Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is reportedly fuming at Chelsea after they blocked his exit, while the Blues have told Real Madrid to cough up for a defender.
Loftus-Cheek was expected to flourish for the Blues this season under new boss Maurizio Sarri, having impressed at the World Cup in Russia for England.
However, his future at Stamford Bridge appears to in doubt after playing just 22 minutes of the season so far.
Loftus-Cheek spent last campaign on loan with Crystal Palace, a move which helped him earn his place in the Three Lions squad. However, The Sun claims that he ‘fears a lack of game time’ could count against him when Gareth Southgate names his first post-World Cup selection later this week.
Loftus-Cheek has therefore sought another loan move to maximise his playing opportunities, but The Sun say he has been left ‘fuming’ after Chelsea rejected approaches from Monaco and Schalke.
He ‘has lost patience’ with the club, who are adamant they will not lose the player ahead of Friday’s European transfer deadline.
Meanwhile, Italian paperTuttosportclaims that Chelsea have slapped a €60m price tag on reported Real Madrid target Marcos Alonso.
The LaLiga giants may apparently lose Marcelo to Juventus for €50m, and Los Blancos would then be happy to pay €60m (£54m) to land the Spaniard.
Sarri had refused to make any promises to Ruben Loftus-Cheek and issued a stark challenge to the England midfielder – prove you are worth a place at Chelsea.
Loftus-Cheek was left out of Sarri’s squad altogether for last weekend’s win over Arsenal, and was only on the bench for the opening-day victory at Huddersfield.
The 22-year-old had a good World Cup with England, starting three games as Gareth Southgate’s team reached the semi-finals. But he could find himself out of contention when the England coach names his squad for the games against Spain and Switzerland next week because he has not played since.
Loftus-Cheek even returned early from his holidays after the World Cup to try to prove himself to new manager Sarri, but has so far found himself squeezed out.
Clubs in Germany, France and Spain are all watching his situation but Sarri, as he prepared his team to face Newcastle at St James’ park on Sunday, insisted the midfielder would be staying until at least January.