Kovacic left in limbo with time running out for Chelsea to complete permanent deal

Former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri wanted to keep the Croatia international at Stamford Bridge, but his departure may now have changed things

Chelsea have just seven days to make a decision on the future of Mateo Kovacic with the Real Madrid midfielder unsure of where he will be playing his football next season.

Having spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Stamford Bridge, Kovacic could see that deal extended or be signed permanently by the Blues before July 1.

As a source previously reported, Chelsea would be able to circumvent their impending transfer ban if they wish to keep Kovacic due to them already holding his registration from his time with the club last term.

The 25-year-old is yet to hear from the west London outfit, however, and despite having signalled that he would wish to stay in the English capital he has been left in limbo following the coaching upheaval within Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri was keen to keep Kovacic at the club, but the Italian coach's departure to join Juventus means the futures of many players are less clear.

Derby County boss Frank Lampard is being lined up to replace Sarri and return to the club where he holds legendary status as a player, and it is unclear whether he would want to keep Kovacic within his squad.

Mason Mount, who played under Lampard for the Rams on loan last season, has secured a visa to join the Blues on their pre-season tour of Japan, and as such the number of places within the club's midfield has been further limited.

Madrid, meanwhile, are keen to raise funds having spent in the region of €300 million (£270m/$340m) on five players already this summer, including €100m on Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard.

They remain keen on signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United while a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is also on the table, and as such players must be sold to ensure the required finances are in place.

Kovacic is among 13 players who Zinedine Zidane deems surplus to requirements, with Gareth Bale, Isco, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas also set to be moved on if Los Blancos can find buyers.

Inter and AC Milan have both been linked with Kovacic should he not remain at Chelsea, though it is understood that Sassuolo's Stefano Sensi is the midfielder being lined up by former Blues boss Antonio Conte at the former.

Officials from Milan, meanwhile, met with Madrid last week as they too plan a summer revamp following the departure of manager Gennaro Gattuso and sporting director Leonardo.

Kovacic is not the only loanee whose future remains unclear following a spell at Chelsea, with Gonzalo Higuain having disappointed during his time at Stamford Bridge.

With Sarri having taken over at the Argentina international's parent club Juve it has been expected that he would be given a second chance to make an impact at the Allianz Stadium.

The Italian champions have begun talks with his brother and agent, Nicholas, regarding his future, but it seems unlikely it will be at Chelsea.

Source:Goal.com

“I want to go home” – Neymar says he wants to return to Barcelona

Brazilian football star, Neymar has told his current club Paris Saint-Germain that he ‘wants to go’ back to Barcelona, where he should ‘never have left’.

Back in 2017, the 27-year-old footballer swapped Barcelona for PSG in a world-record fee of £198million to become the world’s most expensive player. Now his future with the Ligue 1 champions look like is close to coming to an end following a series of issues between himself and the club.

PSG boss Thomas Tuchel, as report Mundo Deportivo, is said to be exasperated by the ‘problems’ Neymar creates in the dressing room and is not against a potential departure.

The 27-year-old footballer has now made private feelings about wanting a move back to Barcelona, where he admitted he shouldn’t have left.

Neymar is reported to have told PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi: ‘I do not want to play more in PSG. I want to go back to my house, where I should never have left.’

Further to Neymar’s desire to return to the Nou Camp this summer, Lionel Messi wants to see the Brazilian come back, according to El Mundo.

Their report details that the Catalan giants could try to ‘transfer their existing agreement for Atletico Madrid ace Antoine Griezmann’ directly to PSG, in a bid to secure Neymar.

This comes days after PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi took a swipe at Neymar over his behaviour.

Speaking in an interview with France Football, Al-Khelaifi, who took over PSG eight years ago,he said: ‘I want players willing to give everything to defend the honour of the jersey and to join the club project,’ he said in an interview with France Football.

‘Those who do not want, or do not understand, we see each other and we talk to each other.

‘There are of course contracts to be respected, but the priority now is total membership of our project. Nobody forced him to sign here. Nobody pushed him. He came knowingly to join a project.’

