Eden Hazard: West Ham fans wrong about Real Madrid chants

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard scored a brace against West Ham as the Maurizio Sarri side earned the maximum points they needed to move back into the top four.

Whereas Chelsea earned the bragging rights on the night on the field of play, it was the chants of  "he's off to Madrid" from West Ham fans that elicited post match questions to the Belgian captain, 

However, he sought to play down the chants from the West Ham fans, whose chants were aimed at their host. Claiming his focus is firmly on helping Chelsea to finish in the top four and to win the Europa League.

Speaking after the match, 

They're wrong," Hazard told the match host broadcaster.

"Now I'm just focused on Chelsea until the end of season. I want to finish in the top four and do well in the Europa League, and then we'll see."

The 28 year old has just one year left on his contract, and he has continually been linked with a move to Real Madrid. And he has so far not shown any indication of extending his stay at Stamford Bridge beyond 2020, which opens the door for a potential sale in the summer.

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odio hands in transfer request

Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odio has handed in a transfer request as he seeks to push through a move out of Stamford Bridge in the midst of strong interest from Bayern Munich who are the subject of £40m bid.

The Bavarians have publicly indicated their interest in the 18 year old Chelsea academy graduate.

The Chelsea hierarchy are keen to keep hold of him, and have reportedly offered a contract worth in the region of £80,000 a week, but a lack of a guaranteed playing time has become a sticking point.

He has made 14 appearances, five of which were starts this season.

With the signing of 20 year old winger Christian Pulisic for £58m from Borussia Dortmund, a player that features in a similar position, his path to first team football would further be blocked when the United States international joins in the club next season.

With 18 months left in his contract, Chelsea are in a much weaker position in any negotiation.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata passes Atletico medical

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is set to sign an 18 months loan deal with Atletico Madrid after he passed his medical.

The 26 year old told Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri a month ago that he wanted to leave. He has failed to settle at Stamford Bridge and has struggled for form, scoring just 16 league goals in 47 Premier League appearances.

Speaking about his move in Spain, the former Real Madrid and Juventus striker hinted that he was already looking ahead to life outside London.

"The past is the past, and it cannot be changed, and I'm very proud of it,"  

"I am looking forward to everything being completed so I can start training with my team-mates. 

"I began my career at Atletico and the people who know where I come from and know my history know what this means for me."

The Spanish international was signed from Real Madrid for £60m in 2017. After hitting the ground running with a flurry of goals in his first three months in England, he suffered a dip in form after a hamstring injury and has subsequently suffered from a crisis of confidence.

Following the signing of Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus last week, it was widely expected that he would leave West London to Madrid.

Victor Moses joins Fenerbahce from Chelsea

Former Nigeria international and Chelsea winger Victor Moses passed his medical in Istanbul ahead of a proposed loan move to Turkish giant Fenerbahce who are currently languishing in the relegation zone.

Victor Moses has been a virtual outcast under Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. Featuring just five times, with just one start which was in the EFL Cup.

This is his seventh year at Stamford Bridge, but the fourth time he would be going out on loan after previous loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham.

Since his move from Wigan to Chelsea in 2012, he has featured 128 times for the blues scoring 18 goals.

The 28 year old called time on his international career after the World Cup in Russia to concentrate on his club football. 

Instead, it has been a nightmare first half of the season at club level. Apart for some fleeting appearances, he has been left out completely from the squad all season. 

Chelsea confirm signing of Higuain

Chelsea have signed Juventus striker  Gonzalo Higuain on loan for the rest of the season. The 31 year cut short his loan spell at the San Siro with AC Milan to move to England.

He scored just six goals in 15 appearances for Milan, the last of which was over a month ago.

Chelsea have an option of extending the loan spell to the entirety of the 2019/2020 season if they pay a fee of €18m according to a statement by Juventus. 

There is also an option for Chelsea to buy him out right if they pay a fee of €36m at the end of this season.

The Argentine international reunites with Maurizio Sarri whom he played under at Napoli, a combination that gave the former his best season as  player with 36 league goals four seasons ago.

