Chelsea transfer news: Chelsea increasingly confident of Paul Pogba deal

Reports indicate that the Blues have put together a £100m package to sign Pogba and John Stones before the window closes, with the France international accounting for 70% of that.

Jose Mourinho also can offer Juan Cuadrado and Ramires in exchange - with the Serie A champions believed to be particularly keen on the Colombian winger.

Mourinho talked this week about a "window of opportunity" to sign new players - and perhaps he senses that right now, with Real Madrid having bought Mateo Kovacic and Barcelona still serving a transfer ban, is his best chance to beat the competition and land Pogba. If Chelsea can stump up the sums required (in fees and wages) they might have a chance - but that would still seem somewhat unlikely.

Everton defender John Stones will put in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a £35m move to Premier League champions Chelsea.

With reported interest from Manchester United, Chelsea are keen to tie up a deal for Stones, who will need to force the issue to make the move happen.

Although Roberto Martinez is unaware of Stones's intention to hand in a request, it is believed Chelsea have submitted a £35m offer.

The only way this is going to get resolved is if Stones tells Everton that he wants to leave. Going 'on strike' is never going to win him any fans at Goodison but it's the only way this saga will come to an end.

A flurry of bets have seen Paul Pogba’s odds of joining Chelsea plummet dramatically.

The Daily Star reported that the flutters with bookmaker Betfair followed the announcement that Pedro would be arriving in London ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.

“After a flood of bets on Chelsea to sign Paul Pogba, the Blues have been cut from 7/1 to 6/4 favourite,” Betfair football trader Michael Bowers said.

“This market has attracted a huge amount of attention in recent weeks, with all the momentum behind Barcelona and Man City to win the race for the player’s signature.”

Pogba was a headline act when the transfer window sprung open, but has since drifted into obscurity as Europe’s elite appeared to accept his short-term future lay in Italy.

Surely not..? Pogba is just biding his time until Barcelona’s transfer ban is lifted, no?

And yet it sort of makes sense. The Frenchman would be the perfect companion to Nemanja Matic in the heart of the Chelsea midfield, allowing Cesc Fabregas to thrive further up the pitch. Add in that Pogba has unfinished business in the Premier League – following his acrimonious departure from Manchester United – and Juve want Blues winger Juan Cuadrado, and it’s an actual possibility…

If Juventus are unable to seal a deal for Schalke’s Julian Draxler, they will turn their attentions to Juan Cuadrado, claim the Daily Express.

The report adds that Chelsea are willing to allow the former Fiorentina man to leave Stamford Bridge after a disappointing spell in England.

The Blues are on the cusp of signing Barcelona’s Pedro, which could hasten the Colombia international’s exit from the club.

However, Juve will only move for Cuadrado if they fail to seal a deal for Draxler. Draxler’s club Schalke are willing to sell the German international but want €30m up front – a figure Juve are unwilling to meet.

Cuadrado’s move to England has been an unmitigated disaster and it would be best for all parties concerned if the winger made a return to Italy.

Despite his struggles at Chelsea, Cuadrado would still represent a magnificent signing for Juve. He was superb for Fiorentina during his stint there and lit up the World Cup with some truly excellent performances.

If Chelsea do get the Pedro deal done - and that is beginning to look like a formality - then it is surely the end of the road for Cuadrado at Stamford Bridge.

Whether he ends up at Juve is dependent on the Draxler deal falling through but what seems almost certain is that he won't be at Chelsea when the window closes.

Chelsea are set to increase their offer for Everton defender John Stones to £35m while they also want a central midfielder and a reliable forward.

The Mirror are reporting that Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich has agreed with Mourinho's assertion that money needs to be spent following the 2-2 draw with Swansea and Sunday's 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League champions are in a state of shock having picked up only one point from their opening two league games and will act to provide a remedy with a fortnight of the transfer window remaining.

An improved offer for Stones is likely to be their first starting point with the defence that served them so well last season apparently creaking so early in the campaign.

They have also been linked with a £63.9m bid for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain.

Sounds like Chelsea are about to get busy over the next few weeks. There appears little doubt they could do with some quality input to give their squad a lift after such a shaky start to the season. Competition is never a bad thing, and it looks like Chelsea need a quality support act to work with and provide competition for Spain striker Diego Costa. The arrival of Asmir Begovic, Radamel Falcao and Abdul Baba Rahman have only replaced Petr Cech, striker Didier Drogba and left-back Filipe Luis, respectively. It may be imperative for Chelsea to get their transfer policy right in their bid to win back-to-back titles for the first time since Mourinho was at the club in the mid-noughties.

Chelsea are considering a £63.9m swoop for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain, according to various reports.

Chelsea are desperately seeking a new forward to support Spain's Diego Costa, who has struggled for fitness in recent times.

Chelsea have the money, and Napoli will apparently be forced to sell if Chelsea can find the sums to trigger the former Real Madrid forward’s transfer.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also apparently keen on the Argentina striker, who rejected a one-year extension to his contract earlier this month.

