Chelsea tracking target with £64.5m release clause as Mykhailo Mudryk test update emerges

Chelsea are now preparing for a home clash with Everton as they look to keep up the pressure in their bid to land a top five spot and Champions League qualification.

The Blues defeated Fulham last time out, but they are going to have to keep winning through a difficult run-in to land a spot in the top five. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.

Costa links

Chelsea are said to be fed up with their failures at the goalkeeper position, with Enzo Maresca having made it clear he is not satisfied with the performances he has had from Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez this season.

The Blues have spent plenty on the position over recent years, but they haven’t spent big on one player since their misfire on Kepa Arrizabalaga. According to TeamTalk, Chelsea could splash big on a goalkeeper this summer, though, claiming FC Porto keeper Diogo Costa is of interest ahead of the summer. Costa, who is Portugal’s starting keeper, has a release clause of £64.5million, and Chelsea would likely need to strike a deal below that given their needs elsewhere, mainly up top.

Possible Mudryk boost

Mykhailo Mudryk has secured a potential blow in his battle against his ban over alleged use of a banned substance, according to Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin.

"I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose," Palkin told GIVEMESPORT. "He doesn't understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all. So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn't intentionally do anything wrong.

"Mudryk has been clear, it's not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out. There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what's happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He's a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected.

"Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances. If he's not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m. So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon." Mudryk is provisionally suspended by the FA at this stage, with the process still playing out, while the winger has maintained his innocence.

Ba advice for Palmer

Cole Palmer is on a wretched run of form for Chelsea, failing to score in his last 16 games. Providing some advice when speaking to The Sun, former Chelsea striker Demba Ba said: "Competition is good for everyone. It worked for me, and I think [Lionel] Messi wouldn’t have been the player he is today without the competition from Cristiano [Ronaldo], and vice versa. So, I will never shy away from saying competition is healthy.

"Someone like Cole Palmer doesn’t have much experience in football, or even in life. Football is life, and there will be tough days," he said. "But if you have an experienced figure to lean on, you can get through the storm. Palmer is in a rough patch, and although he is managing with his personality and continuing to perform, something is missing. He could benefit immensely from having someone who has been in that situation before to guide him."

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