Speaking of his move to Stamford Bridge to the club's website, the former Real Madrid striker said;

When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it," 

"It's a team I've always liked that has a lot of history, a wonderful stadium and they play in the Premier League, a league I've always wanted to play in.

"I now hope I can give back that trust Chelsea have shown me out on the pitch. I can't wait to start and I hope to adapt as soon as possible."

The future of Alvaro Morata is now expected to be clarified in the last week of the transfer window, with the striker to set to be sold or loaned out for the reminder of the season.

Mario Balotelli joins Marseille from Nice

Italian international Mario Balotelli has joined Marseille on a six month deal after he was released from his Nice contract.

The 28 year old was unveiled on Wednesday after he passed his medical.

In his time at Nice, he plundered 43 goals in 76 appearances in all competitions.

He had become an outcast in football terms, despite playing for some of the top clubs in Europe, including the two Milan clubs, winning the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, and playing a pivotal role for Italy as they got to the final of Euro 2012. Manchester City and Liverpool are some of the club's he has featured for.

He has been able to rebuilt his reputation as good scorer in France initially under the guidance of Lucien Favre, who is now manager at Borussia Dortmund. But Nice manager Patrick Vieira has decided to dispense of him after both had a row in December.

Barca confirm signing of £65m Ajax midfielder

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong for a fee of £65m with the deal set to be completed in the summer when he joins the Catalan side.

The 21 year old has signed a five year contract for an initial £65m, with the fee expected to rise by another £9.5m in add-ons.

Besides being a midfielder, he can also play in defence. He was linked to other top European clubs such as Manchester City, PSG and Juventus. 

The La liga leaders have moved quickly to secure his signature to further cement its long association with Dutch footballers.

Since joining Ajax from Willen II in 2015, he has gone on to make 65 appearances for the Dutch giant in all competitions.

Standing at 5ft 11in, he has won five caps for the Netherlands.

Mikel Obi set for return to England after Boro medical

Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi is set for a return to England according to reports on Tuesday that he had a medical at the Riverside stadium with Championship side Middleborough.

The 31 year old two year contract at Chinese Super League side expired in December and both sides decided to part ways.

When confirmed, he is expected to add his technical qualities to a side that his built in the image of their manager for being obdurate.

Tony Pulis' side lie in the play-off places in fifth in the England second tier six points off the automatic promotion position.

It remains to be seen whether his return to England would serve as a catalyst for a return to the Super Eagles after he was left out of the entire squads that featured in the Afcon qualifiers since the World Cup in Russia.

Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas joins Monaco

Monaco have announced that signing of Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas on a three and half year deal.

The 31 year old departs England after featuring in 501 games for both Chelsea and Arsenal.

The 2017 French Ligue 1 champion is not expected to pay any fees to Chelsea for the signing, but would pay bonuses based on the number of appearances he makes.

Speaking of his delight at joining the Municipality side, the former Barcelona midfielder said;

"I'm here to help the team, I'm looking forward to starting. I am very excited," 

While the club through its vice-president Vadim Vasilyev put the capture of a world class midfielder this way:

"We are very pleased to welcome Cesc Fabregas to AS Monaco, a world-class player and a great professional, whose arrival demonstrates the ambition of the club," 

"We are convinced that his experience at the highest level will bring a lot to our players on and off the field."

During his four and half years at Chelsea, a club he joined in 2014 from Barcelona, he had two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup to his name at Stamford Bridge. While his first spell at Arsenal fetched him an FA Cup won in 2005. 

Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi loan cut short by Valencia

Valencia have confirmed they have decided to terminate Michy Batshuayi's season long loan deal. 

The Belgium striker has endured a difficult time in La liga, scoring just one goal in 16 appearances.

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Valencia's Sporting director Mateu Alemany annouced the club's decision to cut short the loan.

"We are negotiating with several clubs an exit for Batshuayi,"

"The player knows and we hope to reach a solution soon for the good of all parties.

"We are expecting an exit in the next few hours - or days."

The 25 year had a successful six months loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season, where he plundered seven goals in just nine appearances. However, he has not been able to replicate the same form in the Spanish top flight.

