Here are the Chelsea morning headlines for Tuesday, August 18.
Date set for transfer of Chelsea left-back
A date has finally been set for the transfer of Emerson Palmieri, with the Italian left-back expected to secure a return to Serie A from Chelsea this summer.
Frank Lampard is keen to find a new left-back before the start of the 2020/21 season, with both Marcos Alonso and Emerson doing little to satisfy the Blues boss.
The sale of Emerson may be required to raise funds for a move for Ben Chilwell and, according to Sky Sports, a move to Inter will be on the cards once the Serie A side have played their Europa League final against Sevilla on Friday.
Antonio Conte has made Emerson his top target at left-back, with Inter expected to make their move once their 2019/20 season comes to a close this week.
Shock Kepa replacement linked with Chelsea move
Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has been identified as a potential replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga as Chelsea search for a new goalkeeper this summer.
Lampard has seemingly already made his mind up on Kepa, with the Spaniard dropped for a number of big games, including the FA Cup final, towards the end of the 2019/20 season.
Several potential replacements for Kepa have been mentioned, but The Sun now reports that Foster could even be classed as an alternative option to the Spaniard.
The 37-year-old suffered relegation with Watford at the end of the 2019/20 campaign, but could now be offered a chance to stay in the Premier League by Chelsea, with Everton also reportedly interested.
Chelsea ‘closing in’ on signing of Brighton centre-back
Chelsea are reportedly moving closer to completing the signing of Lewis Dunk from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the centre-back set to cost the Stamford Bridge club £40million.
The Sun claims Dunk is a lifelong Blues fan and believes he is on his way to Chelsea this summer, but interest from Tottenham Hotspur could prove a complication if a deal is to be struck for the England international.
Lampard recognises the need to strengthen his defensive line and sees Dunk as an upgrade on his current options, with the Seagulls skipper impressing in the Premier League over the last two seasons.
Declan Rice had been identified as Chelsea’s top target for a central defensive role, but West Ham’s asking price of £80m for the player forced a rethink at Stamford Bridge.
