The Club is targeting a multi-year partnership valued at £55 million per year, regardless of whether it qualifies for the UEFA Champions League. Should Chelsea secure UCL qualification, the Club will seek a premium deal in the region of £65 million annually.
Further details on the process and timeline will be shared in due course.
Nicolas Jackson moved to the Bundesliga to show Chelsea what they’re missing out on, but it has had quite the opposite effect on his career.
The Senegalese striker has failed to trigger the mandatory 25-game appearance clause required for a permanent £56 million transfer, so he will return to Stamford Bridge.
Bayern are unlikely to pursue a separate deal, meaning Jackson will return this June.
Chelsea already have Emanuel Emegha making his way to the club in the summer, meaning that Jackson could potentially be a fourth choice depending on what happens with Liam Delap.
A report from Corriere dello Sport claims that Jackson will return to Chelsea to leave for other shores more pleasing to him, suggesting that he doesn’t want to be at Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan could try and negotiate to try to snatch him on loan with a ransom at important figures if Chelsea sees fit.
Chelsea are pushing hard to secure the signature of River Plate’s highly-rated 22-year-old centre-back Lautaro Rivero, according to multiple reports from Argentina and Europe.
The left-footed defender, who has been capped by Argentina at senior level, has emerged as a key target for the Blues as they look to bolster their defensive options ahead of the summer transfer window. Rivero, who stands at 1.85m, is known for his composure on the ball, strong aerial ability and leadership qualities — traits that saw him captain River Plate’s reserve side before breaking into the first team.
Rivero returned to River Plate in 2023 after a loan spell and has impressed enough to earn a call-up to the Argentina national team, featuring in a recent friendly. His contract at the Monumental runs until December 2028 and carries a significant release clause reportedly in the region of €100 million, though sources in Argentina suggest the club could be open to a negotiated deal for more than €30 million if the player pushes for the move.
Chelsea have a strong recent track record of identifying and signing talented South American defenders, and manager Enzo Maresca is understood to view Rivero as a long-term prospect who could challenge for a starting place in central defence. The London club are said to have positioned themselves strongly in the race, ahead of reported interest from Atlético Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and other European clubs including Manchester City, Juventus and RB Leipzig.
A January move has been floated as a possibility if Chelsea make a convincing offer, but a summer transfer appears more likely as River Plate look to retain their promising talent for the remainder of the current campaign.
Rivero’s journey has captured attention in Argentina, with the player having worked as a street vendor in his teenage years before fully committing to football and rising through River’s academy.
Chelsea fans will be watching developments closely as the club continues its strategy of investing in young, high-potential talents from across the globe. Further updates are expected in the coming weeks as negotiations potentially heat up.
Aston Villa Football Club’s highly-rated attacker Morgan Rogers is set to leave the club in the 2026 summer transfer window, according to sources close to the negotiations. The move is understood to be likely regardless of whether Villa qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 23-year-old England international has attracted concrete interest from four of the Premier League’s biggest clubs: Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. All four sides are monitoring the situation closely ahead of what is expected to be one of the most competitive summer windows in recent years.
Aston Villa’s valuation of Rogers is understood to begin at £80 million, the starting point for any formal negotiations. The club is prepared to listen to offers at that level for a player who has established himself as a key figure in Unai Emery’s squad.
Chelsea, in particular, are actively seeking a versatile attacker capable of operating effectively from the left flank or centrally, a profile Rogers fits perfectly. The Blues view him as a high-priority target to add youthful dynamism and technical quality to their forward line.
A source close to the discussions told reporters: “Morgan has developed into one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League. Aston Villa recognise his value and will not stand in his way if the right opportunity arises at the right price. The interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United is serious and genuine.”
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024 and has since become a regular starter, contributing goals, assists and a high level of technical ability that has drawn widespread admiration across English football.
Further updates on the situation are expected in the coming weeks as clubs begin to finalise their summer recruitment plans.
We are entering the home stretch of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and there is still much to play for. Here, we outline who the Blues will face in our remaining fixtures and what is required to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
Following Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg victory over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening, the top five finishers in this season’s Premier League are guaranteed a spot in the top tier of European competition next season.
