Chelsea Transfer News LIVE updates: Ox medical at Liverpool; Costa and Rafinha latest

CHELSEA are ramping up their transfer business in the final days of the window and Express Sport brings you the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's David Luiz tries his hand at goalkeeping

Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Keep up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge

Thursday August 31

Llorente battle

04:00: Chelsea face a deadline day battle to sign Fernando Llorente from Swansea.

That’s because Tottenham have reportedly matched Chelsea’s £15million bid to sign the 32-year-old.

Goal report Mauricio Pochettino is quietly confident they can steal Llorente from under Chelsea’s noses.

Tottenham have matched Chelsea's bid for Fernando LlorenteGETTY

Tottenham have matched Chelsea's bid for Fernando Llorente

Danny Drinkwater claim

02:30: Antonio Conte doesn’t want to sign Danny Drinkwater for Chelsea.

That is the opinion of journalist Duncan Castles.

Reports emerged yesterday that the Blues submitted a £23million offer for Leicester star Drinkwater, but both clubs are poles apart in their valuation of the player.

And Castles is of the view that while Conte wanted two midfielders, he was in no doubt he wanted a player of Matic’s quality.

“It’s classic Chelsea where they cash in on a player that another side wants and then they spend less on the replacement to bring in," Castles said on The Transfer Window Podcast.

“He’s not the player Conte wants as a second midfielder.

Conte intersted in Rafinha?

00:10: Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha.

Rafinha, 31, has only played 23 minutes of first-team football in the Bundesliga so far this season and is out of contract at the end of the season. 

And German outlet Bild claim Antonio Conte is keen on making a last-minute move for the Brazil international. 

However, the Bundesliga champions are unlikely to offload Rafinha as they value him as a reliable back-up option to Joshua Kimmich. 

Wednesday August 30

Alex Sandro final bid

22.00: Chelsea are reportedly ready to launch one final bid to try and pluck Alex Sandro from Juventus.

Sandro has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, with Antonio Conte keen to improve his options at left-back and provide competition for Marcos Alonso.

Conte has been unrelenting with his pursuit of Sandro, already have three offers knocked back, with Juventus reluctant to let him go.

Their last bid was worth £73million, but so far Juve have managed to hold firm, despite the pressure exerted by the Blues.

And now according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, the west London outfit will make one final bid, although it is unclear how much the offer will be for.

Costa to Atletico off

18.45: Atletico Madrid are unlikely to reach an agreement with Chelsea for Diego Costa before the transfer deadline.

Spanish newspaper Marca claim Costa’s unwillingness to return from Brazil has put the buffers on negotiations.

Both clubs are willing to allow the transfer window to pass without a deal being agreed but will keep an open dialogue and look to resolve things in January.

The Blues are reportedly determined to get him back from Brazil before selling as they do not want to set a precedent that the club can be held to ransom.

Liverpool agree Oxlade-Chamberlain deal

17:55: Chelsea look set to miss out on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign the England player.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has already snubbed an offer to join Chelsea after Arsenal accepted the Blues' £35m bid.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will now have a medical ahead of his transfer to Anfield.

He is thought to be keen on playing in central midfield, having been stuck out a wing-back for Arsenal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain started in Arsenal's 4-0 loss at Liverpool last weekend.

One in, two out

17:01: Chelsea could complete three deals for strikers on deadline day - with one coming in and two going out.

It’s becoming increasingly likely that Swansea frontman Fernando Llorente could move to Stamford Bridge.

Express Sport understands the Premier League champions are yet to lodge a bid for the 32-year-old Spain striker, who played under Blues head coach Antonio Conte at Juventus.

But there is firm interest in a player who has one year remaining on his two-year contract with Swansea and turns 33 in February.

Although the potential arrival of Llorente could lead to Michy Batshuayi leaving Chelsea, with the Belgian striker previously linked with loan moves.

Diego Costa may also join Atletico Madrid.

Costa update

14:20: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is confident of signing Chelsea striker Diego Costa this summer.

Chelsea are desperate to offload Costa this summer after manager Antonio Conte informed the striker he is no longer in his first-team plans.

The Spain international is currently on strike and refusing to return to training with the Premier League champions.

Costa, who joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a £32million deal in 2014, is keen to return to the La Liga club before the window shuts.

And Cerezo is “optimistic” he can bring Costa back to Atletico, but admits the two clubs are struggling to agree on a fee.

"[Costa] has a contract with another club, it's a complicated matter," Cerezo said.

"We are taking things with ease. As long as Chelsea do not agree to his transfer, Costa will be [a] Chelsea [player]. Am I pessimistic or optimistic regarding the arrival of Costa? I am always optimistic."

