Your Chelsea morning digest from football.london on Friday, December 23.
Bayern's Gvardiol stance
Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol, who is also wanted by Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic has revealed the German champions' stance on Gvardiol amid reports linking the 20-year-old with a move to the Allianz Arena.
Read the full story here.
Bellingham transfer blow
The Jude Bellingham transfer saga has taken another twist which could heavily impact the immediate decisions of Liverpool and Chelsea, with Real Madrid now leading the race for his signature.
The addition of Bellingham to the Premier League either for Chelsea or Liverpool looked destined to come true despite interest from Madrid, especially with the transfer hints dropped on England duty at the World Cup, particularly with Liverpool's Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, the latest report from Marca indicates that Madrid have taken the lead over the Premier League sides in the Bellingham transfer race.
Read the full story here.
Rice exit claim
Chelsea fans could receive a welcome transfer boost in 2023 amid suggestions that Declan Rice may finally ask to leave West Ham and return to the Blues.
West Ham insist they will not be 'bullied' into letting him go on the cheap, with Rice's former teammate and current Hammers' sporting director Mark Noble insisting any club will have to pay handsomely to land him.
A new report has revealed that Rice is expected to ask West Ham to leave the club in the summer, with the highest bidder likely to win his services.
Read the full story here.
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