The latest Chelsea transfer news and rumours after the close of the international window and ahead of the domestic-only window deadline.
Truth on Kante rumours
Chelsea have rubbished suggestions from the French press that N’Golo Kante has fallen out with Blues manager Frank Lampard.
Le Parisien had claimed the midfielder was keen to leave for Inter Milan after clashing with Lampard over being refused permission to attend a friend’s wedding.
However, Chelsea have described the claims as “nonsense”, and Kante remains part of Lampard’s plans.
Kante is currently away on international duty with France, having started against Portugal on Sunday, and is set to go head-to-head with Chelsea team-mate Mateo Kovacic as Les Bleus take on Croatia in the Nations League.
The former Leicester City man is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2023, and has started all four of the Blues’ league games this term.
Emerson exit link
Inter Milan are still keeping an eye on Emerson Palmieri after failing to clinch a move for the left-back during the transfer window.
However, whether or not the Nerazzurri return for the Italian international could hinge on their Champions League progress.
Inter have been drawn against Real Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk in a challenging European group, having finished third behind Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in last year’s Champions League group stages.
And according to Tuttosport (via Sempre Inter), the Italian club could prepare a new bid for Emerson, with Antonio Conte reported to be a fan of the player.
The left-back was one of Conte’s last signings during the manager’s time at Stamford Bridge, joining from Roma in January 2018.
Chelsea defender loaned out
Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is set to spend the 2020/21 season on loan at Charlton Athletic, with a loan move confirmed by the League One club.
The Dutch youth international made his Blues debut last season, replacing Marcos Alonso in a Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby Town, and has featured for the club’s under-21s in this season’s EFL Trophy.
“He’s a very exciting left-back. He’s ambitious [with the ball], very good in possession, he has great energy, great pace,” Charlton manager Lee Bowyer told the club’s website.
“I would say he is quite similar to Jay Dasilva, the way he travels with the ball and goes past people. He’s exciting and different to what we have.”
Charlton sit 17th in League One at the time of writing, having suffered relegation from the Championship last season, and have already loaned in Manchester United’s Dylan Levitt and Norwich City defender Akin Famewo.
Another Chelsea player, midfielder Conor Gallagher, spent part of last season with Bowyer’s side.
