FC Chelsea

Bayern Munich have brushed off speculation linking them with a move for Chelsea's David Luiz by insisting they will not be signing another defender this summer.

It was reported earlier this week that Pep Guardiola had set his sights on the Brazilian centre-back, who can also play in midfield, due to concerns over his defensive options.

Holger Badstuber could be sidelined for another year after recently learning he will need a fourth operation on his injured right knee, having sustained ligament damage last December.

However, club director Matthias Sammer insists Bayern have enough cover and will be putting their faith in Jan Kirchhoff rather than looking for more new recruits.

Germany Under 21 international Kirchhoff has arrived on a free transfer from Mainz and is regarded as an excellent prospect for the future.

Sammer told kicker-Sportmagazin: "We are not going to sign a new defender since we have already signed a defender this summer in Jan Kirchhoff.

"The decision not to sign a further defender is clearly to be seen as giving a fair chance to Jan."

Reports in Belgium claim Zulte Waregem are favourites to re-sign Chelsea's Thorgan Hazard on loan, although Anderlecht are also keen and Championship Middlesbrough are being credited with an interest.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is weighing up a move for Liverpool target Tiago Ilori, according to the Daily Mirror. The Reds are understood to have been negotiating with the central defender’s club, Sporting Lisbon, for several weeks, but could now see their efforts hijacked by the Blues.

Norwich have rejected a second offer from Chelsea for goalkeeper John Ruddy.

The Blues made their initial move for the 26-year-old at the end of last month but were rebuffed by Norwich, who are keen to keep hold of their first-choice stopper.

Chelsea’s first bid was believed to have been in the region of £5m but the Canaries – who have said they have no plans to sell Ruddy – are thought to be holding out for around £10m.

Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic has been attracting interest from a number of sides across Europe. However, Premier League side Chelsea look to be the favourites to procure his signature this summer.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been tracking his progress for a number of years, and is reportedly willing to match Benfica’s £20M asking price.

Chelsea defender David Luiz has reportedly tried to persuade him to join the Blues, but no official word has been made from the Matic camp surrounding his immediate future.

On the rumours linking him with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, Suarez said: "It's good to know that I am still valued by teams like Arsenal. Friends call me up to ask if I am moving to Chelsea, to which I laugh.

"Don't believe everything you read or hear! I am sometimes off the grid. I don't even know where my phone is sometimes."

Barcelona have launched a £30million bid for David Luiz – but Chelsea will refuse to sell him at that price.

Barca, who for all of their quality remain short of options at the back, are prepared to increase their offer for the talented defender who they view as their long-term successor to captain Carles Puyol.

Sources claim it is 50-50 whether Luiz will stay at Chelsea.

YEOVIL LOAN FOR CLIFFORD

Posted on: Wed 10 Jul 2013
Under-21midfielder Billy Clifford has today (Wednesday) joined Yeovil Town on loan until 3 January.

The 20-year-old has been with Chelsea since schoolboy age, signing professional terms in the summer of 2010 having helped us lift the FA Youth Cup as an attack-minded right-back.

Since then he has flourished further forward and been a regular for the second string, making his first-team debut on our 2011 summer tour of Asia having been an unused substitute in the Champions League on his 18th birthday the previous October.

Last season, Clifford spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Colchester United in League One, playing 18 times and scoring once, a 25-yard strike incidentally against Yeovil. Now, he joins the Glovers as they embark on a first season in the Championship following promotion in last season's play-offs.

Birmingham City are interested in Chelsea superkid Islam Feruz.

The Express & Star says Brum have been linked with a loan move for Chelsea's Scotland under-21 striker Feruz.

The 17-year-old left Celtic in 2011 to sign pro terms with the Blues.