Your Chelsea morning digest on Saturday, April 15.
Thuram chance
Chelsea have been handed a huge boost towards signing Marcus Thuram. Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that the 25-year-old will leave once his contract expires in the summer.
"We were in open communication with both players and knew the current status," said Roland Virkus in an official club statement. "It's a shame that they won't be extending their expiring contracts, because we've both given a lot in terms of sport over the past four years.
"It's always been part of our path over the past few years to bring in such talented players, to develop them further – and at some point let them go because we can't keep them forever," added the Monchengladbach sporting director. "Ideally, we'll get an attractive transfer fee with these transfers. Of course, it's not good that that's not the case now."
READ MORE: Real Madrid respond to Todd Boehly prediction as Chelsea fans react to Champions League loss
Ancelotti doubles down
Carlo Ancelotti has doubled down on suggestions that he will leave Real Madrid in the summer, ruling out a move to Chelsea once and for all. The Italian was asked whether he had the support of Florentino Perez, to which he replied: "I think so. The president has always been very affectionate with me and he still is. We have to look forward. We will be here next season without a doubt because we are going to respect the contract."
Following the Spanish side's win over Chelsea, Ancelotti added: "It doesn’t bother me. English football competes very well. They have a very high level. I’m not surprised that [Manchester] City are favourites to win [the Champions League]. The truth is that there may be a bit of a difference, in Europe it’s showing the opposite.
"Last year the Spanish league took two teams to the semi-finals of the Champions League. It’s competitive, contrary to what especially the English think. When it comes to Europe, they compete against football that has less money to compete like Spanish or Italian football."
Read the full story here.
Bellingham prediction
Paul Scholes has placed Real Madrid at the front of the queue to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, with Manchester United not too far behind. Speaking on BT Sport, the former Red Devils midfielder said: "I think they are [contenders for Bellingham].
"I think if you’d have gone back a couple of years you’d have said absolutely no chance, or even to the start of this season - the start we had wasn’t really good - but now I think they have to be. Looking at this team now he’ll think this is a team that are up and coming for the next couple of years.
"I do think he’ll sign for Real Madrid - I don’t know why, I’ve just got that feeling - hopefully he comes here because this is a team now with someone like Bellingham and his goals in the middle of the pitch, I think he could make United a proper team."
READ NEXT:
Frank Lampard could make eight Chelsea changes vs Brighton ahead of Real Madrid second-leg
What Frank Lampard can learn from Graham Potter vs Real Madrid as Liverpool set for Chelsea raid
Real Madrid prepare fresh Reece James bid as Chelsea face Financial Fair Play uncertainty
Real Madrid showed Chelsea have already lost the player Frank Lampard needs to fix key problem
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from Stamford Bridge
