Chelsea transfer news: The striker search continues following Lukaku bid rebuff

Chelsea are rumoured to have had a €100m bid plus a player exchange involved rejected by Inter Milan for the return of striker Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge.

It has been a window of contrast for the Blues of London when taking last summer and this summer into comparison. Thomas Tuchel and the Chelsea committee have been doing most of their work by selling players or getting loan deals done for them.

Some of the deadwood and others who want regular first-team minutes have left with little to almost no movement of any newcomers besides the arrival of ex-Fulham goalkeeper, Marcus Bettinelli, who joins the club on a free transfer.

Top stories from West London

Chelsea’s striker search

Chelsea’s biggest and most prominent links have been with two of the most wanted strikers in Europe; these two being the formidable, Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku and a return to England has never quieted down since him leaving the Premier League and the two clubs named have always been the Blues and Manchester City. However, Pep has his sights set on another target, the other number 9 at the peak of his powers, Harry Kane.

Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge

Not much has changed since the reported bid submitted by the Blues to Sevilla last week, which involves Kurt Zouma heading to Spain in the opposite direction. As of now, negotiations continue between the EPL and La Liga outfits.

This, in return, has lead to speculations over German centre-back Antonio Rüdiger’s future in West London and if the addition of Kounde could see the departure of both, Zouma and Rüdiger.

Timo Werner – It’s now or never for the German forward

The search for a proper number 9 only continues because Werner’s maiden Premier League showing was far from desirable and has left question marks over his stay at the Bridge.

He has been linked with a summer exit despite only being at the club for a season. On Sunday we got a preseason taste of a London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, where the latter came away with the victory.

During this victory, Werner once again, came up short with the goods. No goals were scored by him during his 45 minutes on the pitch, causing more concern over the new season ahead and should the manager go with him as the main striker option.

Tammy Abraham is still on his way out

Arsenal, Aston Villa, and West Ham have all been heavily linked with a Tammy Abraham transfer. Thomas Tuchel has never been a fan of the Englishman and a summer exit is the most likely event to transpire.

The Villains are looking to re-sign Abraham and hope they can conclude a deal for him before the weekend. Despite them being confident in landing the striker, other reports believe Arsenal will win the race for Tammy, with the price tag set at £40m for him.

West Ham are looking for more firepower up top and relying on the injury-prone Michail Antonio all season is not an option – also not having replaced the departed Sebastien Haller has them in a frantic search for a new hitman to lead the line.

All English Premier League

Chelsea done deals

Joined the club [1 player]

Marcus Bettinelli [Fulham] Free

Left the club [19 players]

Willy Caballero [released]
Jamal Blackman [released]
Pierre Ekwah Elimby [West Ham]
Fikayo Tomori [AC Milan]
Izzy Brown [Preston]
Levi Colwill [Huddersfield] Loan
Nathan Baxter [Hull] Loan
Charlie Wiggett [Newcastle]
Billy Gilmour [Norwich] Loan
Victor Moses [Spartak Moscow]
Juan Castillo [Birmingham] Loan
Olivier Giroud [AC Milan]
Marc Guehi [Crystal Palace]
Lewis Bate [Leeds United]
Myles Peart-Harris [Brentford]
Dynel Simeu [Southampton]
Ian Maatsen [Coventry] Loan
Conor Gallagher [Crystal Palace] Loan
Tino Livramento [Southampton]