Paper Talk: Chelsea ready to give Dortmund big profit as star edges Rice as top target; Balotelli set for shock Champ move

Chelsea are cooling efforts for Declan Rice and will instead turn to a Borussia Dortmund midfielder, while Mario Balotelli could return to English football at the unlikeliest of clubs, according to Wednesday’s transfer gossip.

JUDE BELLINGHAM NOW TOP CHELSEA TARGET

Chelsea are reportedly planning to make a move for Jude Bellingham when the transfer window opens.

The teenager only made the move from Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. The Bundesliga side paid an initial £25m for his services.

However, according to Eurosport, via the Daily Express, his time at the Westfalonstadion could be a brief one.

They claim Chelsea are ready to make the recently-capped England midfielder a priority signing at Stamford Bridge. The Blues could even shelve their plans to re-sign Declan Rice with the 17-year-old now their top target.

West Ham’s £70m asking price makes a deal to prise Rice back across London difficult.

However – and while Bellingham would be pretty costly himself – persuading Dortmund into a sale may be easier.

The Blues would likely need to spend £50m to bring Bellingham back to England. That would represent a 100% profit for Dortmund after just 11 appearances in their side.

Chelsea know that they would face competition for Bellingham, with Manchester United also still keen.

However, the report states there is a confidence that Chelsea feel they could lure Bellingham to Stamford Bridge.

Furthermore, Eurosport claims Lampard likes his midfield versatility. Bellingham is capable of playing as a No 6 or a No 8 and that is said to be of enormous appeal.

Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…

BALOTELLI LINKED WITH BARNSLEY MOVE

Mario Balotelli has been in talks with Barnsley about making a sensational move to the South Yorkshire side. (The Sun)

Manchester City are plotting another move for Lionel Messi when the transfer window opens in January. (The Sun)

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will accept a loan transfer and a huge pay cut to end his Chelsea hell. (The Sun)

Ex-Arsenal youth Nico Yennaris has changed his name name to Li Ke as he becomes first naturalised player to earn China cap. (The Sun)

Downing Street is considering a surprise plot from MPs to allow supporters back at Premier League and other elite sports grounds by Christmas. (Daily Telegraph)

Celtic-linked defender Omar Colley is reportedly heading for an “inevitable” Sampdoria exit. (Daily Record)

POCHETTINO TIPPED TO REPLACE GUARDIOLA

Manchester City will move for Mauricio Pochettino should Pep Guardiola choose to leave at the end of the season. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa are preparing for a £100m raid from Manchester City when the transfer window re-opens. City reportedly have their sights set on Jack Grealish and Douglas Luiz. (Daily Express)

England boss Gareth Southgate insists he won’t budge in club vs country row over injuries. (Daily Mail)

Gareth Bale says he has regained his passion for football again after returning to a club where he is ‘loved’ in Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

Georginio Wijnaldum is considering his Liverpool future despite being offered a new bumper deal by the Reds. (Daily Mail)

LEICESTER CHASE NUNO MENDES

Leicester are monitoring Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes, who has an exit clause of £40m at Sporting Lisbon. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal’s Willian will have to record a negative coronavirus test to be able to return to training at the club this week. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho could leave Stamford Bridge to reunite with Maurizio Sarri again, according to his agent. (Daily Mail)

David Coote is back on VAR duties for Liverpool this weekend, just a month after failing to send off Jordan Pickford for his shocking lunge on Virgil van Dijk. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona’s wage cap has been reduced from £601m to £342m due to the financial pressures of Covid-19. (Daily Mail)

AND MORE GOSSIP

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to give the green light for Man Utd to sell Phil Jones, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo in January. (Daily Mirror)

Mo Salah looks certain to miss Sunday’s table-topping clash with Leicester, even if he gets a Covid all clear. (Daily Mirror)

Napoli will not lower their asking price of €70m for Liverpool target Kalidou Koulibly in the January window. (Daily Mirror)

Kieran Trippier insists he will “always give his all” for England despite the potential FA ban hanging over him. (Daily Mirror)

Schalke centre-back Malick Thiaw says he is flattered to be linked to Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

The post Paper Talk: Chelsea ready to give Dortmund big profit as star edges Rice as top target; Balotelli set for shock Champ move appeared first on teamtalk.com.