CHELSEA fans are eagerly awaiting news of when the Premier League may return.
But they have had a boost on the transfer front with the door open for a move for West Ham's Declan Rice – although reports suggest the Hammers might not be willing to let the England midfielder go.
Follow all the latest news and transfer updates from the Bridge below…
'CHO + C.H.O = WOAH
An ‘agreement is in place’ for Jadon Sancho to leave Dortmund, according to Bild.
The English wing sensation, who has scored 17 goals and assisted 19 this season in all competitions, has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Sancho, 20, is pals with Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire, having played with them for England.
But Chelsea remain keen on his services too – while his friendships with Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also well publicised.
According to Bild, Dortmund have also lowered their asking price, opening the door for one of the English clubs to make their move.
SPECIAL TIED RICE
West Ham will REFUSE any offers for Declan Rice, according to reports.
The midfielder has been superb for the Hammers this season and has attracted interest from Chelsea, who he played for at youth level.
According to Goal, the East London club will refuse any cash offers for his services.
The Hammers see Rice as a future star of the club.
COME TO THE U-KAYS
Chelsea reportedly remain keen on luring Paris Saint-Germain starlet Kays Ruiz-Atil to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The 17-year-old midfielder's deal at Parc des Princes expires in 2021, and it looks increasingly likely that he could be departing the Ligue 1 side at the end of the season.
According to L'Equipe, the Blues are in talks with the player as they look to bring him to England.
They claim that Ruiz-Atil's family are waiting for a clear sign from Chelsea that they intend to sign him, while they want to know where he would fit into the team.
Billy Gilmour, 18, has burst onto the scene this season for the West Londoners, with the Scottish youth international to potentially rival the midfielder for a place in the team.
NINES OR 'TENS
Frank Lampard reportedly likes Dries Mertens because he can play a multitude of positions.
The versatile Belgian, 32, can play as a No9, a No10 and on the wings, particularly the left, giving Lampard plenty of options.
According to HLN journalist Kristof Terreur, Lampard remains interested in the Napoli man.
MATCH OF THE SPRAY
Coronavirus-busting technology is already being discussed for crowds AND players, reports NEIL CUSTIS.
The ‘CLeanTech’ pods are a three-in-one disinfection machine.
Fans would first stand in front of a screen, much like at passport control, and get their temperature checked.
If it is too high, suggesting a viral infection, you cannot go any further.
But if the person is OK, the pod opens and you then enter what is called the ‘Sanitising Tunnel’.
This is where a combination of UV light and an air-sanitising and purification spray are used to kill off any other germs lingering on clothes or belongings.
CHIE-LSEA
The Blues are hoping Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa turns down a new big-money contract at the club, according to reports in Italy.
The 22-year-old has scored six and had five assists in Serie A this season.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the West London club are among a host of elite clubs including Manchester United, Juventus and Inter, who are hoping to land him.
His father Enrico had a journeyman career around Italian clubs for two decades.
OUT OF TOON
Premier League clubs have raised concerns about whether Newcastle’s prospective Saudi owners should be blocked for breaching rules.
The proposed £300million buyout of Mike Ashley, fronted by financier Amanda Staveley for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been welcomed by Toon fans.
But a number of top-flight clubs have been alerted to regulations that could mean the Saudis fail the league’s ‘owners and directors test’.
The issue is the ‘pirate’ TV station beoutQ which was accused by the league and other sports governing bodies including Fifa and Uefa of “stealing” broadcasts across the Middle East.
Prem games were sold to Qatar-based beIN Sports as part of a three-year deal currently worth £328m.
But fans in the Gulf region were able to watch games through decoder boxes which were linked to the Saudi-owned Arabsat satellite.
FRANK ADMISSION
Frank Lampard is calling Napoli striker Dries Mertens “almost everyday” in a bid to bring him to Chelsea, according to Italian transfer expert Vincenzo Morabito.
“Mertens had originally said he wanted to stay at Napoli, but then his lawyer started offering him to various international clubs, meaning something changed between the player and the club,’ he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
“I know this because I was working on the Olivier Giroud issue when he was meant to leave Chelsea in January, with a lucrative contract line up for Mertens.
