioned him among the continent’s most coveted young midfielders.
With several clubs monitoring his progress, the strongest interest is believed to be coming from Liverpool, who are actively exploring midfield reinforcements ahead of the summer window.
CHELSEA, who have spent the past two transfer cycles rebuilding their engine room, are understood to view Diomande as a long-term pillar capable of fitting into the club’s evolving tactical structure.
However, Leipzig’s valuation represents a significant financial barrier, especially as the Premier League side continue to balance their recruitment strategy with evolving spending regulations.
Sources familiar with the situation suggest that Leipzig are in no rush to sell and consider Diomande central to their long-term project. The club’s model—acquiring, developing and eventually selling top young talent—has generated major profits in recent seasons, but officials reportedly believe the midfielder’s market value could continue to rise over the next 12 months.
For CHELSEA, the question remains whether they are willing to escalate their pursuit. The club have historically avoided entering bidding wars or paying premiums unless a player is deemed transformational, but with increased competition in the Premier League and a desire to refresh the squad under its new structure, such decisions could be tested.
Other top European sides have also been linked to Diomande, though none are believed to have made a formal approach. With the transfer window still months away, the situation is expected to evolve as clubs refine their summer strategies and Leipzig weigh the benefits of retaining or cashing in on their rising star.
For now, the message from Leipzig is clear: Diomande is not on the market—unless someone meets their £80 million demand.
MURILLO KEEN ON CHELSEA MOVE
Chelsea are ready to make a formal offer for Murillo amid growing expectations that the centre-back is very interested in making the move to Stamford Bridge, according to TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League’s standout young defenders, drawing interest from multiple top clubs across Europe after an impressive debut season in English football.
CHELSEA are understood to have prioritised signing a centre-back in January but were unable to secure their preferred targets. The club had tracked promising defender Jeremy Jacquet, only for the teenager to agree a deal to join Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
Missing out on Jacquet has accelerated Chelsea’s pursuit of Murillo, who is seen as a player capable of stepping immediately into the first-team squad, and Murillo’s stock has risen sharply since his arrival from Brazil last year.
His composure on the ball, strength in duels, and ability to break opposition lines with progressive play have made him a key figure for Nottingham Forest. However, with the club battling both on-pitch challenges and financial pressures, a high-value sale this summer is considered increasingly likely.
CHELSEA, meanwhile, view the left-sided centre-back position as a priority area. With the futures of several defenders uncertain and long-term squad planning underway, the club is targeting a younger profile capable of developing under Liam Rosenior while offering immediate depth. Murillo’s age, physical profile, and Premier League experience fit the club’s recruitment strategy.
Talks between the clubs have not yet begun, but Chelsea are reportedly confident they can meet Forest’s valuation, which is expected to exceed £50 million. Forest are prepared to listen to offers but will seek to spark a competitive bidding environment, with interest also coming from clubs in Spain and Italy.
Will Chelsea actually make a formal offer for Murillo?
CHELSEA’s interest in Murillo is logical — and also revealing. The club continues to invest heavily in emerging talent, aiming to assemble a squad built for long-term success. Murillo is tailor-made for that approach. He has already shown he can perform in the Premier League, and his ceiling is high.
The concern, however, is whether Chelsea risk overcrowding their defensive department without addressing more urgent structural issues elsewhere in the squad.
Another young centre-back adds potential, but not necessarily stability. At the same time, if Murillo evolves into the commanding defender many expect him to become, passing on him could prove costly.
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