Blues are Barkley favourites

13:30: Chelsea are now even-money to sign Everton wantaway Ross Barkley, according to the bookies.

The talented midfielder is expected to leave Merseyside in the coming days, and Stamford Bridge is the most likely destination.

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “Having had an initial bid of £25m turned down, Chelsea’s pursuit of Ross Barkley is expected to go down to the wire, with the Everton midfielder now evens to join the champions.

“Everton are demanding a higher fee, but the 23-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his contract and it’s likely they’ll cash in on the wantaway midfielder before Thursday’s deadline.

“Tottenham had previously been odds-on to sign Barkley earlier in the window, but with the North-London club yet to lodge a firm bid, they’re currently an outside shot at 4/1.”

Liverpool enter Ox talks

12:55: Liverpool have officially opened talks with Arsenal about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Paul Joyce of The Times tweeted that negotiations are underway between the two Premier League sides.

He wrote: “Liverpool now in contact with Arsenal over Oxlade-Chamberlain.”

La Liga journalist Guillem Balague also took to twitter to reassure Liverpool fans that any deal for Ox isn’t dependent on Philippe Coutinho leaving.

He tweeted: “Liverpool favourite to take Oxlade-Chamberlain. But they insist that they do not sell to Coutinho!”

Wilkins: Drinkwater should snub Chelsea

12:00: Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater should not join Chelsea, according to former Blues player and coach Ray Wilkins.

Drinkwater has handed in a transfer request at Leicester in order to force through a move, and would be reunited with N’Golo Kante.

However, Wilkins does not think it would be a good move for Drinkwater because he would not be a regular starter under Antonio Conte.

"Danny has done really well over the last couple of years,” Wilkins said on talkSPORT.

“If Danny comes to Chelsea, (Tiemoue) Bakayoko has cost £40million, Kante everybody loves. Is he going to get a game with Fabregas as well? 

“If I was Danny I'd go somewhere where I would play personally.”

Chelsea Transfer News: The Blues hope to sign Fernando Llorente todayGETTY

Chelsea Transfer News: The Blues hope to sign Fernando Llorente today

Drinkwater bid

11:00: Chelsea have actually only made an offer worth £23million for Danny Drinkwater.

That is according to Sky Sports, who say Leicester and Chelsea are still “a long way apart” in their valuation of Drinkwater.

Chelsea were thought to have lodged a £30m offer for the England international ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm tomorrow night.

Drinkwater has handed in a transfer request at the King Power Stadium in order to force through his move away this summer.

But Sky Sports say Leicester do not want to sell the 27-year-old and will only do business for an offer well in excess of £30m.

Leicester’s Thai owners are extremely wealthy with chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha expected to demand more money the closer to the transfer deadline the deal goes.

Llorente update

10:10: Antonio Conte is a long-term admirer of Fernando Llorente and tried to sign him last January.

The Welsh outfit were reluctant to sell back then and it proved to be the right decision as the 32-year-old helped keep his side up by bagging four goals in Swansea’s last five games.

But Swansea look set to cash in on him before tomorrow’s 11pm deadline with Spanish newspaper AS claiming a deal is almost done.

Chelsea will pay around £14million for the forward after Conte convinced the board to make an offer.

Conte is a long-term admirer of Llorente having worked with him at Juventus and sees him as an ideal back-up to Morata.

Swansea boss Paul Clement is willing to sanction Llorente’s exit with Wilfried Bony set to return to the Liberty Stadium.

Toffees snub Barkley bid

09:30: Everton have rejected Chelsea’s approach for midfielder Ross Barkley.

The England international has refused to sign a mega-money contract extension at Goodison Park, and is likely to leave the club before tomorrow’s deadline.

Chelsea offered £25million yesterday, but the BBC claim Everton have rejected the bid.

It’s unclear whether the West London club will submit an improved offer.

Llorente deal TODAY

08:50: Chelsea hope to complete a deal for Swansea talisman Fernando Llorente today.

Spanish newspaper AS claim the Premier League champions will offer £15million for Llorente, who netted 15 goals in his debut campaign.

Everton were thought to have made a last approach to beat Antonio Conte’s side.

But the Italian holds a significant advantage having worked with Llorente at Juventus.

Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainGETTY

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to join Chelsea from Arsenal before the transfer deadline

Toon close to Kenedy signing

08:00: Newcastle are close to signing Chelsea talent Kenedy.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Rafa Benitez’s side will sign the 21-year-old on a season-long loan to bolster their attacking options.

The Toon are said to want another two players before tomorrow’s deadline with Divock Origi and Kevin Trapp on their radar.

