Your Chelsea morning digest with football.london on Thursday, September 29.
Chelsea plan meeting with Bundesliga boss
Chelsea have taken a step closer towards appointing a sporting director as Todd Boehly looks to restructure the club's backroom makeup. The American billionaire is in the market for a transfer specialist to join the Blues' scouting team and Bayer Leverkusen boss Tim Steidten looks poised to land the role at Stamford Bridge after moves for RB Salzburg chief Christoph Freund and Paris Saint-Germain advisor Luis Campos failed to materialise.
Earlier this month, The Athletic stated that Steidten was shortlisted by the west Londoners as a candidate for the sporting director role. Now, according to The Guardian, Chelsea are planning further talks with the 43-year-old.
Before taking the head coach role at the Bundesliga outfit this summer, Steidten was head of scouting at the BayArena. At Leverkusen, he was responsible for the signings of bright prospects Moussa Diaby, Patrik Schick, Amine Adli, Adam Hlozek and, more recently, Callum Hudson-Odoi on loan.
READ MORE: 'Love Georgie Boy'- John Terry sends heartwarming Chelsea retirement message to John Obi Mikel
Boehly looks to jump queue for Bellingham
According to The Telegraph, the Blues are looking to jump the queue in the race for Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid and Liverpool are said to be spearheading the pursuit, with Manchester United and Manchester City also said to after the 19-year-old.
The Athletic say that Borussia Dortmund want to hold onto the teenage sensation, who is valued at €150million (£131million). It's said that Bellingham does not have a release clause in his deal which can be activated.
Rafael Leao contract dilemma
Todd Boehly has been dealt a major blow in Chelsea's mission to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer as Thomas Tuchel looked to bolster his side's frontline.
According to reports, the Portugal international was told to pay his former club €20million (£18million) after walking away from Sporting free of charge in 2018 to join Lille. It's said that Leao's contract with the Portuguese giants was essentially terminated as he felt it was within his right to do so after the club's training ground was invaded by protesting fans.
However, the forward's case didn't stand in court and, therefore, he was ordered to pay Sporting back which will reportedly be taken straight from his wages. But, with Leao yet to pay the looming fee, it has become a deciding factor as to whether he pens a new deal at Milan or not.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, as quoted by Football Italia, Milan are in direct communication with Sporting 'to help reduce' the amount he owes his former club. The report states that directors Paolo Maldini and Frederico Varandas have met twice in recent months to resolve the ongoing issue.
The Italian giants are eager to help their player clear his debt in a bid that it could persuade Leao to pen a new deal at the club. He sees his current contract at the San Siro expire in 2024 and is currently valued at around £72million.
READ NEXT:
Edouard Mendy, N'Golo Kante: Chelsea injury news and updates ahead of Crystal Palace trip
Rio Ferdinand clashes with Chelsea legend as Reece James uses Ballon d'Or trick
Kai Havertz sends clear message to Graham Potter on Chelsea role with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
John Terry sends heartwarming Chelsea retirement message to John Obi Mikel
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