“Chelsea have now extended Giroud’s contract as a precaution, but they are very interested in Mertens and Lampard is calling him almost every day. I can see Mertens going to Chelsea.”
MORNING,CHELSEA FANS
David Alaba has been added to the list of big names linked with Chelsea this summer –although for now the Blues are focused on seeing if the Premier League can resume on June 8 as hoped.
Leicester's Ben Chilwell and Porto's Brazil ace Alex Telles are already thought to be on Bridge boss Frank Lampard's radar as he ponders recruiting a new left-back.
And Lamps is rated particularly interested in Bayern Munich's Alaba as the 27-year-old can also play in central defence or midfield.
Incoming Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech could not be aiming higher as he hopes to emulate arguably their greatest striker of modern times.
The Morocco winger, 27, whose Dutch season with Ajax has been cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, said: “The Premier League is a great competition, with fast thinking and technical players.
“As a kid, I dreamt of playing there. I watched Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, with Didier Drogba, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and David Beckham, and wanted to be like them.”
Meanwhile, winger Willian has reportedly been offered to Arsenal, should they lose skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer.
The Brazil wideman ace is understood to be demanding a three-year deal on his current £120,000-a-week wages.
Chelsea are again said to be in contact with Napoli's Belgium frontman Dries Mertens, 32.
But reports suggest PSG's 33-year-old record scorer Edinson Cavani favours a move to Inter Milan, having previously been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United.
PODS CAST IN KEY ROLE
The key to lifting the Premier League’s football lockdown for fans could be found in a Hong Kong exhibition centre.
Because the AsiaWorld-Expo centre is gearing up to host events using sanitising pods people will have to walk through before entering.
And the coronavirus-busting technology is already being discussed in some football circles as a way to support the gradual return of crowds to grounds.
The ‘CLEANTech’ pods are a three-in-one disinfection machine.
Fans would first stand in front of a screen, much like at passport control, and get their temperature checked.
If it is too high, suggesting a viral infection, you cannot go any further. But if the person is OK, the pod opens and you then enter what is called the ‘Sanitising Tunnel’.
This is where a combination of UV light and an air-sanitising and purification spray are used to kill off any other germs lingering on clothes or belongings.
ZIY'S THE LIMIT NOW
Chelsea new boy Hakim Ziyech has named the Blues, Arsenal and Manchester United players who made him dream of joining the Premier League.
The Morocco winger, 27, can't wait to team up at the Bridge from Ajax after the Dutch League was finished early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Evening Standard quote the 27-year-old as saying: “The Premier League is a great competition, with fast thinking and technical players.
“As a kid, I dreamt of playing there. I watched Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, with Didier Drogba, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and David Beckham, and wanted to be like them.”
WILL YOU SWAP AUBA?
Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea winger Willian as a cut-price replacement for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports MARK IRWIN.
But the Gunners are now balking at Willian’s contract demands — as he prepares to quit Stamford Bridge as a free agent.
The Brazilian ace is understood to be demanding a three-year deal which matches his current £120,000-a-week salary.
Cash-strapped Arsenal are reluctant to tie themselves to such a long-term agreement for a player who will be 32 in August.
But Willian’s agent Kia Joorabchian has become an increasingly influential figure at the Emirates over the past year.
He also represents the Gunners’ technical director Edu — and negotiated the signings of David Luiz and the on-loan Cedric Soares.
STEP BACK ON DEC
Jamie Carragher reckons Chelsea target Declan Rice could be deployed as a centre-back.
The Liverpool legend said: “To be honest, he reminds me a little bit of myself. I started in midfield and became a centre back. I’m a big fan of him.
“There’s a slight criticism in terms of how he receives the ball, there’s an art to that.
“If you go to the ball and you’re not in a great position, players won’t give you the ball. But he can pass and I think he’s got something about him.
“At centre back, everything will be in front of him. I think that’s why I was never going to be a great midfield player. In terms of stepping out with the ball, I think he’d be perfect in a back three.
“Of course, he has to improve in certain areas but every young player has to improve.”
