Real Madrid’s doubts over whether they can afford Dean Huijsen have left Chelsea in pole position to sign the Bournemouth defender this summer.

Chelsea have been working behind the scenes on a deal for Huijsen. They have a good relationship with the player’s representatives and want to wrap up the signing before the Club World Cup, which begins in mid-June.

Enzo Maresca puts a heavy emphasis on possession and believes his plans have been compromised by Wesley Fofana’s fitness problems.

A striker is also a priority for Chelsea, with Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesko shortlisted.

🔗 Jacob Steinberg - Guardian

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Chelsea continue to explore a striker as a key priority, and potentially ahead of the Club World Cup.

Ipswich’s Liam Delap, Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Frankfurt’s Ekitike are among the names admired. Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres not entirely ruled out.

🔗 Ben Jacobs - talkSPORT

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🚨 Romeo Lavia is set to receive his first minutes after injury this weekend. Confidential understands Lavia trained today without any issues.

🔗 Kieran Gill - Daily Mail

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Another transfer battle is brewing between Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Stamford Bridge club already leading 2-0 after twice blowing away their Premier League rivals in previous head-to-head chases for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Dean Huijsen is seen as a player with high potential, scouts reporting that he has old-school defensive attributes but is modern in that he can comfortably pass from the back with both feet.

Axel Disasi, currently on loan at Aston Villa, and Trevoh Chalobah, who was recalled from Crystal Palace in January, are among the defenders who could be allowed to leave this summer.

🔗 Kieran Gill - Daily Mail

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🚨 Chelsea have long-term interest in other CB's, such as Murillo and Marc Guehi, but if they win the race for Dean Huijsen, it would be deja vu for Liverpool after losing out on Caicedo and Lavia previously. 👀

Chelsea believe they’ve got the upper hand on Dean Huijsen thanks to Ali Barat, who worked with Chelsea on deals for Caicedo and Jackson.

🔗 Kieran Gill - Daily Mail

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Bournemouth signed Huijsen in July 2024 for only £12.8m, rising to £15.3m, and Ali Barat was the agent who facilitated that transfer from Juventus.

Barat was also credited with brokering the deal which took Caicedo to Chelsea rather than Liverpool, alongside fellow intermediary Manuel Sierra.

Over the last year, Barat has worked on several other deals with the Blues, including: Nicolas Jackson's new contract; lan Maatsen's move to Aston Villa; Conor Gallagher's switch to Atletico Madrid; and Cesare Casadei to Torino.

🔗 Kieran Gill - Daily Mail

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🚨Chelsea plan to have a busy summer targeting a striker, winger and a centre-back.

Striker targets include Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Jonathan David and Victor Osimhen.

Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Nico Williams are among their winger targets.

🔗 Sky Sports

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Cole at Cobham. 🥶

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Chelsea are tracking some of Europe's best centre-backs and attackers in an effort to try and complete some deals before they play at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.

AC Milan and Portugal international winger Rafael Leao is not a player that Chelsea are trying to sign.

🔗 Kaveh Solhekol - Sky Sports

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Maresca feels Chelsea are improving at dealing with defensive set-ups. They did well in coming from behind to win 2-1 against Fulham – the deepest sitters they have faced statistically this season as Marco Silva’s side averaged 31.5 metres from their goal.

🔗 Kieran Gill - Daily Mail

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After tonight's win, Chelsea Women only need 4 points for their 6th title in a row. 🤯

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‼️ Dean Huijsen is the subject of genuine interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle heading into the summer transfer window.

Chelsea have good relationship with Huijsen's advisors which could be crucial.

🔗 Sami Mokbel - BBC Sport

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Highest rated goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues this season (20+ apps):

◎ 7.08 - Djordje Petrovic
◎ 7.02 - Mark Flekken
◎ 7.00 - Yehvann Diouf
◎ 7.00 - Vanja Milinković-Savić
◎ 6.94 - Joan García

🔗 WhoScored

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Chelsea will be coached on the touchline by Willy Caballero and staff on Saturday as Enzo Maresca serves a one match touchline ban for 3 yellow cards.

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Chelsea are currently not favourites at the moment for Huijsen. — Madrid would be priority for the player if they made official move for him.

🔗 Kaveh Solhekol - Sky Sports

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