Here are your Chelsea evening headlines for Tuesday August 25.
Chelsea speaking to Sarr
Chelsea intend to sign defender Malang Sarr on a free transfer.
The 21-year-old left Nice this summer after failing to agree a new contract and his agents are currently in talks with the Blues about a possible five-year deal.
He is also of interest to Real Betis and some other clubs in the Bundesliga, but the wages he commands cannot be met by all clubs.
If Sarr does sign for Chelsea, the Guardian understands, he is likely to be sent out on loan to gain greater experience.
Loan move planned for Sarr
If Sarr does sign, he is expected to follow a similar trajectory to Kurt Zouma.
He joined Chelsea in January 2014 from Saint-Etienne – and was promptly loaned back to them.
When he came back to Stamford Bridge in the close season, he linked up with the first-team squad, and has since become a regular for the Blues after recovering from a serious knee injury.
So Sarr is likely to be loaned out to another club in Europe for the next season – and will not feature for Chelsea until 2021/22 at the earliest.
Silva closes in on signing
Thiago Silva’s future will be decided in the next 24 hours – and he could be joining Chelsea on a free transfer.
He finished his eight-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday, and is now being linked with a move to the Premier League or Serie A.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will have to look at the offers and make the best decision for me and my family," he told RMC Sport.
Rio Ferdinand confirms Lampard's interest in Messi
Rio Ferdinand has confirmed on social media that Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard is eyeing an audacious move for Lionel Messi.
The La Liga side have announced that the Argentine has requested to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
And Ferdinand posted on Twitter on Tuesday evening that he believes former teammate Lampard is plotting a sensational move for the Barcelona legend. Read here