As things stand, sixth place will qualify for the UEFA Europa League and seventh the UEFA Conference League, although that could change depending on the winners of the FA Cup and final league position of League Cup winners Manchester City.
The Blues enter the season run-in sixth in the table but only one point behind Liverpool, who occupy the last of those Champions League spots. It is an incredibly tight race for European qualification, though, with only seven points separating the nine teams placed fifth to 13th.
Here is a look at who the Blues will need to overcome in our remaining games if we are to secure one of those top five places and a spot in the 2026/27 Champions League.
Our next Premier League fixture is a big one for both teams, as Manchester City arrive at Stamford Bridge for a 4.30pm kick-off on Sunday. In addition to our pursuit of Champions League qualification, Man City come to the Bridge knowing that dropped points could spell the end of their title challenge.
Pep Guardiola's side are second in the Premier League table but nine points behind leaders Arsenal. A 12-point deficit would almost certainly be too much to overcome, even with their extra game left to play. There is no room for error.
We have already dented City's title chances once this season, though, by securing a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in January, when Calum McFarlane was in temporary charge of the team before Rosenior’s appointment as head coach.
Manchester United
The second of back-to-back home games against Mancunian opposition comes on Saturday 18 April, when we host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge at 8pm.
Since the January appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach, United's form has improved, and they currently sit third in the table and hold a seven-point advantage over the Blues.
United's run-in includes home matches against heated local rivals, Leeds United and Liverpool, with those two fixtures sandwiching their visit to Stamford Bridge.
We will need to avoid a repeat of our meeting with United earlier in the season when they arrived in SW6. A tough away trip in September saw the Blues reduced to 10 men early in the game and suffer a 2-1 defeat at a rain-soaked Old Trafford.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Due to our involvement in the FA Cup semi-final, we will travel to the South Coast for an 8pm kick-off at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday 21 April.
We will face a Brighton side with European ambitions of their own. Despite being tenth in the table at the moment, they are only three points behind Brentford and a spot in the Conference League.
The Seagulls also have, at least on paper, a favourable run to the end of the season, with five of their remaining seven fixtures being against sides in the bottom half of the table, including three of the bottom four.
Nottingham Forest
When these two sides met at the City Ground on the final day of last season, it was a head-to-head match for Champions League qualification. The game may have very different stakes for the visitors to Stamford Bridge this time around, as Forest currently sit just three points above the relegation zone in 16th place.
Their fate is likely to be clearer by the time they visit west London for a 3pm kick-off on the bank holiday Monday 4 May – and Forest will also have a say in the race for Champions League football with three of their final seven games coming against sides currently in the top six.
Our previous meeting with Forest this season came at the City Ground earlier this season, when Josh Acheampong put us ahead with his first senior goal for the Blues, before Pedro Neto made it two and Reece James completed the scoring on his 200th Chelsea appearance.
Video
Highlights: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Highlights of Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge...
Liverpool
With just one point currently separating Liverpool and Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League qualification spot, this meeting at Anfield - pencilled in for 12.30pm on Saturday 9 May – could prove decisive in both teams’ seasons.
Although Liverpool are still able to qualify for Europe by winning this season’s Champions League, those chances were reduced following a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Arne Slot's side will have to battle to maintain – or improve – their league position. They are currently one point ahead of the Blues, but with the exception of Crystal Palace, their remaining top-flight fixtures are against sides above the Reds in the table or those also chasing European qualification.
In our previous meeting with Liverpool this season, a stunning Moises Caicedo strike was added to by a memorable Estevao Willian winner; the Brazilian scoring deep in second-half stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win for the Blues.
Video
Highlights: Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
Catch the best bits from Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League victory against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Tottenham Hotspur
Sometimes the fixture list throws up a real gem – and this could be right up there with the best of them.
The Blues' final home fixture of the season will see us hosting London rivals Tottenham at the Bridge for what could once again be a huge game for both clubs’ fortunes.
