Chelsea news LIVE updates: Alonso shock swap deal, Icardi raid, Loftus-Cheek praise

Chelsea News LIVE updates: All the latest from Stamford Bridge

Saturday November 11

Vidal up for sale

17:24: Bayern Munich will let Chelsea target Arturo Vidal leave the club for £50million in the summer, according to German publication Kicker.

The valuation remains above the £34m Blues rate him at but a lack of midfield options may force them to reconsider.

His contract expires in June 2019 and the Bavarian giants risk losing him for free.

Isco to Chelsea

15:45: Alvaro Morata says he will love to see Real Madrid playmaker Isco at Chelsea - but admits a transfer is unlikely.

When asked which fellow Spaniard he would bring to Stamford Bridge, Morata told Cadena Ser: “I would take [Isco] to Chelsea now when I return [from the Spanish camp].”

He added: “But I think that right now he has one of the most important roles at Madrid. In the national team he is also key.

“I think he is unstoppable when he feels important. The whole world has seen it since he took the reins at Madrid.

“He is the most important player at Real Madrid and in the national team. He changes the games, he makes the difference. He dances with the ball. Furthermore, he is my friend.”

Funny Luiz

13:00: Eden Hazard says David Luiz is the funniest player at Chelsea.

Hazard told Soccer AM: “David Luiz, the geezer. 

“Always smiling, he is in a good mood every time, so it is good to have people like this in the changing room. 

“He is funny.”

Chelsea stadium set-back

10:54: Chelsea will not move into the new Stamford Bridge until at least 2024 after club chiefs revealed the extent of further delays on their stadium redevelopment plans.

The Blues had outlined a move-in date of 2021/22 season for their new stadium but the Daily Mail claim they will not not even leave their current home until 2020.

Chelsea’s first game at their £500million, 60,000-capacity new ground has been pencilled in for the opening fixture of the 2024-25 season.

Alonso wanted by Atletico Madrid

09.00: Atletico Madrid are preparing to launch a surprise raid for left-back Marcus Alonso in January.

Spanish publication El Gol Digial reports that Atletico are keen on taking the wing-back to his hometown of Madrid.

It suggests that the Blues will make an approach for Atletico's highly-rated Beligum midfielder Yannick Carrasco.

But Diego Simeone would apparently want Alonso as a makeweight in the deal.

Conte targets Inter Milan's Icardi

08.30: Antonio Conte has made Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi his top January target, according to reports.

The Italian is keen to bolster his attacking ranks - which currently boasts Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi.

Italian publication GOL are reporting that the Blues boss has told the Chelsea hierarchy to pursue Icardi.

The 24-year-old has scored 86 goals in 155 games for the Serie A outfit.

It is suggested the Blues would have to stump up £88million (€100m) to prize him away from the San Siro.

If Icardi does move to Stamford Bridge, it could spell the end for Batshuayi.

The striker is currently out of favour and could be set for the exit door.

Southgate delighted with Loftus-Cheek

08.00: Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek delighted England manager Gareth Southgate with his performance against Germany last night.

Loftus-Cheek, who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace, made his debut in the most inexperienced England team in 36 years.

However, he did not look out of place and drew praise from his boss after the game.

“Ruben did everything that I know he can," Southgate said.

"It took him 10 minutes to realise, ‘I’m OK here, I can play’ – and he is capable of anything.

“He has so many good attributes. He has been a top performer in our junior teams for a long time. He has the physical attributes and he can handle the ball. I’m really pleased with him. I have watched him do that since under 16 level. We believe in him.”