Read more at:Yabaleftonline.com

PSG star Neymar doubtful Man United Champions League clash

PSG star Neymar could miss Manchester United's Champions League fixture at Old Trafford next month

The Brazilian suffered suffered a metatarsal injury in Wednesday's cup win over Strasbourg - Marco Veratti is also on the sidelines and might not be fit enough for the epic clash in February Paris Saint Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Brazil star Neymar might not be available for his side's Champions League cracker against Manchester United next month. The former Barcelona winger suffered a metatarsal injury in his right foot during PSG's 2-0 win over Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday. Neymar limped off the pitch in the 62nd minute of the game and his manager feels he might not be fit enough to battle the Red Devils on February 12. 

SunSport reports that the German born tactician will be hoping the world record signing returns to full fitness before their visit to Old Trafford after tests confirmed he damaged his metatarsal. 

earlier reported that Paris Saint-Germain are sweating over Neymar's fitness after following the ankle injury sustained in his side's 2-0 win over Strasbourg 2-0 in the last 32 stage of Coupe de France. A goal each from Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria in either half of the meeting sealed the victory for the Parisians at the Parc Des Princes. The 26-year-old is however doubtful for his side's Champions League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday, February 1


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Emery explains why he left Ozil out of Arsenal squad for West Ham defeat

Gunners boss Unai Emery says leaving Ozil out of West Ham defeat was based on tactical decision 

Main Premier League PREMIER LEAGUESPORTSFOOTBALL NEWSWORLD NEWS Emery explains why he left Ozil out of Arsenal squad for West Ham defeat 6 hours ago 4688 views by  Oluwatomiwa Babalola - Gunners boss Unai Emery says leaving Ozil out of West Ham defeat was based on tactical decision - The Gunners suffered their first defeat to the Hammers since 2006 after this weekend's clash - Arsenal are 5th on the log with 41 points after 22 round of EPL matches Arsenal manager Unai Emery has insisted that leaving Mesut Ozil in his squad that suffered 1-0 defeat to West Ham United 

was based on tactical decision. Declan Rice's lone strike was all the Hammers needed to beat the Gunners in the tough Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. Reports coming from the north Londoners' camp had it that the German star was yet to fully recover from a knee injury he suffered sometime back.

But according to Goal.com, the tactician failed to mention anything regarding the injury, claiming that he has trained normally all week.

He insisted that the midfielder's exclusion was owing to tactical reasons: "I decided the players who are the best for this match. We win with him and lose with him. Not one player is for sale. "He’s working this week normally. Like I said we win with him and lose with him. Today the decision is to come with these players."

This was the first time Arsenal have been beaten away from home by the Hammers since 2006, when Marlon Harewood's 89th-minute strike claimed all three points for the hosts at Upton Park.

Ozil was also left out of the 18-man squad for Arsenal's north London derby defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup back in December, with Emery having insisted on that occasion that it was due to "tactical reasons".

The 30-year-old had missed the Gunners' last three matches due to a knee injury, but confirmed himself that he had had a full week of training and seemingly expected to be welcomed back into the squad.

But Emery instead opted to play Granit Xhaka alongside Matteo Guendouzi in the central midfield area, with Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette playing in support of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Legit.ng earlier reported that Arsenal fought hard to record 2-1 victory over stubborn AFC Bournemouth in their Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium over the weekend. An own goal from Jefferson Lerma and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's strike ensured Joshua King's goal failed to rescue a point for the hosts. However, Germany international Mesut Ozil started the game from the bench and his exclusion from the starting line up has generated a lot of heat after the game.

SourceLegit.ng

Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas completes switch to Monaco and will wear Jersey 44 (Photos)

Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco, in a deal that will run till 2022.  

Fabregas put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Stade Louis II after passing a medical earlier in the day, as he teams up with former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry who currently coaches the team.  

After signing the contract, Fabregas said on Twitter: 'Wow. I’m honoured to announce that I will be starting an exciting journey with this wonderfully historic Club. @as_monaco will be my home for the next 3.5 years and I cannot wait to start this new challenge.”

The club’s vice President Vadim Vasilyev also said: 'we are very pleased to welcome to AS Monaco Cesc Fabregas, a world-class player and a great professional, whose arrival demonstrates the ambition of the club. This is obviously a very good technical reinforcement for the team but we are convinced that his experience at the highest level will bring a lot to our players on and off the field”.

SourceLindaikejisblog

Barcelona reportedly plot loan move for Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata this month

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata could be nearing January transfer move to Barcelona 

- The forward has netted five times in 16 Premier League appearances this campaign - His deal however hinges on Denis Suarez joining English topflight side this month Barcelona are reportedly plotting a January transfer move for Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata as Luis Suarez back up. Having suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Levante in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey encounter on Thursday night, the Catalans are condemned to sign a striker this month. The Blues outcast however remains the favourite candidate to seal a move to the Camp Nou during the winter transfer window. 

