All the latest Chelsea transfer news and gossip including updates on Mauricio Pochettino's first signing, Real Madrid contacting Kai Havertz and Manuel Ugarte
Your morning Chelsea transfer round-up on Tuesday, June 6.
Real Madrid make Kai Havertz contact
Real Madrid have stepped up their efforts to sign Chelsea forward Kai Havertz this summer. The Germany international has emerged as a target for Los Blancos following Karim Benzema's decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of next season.
According to SPORT1, talks are ongoing between Madrid and Havertz's agents despite negotiations with Chelsea not yet having taken place. German news outlet BILD have also reported that the German could be available for €60million (£52million) with the Spanish giants' interest becoming more 'concrete' this week.
A report from AS adds that the Blues are open to offers for Havertz, but Pochettino will likely block his departure. Earlier this year, the Blues ace was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich, which he later rubbished by insisting that he's happy in west London.
With the imminent arrival of Christopher Nkunku expected at Stamford Bridge, Havertz's exit is not out of the question. football.london reported last year that the Frenchman has signed a pre-contract agreement and is expected to seal a £50million move to west London when the summer transfer window opens.
Chelsea confirm first transfer of Mauricio Pochettino era
Chelsea have confirmed they have come to an agreement for the signing of Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle. The 16-year-old will join the Blues after his 18th birthday.
The youngster has most recently participated in the under-20 World Cup with Ecuador. He made quite the impression after recording a goal and three assists in four appearances.
Chelsea pull out of £51m Manuel Ugarte transfer race
Chelsea have made a major midfield transfer decision which has seen them pull out of the race to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP. The Blues appeared to be winning the race for his signature against Paris Saint-Germain but a dramatic turn of events saw PSG leapfrog Chelsea to take the initiative which resulted in the latter pulling out of negotiations altogether.
Both teams willing to pay his €60million (£51m) release clause made talks with Sporting rather straightforward but personal terms were where problems began to arrive. Throughout negotiations it has been reported that PSG were always offering a more lucrative salary than Chelsea but that Ugarte's preferred destination was the Premier League.
However, in this case, it is Chelsea who have chosen to not pursue a transfer because of another team's more significant offer. According to Record in Portugal, PSG were first offering a package of €5million (£4.3m) to Ugarte but then chose to double his personal terms to €10million (£8.6m), whereas Chelsea, who were initially putting forward €2million (£1.7m), were then not prepared to come close to that number.