Napoli will not be keen to lose Higuain, but may have no option if Chelsea come in with such a whopping amount of money. Chelsea’s inconsistent start to the season in drawing with Swansea and losing at Manchester City may increase their desire to complete a deal for Higuain.

Galatasaray have reportedly rejected a £5 million bid from Chelsea for Brazilian left-back Alex Telles.

Manager Hamza Hamzaoglu says the Turkish side want at least double that figure for the defender.

He said: "We have not received a bid which matches our valuation for Alex Telles."

So Jose Mourinho's search for a Filipe Luis replacement goes on. Chelsea failed to agree a fee with Augsburg for Rahman Baba and Tottenham are unwilling to sell Danny Rose, leaving Chelsea light in the position.

With unrest growing with various on-field and off-field issues at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea could do with a marquee signing to restore the feelgood factor.

Everton appear resigned to losing John Stones to Chelsea as they are linked with another centre-back.

Everton have lined up River Plate's £5.5m Ramiro Funes Mori to bolster their resources at centre-back, claims the Liverpool Echo. With the Toffees also interested in AC Milan's Cristian Zapata, surely that means Stones is on his way to Stamford Bridge?

Not so fast - Everton need reinforcements following the departures of Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin. Chelsea may indeed get Stones if they up their offer - but Everton are already short of personnel and in no hurry to sell.

Chelsea received boosts in their attempts to sign both Baba Rahman and John Stones on Thursday.

German newspaper Bild claims that Rahman actually passed a medical on Thursday, and could have his £14m deal confirmed at any moment.

As for Stones? Everton are reported to be close to sorting out a deal with AC Milan for Christian Zapata - and if they have a replacement, then a sale of Stones could be on the cards.

It's not odd that Chelsea are signing two of the best young defenders in Europe. But it's very, very odd that they've done their business so late, appearing content with their lot for months and yet now ramping up efforts to bring in some new blood. Anyone would think Jose Mourinho had little confidence in his team doctors' ability to keep the squad fit over the course of the season!

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Chelsea are set to complete the £6.7m signing of Brazilian forward Kenedy, after the youngster successfully secured a work permit

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday afternoon that the 19-year-old had successfully received a work permit to make the switch to London, having already impressed for the Blues during their pre-season tour of North America.

Previously linked with both Barcelona and Manchester United, Kenedy will be helped in his adjustment to life in England by compatriots Diego Costa, Willian and Oscar (among many others). Fellow teenager Nathan also signed for the club this summer, although he has already been sent on loan to Vitesse Arnhem.

After looking decent in Chelsea colours during pre-season it always seemed likely that Kenedy would officially become a Chelsea player sooner rather than later. But the news he has been given a work permit will nevertheless delight the club, and now allow them to move on and plot the next stage of his development as they look to turn him into a first-team regular.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is set to join Serie A champions Juventus, according to reports in Italy. The Corriere dello Sport are reporting the Brazilian player is on his way to Turin.

Juventus are also in the market for Schalke forward Julian Draxler, but face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal to land the 21-year-old.

Ramires is apparently out of the picture at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea willing to do business to sell him on before the end of August.

Juventus have been forced to move for Ramires with midfielder Sami Khedira and Kwadwo Asamoah out injured. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has intimated that he is unwilling to flog the Brazilian midfielder, but that hasn't stopped him changing his mind in the past. Especially if they receive good money for the player. Selling Ramires would enable Mourinho to recruit a new midfielder before the end of the window. And create vital space in the champions' squad.

Juventus are set to bid for Chelsea midfielder Ramires, according to the Evening Standard.

Ramires has been on the fringes of the Chelsea team since Jose Mourinho returned to the club, and Juve are said to have been tracking the Brazilian for some time, adds the report.

While Chelsea are not actively seeking to sell the player and Mourinho is an admirer of his versatility, the Blues could be persuaded into doing a deal as the former Benfica man has entered the last two years of his contract.

This move could come down to the will of the player. Chelsea are happy with Ramires’s role within the club. So much so that they offered the Brazilian a new contract at the end of last season but while that remains unsigned, uncertainty will continue over his future.

The question is a simple one: is Ramires happy with a bit-part role at Chelsea? If so, sign the deal.

Atletico Madrid have reportedly turned down Chelsea’s £46 million bid for Spain star Koke, report Marca.

Jose Mourinho was said to also be interested in Koke's Atleti team-mate Arda Turan as he seeks to add further energy to his midfield.

However, having already lost one key component of their midfield in the shape of Turan, the Madrid club are said to be highly unlikely to sanction any move for Koke, Marca report.

Jose Mourinho may see Koke as an upgrade on his current No. 10 of choice Oscar. However, £46m is quite the risk on a player who has no Premier League experience, so a move of this magnitude would be in stark contrast to Chelsea’s current transfer modus operandi.

From Koke and Atletico’s point of view, this move makes little sense. As Kevin de Bruyne, Andre Schurrle and Juan Cuadrado will attest, reputation or transfer fee are no guarantee of a starting spot at Stamford Bridge. Why would Koke elect to move from Atleti where he is the fulcrum of the team to the comparative uncertainty of Chelsea.

Furthermore, Atleti are highly unlikely to countenance the loss of another their midfield stalwarts after the loss of Arda Turan.

