Asked about Chelsea’s transfer plans earlier this week, Thomas Tuchel gave fresh insight into how he intends to approach recruitment this summer.
With disagreements over transfer strategy one of the main reasons for his well documented tensions with PSG sporting director Leonardo – a contributing factor to his sacking last December – he has signalled that he intends to do things differently at Stamford Bridge.
“Transfer periods can be real mood breaks between coaches and clubs and I don’t want to have this ever again,” he said.
“I have zero ambition to ruin this atmosphere, not for myself or for anybody else.
“Do we have some ideas how to improve the squad? Yes, we do. But will we fight about it? No, we will not.”
His ideas should become clearer in the months to come. For now, here’s Thursday’s Chelsea transfer round-up with all the latest developments.
Inter Milan set fee for Lukaku
Inter Milan have put a fixed price on Romelu Lukaku, reports Corriere dello Sport.
Despite winning Serie A for the first time since 2010, the Nerazzurri find themselves in a difficult financial position. That could see various players move on this summer, including some of their highest earners.
With Manchester City and Chelsea both interested in Lukaku, Inter have had to consider the possibility of losing their top scorer. They have set a massive fee for any potential transfer, however, at €120m (£102.8m).
Chelsea interested in Coman?
Kingsley Coman is playing a game of cat and mouse in his contract negotiations with Bayern Munich and, in the meantime, other clubs could pounce.
That’s according to German outlet Fussball Transfers, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly expressing an interest in the France international.
There have been no concrete offers for him, however, and interest from elsewhere could allow Coman and his representatives to secure a better financial package at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern want to keep him and Coman would ultimately like to stay. He has already been offered a three-year contract extension and negotiations over his salary are ongoing.
Two youngsters join Blues
Chelsea have signed teenagers Jayden Wareham and Declan Frith on professional contracts after successful trials with the academy over the last two months.
Wareham, 17, is a forward who has made 14 appearances for Woking in the National League this season, scoring twice. Frith, 19, is a defender who operates mainly on the left and was most recently at Welling United.
Along with a picture of him signing professional terms, Wareham tweeted: “Another mil[e]stone in my career, so happy to have signed for @ChelseaFC, kick on now, bring on next season.”
Wareham started Chelsea under-18’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday, playing the full 90 minutes.