US billionaire tests Roman Abramovich resolve on Chelsea again after Russian rejected first offer

Reports in England say American billionaire Todd Boehly is ready to make a second bid for Chelsea.

The Telegraph claims he will test Roman Abramovich’s resolve once again after reportedly failing with an offer earlier this week.

However, the Russian has consistently made it understood he has no intention of selling up at Stamford Bridge.

That said, the Wall Street Journal claim the current Chelsea owner is open to a deal if his valuation – thought to be £3bn – is met.

According to The Sun, such a high valuation could dissuade Boehly from making any further attempts.

Boehly – the former president of asset manager group Guggenheim Partners – has long been tipped with a takeover of a Premier League club.

The part-owner of baseball team LA Dodgers revealed his interest in buying a London-based club, with Chelsea and Tottenham quickly identified as his top options.

Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and his money helped inspire the club to the best period in their history.

Manchester United battle Inter Milan for Serie A ace

There are reorts that Manchester United have fallen behind Inter Milan in the battle to sign Atalanta midfielder Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski, who is enjoying a profitable loan spell with Parma, is reportedly available for £30million.

The Red Devils are hopeful of bringing the 19-year-old to Old Trafford but Italian publication Corriere della Serra claim Antonio Conte’s side are leading the charge.

It’s claimed the two clubs have agreed a £30m fee and Parma will able to keep Kulusevski until the end of the season.

Pedro eyeing Barcelona return

Chelsea forward Pedro has expressed his desire to return to his former club Barcelona

The Spanish winger spent nine successful seasons at the Nou Camp – winning three Champions League titles and countless domestic honours.

The 32-year-old’s contract expires in June 2020 and he looks surplus to requirements under Frank Lampard.

Asked whether Barcelona could be his next destination, the Spaniard told Catalan radio station Què T’hi Jugues de Ser Catalunya as cited by AS: “Everyone knows how I feel about the club and it’s obvious that there’s a chance I go back,” he told .

“I have always said it. Barcelona is a club that I have a special love for because where I am from. I lived many experiences there, I was there for many years and I feel love for everyone there. I would love if I could return.”

Napoli confirm Gennaro Gattuso as new manager after firing Carlo Ancelotti

Napoli have announced that Gennaro Gattuso is their new coach after firing Carlo Ancelotti last night.

The appointment was confirmed in a tweet by President Aurelio De Laurentiis this evening.

The former Milan tactician will hold his first training session this afternoon, making his debut in Saturday’s head-to-head for seventh place in Serie A with Parma.

Gattuso landed at the Capodichino airport this afternoon, just as Ancelotti had finished emptying out his office at the Castel Volturno training ground.

Ancelotti was officially dismissed just hours after a 4-0 victory over Genk, which secured their ticket to the Champions League Round of 16.

It had already been reported a week ago that the decision to fire Ancelotti and bring in Gattuso had already been made, it was just a matter of waiting for the final Champions League group game.

This is Gattuso’s first role since he left Milan by mutual consent in May, having missed out on Champions League qualification by one point.

Photo Credit: Twitter @sscnapoli.it

Chelsea receive boost over Wilfried Zaha’s January move

Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha as the Roy Hodgson’s side are eyeing Olivier Giroud this January, according to the Guardian.

Frank Lampard is keen to strengthen his attacking options after pointing out that the exit of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid has lessened his side’s creative threat.

Lampard was angry that Chelsea failed to build on first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and César Azpilicueta against Lille, who halved the deficit thanks to a late effort from Loïc Rémy.

Zaha is eager to play at the highest level and Chelsea, whose transfer ban was halved last week, are giving him strong consideration.

The 27-year-old winger is Palace’s most important player and part of his appeal to Chelsea is that he would not need to adapt to the Premier League and would be eligible to play in the Champions League. With Pedro and Willian out of contract at the end of the season, Chelsea need to start building for the future.

Chelsea’s hopes of signing Zaha could be smoothed by Palace’s interest in Olivier Giroud.

The striker, whose contract expires in the summer, has been out of favour and risks losing his spot in the France squad for Euro 2020.

He is expected to tell Lampard he wants to leave in January. Chelsea, who could yet offer Willian a new deal, will also look to raise funds by selling Pedro and Marcos Alonso.

“I will look at all areas of the team but I think it was quite clear in the summer that you lose Eden Hazard, who was a huge part of scoring or creating our goals last season and the season before that,” Chelsea’s manager said.

“I think we’ve found ways as a team where we can still be competitive. We’ve shown that in the league and now the Champions League. But if we’re looking at if we can get even better, can we get better in forward areas to help the idea of being more clinical, then I think we’ll always look at that.

“We’re just not converting enough. Some of that is to keep working and I’m not here to criticize anybody because we’ve just qualified from a really tough group to get through to the next stage of the Champions League. But we have standards here and I know how much the players also want to be successful. It’s very clear, so we’ll keep working towards it.”