Your Chelsea morning digest on Friday, April 15.
Romelu Lukaku transfer claim made
Former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed that Chelsea striker could leave Stamford Bridge this summer for as little as £40 million. The Belgian has struggled for form since returning to the Premier League for £97 million and the Blues have been told they will be able to command nowhere near that amount if they do look to move him on.
"It's like buying a Bugatti but you have to give it back and only get half the price," he said on talkSPORT. “The £91m they paid for him, I don’t think they’ll get £50m for Lukaku! I think someone could come in for £40m. Chelsea are in a position where he doesn't suit the way they play anymore. "
Antonio Rudiger worries worsen
The hunt for a new owner for Chelsea is finally drawing to an end with the deadline for final offers passing yesterday. One of the priorities for whoever steps into Roman Abramovich's shoes, however, will be the future of Antonio Rudiger, with the talismanic centre-back set to leave on a free transfer as things stand.
However, according to a report from GOAL, the takeover race has only made his situation more unstable. While talks had previously been unsuccessful, they were progressing under the Abramovich regime. But there is a real fear that a new owner will mean that progress is lost and Rudiger is allowed to join one of Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus.
Tenenbaum hit with Government sanctions ahead of takeover deadline
Ahead of the takeover deadline set by Raine Group, Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum has been named in the latest round of UK Government sanctions.
Whilst of Canadian descent - and born in Ukraine - the official reason for the sanctions has been revealed as the fact that he is a close associate of soon-to-be former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Whilst a blow to the Blues, it is not thought that the sanctions will affect the takeover process.
Read the full story here.