With Everton being mentioned as a possible destination for the Belgium international, it seems his future now lies away from Stamford Bridge.

Juventus seal deal for Aaron Ramsey

Juventus have concluded a deal for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer. 

According to report, its a five year deal worth £140,000 a week, which is £36m. Though, the overall Bosman fee seems not to have included in the overall outlay that the Italian champions would pay over the duration of the contract to the Welsh international.

The 28 year old 10 year association with Arsenal ends in the summer after the club withdraw a contract extension earlier in the season.

Maxi Allegri's side have become adept at picking up players on a free transfer in recent seasons with Sami Khedira and Emre Can, amongst the players that arrived Turin on a Bosman.

Bayern Munich publicly admit interest in Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi

Bayern Munich have publicly admitted for the first time that they want to sign Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi.

The 18 year old is the subject of £35m bid from the Bavarians, and so far he has declined to sign a contract extension following limited playing time at Stamford Bridge. 

Speaking of the Bundesliga champion interest in the Chelsea academy graduate, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says, he is a player 'the club absolutely want to sign.'

He's a very interesting player that we absolutely want to sign. He said

"He has qualities that suit our game. He's a strong dribbler, fast, and carries a goal threat."

Chelsea have now been boxed into a corner as the teenager is unwilling to commit to a new contract, despite Maurizio Sarri wanting him to stay, as evident in his consecutive starts in the FA Cup and League Cup in recent days.

The Italian reiterated this position after the defeat against Spurs on Tuesday when he said;

"Odoi in the last week has been very normal. I have seen him every day in training, he has been really very normal.

"He is improving, in the last match he played very well and also today I think a very good match.

"He played like a player of 25 or 26 years, I think – very good match of application, very good in the defensive phase, very, very good.

"He was completely normal in this period. I don't know, maybe he doesn't read anything."

With the exploits of Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal's Riess Nelson, both in the same age bracket as Hudson-Odio, he is likely to be swayed by the opportunity to feature for the biggest and most successful club in German club football.

Barcelona agree deal for French Ligue 1 defender

Barcelona have announced the signing of France U-20 international defender Jean-Clair Todibo. 

The 19 year old will join the La liga champions from July 1 on a free transfer from Toulouse. Both clubs are expected to have agreed a compensation package.

He is regarded as of the rising defensive stars of French football, with 10 league appearances to his name this season with a goal.

He had previously been linked to several top European clubs, including Juventus.

He took to twitter to express his delight at joining the Catalans thus,

I am very happy to have signed for Barcelona from July 2019.

"It is more than a club and I thank them for their trust in me.

"It will be a new stage in my young career and I will put all my determination into achieving great things.

"In the meantime, I remain a Toulouse player and am available to help my team-mates as long as I remain under contract.

"Toulouse have allowed me to grow and discover Ligue 1 and I will be eternally grateful. Thank you."

In a club statement, the Catalans described him ". . .as one of the most promising players in European football in his position." 

Monaco set to sign Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas

Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco are reported to be close to sealing the signing of Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. According to report emerging from France a deal to take him to the Principality is close to being sealed.

Now 31, the former Spain international made his 500th appearance in English football when he came on as a substitute for Chelsea against Southampton on Wednesday.

Having spent his early years at Arsenal , after he arrived from Barcelona as a 16 year old, he went on to win the 2005 FA Cup, but left the club in 2011.

He came back to England in 2014 when Chelsea secured his signature after Arsenal declined to exercise it's right of first refusal. He has since won two league titles at Stamford Bridge, a League Cup and one FA Cup.

However, he has been a bit part player in the last two years at the club. He barely featured in Antonio Conte's tumultuous last season, and Maurizio Sarri has not featured him much this season either.

Liverpool cut squad size as two departs

Liverpool have sent right back Nathaniel Clyne on loan to Bournemouth for the rest of the season. The 27 year old joins Dominic Solanke in departing Anfield as the former Chelsea youth prospect earlier joined the South coast in a deal worth £19m.

