Chelsea takeover LIVE: Ben Chilwell blasted over tiger video, Ricketts AGREES £1bn future investment – transfer news

Armando Broja catching the eye

AC Milan may make a second attempt to sign Chelsea youngster Armando Broja in the summer, having already shown an interest in him in the past, according to journalist Carlo Pelegatti.

He said: "The hypothesis was that of a loan. In Albania, they are very passionate about Italian football. For Broja, the Milan hypothesis would have been important.

“I’m told the player is valued at £58million. I don’t exclude that Milan could have taken him on loan. As of today, however, Milan is very cautious on the subject: the situation has become complicated.

“The Rossoneri management cannot wait for Chelsea’s corporate evolution: if a new ownership and new managers arrive, Milan could return for Broja."

Rice prefers Chelsea over United

Declan Rice would still prefer a move to Chelsea over Manchester United, despite the uncertainty over what life after Roman Abramovich will be like at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham remain adamant the England midfielder is not for sale and have slapped a £150million valuation on him to fend off interest.

Rice remains committed to West Ham and has never agitated for a move, but top clubs have long tracked his progress and United are among the leading suitors for the 23-year-old.

Chelsea have also had interest in Rice but are unable to buy players after the Government sanctioned Russian owner Abramovich. Even once a sale of Chelsea is completed, it is unclear what their transfer plans will be or the level the new owner will be willing to spend on new players.

Silva still has years left

Thiago Silva has revealed that he hopes to emulate Paolo Maldini and play beyond the age of 40.

The Brazilian defender, 37, recently extended his Chelsea contract by a further season until the summer of 2023.

Silva told Chelsea's media team: “I hope I can do the same thing that [Paolo] Maldini did at Milan, playing until he was 40 or 41 years old.

“That’s my plan for the immediate future and I have prepared myself for that.

“When you’re young, you think you’re a superhero. I’d play one game a day so in terms of recovery it was a lot quicker, whereas now 24 hours seems like no time at all in which to recover.

“You’ve always got to be active and up to speed with the new recovery methods out there. I’ve got lots of things I do at home like physio work, and nowadays I’ve got a better diet than before. You need to fuel yourself well, not with the bad stuff."

Man Utd eye Tammy Abraham

Manchester United have ‘set their sights’ on signing Tammy Abraham this summer according to Il Messaggero.

The Red Devils are interested in bringing Abraham back to England in the summer, despite Chelsea having a buy-back clause in his contract.

The newspaper adds United are ‘monitoring’ Abraham as a potential ‘replacement’ for Cristiano Ronaldo, especially now the latter is 37.

Prospective Chelsea buyer denies claims

Catalina Kim has almost overnight become the centre of attention for many Chelsea supporters.

On Monday, it was announced that Nick Candy had improved his bid to buy the Blues thanks to backing from Kim’s company, C&P Sports.

Kim recently set up a Twitter account and has used her newly found platform to dismiss rumours about her.

She shared her love for Thomas Tuchel and denied accusations she is a Tottenham season ticket holder, saying she lives in Chelsea.

Roman building a new empire

Roman Abramovich is in negotiations to take over Turkish club Goztepe, report Fanatik.

Current owner Mehmet Sepil announced that he left the presidency in Göztepe , but that he would fulfill his obligations to the team until the end of the season.

Abramovich and his representives will meet with Sepil in the next few days, according to the report.

Nick Candy receives bid boost

The American hedge fund which owns AC Milan is among the minority backers of the property developer Nick Candy's takeover bid for Chelsea Football Club.

According to Sky News an affiliate of Elliott Management, the New York-based investor, has agreed to inject a multimillion-pound sum into the London side as part of Mr Candy's offer.

The disclosure comes as bidders for Chelsea anticipate being notified on Wednesday or Thursday whether they have been shortlisted to replace Roman Abramovich as the club's owner.

Elliott is one of the most prominent names in global finance, having earned a fearsome reputation as an activist investor which lobbies for change in the boards of some of the world's biggest companies.

The fund has controlled AC Milan since 2018, although recent reports in Italy have suggested that it may seek to sell the club in the next couple of years, having seen it re-emerge as a powerhouse of European football.

Rudiger demanding huge signing fee

Antonio Rudiger will demand a massive signing-on fee to join Manchester United from Chelsea as a free agent this summer, according to transfer guru Duncan Castles.

He said: “The price that his representatives are asking for is £25million signing-on fee and a basic wage of at least £5m after tax each year.”

United are one of the clubs hoping to snatch Rudiger from Chelsea’s grasp. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also in the mix.

