Chelsea 'prepared to axe nine players' as Tottenham 'close in' on £16.8m transfer windfall

Chelsea and Tottenham are both working hard on their preparations for the new season, which is just weeks away. The Blues are in the United States and working their way from the West coast to the East, while Tottenham are in Japan.

Both clubs will be working hard behind the scenes to get deals over the line as well as building their fitness, and with that in mind, we have rounded up the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea and Spurs.

Emerson departure nearing

AC Milan are said to be closing in on the signing of Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal. According to MilanNews, Milan plan to wrap up the signings of Emerson and RB Leipzig man Strahinja Pavlovic within the next 10 days.

Tottenham are said to be asking for around £16.8million (20 million euros) for Emerson having originally signed him for £25.8million. The Brazilian admitted earlier this summer: “I’ve always been clear. Every player wants to play. I’m very competitive. It bothers me to stay on the bench. I was upset and told this to the coach. But I have always been very professional.

“I have always been one of those who put more intensity in training, but this situation for me does not work, so I do not know what my future will be. I am not a player [who’s happy] to stay on the bench. I want to play. If it’s not here, I get it. But let me go to a place where I play.

“[The club and I] are talking. I want to play in the Brazilian national team, play in a World Cup. In the last few years I’ve always been called up, with Tite, with Diniz. But I understand that those who do not play for their club hardly play in the national team. So I have to look for new club or, if I stay at Tottenham, have a good proposal to play. Let’s see what’s best for me and also everywhere.”

Chelsea to trim squad

Chelsea will reportedly offload as many as nine players this summer after ripping up Malang Sarr’s contract. As noted by The Mirror, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher, Djordge Petrovic, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja, David Datro Fofana and Cesare Casadei all find themselves either up for sale or playing for their place with the new season upcoming.

The Blues need to balance the books and shave down their squad, with Enzo Maresca having a very large squad to deal with as things stand. A number of young players are also expected to leave on loan ahead of the new campaign.

James on Enzo controversy

Chelsea skipper Reece James has been speaking about the Enzo Fernandez racism controversy, admitting it’s not yet clear how the Argentine will be welcomed - if at all - back into the Stamford Bridge dressing room.

“Of course. There’s always the factor where it doesn’t sit right with people when there could be a problem,” James told reporters in the United States. “But until the day comes when everyone’s together and in a room together, I don’t know, but I hope things can be resolved smoothly, and we can move forward with the season.”

James added: “I spoke to him a bit, but it was hard because we were in different time zones. Just a general chat really. His views on what ­happened and him ­trying to explain his ­situation and how things happened.”