Chelsea news LIVE updates: Maurizio Sarri eyes £40m World Cup winner... swap deal possible

Chelsea news, transfer gossip and updates are coming thick and fast. Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest from Stamford Bridge.

Jorginho is not the problem at Chelsea says pundit

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Friday 14, December

  • Chelsea are tracking Marseille star Florian Thauvin
  • Marseille would accept a fee in the region of £40million
  • Real Madrid could use Isco as a bargaining chip to land Eden Hazard
  • Premier League clubs have been alerted to the availability of Christian Pulisic

Wanted: Florian Thauvin

Chelsea are tracking Marseille star Florian Thauvin.

That’s according to Italian website Calciomercato, who claim Maurizio Sarri is interested in bringing Thauvin to Stamford Bridge.

Thauvin, 25, endured a difficult loan spell with Newcastle in the 2015/2016 season - netting once in 16 lacklustre appearances.

But he’s transformed his career with Marseille and has started this season in impressive fashion with 12 goals and four assists to his name - including a hat-trick against Amiens.

But his exploits have attracted attention from various clubs across Europe including Inter Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

It’s claimed that Marseille would accept a fee in the region of £40million for the French international.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Cesc Fabregas exit

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has fuelled reports that he’ll leave Stamford Bridge in January.

The Spanish midfielder has completed one 90-minute Premier League fixture this season - and is growing tired of life under Maurizio Sarri.

“I know what my role is. Unfortunately it's not the one I want,” Fabregas said.

“I'm keeping it professional as usual. I'm always trying to do my best, in the conditions, playing with the youngsters, playing with the first team, even though this year I still haven't played with the full, full first team one game.

“But, I'm trying to do what I can. It's a difficult situation for me, obviously. I'm playing the cups and the Europa League. I don't give up. I'm not someone who you'll see complaining or not giving his all because of that.

“I'll always be there showing my face when needed and if the time comes the time comes. We'll see what happens.”

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Denis Suarez

Arsenal and Chelsea have made initial steps to sign Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez.

That’s according to Spanish publication Marca via Shoot, who claim the Premier League duo have opened talks to sign the 24-year-old.

Suarez, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City in 2013, has struggled for first-team action under Ernesto Valverde - making just one eight-minute LaLiga appearance this season.

Marca say the London clubs have held discussions with Barcelona, who would reportedly accept a fee in the region of £13million.

No official offer has been submitted ahead of the January transfer window. Valencia and AC Milan have also been credited with interest.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Alvaro Morata latest

Real Madrid are ’nervous’ that Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata could join Barcelona.

The Catalans are eyeing alternative options to Luis Suarez who has sustained a knee injury.

According to RAC1, Morata is being considered - although he isn’t their first-choice - having been offered to them.

Suarez is sidelined for only two weeks after receiving stem cell treatment for the ailment.

But Barcelona do not want to be complacent and appear to be considering a plan B if he doesn’t recover fully.

Morata has had two stints at Real and during his second netted 20 goals in 43 games.

According to Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo, Real are wary of a resurgent Morata pitching up at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: REUTERS)

Eden Hazard swap deal

Real Madrid could use Isco as a bargaining chip to land Eden Hazard, according to reports in Spain.

The Spain international is becoming a headache for Los Blancos bigwigs.

He was an important player during Zinedine Zidane’s time in the Real hot seat.

However, the playmaker has been slipping further down the pecking order.

Rumours have been rife that he is barely on speaking terms with Santiago Solari.

According to Spanish news outlet OK Diario, the former Malaga man wants out and is keen on Chelsea.

Real are reportedly ready to use his interest in the Blues to land their top target Hazard in a stunning swap deal.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Doubtful

Striker Alvaro Morata is a doubt with a knee injury when Chelsea play at Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta and N'Golo Kante are poised to return to the starting line-up after being rested for Thursday's Europa League tie with Hungary's Vidi.

Mateo Kovacic, Gary Cahill and Victor Moses missed the trip to Budapest through injury and are expected to be absent again.

Chelsea provisional squad: Kepa, Caballero, Rudiger, Alonso, Fabregas, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Hazard, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Giroud, Zappacosta, Willian, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Morata, Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Ampadu, Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Christian Pulisic revelation

Premier League clubs have been alerted to the availability of Borussia Dortmund superstar Christian Pulisic, reports claim.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the USA international, whose contract has just over 18 months left.

And the heavyweight trio have received an early Christmas present from chief executive Michael Zorc.

"We will not sell a player in winter who's essential to us achieving our sporting aims, of course," said Zorc told Sport-Bild. "That’s a matter of fact."

But quizzed on whether Pulisic could be sold during the summer transfer window - Zorc refused to completely commit.

"I strongly expect Christian will still be wearing the BVB jersey in February,” he added.

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge (Image: GETTY)

Isco update

Santiago Solari insists Isco has NOT fallen out with the club’s fans amid reports the unsettled star is about to leave and join Chelsea.

Isco was one of a number players brought in as Solari made a host of changes for the shock 3-0 home defeat by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Isco was jeered at the Bernabeu and appeared to react to the home crowd before declining the captain’s armband from Dani Carvajal when the defender was brought off.

Carvajal has since disputed the claims and Solari was equally quick to play down the incident involving Isco and the crowd, claiming he was appealing to match officials rather than gesturing at fans.

"I had the feeling that he was claiming for a corner, or a foul," he said. "I understand the media's work, but ours must be something else.

“Isco is a mature man, a professional, and has given so many things, so much joy to this club.

"Every little thing here at Madrid is given great importance by the media, where there is a lot of hyperbole.

“I understand you have your job to do. But we focus on our own jobs, which is completely different."

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