Chelsea Transfer News today: Man Utd in SHOCK hijack attempt, Romano revelation, Lukaku BOMB

6 Jun 2024 12:45 BST
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea had to fight off an unexpected transfer hijack attempt from Manchester United to close out Enzo Maresca’s first signing for the club, according to a report.

Tosin Adarabioyo is set to sign for the Blues from Fulham as a free agent, but the Daily Mail reports that Man Utd tried to make a late swoop to land the centre-back.

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Maresca was a huge part of the reason that Chelsea were able to land the former Manchester City youth, and in any case, a deal was too far along for him to back out.

Adarabioyo’s medical is complete and his signing is now expected to be a matter of time, with the 26-year-old the first arrival of the Enzo Maresca era.

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Dortmund poised to make Maatsen bid

Top transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano says that talks between Chelsea and Dortmund are ready to open for Ian Maatsen.

Taking to X, he said: “Borussia Dortmund's initial proposal for Ian Maatsen will be around €25m, in order to start talks with Chelsea.

“Release clause is £35m [€41m], clubs expected to discuss in the next days.

“Maatsen is BVB’s priority but they need a different price or will consider alternatives.”

© IMAGO - Ian Maatsen, Borussia Dortmund

Huge Lukaku U-turn

Chelsea’s transfer window could be unlocked by Romelu Lukaku seemingly changing his stance on moving to the Saudi Pro League.

Having rejected the opportunity to move to the Middle East last summer, Lukaku is now positively open to a deal according to quotes attributed to him by HLN.

"Saudi Arabia wouldn't stop me. The level will only rise there. To a much higher level than many people think,” he said.

"More and more footballers will tend to play there. The infrastructure needs to be even better, but all the major European top clubs know: 'Saudi Arabia is coming'."

Reports in Italy, meanwhile, suggest that the striker, who is on loan at Roma, is also being closely monitored by AC Milan.

© IMAGO - Lukaku has had a decent season at Roma

Romano speaks out on Gallagher’s future

Fabrizio Romano says that Conor Gallagher’s future at Chelsea continues to hang in the balance.

Tottenham and Aston Villa are both studying the possibility of moving for the central midfielder.

“We know the situation with Conor Gallagher is very open,” Romano says. “There is no advanced negotiation between Chelsea and Gallagher to extend his contract. At the moment, the situation has gone totally quiet. Conor is still really focused on Chelsea, he’s not desperate to leave, he loves the club and would be more than happy to stay.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€33.3M - €55.4M

“There is interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham, who wanted him one year ago. Ange Postecoglou is a big fan of Gallagher.

“Chelsea’s position is clear: they want more than £50 million for him. They are comparing the situation with Mason Mount. They sold him for more than £50m one year ago with a year left on his contract so they see Gallagher in a really similar position. That’s why we have to see if the clubs talk around that amount of money.

“This makes life difficult for other clubs. For example, Atletico Madrid will not pay €60m for Conor Gallagher. This is the current situation around the player who is for sure one to watch.”