CHELSEA'S summer plans can officially get underway with the Todd Boehly takeover finally being confirmed.
But that could spell trouble for England international Mason Mount as his future at the club is no longer secure.
And SunSport can exclusively reveal that new Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is monitoring his situation.
Elsewhere, Barcelona have reportedly RULED OUT a move for Bayern goal-machine Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Tuchel has been backed to lure the Poland international to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Blues could have to strike a deal without transfer chief Marina Granovskaia who is set to LEAVE the West London outfit according to reports.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the Stamford Bridge…
- James Colasanti
Sterling 'should avoid Chelsea move'
David James says Raheem Sterling would be better off staying at Manchester City rather than joining Chelsea.
England winger Sterling has been linked with a move to the Blues or Real Madrid.
Former Three Lions No 1 James, 51, told GGRecon: "[He should] stay at City!
“It is a testament to how well Raheem Sterling has done that he has been linked to two massive European champions.
“You do question – given how soon the World Cup is, and what can happen with a move with Manchester to London for example – whether that adjustment could affect form.”
- Kealan Hughes
Morning, Chelsea fans
The Blues are rated favourites for Jules Kounde – but face losing up to four defenders to Barcelona.
Sevilla's France centre-back Kounde, 23. is also wanted by Arsenal.
But Chelsea's need is greater – along with their bargaining position after Todd Boehly's £4.25billion takeover.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are in pole position for Antonio Rudiger.
Barca and Juventus, though, are also keen on the out-of-contract central defender.
Barcelona are still being linked even more strongly to Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
That, however, means the Blues could have leverage for their interest in Barca's USA full-back Sergino Dest.
And Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is reportedly set to LEAVE in August
Atletico Madrid transfer guru Andrea Berti is tipped to replace the 47-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues poised to oust transfer chief Granovskaia
Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is set to LEAVE Stamford Bridge in August, according to reports.
The 47-year-old is set to be replaced by Atletico Madrid transfer guru Andrea Berti, report German paper Bild.
News of Granovskaia’s potential exit follows Todd Boehly’s £4.25bn takeover being completed.
The Russian first joined the Blues in 2010, before becoming a member of the board three years later.
- Ian Tuckey
Romelu eyes Inter return
Romelu Lukaku has reportedly agreed a sensational return to Inter Milan less than a year after re-joining Chelsea.
The west Londoners forked out a club-record fee of £97.5million to bring the Belgium international back to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Lukaku, however, has found himself on the outskirts of Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI due to his poor form.
And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the striker is on the brink of sealing a return to the San Siro.
They claim the Serie A giants have reached an agreement to pay Lukaku’s £6.39million wages in a loan deal.
Lukaku, 28, is said to have 15 days to convince Chelsea’s lawyers to accept the proposal.
- Ian Tuckey
Ben's Hot date
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell has been spotted hand-in-hand with stunning TV star Holly Scarfone, writes GIACOMO PISA.
The pair were pictured looking close just days after SunSport exclusively revealed Chilwell had ended his fling with Lewis Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend, model Camila Kendra.
Chilwell, 25, and Holly, 23, were seen linking hands in Los Angeles, where the England international is currently holidaying.
They grabbed dinner at the plush Nice Guy restaurant before moving on to party at luxury nightclub Bootsy Bellows.
Model and influencer Holly shot to fame after appearing on season three of the hit Netflix show Too Hot To Handle, which aired earlier this year.
She made it to the final of the programme with co-star Nathan Soan, but the couple split up shortly after exiting the show.
Brunette beauty Holly boasts over 700,000 followers on Instagram.
- Ian Tuckey
Saka and Emile on PFA shortlist
THE PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced with a number of top Premier League stars nominated.
Chelsea‘s Reece James will be rivalled by fellow England international and Premier League winner Phil Foden.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have also been nominated.
On-loan Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been recognised, as has Aston Villa‘s Jacob Ramsey.
Foden is the frontrunner, having picked up his fourth Prem crown.
The 22-year-old made 28 Prem appearances this term, scoring nine and assisting five. Across all competitions, Foden reached double figures in both goals and assists.
Should Foden win the award again, he will join Dele Alli in being one of only five players to have won the award in consecutive seasons. Ryan Giggs did it at United in 1993, Robbie Fowler in 1996 and Wayne Rooney a decade later.
