Welcome to Absolute Chelsea’s live blog where you can follow the latest Blues news as the transfer window comes to a close on Thursday at 11pm (BST).
Chelsea have already made six summer signings and are set to add more with the imminent arrival of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City. He will join Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabriel Slonina (returned to Chicago Fire on loan), Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Cucurella at the club.
Outgoings have also been confirmed - Romelu Lukaku (loan), Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi (loan) have all departed, while Emerson Palmieri and Ross Barkley have also been offloaded.
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Talks remain ongoing for incomings and more departures, with developments expected on the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with hope still there for Anthony Gordon of Everton and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, although Frank Lampard looks to have confirmed Gordon's future at Everton.
As the deadline gets closer, Absolute Chelsea has you covered with all of the news as it happens.
Here’s all the latest Chelsea news and transfer news on Wednesday 31st August 2022 as the deadline edges closer (refresh for updates):
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THAT'S IT UNTIL DEADLINE DAY.
Thanks for following. We'll see you tomorrow.
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22:12 - Talks remain ongoing for Aubameyang
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As per Di Marzio, Chelsea and Barcelona are 'defining the swap deal' - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea, and Marcos Alonso to Barcelona.
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20:50 - Barcelona turn Chelsea's bid for Aubameyang down
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20:44 - More defensive midfielder news
Claims in Holland state that Chelsea have made contact with PSV about Ibrahim Sangare.
Update at 21:06 - It is expected that PSV will sell, at most, one of Ibrahim Sangare or Cody Gakpo before Thursday night.
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19:59 - More on Edson Alvarez bid
David Ornstein reports than the €50 million offer was lodged on Wednesday after an approach was made, with Chelsea look to add to the midfield following injury and fitness problems.
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19:57 - Gvardiol bid ruled out
As reported by Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea have decided against making an offer for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol but will continue to monitor him should Leipzig decide to sell one day - could return as early as January. Man City also huge admirers.
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19:26 - Aston Villa make Conor Gallagher enquiry
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19:07 - Chelsea make €50 million offer for Ajax star
As per claims by Mike Verweij, Chelsea have made a big money move for Edson Alvarez. He has demanded Ajax enter into talks with the Blues.
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17:56 - Big Aubameyang news
Claims for Spain suggest Chelsea have withdrawn their offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang!
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16:35 - Thomas Tuchel fined for post-match comments about Anthony Taylor
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16:24 - Leao, Zakharyan, Gvardiol, Aubameyang updates
The Times report Chelsea are in talks to sign Rafael Leao and Arsen Zakharyan after they were told that a deal for Neymar is not possible. They want to sign a midfielder and striker before Thursday's deadline.
A deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in the balance, while Chelsea are also trying to sign Frenkie de Jong. They are also trying to complete a £75million deal for Josko Gvardiol, which would see him return to RB Leipzig on loan.
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15:33 - Chelsea make new Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang offer
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have made a new offer of Marcos Alonso plus cash. It's now up to Barcelona. All parties want to reach an agreement in the next hours.
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15:12 - Fofana and Gordon latest
As reported by David Ornstein, Wesley Fofana to Chelsea is £69.5 million fixed, no add-ons. They also value Anthony Gordon at no higher than £40 million. They have no interest in going beyond that for the Everton forward.
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15:01 - Brighton close in on Billy Gilmour
As reported by The Telegraph, Billy Gilmour is closing in on a permanent move to Brighton. He is not currently part of Thomas Tuchel's plans at Chelsea.
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14:50 - All the reaction from Wesley Fofana's arrival
The 21-year-old penned goodbye to Leicester City and revealed the conversations he had with Reece James on Instagram ahead of his move to Chelsea.
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REACTION: Todd Boehly and Chelsea owners react to Wesley Fofana's arrival
Todd Boehly: "We are delighted we were able to bring one of Europe’s most exciting talents to Chelsea and further strengthen that area of our squad, both for this season and many more to come."
Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano: "He is a player who can make an impact on the squad immediately, while at his age he will only improve further going forward."
More reaction here.
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QUOTES: Wesley Fofana offers delight at signing for Chelsea
"The two last days have been really big days for me and I’m very happy. I trained this morning with the team and it’s a dream for me. I’m very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club.
