These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Blues linked with Chukwueze

The Daily Mail reports Chelsea are considering a summer move for young Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze who currently plays for Spanish side Villarreal.

Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked with the 20-year-old, who joined the La Liga side’s Academy three years ago and made his professional debut in September 2018.

‘Villarreal value Chukwueze at around £60million. The 20-year-old is a highly promising talent, fast and skilful,’ states the paper.

‘He is a Nigeria international, however, and that could work against him following the announcement that the Africa Cup of Nations will revert back to its January format when it is hosted by Cameroon next year.

‘Sportsmail revealed Liverpool and City's interest last year and they have been joined by Chelsea with Chukwueze able to play on either wing or behind the striker.’

Coutinho to return to Premier League?

According to TalkSport, Brazilian forward Philippe Coutinho could be heading back to the Premier League this summer with Chelsea one of the main candidates to sign the Brazilian forward from Barcelona.

He joined the Spanish side from Liverpool in January 2018 in a deal worth £142million but could return for half that amount.

‘Barcelona will reportedly allow Philippe Coutinho to leave for a cut price fee this summer with several Premier League clubs linked with a move,’ states the report.

‘Coutinho has so far struggled to settle in Spain and has spent the whole of the 2019-20 season out on loan at Bayern Munich.

‘It is thought the Bundesliga club have first refusal as part of the loan contract, but that would cost them a whopping £102million to activate that clause.

‘Barcelona are willing to accept as little as £77million, nearly half the transfer fee they paid a little over two years ago.

‘The prospect could attract the interest of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, who have all been linked with a move for the 27-year-old.’

Merten could be available on free transfer

Belgian forward Dries Mertens appears likely to move away from Napoli on a free transfer in the summer – with Chelsea emerging as one of his likely destinations, the Daily Mail reports.

The 32-year-old was strongly linked with the Blues during the January transfer window but remained in Italy after Napoli reportedly turned down an offer from the Blues.

However, his contract with the Serie A side is set to expire this summer, with negotiations for an extension appearing to hit a stalemate according to the report.

‘While attempts to lure Mertens away from Serie A last month failed, the latest reports from Italy suggest talks to extend his contract at Napoli beyond the end of the season are not going well,’ states the Mail.

‘La Gazzetta dello Sport claim Mertens wants €7.5million (£6.3m) per year for two seasons, but Napoli's current proposal is stuck at €4m (£3.3m) plus another €1m (£845,000) in performance-related bonuses.

‘Mertens has played 306 matches for Gennaro Gattuso's side since joining the club from PSV Eindhoven in 2013.’