While Rosenior and his players will be hoping to take another step toward Champions League qualification, Tottenham may still need points to assuage fears of relegation.
The north London side, who appointed Roberto De Zerbi as head coach during the international break, currently sit 17th in the top-flight table, just one point above the relegation zone. Spurs' run-in also looks challenging, with just two of their remaining fixtures coming against sides not in the hunt for a European place.
When they visit Stamford Bridge on the weekend of 16-17 May, Spurs will be looking to avoid a repeat of the 1-0 defeat they suffered to Chelsea in north London in October.
Sunderland
Chelsea will head up to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland in our last Premier League match of 2025/26.
Few would have predicted when the fixtures were announced that our newly-promoted opponents could be in the mix for a European place, but the Black Cats are currently just three points off a Conference League spot and just six from the Champions League places.
It would be quite something if the Mackems were to end the season strongly and secure European qualification for the first time since 1974 – and first ever through their league position – but with several teams above them in the table despite the narrow point margin, they may need a result against Chelsea on the final day.
Source: Chelsea fc
Twenty-two years have passed since a historic Champions League victory over Arsenal convinced Dominic Thiem that Chelsea was the club for him.
The former world number three and 2020 US Open winner was in attendance to watch his beloved Blues last weekend, as we recorded a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Port Vale to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
It was the 32-year-old's third visit to Stamford Bridge, but his first sitting in the Dugout Club. It was a new experience for a lifelong Chelsea supporter, who recalls to us the players he grew up idolising, where he was for that special night in Munich in 2012, and what the club means to him.
Take us back to the start. Why did you start supporting Chelsea?
'I started supporting Chelsea when I was around ten years old. It was during a holiday that we were in the Champions League against Arsenal. I remember Chelsea winning and that was the day it clicked. From that day on, there was no going back!'
Was there anyone else in your family, or among your friends in Austria, who also supported Chelsea?
Who were your favourite players growing up?
'The first player I idolised was Frank Lampard. He was also the first player I had on my jersey back in 2004. Then, of course, I idolised Didier Drogba and later Eden Hazard. Now, it's Cole Palmer, I would say.'
What is your favourite Chelsea memory?
'My favourite Chelsea moment by far was 2012, our Champions League win [over Bayern Munich]. I remember being in the Czech Republic, as I was starting to play men's tennis and was playing in a really small tournament.
'I was alone and remember going to this really ugly restaurant – or something like that – and it had this really disgusting carpet. But when Drogba scored the deciding penalty, I fell to the floor completely alone and kissed that disgusting carpet!
'It is one of the best memories of my life.'
When was the first time you visited Stamford Bridge?
'It was back in 2014, the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico Madrid. Yeah...it wasn't the greatest result for us, unfortunately, but it was my first time here, so it is still a great memory.
'It's funny, I remember I was maybe going to go into the dressing room after the game to meet the players but everything was cancelled after they lost, which was understandable. It made it even more painful defeat but it's still a good memory.'
Have you had the opportunity to meet any of our former or current players since?
'Yeah, I know Filipe Luis quite well. Timo Werner, I've met also, and there are a few others as well [over the years].'
You were in the Dugout Club for today's game. How much did you enjoy that experience?
'The experience was great. Seven goals was amazing, it was a great atmopshere and we're into the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. So yeah, it was a super nice afternoon.'
'There were many highlights! To see that close to the pitch, for example, the control Cole Palmer has of the ball, or like how fast Estevao and Pedro Neto are, it's incredible. It's really impressive that there were so many of those moments, the intensity and physicality, it was super interesting for me to see.'
We've seen you post on social media previously wearing a Chelsea shirt with the No.99 on the back. Is there significance to that number for you?
'I put it on my player on EA FC when I was playing career mode, that was my number! Now it's changed to the No.14.'
And finally, as a supporter of 22 years, what does Chelsea mean to you?
'The connection to the club is super important to me. I've been a fan since 2004 and it's such a nice thing to support the team every weekend. It's only my third time here at Stamford Bridge, but there are a lot of positive emotions – and something I value – being able to sit down to watch every weekend and support the team.
