Chelsea Transfer News Today: CRUCIAL Osimhen update, Cucurella WANTS Williams, Calafiori BLOW

Robin Bairner

4 Jul 2024 08:27 CDT
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, Napoli, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Napoli’s asking price for Victor Osimhen means a move to Chelsea has been ruled out.

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The Blues have been linked with a move for the Nigeria international for the past year, but a deal will no longer happen.

According to bombshell news from reliable journalist Marco Giordano, writing for SpazioNapoli, Chelsea are set to drop out of the running for Osimhen.

This has a knock-on impact on Blues striker Romelu Lukaku, who will now no longer depart Stamford Bridge for Napoli, with that door having been slammed shut.

Although Osimhen will not be joining Chelsea, he is still expected to leave Napoli this summer.

READ MORE: Chelsea Transfer News LIVE

Marc Cucurella wants Nico Williams

Chelsea star Marc Cucurella says he is “pushing” for his side to sign Spain teammate Nico Williams and has revealed what makes the Athletic Club winger special.

The winger is available for around €55 million this summer due to a release clause in his contract, but there is uncertainty over where the 21-year-old will end up.

Cucurella believes the Euro 2024 star would be a “great signing” and is eager for Chelsea to make a move.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, the Blues defender said: “He [Williams] is a great player. He is bringing out all his potential. He is a source of pride that he is on our team, that he is our teammate and with players like him everything is easier.

“He would be a great signing, but it all depends on what he wants to do. I'm pushing him to sign for Chelsea. In the end, it all depends on him. He's very young, with a lot of experience, and I think he'll be a great player.”

Riccardo Calafiori blow

Chelsea’s chances of signing Riccardo Calafiori have significantly diminished following news that the Italian is close to joining Arsenal in a €50m deal.

The Bologna defender starred for Italy at Euro 2024 and his performances at the tournament have attracted significant transfer interest.

Chelsea are admirers of the 22-year-old, but he now seems destined to join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal instead.

Calafiori is widely expected to play at left-back if he signs for the Gunners.

Chelsea ‘very keen’ on Johan Bakayoko

Chelsea see PSV winger Johan Bakayoko as a potential summer recruit if they cannot sign Nico Williams, which Football.London says is “very unlikely”, contradicting the report from Spain.

It claims the Blues hold a “keen interest” in the 21-year-old winger, who played twice for Belgium at Euro 2024.

Any deal for Bakayoko would likely lead to the end of Noni Madueke’s time at Chelsea, with the winger having struggled to make an impression since arriving from PSV 18 months ago.

Carney Chukwuemeka release clause confirmed

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Blues youngster Carney Chukwuemeka has a €47m (£40m) release clause in his contract.

“We’ve had many rumours about Carney,” Romano said on YouTube. “What we can say is that there is a release clause in his contract. They signed the player from Aston Villa a year ago and the release clause is there. It is £40m.

“Chelsea are showing no intention to negotiate any other price for Carney. We know the market is always changing, but the position of Chelsea is very clear: they’ve got no intention of accepting loan proposals.

“When they’ve been approached by clubs the answer has always been: no thanks. Chelsea want to continue with Carney. He’s happy at Chelsea and not planning anything else.”

Neil Bath and Jim Fraser depart

Neil Bath and Jim Fraser have both left Chelsea, as first revealed by X account ChelseaYouth.

The report states that both academy stalwarts have departed “amid radical changes to the academy's management structure,” with the news backed by The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano.

Bath joined Chelsea as Academy Manager in 2004, while Fraser was hired as his assistant just one year later.

Together, they helped build and develop arguably the best academy system in world football - one that won five consecutive FA Youth Cup’s from 2014 to 2018.

Joe Shields and Sam Jewell are expected to take over Chelsea’s academy system.