Chelsea double Madrid raid

05:30: Chelsea are reportedly tracking Real Madrid duo Mateo Kovacic and Marcos Llorente.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Diario Gol who claim Antonio Conte has added both players to his wishlist at Chelsea.

Kovacic started 19 games last season as Real went on to win both the Champions League and La Liga.

Llorente is more often deployed in a defensive midfield role and spent last year on loan at Alaves.

Oxlade-Chamberlain snubs Chelsea

03:30: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has rejected Chelsea’s offer because he wants to join Liverpool.

That’s according to BBC Sport who claim the England international believes he would be deployed in the wing-back positions at Chelsea.

Part of the reason Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to leave Arsenal is to play more regularly in a central midfield role.

And it is claimed he has rejected Chelsea’s advances in the hope of signing for Liverpool.

Costa loan update

00:20: Diego Costa could join Las Palmas on a six-month loan deal before joining Atletico Madrid in January.

That’s according to the Mirror who claim Chelsea are eager to get the striker off their books.

Chelsea are still hopeful of making a profit on the Spain international once Atletico are able to make a permanent move.

Ox fear

23:45: Chelsea reportedly fear they could miss out on a deal to sign Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Antonio Conte is keen to go on a spending spree before the transfer window closes on Thursday (11pm) and a move for Leicester star Danny Drinkwater appears to be close.

However, according to the Daily Mirror, the Blues fear they could miss out on a deal.

The Mirror say Oxlade Chamberlain would be viewed as a right wing back and would be deployed there in order to provide competition for Victor Moses.

The report suggests the Gunners feel Oxlade Chamberlain is Stamford Bridge bound, however sources close to Chelsea have told the paper a deal is not close to being done.

Drinkwater request

23.00: Danny Drinkwater has reportedly submitted a transfer request amid interest from Chelsea.

Chelsea are keen on a deal for the £30m midfielder as Antonio Conte looks to wrap up late transfers.

And Sky Sports have claimed Drinkwater has now handed in a transfer request to force a move.

Barkley bid

21.00: Chelsea have made a £25m bid for Ross Barkley as they look to complete a late splurge in the transfer market.

Antonio Conte wants Barkley to add another dimension to his midfield after the sales of Nemanja Matic and Nathaniel Chalobah.

Tottenham were keen on a deal for Barkley but Chelsea have now made a bid.

Everton initially wanted £50m but with his contract up next summer and injury currently keeping him out they may be persuaded to sell for less.

Diego CostaGETTY

Diego Costa could be set to join Las Palmas on loan

Chelsea in talks with Llorente

20.30: Chelsea are in talks with Swansea over the £15m signing of Fernando Llorente.

Chelsea are keen to bolster their attack with the addition of the Spanish striker.

Antonio Conte worked with Llorente at Juventus and wants him as back up for Alvaro Morata.

Llorente is yet to play for Swansea this season with an arm injury.

Ox problem...

19.30: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to play in midfield for Chelsea, according to Danny Higginbotham.

The England winger is closing in on a deal to leave Arsenal after a fee was agreed with Chelsea yesterday.

But Higginbotham thinks he might have a problem at Stamford Bridge.

Higginbotham said: "If you look at Chelsea, I don't think he wants to play right wing-back.

"He talks about wanting to play in midfield. Look at the way Chelsea play with Kante, Matic, Bakayoko and Fabregas plays there every now and again.

"In an ideal world, Conte attacks with a five and defends with a five, with two defensive midfielders.

"Does he fit into that defensive role? I don't think so.

"If he goes to a club like Chelsea, he'll be looking at one of those two or three behind the frontman. I think that's how he sees it.

"I still believe that I would want him going forward rather than defending, either on the left or right wing."

Hazard signs...

19.00: Chelsea have signed Eden Hazard’s younger brother Kylian.

The 22-year-old has gone into the development squad.

“Kylian Hazard has today signed for Chelsea from Hungarian side Ujpest, and will join our development squad,” a club statement read.

“The 22-year-old, a younger brother of Eden, is an attacking midfielder who started his professional career in his native Belgium, first with White Star Brussels and then Zulte-Waregem. He joined Ujpest in the summer of 2015 and played 42 times for them. 

“Chelsea’s development squad is next in action at home to Sunderland on Saturday 9 September.”

Ox medical

18.45: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to sign a five-year deal at Chelsea after a £35m fee was agreed yesterday.

The winger wants to leave Arsenal and is now likely to join Chelsea despite interest from Liverpool.

Chelsea are hoping for a late flurry in the transfer market and want to sign English trio Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater as well as Fernando Llorente.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?