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

Hazard add-ons agreed

The Times newspaper is one of several to report a transfer fee agreed between Chelsea and Real Madrid could rise to £130 million.This follows on from reports yesterday that indicated a lower flat fee had been negotiated. The Times article today states:‘Chelsea have agreed to sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid for a club record fee that could reach £130 million. The Spanish club will pay £88.5 million up front to secure the Belgium attacker, with the provision for various add-ons based on performances and achievements at the Bernabeu that could earn Chelsea an additional £41.5 million.’It adds that Chelsea and Real have been negotiating over Hazard for the past week, stating:‘Chelsea have accepted that Hazard would leave for some time after holding off interest from Real last summer, but were determined to gain a fee in excess of £100 million for their talisman, which they will achieve if he performs well for his new club. Among the various targets that will trigger further payments include appearances and goals, as well as Real winning La Liga and the Champions League while Hazard is at the club.’

Kante to miss France matches

Sky Sports is reporting that N'Golo Kante will not play in France’s upcoming matches in the Euro 2020 qualifiers because of injury.

The midfielder recovered in time from a right knee injury to play the full 90 minutes of the Europa League final when Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in Baku.

However, Sky Sports says the 28-year-old’s problem was evaluated by France’s medical staff after he reported for international duty, and it was felt that it was not worth the risk for him to be involved in away games against Turkey on Saturday and Andorra next Tuesday.

The report adds that France coach Didier Deschamps has released Kante from his squad and decided not to replace him in the squad that is travelling to Turkey today.

Abraham bids farewell to Villa

Aston Villa’s hopes of keeping Tammy Abraham for their Premier League campaign next season appear to be over after the striker posted a farewell message to the club on Instagram on Thursday.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful campaign on loan at Villa Park as he scored 26 goals to help fire the Birmingham club back into the top flight after a three-season absence.

However, he appeared to close the door on the possibility that he could return there in 2019/20 in his social media post.

‘Where do I start. Firstly I want to thank everyone at Aston VIlla for a unforgettable season,’ he said.

‘Felt the love and support from the get go & we did it together! This club will always have a place in my heart. Aston Villa welcome to the Premier League.’

Among the respondents was fellow Blues youngsters Trevoh Chalobah, who wrote ‘Chelsea No9’, while Reece James posted a picture of a goat, which alluded to Abraham as the ‘greatest of all time’.

Abraham has three years left on his Chelsea contract and has expressed his desire to prove himself as a key player at Stamford Bridge.

Bright hails Terry’s influence

Speaking to the Evening Standard ahead of the start of the Women’s World Cup this weekend, England defender Millie Bright has revealed the support that John Terry has given to her and her team-mates on the Chelsea women’s team.

The 25-year-old grew up idolising Terry and said he was a big influence on her before and after she joined the Blues from Doncaster Belles in late 2014.

‘John Terry is someone I definitely looked up. It was John Terry [I idolised] before, but then when I signed for Chelsea it was even bigger then. I just liked his attitude,’ she said.

‘I liked the way he played and I saw similarities to myself. Moving to Chelsea, the support he gave to the women’s team was incredible. Still to this day, when he is not at the club, he is still supportive of all us players.

‘Again, I just think he is a born winner and would do anything for any of his players. He just strives to be the best.’

Bright, who could have become a horse-riding instructor if her football career had not worked out, also praised another former Chelsea captain for being a big influence on her career.

‘Katie Chapman was another player I admired and I loved playing against her when she played for Arsenal and I played for Doncaster,’ she added.

‘I like to get stuck in, get a foot in. She was someone that I wanted to be, she was a born winner.’