Williams is expected to move on this summerWilliams is expected to move on this summer
Williams is expected to move on this summer | Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea as they prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea are now closing in on their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States, which begins next week. The Blues still have some time to sign players before then, with the early window remaining open until June 10, and players signed before then can play in the Club World Cup.
Liam Delap is one of the players who has been added in time, with the £30million signing set to travel with Chelsea to the States, and Enzo Maresca also seems to want a goalkeeper before the early window slams shut, with more signings expected later in the summer. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Williams blow
Chelsea have been dealt a big blow in their reported bid to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams this summer. Reaching a deal with Athletic Club is not going to be an issue, with an affordable release clause in play, albeit it has to be paid in full.
The issue will be agreeing a deal with Williams himself, and according to Sport, Williams is not keen on a move to Chelsea, or indeed any other English club. It’s claimed the Spain international wants to stay in Spain, and that could fuel fresh links with Barcelona, who are self-confessed admirers of the Basque star.
Chelsea offered attackers
Chelsea are said to have been offered two Bayern Munich players as they search for a winger this summer. "Obviously it looks like we have since decided to push more on Jamie Gittens than any others," wrote reporter Simon Phillips. "Rafa Leao was also mentioned earlier in the Spring but nothing has moved on that.
"And we’ve also heard that Bayern Munich have offered both Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry around to many clubs, including Chelsea. Leroy Sané has also been spoken about at Chelsea due to him becoming a free agent this summer. However, our sources don’t expect us to move on any of those three.
"Chelsea are looking to bring a new left-winger as well as a hybrid attacking midfielder who can play a number of positions. Xavi Simons is a name that was mentioned to me by a good source again today, and obviously there is the noise on Mohammed Kudus now as well as Chelsea’s serious interest in Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze."
Ekitike warning
Micah Richards has relayed a verdict from Thierry Henry on reported Chelsea striker target Hugo Ekitike. “In terms of Ekitike, I’ve spoken to Thierry Henry about him a lot,” Richards told The Rest is Football podcast. “He says he’s not [necessarily] a frustrating player, but one minute he looks amazing and the next minute he doesn’t really do the basics very well.”
Richards added: “But he said if he gets it right and improves then his ceiling could be very, very high. It depends on how they want to play. Do they want a striker who can stretch or they do they want a striker who is going to come to feet and interlink play? Ekitike is not bad on the ball but he’s more of a stretch striker than a [Roberto] Firmino coming in deep and linking play.”
Continue Reading