PREM RACE WORRIES CHAMPIONSHIP
A growing number of Championship clubs fear being left in the lurch by the Premier League’s rush to complete the season.
Uefa have set a May 25 deadline for European leagues to decide if they intend to play their current campaigns to the end.
And while the top-flight clubs are pressing ahead with plans to finish the season behind closed doors, most lower division teams are not in a position to return to action.
Prem clubs will meet again on Friday to discuss the government’s ‘Project Restart’ plan to get football going again.
With more than £750million of TV revenue at stake, England’s elite teams are desperate to fulfil their fixtures so they do not have to make a massive refund to Sky, BT and BeIN Sport.
A number of clubs including Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Brighton have opened their training grounds this week for their players to work individually.
But an anxious Championship executive has told Sunsport: “There is absolutely no point in the teams from the EFL playing behind closed doors.
“The money we would get from our TV deal would not outweigh the cost of staging games without paying customers.
“There are still far too many health risks involved at the moment and I think many players and managers will be reluctant to rush back just for the sake of completing the season before the end of July.
“The problem is that if the Premier League is saying they can finish by mid-summer, how can the rest of us ask for more time?
“There is huge concern that they will just go it alone and force the lower league teams to call our seasons off.”
TOP FIFA DOC: CALL OFF SEASON
FIFA’S medical chief wants no more Premier League action until NEXT SEASON –with all football resuming in September.
Michel D’Hooghe compared the deadly coronavirus pandemic to World War Two, adding: “The world is not ready for competitive football. It is not a matter of money — it is a matter of life and death.”
The Belgian’s demands were described as “sensible” by Brighton striker Glenn Murray.
And they are a huge blow for hopes of a summer restart as the Prem has been eyeing a June 8 restart.
D’Hooghewarned: “If there is one moment where absolute priority should be given to health and medicine, it is this.
“That is why I ask everybody to be very careful before starting competitions again.“I will be happy if we can have nothing before the start of next season.
“If they could startthe 2020-21 in September they could eventually avoid a second attack from the virus.”
His starkwarning came as France became the first of Europe’s big five leagues to officially end their season.
And D’Hooghe, head of Fifa’s medical committee and a former member of the game’s ruling executive committee,slammed any plans for behind-closed-doors matches.
BLUES FANS TAUNT GOONERS OVER AUBA
Taunting Chelsea fans have hijacked social media pleas from Arsenal supporters for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to sign a new Emirates contract.
The Gabon striker 30, has been linked with Manchester United, Barcelona and occasionally even the Blues.
Typical comments from Gooners included “we all love you” and “you'll be a bigger legend here”.
And Arsenal supporter argued: “He needs to reach the PL 100 club and win a trophy. I'd rather be a star man at a big club with a young manager at arsenal than a side piece at Real Madrid/Barcelona.”
But Chelsea followers were among those to tease Gooners by suggesting Aubameyang wants to leave so he can win trophies – some even urging him to make the trip across London to Stamford Bridge.
THANK BLUE SO MUCH
The Premier League's importance on and off the field has never been clearer now it's been stopped.
And this tweet from an elderly Chelsea-supporting widow thousands of miles away from Stamford Bridge underlines why the government is so keen for football to return and boost the morale of millions.
BLUES COULD GRAB ALABA
Chelsea are being linked with versatile Bayern Munich star David Alaba.
The Blues are in the market for a left-back, with Leicester's Ben Chilwell and Porto's Brazil ace Alex Telles also on their radar.
But according to reporter Guillem Balague, Chelsea are now eyeing 27-year-old Alaba, who can play as a centre-back or midfielder too
Balague said on his YouTube channel: “There's another player that if available, if not wanted by others, if he doesn't go anywhere else, Chelsea would like. And that's Alaba.
“He's been approached by other clubs, yes, but Chelsea will be interested in Alaba and I think that his versatility will really work in favour of Frank Lampard.
“He can play as you know in the midfield, in the full-back position as well of course, that's where he's very well known as, but Pep Guardiola made him much more than just a full-back.
“It will be interesting to see him in the Premier League. That's certainly one to keep an eye on.”