Wright wants Abraham at Arsenal

Ian Wright regrets Arsenal not signing Tammy Abraham from Chelsea last summer.

The England striker instead made the switch to Roma and has since scored 23 goals in all competitions.

Wright said: "Tammy Abraham. The king of Rome.

“The way Tammy has gone over there, he’s lit it up. I couldn’t see Mourinho taking Tammy there and it working like it’s worked.

"We tried to get him Arsenal and when you look at how Arsenal play now, how Tammy is playing, you say to yourself, ‘Mikel, you see the vision!’

“When it was happening you think, ‘Yeah, I could see it happening,’ because he ripped us to shreds (when he played for Chelsea).”

Man Utd lose Tuchel interest

Manchester United have now given up on their efforts to persuade Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to join them in the summer, according to The Mail.

There is ‘a growing acceptance at United that too many stars would have to align for Thomas Tuchel to leave Chelsea while the crisis-hit club are still looking for new owners’.

The report adds: ‘It may take some time for Tuchel’s future to become clear and United want to have the new man in place as soon after the end of this season as possible.’

Chelsea battle for Brazilian star

Former Chelsea star Deco, who is the agent of Leeds United ace Raphinha, is reportedly dealing with offers for his client from Chelsea and Liverpool.

That's according to SPort, who add the representative has informed Barca that his client will not sign a new deal at Leeds and would look to leave Elland Road after this season.

Chelsea have made an approach for Raphinha, but their first focus will be on to sort out the situation at the club

The Ricketts family publish statement

The Ricketts family hoping to buy Chelsea have been forced to release a statement denying they are racist.

Chelsea fans reacted furiously when leaked emails from 2019 appeared to reveal prospective new owner Joe Ricketts saying “Muslims are my enemy”.

They said: “Our family rejects any form of hate in the strongest possible terms. Racism and Islamophobia have no place whatsoever in our society.

“We have developed deep and abiding partnerships with the Muslim community in Chicago, as well as with all communities of colour.

“Respect for diversity and inclusion are central to our family’s values.

“If we prevail in our bid for Chelsea, we commit to the Club and to the fans that we will actively promote these values.”

Hazard to make Chelsea move?

Real Madrid are reportedly keen to offload flop Eden Hazard at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old is linked with an emotional return to Chelsea after spending the last five games in a row as an unused substitute.

Hazard is "confused and frustrated" by his continued omission from the team, including Sunday's 4-0 El Clasico defeat, according to Goal.

The report adds sources close to Hazard vented: "He really wanted to play the game. He's sad. He has never been as fit as he is today in his entire career."

But despite being available for selection, the £103million signing isn't in boss Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

New Chelsea home shirt leaked

Chelsea's new home shirt for the 2022/23 season appears to have been leaked online and it certainly appears like one that could be divisive.

@semihkececioglu seems to have uploaded the first pictures of Chelsea's 2022/23 home kit to Twitter, which will be predominantly one tone of blue, with a henley colour that is just a bit different.

The neckline will be white and turquoise, with the latter colour displaying a pattern across the collar.

The leak is just the latest information to emerge about Chelsea's apparel for next term. The Blues' pre-match shirt has also made its way to the internet. The pattern that covers the shirt appears not too dissimilar to what is hinted at on the home shirt's collar.

Arsenal could sign Chelsea icon

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are confident of beating Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to the signing of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Eden Hazard in the summer transfer window, according to .

The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that both Arsenal and Newcastle want to sign the former Chelsea star, who can also operate as a winger.

Arsenal reportedly believe that Martin Odegaard’s strong relationship with Hazard will convince the 31-year-old Belgium international to move to the Emirates Stadium.

Hazard also enjoyed his time in London when he was playing for Chelsea, and that, according to the report, could sway him towards Arsenal.

Morning, Chelsea fans

The controversial Ricketts family are willing to meet angry Chelsea fans over their controversial bid to buy out Roman Abramovich.

Ex-Blues' winger Paul Canoville has joined supporters saying 'a big fat anti-racism NO' to the bid.

Family patriarch Joe Ricketts posted anti-Muslim comments in 2019.

But leaders of the consortium are reportedly flying in for negotiations and want to address fans' accusations.

Some supporters are also unhappy at the Ricketts owning the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise.

And Cubs' fan Brian Wolff, who is head of Chelsea's Chicago official supporters group, claimed the offer had met with 'universal disdain'.

Global investment firm Centricus are another of the six bidders sticking their head out since the weekend.