Clyne was signed from Southampton in 2015. He enjoyed a stellar two seasons at Anfield, but he has been plagued by injuries in the last two years. That and the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold has further restricted his playing time.

On his move to the South coast, he told the club's website;

"It's a great chance for me to come and play football.

"I've spoken to the manager and we've talked about what we can achieve for the remainder of the season. It's a great club with a great story. I can't wait to get going."

Juventus wins the race to sign Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal

According to reports from various Italian media outlets, Juventus have won the race to sign Welsh and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer in the summer.

The 28 year old can sign a pre-contract agreement with any club this month. And having been linked to Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich, its points to a direction that the Seria A leaders have the battle to secure his signature.

The deal is reportedly to be a 5 years worth £5.9m a year which is equivalent to £200,000 a week.

A scorer of two FA Cups winning goals for Arsenal and a winner of three FA Cups in his 10 years at the club, he became the highest scoring midfielder in Arsenal's history when he scored his 61st goal for the club against Fulham on New Year day.

However, his time at the Emirates, winds to a close next summer, after Arsenal withdrew the contract he was earlier offered by the club's outgone chief executive.

Chelsea sign Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic for a fee of £58m

Chelsea have announced the signing of Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic for a fee of £58m.

The 20 year old was linked to several top six clubs in the Premier League, but it is the West London club that has won the battle to secure his signature.

The United States international intially joined the Bundesliga leaders in 2016 as a 17 year old, and he has since gone on to establish himself as an international winger.

He has made over a 100 appearances for the Signal Iduma outfit, with 18 of those coming this season, with three goals to his name.

He is now expected to be loaned back to the German club, before he fully joins Maurizio Sarri's Stamford Bridge outfit in the summer.

He becomes the first major money signing of the January transfer window in the Premier League and joins a long list of players signed by Chelsea at a young age who were immediately loaned out of the club. But his time away would be a short one as he is expected back at the club in six months.

Chelsea sign Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic for £58m

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Borussia Dortmund and United States international winger Christian Pulisic for £58m.

The 20 year old was linked to several top clubs in the Premier League, and the West London club has now moved to sign the winger who was initially signed by the Bundesliga leaders as a 17 year old.

However, he is not expected to make his debut at the club until this summer, as he has been loaned back to the German club where he would spend the next six months.

He has made over a 100 appearances for Dortmund in three and half seasons with three goals in 18 appearances this season. But most of his appearances have been as a substitute this season.

He becomes the first major signing of a top six club in the January transfer window, and joins a long list of players who have been bought and loaned out by Chelsea in recent years, but his stay away from the club is expected to be a short one.

Chelsea linked to United States and Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic

by Fotbulnary

Chelsea have been linked to the signing of United States international winger, Christian Pulisic. The 20 year old is reported to be available for a fee close in the region of 50 million pounds. The Borussia Dortmund winger has become dispensable following the emergence and consistent display of England U21 international Jadon Sancho, 18 who has become one of the revelations of the Bundesliga season, helping the Signal Iduma side to the summit of the German top flight as winter champions.

As a result, Pulisic has seen is playing time limited to just a handful of appearances this season. A situation that was a complete contrast to his standing at the club, pror to the arrival of his younger English team mate from Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would push through the signing  in the January transfer window of a player who is essentially a long term prospect for the club as Willian and Pedro continue to struggle with consistent output in front of goal

Arsenal confirm signing of Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Arsenal have confirmed that signing of Greek international, Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund. The 30 year old has signed a long term contract for a undisclosed fee reported to be around £16m.

He becomes Unai Emery's third signing after the arrivals of goalkeeper, Benard Leno from Bayer Leverkusen and Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus on a free transfer.

Speaking to the Arsenal website on his signing, he said;

"I feel very good, everything is special,"

"It is a beautiful moment and I am very happy that for the next years I will be here. Arsenal are one of the three biggest teams in the Premier League.

"I'm a normal defender. I like to defend. I like that my team doesn't take goals. I like a zero in the defence and I will do everything to help to achieve this goal."

He becomes the third straight Borussia Dortmund player to join Arsenal in seven months after the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January.