Chelsea transfer news: Blues lead race for Lewandowski, Abramovich offers Hazard a mammoth contract and more - 26th February 2018

Chelsea are the leading candidates for Lewandowski's signature

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich's top-scoring striker Robert Lewandowski ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United, according to The Sun.

The 29-year-old is eyeing a move to England this summer after connecting with Pini Zahavi, the super-agent who helped fix Neymar's record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and helped Roman Abramovich take over at Chelsea in 2003.

Antonio Conte made it very clear that he wants a striking upgrade after leaving both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud on the bench for Chelsea's UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona last week.

Lewandowski, who has scored 29 goals in all competitions this season, has a contract at the Allianz Arena that runs until June 2021.

The Poland international has spent the past eight years playing in Germany, having joined Borussia Dortmund in 2010 from Lech Poznan.

---

Chelsea emerge as potential suitors for Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio has decided to leave Santiago Bernabéu in June

Last week, The Sun reported that Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has received offers to join five clubs, including Premier League sides Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

In latest reports, The Daily Express claim that the Spanish international has confided in Isco about his move to Stamford Bridge after his Deportivo snub.

The 22-year-old forward is frustrated because he has struggled for regular first-team starts under Zinedine Zidane.

Asensio has made 20 La Liga appearances but most have come off the bench but netted twice in the 5-3 win over Real Betis on Sunday. He also inspired the Spanish Club's Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain recently.

Asensio is contracted with Los Blancos until 2023 and has a massive £621 million release clause.

Bayern Munich and Juventus are reportedly the other two clubs, who are trying to lure Asensio away from the Spanish capital.

---

Chelsea offer a mammoth contract to Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard has a natural, easy on the eye ability

Eden Hazard has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid for quite some time now and The Daily Star has reported that the Belgian has been offered an astronomical contract by Roman Abramovich to ward off interest from the Spanish giants.

The Blues are offering the 27-year-old a wage-packet worth somewhere in the region of £15 million-a-year to stay at Stamford Bridge, that will make him the highest paid player in the Premier League.

The two-time PFA Player of the Year award winner has been influential in two Premier League title triumphs during his ongoing six-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to the press, Hazard recently said, "In football you never know, I'm happy at Chelsea and focused on them."