Chelsea’s proposed move for Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman has hit a snag, with the deal reportedly pushed back until after the Blues’ season opener.

The Express have suggested the deal will be delayed until after Chelsea’s match against Swansea on Saturday.

Rahman, 21, is expected to provide competition to Cesar Azpilicueta.

Chelsea sold Felipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid earlier in the transfer window, leaving them short in the left-back position.

No need to panic.

Chelsea have ages to wrap up the deal and while it would be handy to announce it sooner, Azpilicueta (aka Dave) can easily hold the position until then. Rahman is not going to wade into the first team upon his arrival - his role is simply to cover injury. The Blues would have to be hugely unfortunate to lose Azpilicueta in their opening match. Plenty of time yet.

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Everton boss Roberto Martinez admits John Stones has been affected by interest from Chelsea.

But the manager has emphasised once again that the Toffees are not a club looking to sell their top players.

There has been talk of Chelsea preparing a third bid for England defender Stones after so far having £20million and £26million offers rejected by Everton this summer.

And asked on Thursday whether the situation had affected the 21-year-old, Martinez said: "Yes, and it is something where you hope you learn from it and you get more mature and those experiences are good experiences.

"Clearly John is one of the outstanding young talents that we have in the squad and you are going to get that sort of interest from the outside.

"But all we are focused on is (Saturday's Premier League home match against) Watford. John is an Everton player and there is nothing else to comment on that."

When asked about the prospect of Chelsea coming back with an improved offer for Stones that Everton would find hard to ignore, Martinez said: "You shouldn't worry about situations you cannot affect or control.

"I said from the beginning - when you are not a club that is trying actively to sell players, the focus is just to try to be as good as we can at the weekend and see how ready we are individually and as a team.

"Everything else is stuff that does not bother me now at all."

The worry is that Stones gets promoted too soon.

He’s looked assured in the Everton defence, but that’s a completely different challenge to playing for Chelsea. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could have benefited from another season at Blackburn and Fulham respectively – hopefully that’s not what we’ll be saying about Stones in a few seasons.

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Baba Rahman has agreed personal terms ahead of a proposed switch to Chelsea, his agent has revealed.

The Augsburg left-back will be expected to provide competition for Cesar Azplicueta, who has the left back spot sewn up following the departure of Felipe Luis to Atletico Madrid.

"It is only the clubs that have to find an agreement,” said agent Sascha Empacher. “We on our side are agreed."

Rahman played 31 times as his side secured a surprise Europa League spot last season.

Yesterday Danny Rose, today Baba Rahman. It's time to just let this one unfold...

Rose represents less of a gamble, although why either player would want to join remains to be seen. Is Jose Mourinho really going to drop Azplicueta? It's highly unlikely - there are few managers in the Premier League who keep a consistent defence as Mourinho.

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Chelsea have made a shock move for Tottenham full back Danny Rose, according to multiple reports.

The Blues were rumoured to be after Augsburg left back Baba Rahman, but it now appears they’ve turned their attention to the young Englishman.

The suggested fee is £15 million, which would surely tempt Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Rose eventually won the battle with Ben Davies for the left back berth at White Hart Lane last season and was expected to continue in that role next season.

It’s rarely straight-forward with Chelsea.

This could simply be a ploy to hurry along negotiations with Rahman. After all, Augsburg have already signed a replacement (Philipp Max from Karlsruhe).

Rose has shown quality going forward, but he’s often looked vulnerable in defence – straying from his intended position, creating space in behind, and allowing opponents a free route towards the Spurs goal. Would represent a big gamble from Chelsea.

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Chelsea target Antoine Griezmann has reiterated his desire to stay at Atletico Madrid.

The French international has frequently been tipped to make a stunning £28.5m Stamford Bridge switch over the summer.

But Griezmann is keen to quash any lingering speculation about his future.

He told Spanish publication AS: "I only think about Atletico.

"I have just arrived at this club and I want to grow even more with Atletico. Therefore my thoughts are fixed here."

It's hard to take many Chelsea transfer rumours seriously - especially the ones which are reported to happen later on in a transfer window.

Griezmann - one of Europe's hottest forwards - would probably end up like Mo Salah and Juan Cuadrado even if he did decide to head to Stamford Bridge. This is surely a complete non-starter, even if there is legitimate interest from Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea are close to wrapping up the signing of the 21 year-old Augburg left-back Baba Rahman for £17.5m.

The Ghana international is set to be Jose Mourinho's second major signing of the summer as the pursuit of a replacement for Filipe Luis draws to a close.

The Brazilian departed for Atletico Madrid earlier this week, and Rahman had been identified as the ideal replacement.

“Both clubs are still working on fine-tuning but we hope the agreement will be finalised soon,” Sascha Empacher, who is the agent of Rahman, told the Guardian.

The deal is thought to be in the region of £17.5 million, after the club had an earlier bid of £14m rejected by Augsburg.

Rahman is highly rated after a superb debut season in the Bundesliga last year. Mourinho is likely to want to groom the 21-year-old into the left-back role with Cesar Azpilicueta thought to be first-choice.