'It's such a nice thing to have a great connection to a football club and, for me, with Chelsea, I hope it is going to be forever like this.'
Source: Chelsea fc
Alejandro Garnacho’s debut season at Chelsea hasn’t gone as planned. He has enjoyed some good moments, like breaking a record after a brace against Arsenal. But just one goal in the Premier League after joining for £40 million has seen him relegated to the bench most of the time.
And what makes it even more fascinating is the fact that Chelsea are looking favourably at a one-year loan deal, which suggests he’s not really in their immediate plans.
Speaking via Premier League Productions, Alejandro Garnacho insisted that things can be better at Chelsea, but he’s proud to be at Stamford Bridge.
“We know the team we have, the things we can do. Sometimes is better in some moments, and worse. But yeah, I’m really proud to be here in this moment.
“The life here [at Chelsea] is normal, and I’m happy.
“But yeah, at United have nothing wrong to say about the club or any teammates, no one. Just a moment on life changed. My life continued. So we have to keep looking forward.”
Interestingly, only a matter of weeks ago, Chelsea fans decided that they would rather keep Garnacho over Pedro Neto if it came to it in the summer.
Source: The Chelsea Chronicles
Joao Pedro has given an interview to Viaplay and Bold have shared his comments, where he speaks highly of his relationship with Jorgensen off the field.
The situation worsened just days later when Jorgensen was forced to undergo minor surgery on a persistent groin injury, an operation that has sidelined him for several weeks.
Currently working toward a mid-April return, Jorgensen faces a steep uphill battle to reclaim his spot and prove he can be the long-term solution in a position the club is already looking to upgrade.
“He’s going through a tough time right now because he’s injured. So, we’re trying to help him. He’s a really good guy, and both on and off the field, he’s very professional. He tries to help everyone.
“We’re very close because our girlfriends also try to hang out together. Off the field, we’re always joking around with each other. So, we’re very close.”
However, it may be short lived, as Jorgensen is supposedly seeking an exit this summer.
Source: The Chelsea Chronicles
Chelsea fc manager Liam Rosenior is actively driving the pursuit of Argentinian midfielder ValentÃn Barco, with the club preparing a six-year contract as they look to strengthen their squad for the 2026/27 season and beyond.
Rosenior, who previously worked closely with Barco during his time as head coach of Strasbourg, is eager to reunite with the versatile 21-year-old and integrate him into the Chelsea midfield. Sources close to the club indicate that Chelsea have taken particular notice of Barco’s impressive performances against top opposition, highlighting his technical quality, tactical intelligence, and potential to thrive in the Premier League.
A six-year deal is understood to be on the table for Barco, who would join from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg on a permanent transfer. The move would mark one of the first key additions under Rosenior’s leadership as he shapes the squad according to his vision.
The interest in Barco also comes amid ongoing considerations around the club’s midfield structure. Recent internal discussions have prompted Chelsea to evaluate long-term options, including potential successors in key positions, particularly in light of recent events involving current captain Enzo Fernández.
“ValentÃn is a player I know extremely well and one who has developed significantly under my guidance,” Rosenior is reported to have told the club’s recruitment team. “His performances this season, especially against the bigger sides, have shown exactly the kind of quality and mentality we need at Chelsea.”
Chelsea’s hierarchy views Barco as a high-potential addition who can provide depth, competition, and future-proofing in central and left-sided midfield roles. The player has already expressed his desire to join the Blues and is excited by the prospect of working again with Rosenior at Stamford Bridge.
The club remains focused on building a competitive squad capable of challenging on all fronts next season, with further transfer activity expected in the summer window.
Javier Pastore, the representative of Chelsea midfielder and Argentina international Enzo Fernández, today issued a statement clarifying that any recent comments have been fully resolved with the club and that Enzo remains fully committed to Chelsea.
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“We’re on the same page with Chelsea. We made peace yesterday. There were never really any problems. We cleared the air,” said Pastore.
Pastore emphasised that Fernández’s recent public comments were not intended to create any disruption within the squad or club.
