Here are your football.london Chelsea headlines on Monday, July 4.
Barcelona president makes Raphinha claim
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club are trying their best to sign Arsenal and Chelsea target, Raphinha. The La Liga outfit is understood to be Raphinha's preferred destination, something that Laporta has now claimed.
As cited by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Laporta said: "Raphinha wants to come at Barça. We have communication and have spoken with Leeds. What's there is that there are other clubs that want Raphinha and are making their proposals."
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel urged to ruin West Ham's Armando Broja transfer plan and enact Declan Rice revenge
Chelsea near Juventus agreement
Chelsea are reportedly taking big strides towards completing the signing of Matthijs de Ligt, with Juventus close to agreeing the west London side's latest offer. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and, while there is progress to be made, the Blues are in 'pole position' to sign the defender.
According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are edging closer to reaching an agreement with the Old Lady. The report claims that Juventus prefer a straight-cash deal despite interest in Jorginho.
It's said that the Italy international is not currently part of any bid tabled by Thomas Tuchel's side. The west Londoners are reportedly pushing to complete the signing of De Ligt, with Juventus slowly relaxing their asking price.
Jacobs adds that Chelsea are hoping to pay between £60million and £65million for the Netherlands international, but Massimiliano Allegri's side are steering Todd Boehly towards £70million - and, potentially, £75million dependant on interest from elsewhere.
According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the Blues are in 'pole position' to sign De Ligt this summer, despite having already had an initial bid rejected. The Blues offered Juve €45million (£38.9million) and Timo Werner in exchange for De Ligt, which was rebuffed.
Declan Rice setback
Chelsea have been handed a major blow in the pursuit for Declan Rice as Thomas Tuchel plots a move for the West Ham midfielder. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge of late, though the Hammers seem unwilling to surrender the signature of their prized asset.
With Tuchel said to be keeping tabs on Rice's increasingly uncertain future, West Ham have built an interest in Armando Broja. Moyes is reportedly eager to sign the Chelsea striker this summer after the 20-year-old impressed while out on loan at Southampton.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Albania international is the Hammers' 'first priority' this summer. The report adds that negotiations are ongoing over a fee said to be between £25million and £30million.
While a player-plus-cash swap deal would appear to be the most sensible option for both parties this summer, West Ham are unwilling to give up Rice's services. According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, the east Londoners are not open to using Rice in a move to help with his ‘huge fee’, and would want to sign Broja in a separate deal.
READ NEXT:
Richarlison to Spurs hands Todd Boehly wake-up call amid Chelsea and Raphinha transfer impasse
Thomas Tuchel may already have the answer to Chelsea's £50m Manchester City transfer problem
Barcelona secure £177.6m windfall to concern Chelsea in Raphinha transfer battle
Sell Timo Werner, keep Levi Colwill - How Chelsea's squad should look after the transfer window
Pep Guardiola has already told Thomas Tuchel what Nathan Ake offers amid Chelsea transfer move