They are backing Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel - by promising to 'maintain and support existing management'.

But it's the Ricketts who are under the fiercest spotlight.

Canoville, who as Chelsea's first black footballer faced racism, posted: "I've seen and heard enough. 

"I'm backing Chelsea Supporters' Trust and saying a big fat anti-racism NO to the Ricketts bid."

Fans anger at Ricketts bid

Chelsea have been warned off the Ricketts family’s takeover bid by fans of his Chicago Cubs MLB franchise, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.

Family patriarch Joe Ricketts has already sparked deep concerns among the Blues fanbase, after Islamophobic emails sent in 2012 resurfaced.

Chelsea supporters were appalled last week when leaked emails sent by the 80-year-old emerged featuring a number of disturbing messages including “Muslims are my enemy”.

 claim that more than 20 bids were made to the Raine Group for Chelsea by last Friday’s deadline.

A shortlist of three is expected to be selected imminently, with the Ricketts family confident that they will make the cut.

The Chicago Cubs owners possess the backing of US hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who is worth an estimated £20billion.

Prospective buyers with existing experience of owning a sports team are thought be preferred, putting Ricketts in a strong position.

In 2016, the Ricketts-owned Cubs won their first World Series in over 100 years, but fans have still taken issue with their running of the MLB franchise. And in an open letter, head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club Brian Wolff, who also roots for the Cubs, pleaded for Ricketts’ bid to be rejected.

Ricketts family 'offer to meet Chelsea fans'

The Ricketts family have reportedly offered to meet fans after an outcry over their bid to buy Chelsea.

Many supporters hit out after it was revealed family patriarch Joe Ricketts made anti-Muslim comments in 2019.

Fans also expressed unease at the family owning the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise.

Five other groups appear to be in the running to take over from sanction-hit Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Emerson likely to return to Chelsea

Emerson Palmieri looks set to return to Chelsea next season amid reports loan club Lyon will reject a permanent move.

say ther Ligue 1 club won't activate their rights to first refusal on the Italy left-back.

It appears though that Les Gones will not pursue a permanent deal, if the latest reports are to be believed. According to , they will not attempt to seal his signature.

Dybala tipped to demand £11.5m pay deal

Prem giants might have to match Paulo Dybala’s huge £11.5m wage to recruit him from Juventus this summer.

That's the claim from football.london amid suggestions Arsenal, Spurs and even troubled Chelsea could eye a free transfer move for the former Manchester United target

It's understood Juve's hopes of persuading the Argentina star to agree a new deal have all but ended.

Tammy: Jose's my Uncle of Rome

Roma record-breaking goal scorer Tammy Abraham has admitted he is still "star-struck" by boss Jose Mourinho.

The former Chelsea star was initially unsure if the project at Roma was for him.

But 23 goals later, Abraham says he has "fell in love" with the Italian capital.

On Sunday, the Champions League winner bagged a brace in the derby with fellow stadium inhabitants Lazio.

His goal scoring heroics saw him break club legend Gabriel Batistuta and Vicenzo Montella's 21-goal debut season record.

And he is in awe of manager Mourinho, who he knew from his days in Chelsea's academy.

Abraham said: "I still look up to him as an idol. And I never told him this, but every time I see him I’m still star-struck even though I see him every day.

“When he was at Chelsea, I was there but I was still a young kid. I trained with him a couple of times so I knew what he was like a little bit and since coming here, I call him my uncle of Rome.”

Canoville backs protests over Ricketts

Ex-Chelsea winger Paul Canoville has backed fans' criticism of the Ricketts family bid to buy the club.

The Ricketts' dad Joe sparked protests after racist emails emerged in 2019.

Canoville has now tweeted his opposition to the takeover bid, having faced racism from Blues fans during his 1981-86 Stamford Bridge spell.

The Ricketts are waiting to see if they have made the official shortlist of bids.

But they have continued talks - amid reports they are heading to London for negotiations.

Man Utd have 4 of top 5 Prem earners

Manchester United boast four of the top five earners in the Premier League, according to a study.

The Red Devils may be struggling off the pitch but their financial power is still strong.

Research from respected  shows that they dominate the list of highest-paid players.

The French newspaper released their list of the top five earners in the Premier League on Tuesday.

And four of them currently ply their trade at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo takes home £2.2million a month – or £26.4m per year – making him the best-paid player in England.

That figure is still someway off the £3.4million that his rival Lionel Messi earns at Paris Saint-Germain every month.

Man City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne is the second highest earner with a wage of £1.7m per month (£20.4m a year).