"I’m here win trophies – the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, everything. I came here to win and the club is built to win trophies so I’m here to continue that."
Click here to read more.
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OFFICIAL: Wesley Fofana signs seven-year contract with Chelsea
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13:24 - Time given for Wesley Fofana announcement
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13:18 - Wesley Fofana to Chelsea announcement imminent
As reported by John Percy, Leicester City will receive a guaranteed £70 million plus substantial add-ons which are achievable from Chelsea for Wesley Fofana.
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12:50 - Todd Boehly to continue Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talks
Despite the Barcelona forward suffering a fractured jaw, Chelsea are pushing ahead with a deal for Aubameyang. Todd Boehly will continue talks over a £20 million deal, according to The Telegraph.
He is the club's primary target now a deal for Wesley Fofana has been completed.
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12:46 - Chelsea offered chance to sign Neymar from PSG
Claims from the Daily Mail: Chelsea have been offered an incredible deal to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
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12:33 - Baba Rahman joins Reading on a season-long loan
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12:23 - Chelsea turn Ajax down again for Hakim Ziyech
Ajax went back in for Hakim Ziyech today, but the answer from #Chelsea to the requested loan deal was, again, no, according to Mike Verweij.
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12:16 - More on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Dharmesh Sheth: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is out for three weeks with a minor fracture of jaw sustained in attack. He can resume non-contact training next week. Chelsea aware and sympathetic, and his injury isn’t expected to impact potential transfer as talks continue.
Nathan Gissing: He also sustained serious injuries to his ribs. He underwent medical checks yesterday to learn extent of injuries. Chelsea still hoping to land Aubameyang.
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11:00 - Inter Milan explore Marcos Alonso move but Barcelona move priority
Fabrizio Romano reports Inter Milan approached Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso's agents on Tuesday to explore a potential move. But he's waiting for Barcelona after agreeing personal terms with the Spanish side.
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10:56 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea update
As reported by David Ornstein, intensive talks will continue today between the clubs. No agreement has been found yet, but a compromise is expected to be found on the player side if club's can agree a fee.
The deal has been complicated by Aubameyang suffering a broken jaw when intruders broke into his home which is expected to be out for a number of weeks.
A loan option is now also being discussed as talks continue ahead of Thursday's deadline.
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10:34 - Cesar Azpilicueta has delivered his verdict on Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Southampton
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WITH JUST OVER 36 HOURS TO GO, WHERE DO CHELSEA LOOK IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW?
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09:20 - Xavier Simons set for Championship loan
As reported by Nizaar Kinsella, Xavier Simons is on the verge of joining Hull City on a season-long loan deal amid interest from AFC Wimbledon. It is hoped he will undergo a medical on Wednesday.
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WHAT FRANK LAMPARD SAID ABOUT CHELSEA TARGET ANTHONY GORDON'S FUTURE AT EVERTON
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08:54 - Chelsea fans fuming with Christian Pulisic after Southampton defeat
The 23-year-old was seen heading straight down the tunnel after the 2-1 defeat against Southampton while the rest of the squad headed over to the away end to the travelling support.
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08:32 - Tottenham Hotspur in talks to sign Hakim Ziyech
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, according to claims in Spain, and talks are reportedly ongoing between the two clubs ahead of Thursday's deadline.
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08:31 - Ethan Ampadu set for Italy
Fabrizio Romano reports Ethan Ampadu will travel to Italy on Thursday to complete his move to Spezia. There will be no option to buy, it is a straight loan deal.
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08:30 - Morning Round Round Up
- Frank Lampard is confident of keeping Anthony Gordon amid Chelsea interest after the deadline passes. He said: "I’m very confident (he’ll be our player come the end of the transfer window). "Deadline (to decide to sell him) has passed. He’s too important a player, he’s shown his worth. What good would it do us to do anything with Anthony now?"
- ESPN: Frenkie de Jong is set to stay at Barcelona barring anything remarkable
- Various: Key meeting scheduled for Wednesday between Chelsea and Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Wesley Fofana is set to be unveiled as a Chelsea player on Wednesday
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours
