Chelsea forward rumors: Sancho, Kane, Coman, Giroud, Kenedy latest

Jadon Sancho

According to reports from the Athletic, Sport1, Mirror and Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have stepped up their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. The Red Devils are ready to pay £80m, with Dortmund holding out for an additional £20m in achievable add-ons, which are not believed to pose an insurmountable gap.

United would reportedly like to wrap up the transfer before the start of the European Championships, although that might be a bit complicated this close to the start of it. Nonetheless, they want to settle the transfer soon, lest Sancho’s valuation rise during the tournament. The 21-year-old’s current contract runs through 2023.

Harry Kane

England captain Harry Kane has put talks over his future on hold, and is currently also focusing on the European Championships, as per the Evening Standard. Kane was apparently trying to get his future resolved before the tournament, but is now resigned to waiting until after. While talks could still continue behind the scenes, Kane will not be involved.

As reported earlier, Manchester City remain the frontrunners for Kane’s signature, although they aren’t willing to pay above £100m, and will also look to use the likes of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus or Riyad Mahrez as makeweights, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Kingsley Coman

According to Sport1 and BILD (via Caught Offside), Kingsley Coman’s contract extension talks with Bayern Munich have completely stalled. The 24-year-old recently appointed Pini Zahavi as his new agent, and Coman has given Zahavi the mandate to find interest in England. Bayern want to extend Coman’s contract beyond 2023, but are only willing to increase his salary to €13m from the current €12m, while the player wants an annual package of €20m.

Understandably, Bayern aren’t willing to offer that amount, which would see him earn wages on par with Robert Lewandowski. The Bundesliga champions would therefore be willing to sell him while his stock is still high. Chelsea seemingly have an advantage in the race, with Manchester United prioritizing a move for Jadon Sancho. Coman’s asking price is €65m.

Olivier Giroud

In very surprising developments, Chelsea have confirmed a one-year extension for Olivier Giroud, despite widespread consensus and expectation that the 34-year-old would be leaving as a free agent this summer.

However, that club-option isn’t necessarily written in stone. Quotes attributed to Giroud’s “entourage” would seem to confirm that as well.

“Chelsea have exercised a unilateral option, but in case of offers they will [let] leave him [for] free.”

-source: Calciomercato via Google Translate

That said, hushed-toned reports in Italy — (ed.note: cue the Ennio Morricone music) — claim that AC Milan are not happy at all with this development (ed.note: you would think Giroud’s people would’ve told them about this, in reality, since the extension was activated in April), and that they definitely don’t want to pay a fee for Giroud. Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) paint a vivid picture of the Blues and the Rossoneri stuck in a “war of nerves” while the personal relationship between Giroud and Tuchel is now at an “all-time low”.

D-R-A-M-A!

Kenedy

Robert Kenedy has been linked with a move to Brazilian Serie A champions, Flamengo, and those rumors have now been reiterated by Globo Esporte. The report claims that Flamengo see Kenedy’s signing as an opportunity, but want to wait and see how the transfer market in Europe develops before making a move.

Kenedy is already set to train at Flamengo this summer, before the European preseason starts, and they will hope to entice him to stay.

Meanwhile, Grada3 lends credence to the rumors that Granada will not be exercising their buy-option, but are willing and hoping to take him on loan once again.