“His statements were without any intention of causing problems at Chelsea,” Pastore continued. “He’s the captain, one of the team’s leaders, and he’s shown his best form on the pitch this season. Enzo is completely focused on performing at the highest level for Chelsea and helping the team achieve its objectives.”
The clarification comes after what both parties describe as a minor misunderstanding that has now been amicably addressed. Fernández, who joined Chelsea in 2023, has been a key figure in the squad this campaign, wearing the captain’s armband on multiple occasions and delivering consistent performances in the Premier League and European competitions.
Chelsea Football Club declined to comment further, stating that internal matters have been resolved and the focus remains on the remainder of the season.
Chelsea are back in Premier League action this weekend as we take on Manchester City in a crunch league fixture for both sides. Ahead of the game, we’ve picked out eight memorable moments the Blues have enjoyed against the Citizens at Stamford Bridge, and we want you to vote for your favourite!
Make sure you watch the video, read through the moments for extra context and then head to the Chelsea Official App to vote for your favourite!
A Wise worldie | August 1994
Surely one of Chelsea’s best goals in the early years of the Premier League, this outstanding chip – on his supposedly weaker left foot – epitomised the undervalued technical quality of captain Dennis Wise.
Lamps lets Drog free | October 2007
The highlight of an emphatic 6-0 victory over Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Man City in the 2007/08 campaign was our second goal, when a sublime outside-the-boot pass from Frank Lampard split the visitors open and released Didier Drogba to finish with aplomb.
How did he score that?! | March 2009
The next goal on our shortlist comes from the right boot (or was it shin?!) of Michael Essien, who improbably hooked a first-time finish into the top corner when connecting with Lampard’s quickly-taken free-kick.
A touch of Brazilian magic | March 2011
The first of two consecutives Goal of the Season winners scored by Ramires was a jinking effort in a 2-0 victory at home to Man City in 2010/11, with the Brazilian showing off his samba skills by dancing between several bewildered defenders before firing past Joe Hart.
Torres at the death | October 2013
A tight contest between two title rivals looked like it was going to end in a 1-1 draw until, in the 90th minute, a defensive mix-up allowed Fernando Torres to place the ball into an empty and secure a vital three points.
David Luiz stoops to conquer | December 2018
Maurizio Sarri’s Blues inflicted a first league defeat of the season on champions Man City with David Luiz’s superb looping header securing the points after N’Golo Kante had given us a first-half lead against the run of play.
Pulisic lights up empty Bridge | June 2020
In our first behind-closed-doors home fixture during the pandemic, Christian Pulisic netted a superb solo effort in a 2-1 win. The only shame was that supporters weren’t inside the Bridge to enjoy it.
Palmer’s ice-cool pen | November 2023
The most exciting Premier League fixture between the sides ended in a 4-4 draw in November 2023 after Cole Palmer – the coolest man inside the Bridge – calmly converted a stoppage-time penalty against his former club.
Source: Chelsea fc
Chelsea have now made a shocking decision on the future of Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine forward joined the Blues last summer in a £40 million deal from Manchester United.
However, he has failed to live up to the expectations of the club. In over 35 appearances so far for the club, the Argentine has made just 12 goal contributions.
But in 20 Premier League appearances, he has just five goal contributions (one goal and four assists). That is why in recent times, his game time has gone down.
This has also raised questions about his position in the Argentine World Cup squad. Now, the Blues have also made a decision on the player.
Next summer, the Blues might be open to selling many of their top stars in order to rebuild the squad under Liam Rosenior.
The former Strasbourg manager inherited the squad from Enzo Maresca, and there are a number of players who are not in his plans.
According to journalist Simon Phillips on his Substack, Alejandro Garnacho could be one of the marquee departures from the club next summer.
The Chelsea board are now open to selling the player they signed last summer. As per the report, the Blues believe they will have significant interest in the 21-year-old.
So, with Garnacho in the market next summer, there will be clubs not only from Europe but also from Argentina looking to sign the winger.
Source: Transfer News Live
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