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

Blues linked with Ukrainian midfielder

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in signing Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi following a recommendation from Claude Makelele.

Citing a report by Ukrainian website sportsarena.com, the paper said the Blues ‘have set their sights on the 26-year-old who only joined the Italian side in the summer’.

‘Starting his club career in Shakhtar Donetsk, Malinovskyi was sent out on loan to Genk where he impressed the Belgian club enough to later join on a full transfer.

‘While competing in the Belgian Pro League he scored 23 goals in 93 appearances and was a crucial part in them winning the league in the 2018/19 season.

‘Malinovskyi then joined Atalanta and so far this season has made eight appearances for the club across the Serie A and Champions League.

‘However, it is on international duty where he has impressed the most, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Lithuania and also shining in their 2-1 win over Portugal.’

Chelsea are currently serving a transfer ban and any move for Malinovskyi would only take place after the expiry of the ban.

Abraham reportedly close to new deal

According to 90min.com, Tammy Abraham is close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Chelsea after the young striker’s excellent start to the season.

The football news website cited a pair of tweets by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who indicated on his initial post that the player’s agent had opened talks with the club before following up with an emphatic statement of intent.

‘…and now Chelsea are “close to an agreement” and “more than confident” to extend Tammy Abraham contract. Totally confirmed,’ read the tweet.

If he signs a new deal, Abraham would become just the latest Academy product to commit his long-term future to the club in recent months after Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Ajax fans to watch Orient

With Ajax fans barred from attending their club’s Champions League visit to Stamford Bridge next month, Sky Sports reports supporters of the Dutch club intend to watch another match across London on the same day instead.

Ajax fans will not be allowed to attend the match against Chelsea on 5 November after crowd trouble in their match at Valencia earlier this month triggered a suspended one-match away ban handed to their club by UEFA last season.

With a number of Ajax supporters booking their travel and accommodation in London before the UEFA ban was announced, they are now looking to attend the Leasing.com Trophy match between Leyton Orient and Brighton Under-21s on the same evening.

‘More than 2,000 Ajax supporters are planning on visiting the 9,271-capacity Brisbane Road, home of League Two side Orient, promoted from the National League last season,’ states Sky Sports.

Leyton Orient said in a club statement: ‘We're aware of the interest from AFC Ajax supporters in attending the Leasing.com Trophy match against Brighton and Hove Albion U21s on 5 November.

‘We will be entering in communication with Ajax in how best to facilitate this.’