EDIN FOR INTER?
PSG record scorer Edinson Cavani has offered himself to Inter Milan despite being linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months, reports say.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim Antonio Conte views the Uruguay legend as a replacement for loanee Alexis Sanchez, who is set to return to Manchester United.
But the Italian outlet also say PSG are ready to extend Cavani's contract from June 30 to 2022.
In turn, that could signal the end of Mauro Icardi's time in the French capital following his loan stint from the Nerazzurri.
Inter boss Conte reportedly sees Cavani as an ideal addition to his squad due to his experience in the Champions League.
He netted more than 100 Serie A goals in standout stints for Napoli and Palermo.
But he has managed just four Ligue 1 strikes for PSG this season after falling behind Icardi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the pecking order.
Cavani looked set to leave the club in January after handing in a transfer request amid interest from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and United.
And Atleti looked to have beaten off interest from the Prem duo but the move broke down as the French champions demanded £25million.
CESC'S 130 GRAND GESTURE
Cesc Fabregas has offered to defer his entire £130,000-a-week wages for four months to help Monaco through the coronavirus crisis.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder has already accepted a 30 per cent pay cut for the next four months but has now gone one step further.
The kind-hearted gesture from the highly-decorated Spaniard will save Monaco more than £2million.
Fabregas, whose own great-grandmother, 95, contracted the virus, is also believed to have offered to top up the wages of Monaco’s training ground staff — who have seen their income slashed by nearly a third.
His actions come after top European clubs have been locked in discussions with their players to take pay cuts during the pandemic.
GUNNERS SET £30M PIERRE FEE
Arsenal are ready to sell captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for just £30m, writes SunSport's Mark Irwin.
With the players having already agreed a wage cut, it is clear that the Gunners will have a severely restricted transfer budget this summer.
And they will therefore stick rigidly to Raul Sanllehi's policy of selling any player who reaches the final year of their contract without signing a new deal – including Aubameyang.
The Gunners are also reported to be in a strong position to bring in Willian on a free transfer to add some extra firepower up front.
Technical director Edu has an excellent relationship with Willian's agent Kia Joorabchian and the Gunners are believed to be front runners for the Chelsea star's signature.
However, they will want him to modify his demands of a three-year deal on his current £120,000-a-year salary for the transfer to go through.
BRING AND YANG
Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea winger Willian as a cut-price replacement for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports MARK IRWIN.
But the Gunners are now balking at Willian’s contract demands — as he prepares to quit Stamford Bridge as a free agent.
The Brazilian ace is understood to be demanding a three-year deal which matches his current £120,000-a-week salary.
Cash-strapped Arsenal are reluctant to tie themselves to such a long-term agreement for a player who will be 32 in August.
But Willian’s agent Kia Joorabchian has become an increasingly influential figure at the Emirates over the past year.
He also represents the Gunners’ technical director Edu — and negotiated the signings of David Luiz and the on-loan Cedric Soares.
FIFA'S SEPTEMBER GAMBLE
Fifa's medical committee chairman doesn't want football to return before September 1.
Dr Michael D'Hooghe told Sky Sports: “The world is not ready for competitive football, I hope this can change very quickly.
“I sincerely hope it, believe me. Today you need some more patience.
“Football remains always a contact sport and one of the first things that everyone says is that you should avoid contact wherever possible.
“So football can only be possible if contacts is possible again.
“That is my personal opinion.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
It's feliz cumpleaños to former Blue and Champions League winner Juan Mata, who turns 32 today.
That's if you can forgive him for joining Man Utd.
RICE AND SHINE
Chelsea have received a mega boost in their pursuit of Declan Rice with Man Utd said to be no longer interested in the midfielder.
Earlier today, SunSport exclusively told you that West Ham are willing to sell Rice for a fee of around £70m as David Moyes looks to raise funds to bring in more young and hungry players.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been encouraged by the performances of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay this season and is therefore no longer looking for a holding midfielder.
Earlier this month, Rice went on the record as saying he is keen to play with boyhood pal and Blues midfielder Mason Mount at club level.
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