Chelsea News Update: Stones, Telles, Griezmann & Lacazette

Chelsea’s apathetic start to the season has apparently brought about a clear desire by boss Jose Mourinho to swoop for more players to bolster his squad.

Reports have claimed owner Roman Abrahamovich has given the green light for the Portuguese tactician to make three more important and huge signings, following the arrival of Ghanaian left-back Baba Rahman from Augsburg. The Blues are looking to bring in players to strengthen the team in defence, central midfield and attack.

First, here is an update on Stones! Centre-back John Stones has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge all summer, and Everton have rejected two bids in the region of £20m and £26m respectively for the young England international. However, Chelsea submitted a new £30m offer for Stones earlier today, which as per Sky sources, have also been rebuffed by the Toffees, as the Merseysiders only want to enter into negotiations if a bid of £40m is submitted.

The belief is that the transfer could still happen if Stones pushes for it, and £40m appear absurd for the 21-year old but Chelsea could be forced to cough up the fee as the transfer window draws to a close. Also, reports have it that Victor Moses and Bertrand Traore could be offered to the Toffees in order to land Stones

On another left-back’s pursuit, the Blues seem to have reignited their interest in Galatasaray’s Alex Telles, as per renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. Chelsea currently have just one left back – Baba – and a ‘converted’ left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta. Mourinho is understood to be on the look out for Telles as he wants two players competing for each side.

The Brazilian youngster is reportedly available for £10m, and Galatasaray will let him leave if that fee comes in. The Blues have seen a £5m offer rejected by the Turkish club, as per reports. However, they will have to face stiff competition from Real Madrid, according to AS (via talkSPORT), despite Los Blancos already having Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao in the left-back position.

Also, the talks of Antoine Griezmann making a summer switch to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid has filtered in once again, despite the player recently seeing his release clause upped. The Frenchman has also stated previously he does not want to leave the Vicente Calderon but this is football, and ANYTHING can happen!

Mourinho is a huge admirer of Griezmann, and a huge offer will be required to be coughed up by the Blues if they are to sign the former Real Sociedad star. However, Chelsea have made an opening £21m offer for the player’s services, as sanctioned by Abrahamovich, reports can confirm. However, it is believed a fee of around £45m will only tempt Atleti into parting ways with the 24-year old France international, who scored 22 goals in 37 appearances for the Spanish side last season.

Lastly, the Premier League champions are looking to sign Liverpool and Arsenal target Alexander Lacazette from Lyon this summer. The 24-year old forward has been touted for a move to England this summer, and Chelsea have also been linked. According to reports, the Frenchman is valued at around £21m by the Ligue 1 outfit, and that fee should not be a problem for the Blues.

Chelsea could do with either of Griezmann and Lacazette but in all honesty, the former would represent a better coup than the Ligue 1 attacker. It would be good if one of these two arrive, but the Blues should definitely be bringing in more signings than just one defender.

Meanwhile, the west London club have hijacked Manchester United’s transfer of Pedro, after the 20-time Premier League champions failed to match Barcelona’s valuation of €30 in time. The Spain international has passed his medical at Chelsea, as per Mundo Deportivo, and he could play for the Blues against West Bromwich Albion in a must-win encounter for the Premier League champions on Sunday.