Morata has managed to score seven goals in all competitions for the Stamford Bridge side this campaign and the Blaugrana are willing to sign him regardless.

The Spaniard arrived at Chelsea in 2017 from Real Madrid in a deal worth £60 million but has failed to live up to his billing at the club. Spanish news outlet SPORT reports that Barcelona want to strengthen their attacking line and provide cover for hitman Luis Suarez, who has 12 times in 17 league matches this season. But, Morata’s return to the Spanish League rests on Barca star Denis Suarez going the other way with Arsenal in contention for his signature but are unwilling to pay the £10m asking price for the 26-year-old.

Meanwhile, Gunners boss Unai Emery will hope to sign the star on loan, though that does not suit Barcelona or Morata.

The Spanish League giants will only get the chance to sign the former Los Blancos forward if they also sell a couple of players this transfer window. Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are other La Liga teams who have shown interests in signing the 26-year-old on loan.

And according to reports, Morata has held talks with Atletico with a deal suiting the Spaniard as he still has friends and family in Madrid having spent five seasons in Spain’s top flight.

Explicitlegit.com earlier reported that Chelsea star Alvaro Morata could be on his way to Barcelona when the January transfer window opens. The Spaniard is said to be unhappy at the Stamford Bridge and could be on his way to the Camp Nou as a back up for Luiz Suarez. He has scored seven goals in 19 appearances for the Premier League side in all competitions this campaign. 


SourceLegit.ng

Chelsea respond to Barcelona’s £50m player-plus-cash offer for Willian

The Catalan club are still interested in signing Chelsea’s Brazilian winger (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have remarkably decided to reject Barcelona’s stunning £50million player-plus-cash offer for Willian, according to latest reports. 

    It emerged on Thursday that the Catalan giants had made contact with Chelsea over a swap deal involving Malcom, who they signed for £38m from Bordeaux last summer after failing to land top target Willian. 

     Even though the Brazilian has just turned 30 and only has 18 months left on his contract, The Telegraph report that Chelsea have rebuffed Barca’s offer and do not want to sell.

       The Blues told Barca’s representatives that they value Willian much higher than the proposal put forward to them, with the Liga leaders seemingly still valuing Malcom at the £38m they paid.

  That means Chelsea were effectively offered £12m plus Malcom in exchange for Willian.

  Although he is often criticised by fans, Willian is considered a key player by manager Maurizio Sarri and he is reluctant to lose any more senior players. 

    

        The club are already likely to lose Cesc Fabregas, while Alvaro Morata is itching to leave England, and Chelsea want to strengthen in January – not let first-team regulars go.

Sarri wants to strengthen in January, not lose key players like Willian (Picture: Getty)

  Barca are actively looking to offload Malcom after the 21-year-old struggled to adapt to life in the Catalan capital.

   

     However, Chelsea made it clear they were not interested in the winger – even if he wasn’t part of a swap deal for Willian – and are happy with their existing options, especially with Christian Pulisic arriving in the summer.

SourceMissiveblog

Batshuayi set for Chelsea return as Valencia end season-long loan deal

Michy Batshuayi only scored two goals in 23 games for Valencia in the 2018-19 campaign 

- Club boss Marcelino insists the La Liga campaigners have lost patience with the Belgian 

The Chelsea striker netted just once in the Spanish topflight as Valencia lost faith in his ability - Club boss Marcelino insists the La Liga campaigners have lost patience with the Belgian Michy Batshuayi is expected back Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge after La Liga side Valencia confirmed they are in discussion to end his loan deal. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 10, Valencia’s sporting director Mateu Alemany confirmed the Belgian forward will be returning to west London this January. Alemany further explained that talks are underway with another club to loan him in the second half of 2018-19 campaign. 

