Chelsea are reportedly offering defender Wesley Fofana to Barcelona, according to Sacha Tavolieri, as the club assesses options for the Frenchman who has struggled with injuries since his €80m move in 2022. Barcelona are seeking a centre-back and while Alessandro Bastoni is their primary target, Fofana has been added to their shortlist. Chelsea are believed to want over €30m for Fofana, though Barcelona would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy.
Tottenham Hotspur are accelerating their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, as reported by TEAMtalk. The Netherlands international is expected to leave Brighton this summer, attracting interest from several top Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool. However, it is Tottenham, managed by former Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi, who are now pushing hardest for a deal. Van Hecke’s familiarity with De Zerbi’s system could be a significant factor in his potential move.
Chelsea have also held discussions with the representatives of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, as claimed by Si Philipps. A meeting took place to explore a possible summer transfer, with Gordon “likely” to be on the move. Bayern Munich have also made a strong offer to Gordon, presenting him with a five-year contract, but agreeing a fee with Newcastle remains the main obstacle.
Newcastle’s interest in Chelsea striker Liam Delap could provide a pathway for Gordon’s transfer, as reported by Ben Jacobs. While Nicolas Jackson has been linked with a move to Newcastle, the club are actually prioritising Delap, who rejected a move to them last summer in favour of joining Chelsea. Delap’s limited impact at Chelsea could see him move on after just one season.
Further afield, the mother of 19-year-old Koln winger Said El Mala is reportedly hoping for an offer from Chelsea, according to BILD. Brighton had previously been in negotiations for El Mala but withdrew due to Koln’s €50m asking price, opening the door for Chelsea to potentially make a move. Finally, claims that former Barcelona manager Xavi has been approached by Chelsea for their managerial vacancy have been dismissed by Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano, who state there has been no contact with the Spaniard.
