Latest Chelsea News: Chelsea’s pursuit of Rayan Cherki has received a setback as Olympique Lyonnais coach, Laurent Blanc, has advised the young talent to remain at the French club for another year. Cherki, the 19-year-old wonderkid, has recently been linked heavily with a move to Stamford Bridge, as manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to bolster his squad and potentially replace Mason Mount.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sport, Blanc expressed his thoughts on the futures of Castello Lukeba and Cherki. The Lyon boss stated his belief that the duo should stay at the club for another year.
The 57-year-old said, “I tell him [Cherki] to stay one more year in Lyon. Would really mind if he left. It is the same for Cherki. Especially since we made room for them. It would be a little early, but maybe am being a little selfish.”
Latest Chelsea News: Crystal Palace Threatens Chelsea’s Move For Matheus Franca
Chelsea’s pursuit of Matheus Franca has suffered a setback as Crystal Palace has made a bid to hijack the deal for the 19-year-old forward. The talented prospect has been linked strongly with a move to Stamford Bridge as the Blues aim to bolster their squad with some of the world’s most exciting young players.
According to Globo, both Chelsea and Crystal Palace have submitted proposals to Franca’s representatives, with Flamengo expected to make a decision in the coming days. Franca’s representatives reportedly traveled to London earlier this week for talks with both clubs.
Flamengo has set a price tag of €25 million (£21.4 million) for the teenager, potentially including add-ons to meet their valuation. Franca has two options on the table: signing for Chelsea and joining Strasbourg on loan or joining Crystal Palace and competing for a starting position alongside the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
Blow To The Hopes of Signing Harry Kane
The 29-year-old striker, Harry Kane, has dealt a significant blow to Chelsea’s pursuit as he does not intend to agitate his current club, Tottenham Hotspur, even if they reject bids from other clubs, including Chelsea. According to the Evening Standard, Kane’s goal is to leave Spurs on positive terms and he shows no interest in making a controversial switch to Stamford Bridge.
Despite Mauricio Pochettino being in the dugout, it appears that the Argentine manager may not be able to lure the Englishman away from his current club. Kane’s desire to depart on amicable terms suggests that a move to Chelsea may be off the cards, potentially impacting the Blues’ plans for strengthening their forward line.
In conclusion, Saturday’s Chelsea headlines highlight the challenges the club faces in their pursuit of Rayan Cherki, as coach Laurent Blanc advises the talented youngster to remain at Lyon for another year. Crystal Palace has emerged as a threat to Chelsea’s potential signing of Matheus Franca, adding complexity to the transfer saga.
Furthermore, the striker’s reported intention to leave Tottenham Hotspur on positive terms and reluctance to consider a move to Stamford Bridge has dealt a blow to Chelsea’s hopes of signing Harry Kane. These developments pose obstacles for Chelsea’s transfer plans, emphasizing the need for flexibility and alternative targets as they strive to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
