Chelsea have been far the busiest of the big clubs in the Premier League this summer.
Frank Lampard has overseen a revolution at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz arriving at the football club.
They celebrated those new faces with a 3-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night, and the hope will be that can serve as a platform to mount a serious title challenge under Lampard.
Despite the bevy of new faces at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are not done in the market. There is an appetite to add a new goalkeeper to Lampard’s squad, and there is a chance several fringe players leave the club before the October 5 deadline.
With that said here are the latest transfer rumours for Wednesday, September 16.
Chelsea disagree on Rice
Chelsea and Frank Lampard are yet to agree on a deal for Declan Rice, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Rice, 21, spent time in Chelsea’s youth system but was released and moved on to West Ham. Frank Lampard is now keen to re-sign the midfielder, but it is claimed not everyone at the club is desperate to do a deal.
Chelsea have enjoyed an active summer in the transfer market, but Lampard now wants to bring in a goalkeeper and further reinforcements. Lampard believes he can convert Rice into a centre-back full-time and the move will help improve his defence.
Bakayoko agreement
Tiemoue Bakayoko is nearing a move to Milan after they reached an agreement with Chelsea, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The French midfielder joined Chelsea from Monaco in 2017 but has struggled to cement a place in the starting XI. He spent the 2018/2019 season on loan at Milan before embarking on another loan move to Monaco last season.
Chelsea are keen to sanction a permanent sale for the player, and Sky say that the two clubs have been in negotiations for some time. Milan will pay a €3million loan fee with a purchase option set at €30million.
Milan have agreed personal terms with Bakayoko for this season, but not any subsequent seasons that may be activated by a permanent transfer, and Sky say that is what has been holding the deal back.
They describe an agreement as ‘not far off’.
Mendy swap deal proving difficult
Chelsea are struggling to complete the final stage of negotiations for Edouard Mendy, according to TEAMtalk.
The Blues were keen to confirm the signing of Mendy this week, but TEAMtalk are reporting of a delay in the deal, despite the fact both a fee and personal terms have been agreed.
Previous reports had suggested Rennes would receive a player on loan as part of the agreement. It has now been revealed that Fikayo Tomori was the intended target.
TEAMtalk state that Tomori is available for transfer this summer and that had seen Everton emerge as a potential destination. Tomori is unwilling to leave Stamford Bridge, however, and is keen to fight for his place in the team.