- Ian Tuckey
PFA shortlist revealed
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
- Ian Tuckey
Cheeky Devil?
Lazio could duel Manchester United for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The ten-cap England star, 26, has revived his Blues’ career this season under Thomas Tuchel.
But new United boss Erik ten Hag has been linked with a move.
And Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport says ex-Blues’ chief Maurizio Sarri is ready to rev up his interest in a reunion with Loftus-Cheek, who might cost at least £17million.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea lead Kounde hunt
Chelsea head Arsenal and other European giants in the hunt for Jules Kounde, Spanish outlet Sport claim.
Barcelona could take centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen from the Blues – and perhaps even wide defenders Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
So backline reinforcements will be central to Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel's summer plans.
And Sport suggest the Blues are 'working' on a deal for Sevilla's France star Kounde, 23.
Credit: AFP
- Ian Tuckey
Blues' Dest intentions
Chelsea could rev up their interest in Sergino Dest – as his club Barcelona want Blues' defenders Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Holland-born USA star Dest, 21, who has 17 caps, joined Barca from Ajax in 2020.
- Ian Tuckey
Bit of a Con…
Chelsea have hailed their 22-year-old England stars Reece James and Conor Gallagher for making the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist.
But midfielder Gallagher, a loan sensation with Crystal Palace, has yet to play a senior game for Chelsea.
And his future remains in doubt as he'll surely want regular football next term to strengthen his bid to make Gareth Southgate's squad for this winter's World Cup in Qatar.
- Ian Tuckey
Ron in, Son out for top PFA gong
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
- Ian Tuckey
Jesus deal 'back on'
Arsenal could again be nearing a £51million swoop for Gabriel Jesus.
Manchester City's Brazil striker has shot back into transfer speculation today.
And that's not just because Prem champs City have signed fellow frontmen Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
Rodrigo Oliveira of Radio Gaucha told Calciomercato Arsenal are ‘very close’ to signing the 25-year-old- as they line up a 'great offer' for the Sao Paulo-born superstar.
- Ian Tuckey
Lazio ready to fight Utd for Loftus-Cheek
Lazio could duel Manchester United for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The ten-cap England star, 26, has revived his Blues' career this season under Thomas Tuchel.
But new United boss Erik ten Hag has been linked with a move.
And Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport says ex-Blues' chief Maurizio Sarri is ready to rev up his interest in a reunion with Loftus-Cheek, who might cost at least £17million.
- Ian Tuckey
Jorginho and Emerson face Argentina
Chelsea's Italy stars Jorginho and Emerson Palmieri are set to take on Argentina at Wembley in the 2022 Finalissima.
They could face PSG superstar Lionel Messi plus Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso.
- Ian Tuckey
Reece battles Saka and Emile for PFA gong
THE PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced with a number of top Premier League stars nominated.
Chelsea's Reece James will be rivalled by fellow England international and Premier League winner Phil Foden.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have also been nominated.
On-loan Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been recognised, as has Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey.
Foden is the frontrunner, having picked up his fourth Prem crown.
The 22-year-old made 28 Prem appearances this term, scoring nine and assisting five. Across all competitions, Foden reached double figures in both goals and assists.
Should Foden win the award again, he will join Dele Alli in being one of only five players to have won the award in consecutive seasons. Ryan Giggs did it at United in 1993, Robbie Fowler in 1996 and Wayne Rooney a decade later.
- Ian Tuckey
Holly not Too Hot for Chilwell
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell has been spotted hand-in-hand with stunning TV star Holly Scarfone, writes GIACOMO PISA.
The pair were pictured looking close just days after SunSport exclusively revealed Chilwell had ended his fling with Lewis Hamilton's ex-girlfriend, model Camila Kendra.
Chilwell, 25, and Holly, 23, were seen linking hands in Los Angeles, where the England international is currently holidaying.
They grabbed dinner at the plush Nice Guy restaurant before moving on to party at luxury nightclub Bootsy Bellows.
Model and influencer Holly shot to fame after appearing on season three of the hit Netflix show Too Hot To Handle, which aired earlier this year.
She made it to the final of the programme with co-star Nathan Soan, but the couple split up shortly after exiting the show.
