Chelsea Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumors, Updates

Chelsea's dream run is complete and the Blues are European champions. So now what?

As the summer begins, a host of players are being linked with moves in and out of Stamford Bridge. In this space, we'll try to help you sort out all the news, rumors and speculation.

Keep reading for the latest on Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Eden Hazard and more.

Adieu, Didier

Didier Drogba has played his last match for Chelsea.

The 34-year-old Ivorian's last touch with the London club was the decisive penalty in last weekend's Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich.

From Chelsea's official website:

"

Chelsea Football Club can confirm Didier Drogba will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

Didier has spent eight years at Chelsea, and everyone at the club would like to thank him for his service and wish him luck and continued success for the future.

Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: "Didier is undoubtedly a Chelsea legend and will always be part of the Chelsea family. He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night but he feels the time is right for a new challenge."

"

Drogba has been linked with moves to China and Barcelona, among other places.

¿Adios, El Niño?

Following Chelsea's Champions League final victory, reports quickly filtered out that Spanish striker Fernando Torres was unhappy.

ESPN Soccernet reports:

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Fernando Torres has dropped a bombshell on Chelsea just hours after they won the Champions League, revealing he will head for showdown talks with the club's owners to determine whether he will stay at the club.

Torres was an unused substitute in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Liverpool, and he was only introduced in the Champions League final after Bayern Munich took the lead with seven minutes remaining. The £50 million man's introduction at the Allianz Arena coincided with a Chelsea revival, which saw them win the trophy on penalties.

The Spaniard looked frustrated at being left on the bench for one of the biggest games of his career, admitting later that he "expected to start", and now the former Liverpool striker will look for first-team assurances before deciding if it is "worth it" for him to stay at Chelsea.

"

On Monday, The Guardian reported that Chelsea had told Torres he is going nowhere this summer.

¿Hola, Edinson?

With the departure of Drogba confirmed, and with Torres' future uncertain, Chelsea could be looking for attacking players this summer.

One player the Blues have been linked with for some time is Napoli's Edinson Cavani. The 25-year-old Uruguayan scored 33 goals in all competitions this season as Napoli won the Coppa Italia.

From a Goal.com report in March:

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The Napoli striker’s agents were believed to be in London on Friday discussing a proposed £30 million transfer to Stamford Bridge, which would appear to have been sanctioned by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

…

The Italian outfit have maintained their stance that it would take a huge amount of money to prise him away from them, but sources say he could be tempted by a big money move to England.

"

As of yet, there's no further word on any deal.

Swap Deal for Falcao?

Last week, reports suggested Chelsea could be considering a swap deal that would send Fernando Torres to Atletico Madrid for Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao.

Falcao, 26, scored 36 goals in all competitions this past season for Atletico Madrid, who won the UEFA Europa League.

From Metro:

"

Various media sources in Madrid claim Chelsea will offer Torres and £15million in cash for Colombian striker Falcao, the star of their Europa League win.

It is thought the Spanish side would prefer a straight money deal for the 26-year-old and value him at around £50 million.

"

Watch Falcao in action here.

Demba Ba

Another potential target for Chelsea could be Newcastle's Senegalese forward Demba Ba, who took the Premier League by surprise this past season.

Ba, who turns 27 on Friday, signed from West Ham United last summer and scored 16 league goals for fifth-placed Newcastle.

He was linked with Chelsea in March.

Incredible Hulk?

5/31: Chelsea have agreed with FC Porto on a £38m transfer deal for Hulk, the Brazilian striker.

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Chelsea's longstanding interest in Porto midfielder/forward Hulk is no secret. Lately, the Brazilian has suggested that his future is uncertain.

From Goal.com:

"

Hulk has done little to quell talk of a summer transfer and admitted earlier in the week that he was aware of the interest of clubs in his services, though he remains uncertain about where he will ply his trade next season.

"I do not talk about transfers," he told Globoesporte. "That is something that I leave for my agent. All I know is that I will stay in Europe.

"That is where I want to continue to play, also because my family likes to be there and is settled there."

"

At one point, Hulk's transfer value was estimated around £83 million.

Hazard Sweepstakes

5/28: Chelsea have agreed on a move for Eden Hazard. The transfer fee will be £32m. He will sign a five‑year deal worth £100,000 a week.

Few can discern the mind of Belgian winger Eden Hazard.

Everybody knows Hazard will leave Lille this summer, but no one knows where he'll go.

Less than two weeks ago, Hazard said he will wear blue next season. Next, he said he will play in Manchester.

Then came the curveball.

After Chelsea's Champions League final victory, reports linked Hazard with Chelsea.

And on Monday, The Daily Telegraph reported that Hazard might be too costly for mega-rich Manchester City:

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City have made it clear to Hazard and his advisers that they will not meet his salary demands, which are understood to be around £200,000 a week. Instead they are prepared to offer around £110,000 a week.

The higher figure would move the Belgium international alongside Yaya Touré and Carlos Tévez as City’s top earners, but while that pair arrived as proven performers from Barcelona and United respectively, Hazard’s reputation is built on his performances in the French league.

"

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As a result, senior figures at the Etihad Stadium have no intention of sanctioning a pay deal which would mean he earned more than Sergio Agüero, David Silva and the club captain, Vincent Kompany.

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At this point, anything can happen.

 

Follow @MikeCummings37