Batshuayi's situation is very clear. We are negotiating the player's exit with various other clubs," Alemany noted. "I expect he will leave in the coming hours or days. The player knows he is leaving, we told him some weeks ago. We hope that, for his sake, this can be resolved as soon as possible. He is leaving and it's now a matter of negotiation,” he stressed. The Belgium forward has struggled for form after netting three times in 23 matches for Valencia across all competitions this campaign 

Main World News WORLD NEWSFOOTBALL NEWSSPORTSPREMIER LEAGUE Batshuayi set for Chelsea return as Valencia end season-long loan deal 5 hours ago 2518 views by  Uchenna Ajah - Michy Batshuayi only scored two goals in 23 games for Valencia in the 2018-19 campaign - The Chelsea striker netted just once in the Spanish topflight as Valencia lost faith in his ability - Club boss Marcelino insists the La Liga campaigners have lost patience with the Belgian Michy Batshuayi is expected back Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge after La Liga side Valencia confirmed they are in discussion to end his loan deal. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 10, Valencia’s sporting director Mateu Alemany confirmed the Belgian forward will be returning to west London this January. Alemany further explained that talks are underway with another club to loan him in the second half of 2018-19 campaign. 

"Batshuayi's situation is very clear. We are negotiating the player's exit with various other clubs," Alemany noted. "I expect he will leave in the coming hours or days. The player knows he is leaving, we told him some weeks ago. We hope that, for his sake, this can be resolved as soon as possible. He is leaving and it's now a matter of negotiation,” he stressed. The Belgium forward has struggled for form after netting three times in 23 matches for Valencia across all competitions this campaign. And on Tuesday, Valencia boss Marcelino was furious with Batshuayi’s performance after a poor 45 minutes that helped Sporting Gijon claim a 2-1 win in their Copa del Rey 2-1 tie. During the encounter Batshuayi failed to convert from a glorious chance and was subbed off at half-time. "I think we have to get in some strikers. I've clearly run out of patience with certain individuals," a furious Marcelino said moments after the game. "We could have gone in front in the first minute. It was the best opportunity I have seen us create for six months. If you can't even get a shot in on target you are not fit to play in the Primera Liga for Valencia

"I don't make substitutions to send signals to anyone - I make them based on the performances I see. On the effort and the commitment, on everything that I see. I set out to be fair, and I make changes starting from that point,” he submitted. 

Main World News WORLD NEWSFOOTBALL NEWSSPORTSPREMIER LEAGUE Batshuayi set for Chelsea return as Valencia end season-long loan deal 5 hours ago 2518 views by  Uchenna Ajah - Michy Batshuayi only scored two goals in 23 games for Valencia in the 2018-19 campaign - The Chelsea striker netted just once in the Spanish topflight as Valencia lost faith in his ability - Club boss Marcelino insists the La Liga campaigners have lost patience with the Belgian Michy Batshuayi is expected back Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge after La Liga side Valencia confirmed they are in discussion to end his loan deal. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 10, Valencia’s sporting director Mateu Alemany confirmed the Belgian forward will be returning to west London this January. Alemany further explained that talks are underway with another club to loan him in the second half of 2018-19 campaign. 

 "Batshuayi's situation is very clear. We are negotiating the player's exit with various other clubs," Alemany noted. "I expect he will leave in the coming hours or days. The player knows he is leaving, we told him some weeks ago. We hope that, for his sake, this can be resolved as soon as possible. He is leaving and it's now a matter of negotiation,” he stressed. The Belgium forward has struggled for form after netting three times in 23 matches for Valencia across all competitions this campaign. 

 And on Tuesday, Valencia boss Marcelino was furious with Batshuayi’s performance after a poor 45 minutes that helped Sporting Gijon claim a 2-1 win in their Copa del Rey 2-1 tie. During the encounter Batshuayi failed to convert from a glorious chance and was subbed off at half-time. "I think we have to get in some strikers. I've clearly run out of patience with certain individuals," a furious Marcelino said moments after the game. "We could have gone in front in the first minute. It was the best opportunity I have seen us create for six months. If you can't even get a shot in on target you are not fit to play in the Primera Liga for Valencia. PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone' "I don't make substitutions to send signals to anyone - I make them based on the performances I see. On the effort and the commitment, on everything that I see. I set out to be fair, and I make changes starting from that point,” he submitted. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Michy Batshuayi is now set for Chelsea return after being slammed by Valencia coach Marcelino Toral over poor performances. Since joining the Spanish La Liga club on loan from Chelsea last summer, the 25-year-old striker has not been impressive scoring only three goals in 23 games. On Tuesday, January 8, Valencia coach Marcelino was forced to substitute Michy Batshuayi after missing a sitter in their Copa del Rey loss to second-tier Sporting Gijon.

Source:https://www.legit.ng