Brunette beauty Holly boasts over 700,000 followers on Instagram.
- Ian Tuckey
Granovskaia set to be replaced by Atletico transfer guru
Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is set to LEAVE Stamford Bridge in August, according to reports.
The 47-year-old is set to be replaced by Atletico Madrid transfer guru Andrea Berti, report German paper Bild.
News of Granovskaia’s potential exit follows Todd Boehly’s £4.25bn takeover being completed.
The Russian first joined the Blues in 2010, before becoming a member of the board three years later.
- Etienne Fermie
Lukaku chasing Inter return
Romelu Lukaku has reportedly agreed a sensational return to Inter Milan less than a year after re-joining Chelsea.
The west Londoners forked out a club-record fee of £97.5million to bring the Belgium international back to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Lukaku, however, has found himself on the outskirts of Thomas Tuchel's starting XI due to his poor form.
And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the striker is on the brink of sealing a return to the San Siro.
They claim the Serie A giants have reached an agreement to pay Lukaku's £6.39million wages in a loan deal.
Lukaku, 28, is said to have 15 days to convince Chelsea's lawyers to accept the proposal.
- Etienne Fermie
Chelsea duo nominated for award
Reece James and Conor Gallagher have BOTH been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The duo join Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Emile Smith Rowe and Jacob Ramsey on the shortlist.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 9.
James' younger sister Lauren has also been nominated for the Women's Young Player of the Year gong.
- Etienne Fermie
James backs Sterling Chelsea transfer
David James has backed Chelsea target Raheem Sterling to flourish at Stamford Bridge.
The former England star told GGRecon: "With regards to Chelsea, I mean this is a testament to how well Raheem Sterling has done, linking him to Real Madrid and Chelsea; the two massive European champions in recent years.
"Manchester City, Chelsea, or Real Madrid wouldn’t do Raheem Sterling any harm for playing in the World Cup.
"You do question, given how soon the World Cup is, and what can happen with a move – like with Manchester to London, for example – there might not be the external adjustment that could affect form.
"He’s an experienced player so you would like to think that he would handle that. If there is a move and it is to Chelsea or Real Madrid, it shouldn’t be a problem for Raheem.
"He’s more than capable of doing the performances on the field. It’s a pat on the back for Raheem."
- Etienne Fermie
James nominated for award
Chelsea Women starlet Lauren James, sister of Reece, has been nominated for the PFA Women's Player of the Year award.
The forward featured 12 times for Emma Hayes' side during the 2021-22 campaign.
She played just six times, all from the bench in the WSL, but has made the shortlist for the prestigious award.
James, 20, has been nominated alongside Tottenham's Jess Naz, Manchester City's Lauren Hemp, Man United star Ella Toone, Arsenal's Frida Maanum and Brighton's Maya Le Tissier.
- Etienne Fermie
Kurt Zouma avoids jail
Disgraced ex-Chelsea star Kurt Zouma has today avoided jail after he admitted kicking his cat “like a football” across the kitchen.
Zouma admitted two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, while a third was left to lie on the file by prosecutors.
His brother Yoan, who appeared in the dock alongside him, pleaded guilty to one charge under the Act after filming the vile clip.
Both men escaped jail when they were sentenced today at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
Zouma was handed a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work, while his brother was also handed a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Both were banned from keeping cats for five years and will be fined £8,887.
They faced up to five years in jail after the law around sentencing for animal abusers was toughened last year.
Sentencing, District Judge Susan Holdham said: “Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.”
- Etienne Fermie
Chelsea stars in international action
Jorginho and Emerson Palmieri are both set to be in international action tonight.
The Italian duo will take on Argentina at Wembley in the 2022 Finalissima.
They will take on an Argentina team featuring Lionel Messi – as well as Spurs duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso.
- Etienne Fermie
Blues ace in Barca trouble
Financial Fair Play rules are reportedly preventing Barcelona from registering Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
Christensen, 26, and Kessie, 25, are both set to join the club on free transfers from Chelsea and AC Milan respectively.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, both deals are already agreed and completed.
But, FFP rules are preventing registration.
In spite of the issue, Barcelona have offered a guarantee to both players suggesting that their moves will still go ahead.
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