標籤: bought

VfB Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth has confirmed that the club will sign Bilal El Khanous permanently. The purchase from Leicester City has been secured.

Sporting Bild interviews WohlgemuthAnd during talks he confirmed that Stuttgart would complete the permanent transfer.

“Yes, that’s correct. I can confirm it,” He said this when asked if the €15m purchase option on the Leicester midfielder had been fulfilled.

“All conditions have now been met. We are delighted to have secured Bilal a permanent contract with VfB.”

successful loan deal

Bilal El Khanous joined Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City last summer after the Foxes languished in the Championship.

Leicester signed him from Genk in August 2024 for €22.5m, but he struggled during his first season, registering only three goals and seven assists in 39 matches.

However, in Stuttgart, El Khanous has flourished. He has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 33 games so far. The earnings are being compared to Lionel Messi.

Stuttgart have shown deep satisfaction over the deal, and reports earlier this month claimed the clubs Permanent transfer had already been agreed upon.

Those reports suggested that the loan agreement included a permanent clause, which became active once El Khanous reached a specified number of goals this season. Wohlgemuth has now confirmed that the condition has been met.

Financial boost for Leicester

Overall, the deal appears to be a win-win for all parties. Leicester City have secured approximately €21.5m through a combination of loan fees and permanent transfers, effectively recouping their original investment.

The result provides a welcome boost amid Leicester’s ongoing financial difficulties. This also eliminates the risk of selling the player at a low price this summer if they are delisted.

Now El Khanous will focus on continuing to impress and get his career back on track.

Chelsea’s development plan for Mateo del Blanco is already facing mixed signals in ArgentinaThe latest reports show that the situation is much less advanced than previously presented.

In our first coverage, journalist Renzo Pantich described A clear path is being prepared. He clearly stated that del Blanco ‘Will be bought by Chelsea and loaned to Racing de Strasbourg’Framing this move as an expectation of something happening soon.

That version structured the deal and aligned with Chelsea’s multi-club model. Strasbourg will act as a first step, allowing the 22-year-old left-back to adapt ahead of any potential move to Stamford Bridge.

However, reporting from Argentina now paints a more cautious picture.

The situation was seen differently in Santa Fe

argentina outlet hail The situation has been addressed from inside the union – and the tone is notably different.

Both the club and the player’s representatives insist that there has been no formal offer from Chelsea. On the Santa Fe side, the situation is still being treated as speculation, even if Europe’s interest has been acknowledged.

Importantly, it is not designed as a running deal. Instead, it is described as a rumor that is growing in visibility, but with no concrete steps behind it.

Del Blanco is attracting interest – but no offers

Ole also provides wider context about the player’s rising profile. Mateo del Blanco was the top assist provider in the 2025 Clausura, registering five assists, and remains one of the standout performers in the current Apertura.

That form has already attracted attention from elsewhere in South America. Brazilian clubs such as Red Bull Bragantino and Corinthians followed him closely during the last window. However, as is the current situation with Chelsea, no formal bid was made.

The union responded to that interest by securing its future. The club extended his contract until December 2028, strengthening both his playing position and his negotiating leverage.

Youngsters still at the center of union plans

Mateo del Blanco remains a prominent figure in Santa Fe. He is a guaranteed starter under manager Leonardo Madellon and is one of the team’s most influential players.

A sale would represent a significant sporting loss, even though it could become one of the club’s most significant financial operations in recent years.

That balance helps explain the current stance. The club is aware of the increased attention, but is not yet dealing with any concrete situation.

Next Steps for Bluco

The new report means it now becomes a situation to monitor rather than complete.

Pentich’s claims suggest internal planning and intention. Meanwhile, reporting on hail reflects the reality on the ground in Argentina, where no formal measures have been taken.

This difference is common in early stage transfers, especially in South America. Interest may persist for months before developing into conversation.

For now, Matteo del Blanco sits in between those two versions. A player clearly on Chelsea’s radar, but still waiting for that interest to translate into something tangible.

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not lacking in depth as they defend their title this season. Nevertheless, general manager Sam Presti managed to add another impact bench piece in Jared McCann at the trade deadline.

Stepping into a reserve role following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, McCann has made an immediate impact. The 22-year-old had his best performance of the season during Wednesday’s 121-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets, scoring a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from three.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said, “He’s definitely integrated well. He’s learning his teammates. He’s learning our system and the fundamentals that we emphasize.” “I thought in the first half, especially, he had some really good defensive possessions, which has been really encouraging. He’s done a really good job of committing to our fundamentals and the things we need to do on the defensive end of the field. Obviously, he’s a very powerful offensive player, but he gives up some size and needs to be really fundamental and powerful, and he’s done that, especially lately. So we’re happy with the progress he’s made there.” And he continues to be a fan favorite in the locker room just the way he approaches things since he was traded here.”

After a stellar rookie campaign, McCann struggled early this season with the 76ers while returning from a thumb injury to his shooting hand. Philadelphia sent him to the G League in January before dealing him to the Houston Rockets for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks at the deadline.

Jared McCann is making an immediate impact in the Thunder’s rotation after trade

McCann has quickly found his groove in the Thunder’s battle-tested rotation. The former Duke star is averaging 11.9 points on .475/.444/.885 shooting splits in 18.8 minutes per game in 18 appearances with the team. Oklahoma City posted a 109.3 defensive rating during his minutes, which would rank second in the league for the entire season.

McCann credited the Thunder’s coaching staff for easing his transition after the surprise deadline deal.

McCann said, “When you first get traded, you don’t know anything about what’s going to happen, especially when you find out you’re being traded to a championship team. So I didn’t have high expectations for myself.” “Just coming in and trying to learn as much as possible, which is hard because you don’t know what’s going on. But once you go out there with these guys, they give me confidence. It’s really simple. The coaching staff helped me right away. Not giving me too much information, just letting me play, letting me play my game.

“They’re champions already, so it’s just being able to fit in somehow. I think Sam Presti did a great job knowing how I would fit in. But this offense is amazing. Being able to move the ball and play with shooters, playing with guys that are specialized in the pick and roll is huge. It makes it a lot easier to come in and fit in, especially with the way I play.”

The Thunder hold a three-game lead over the NBA’s top-seeded San Antonio Spurs with 12 games remaining. McCain will compete for playoff minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell in the backcourt rotation.

McCain said, “It’s great to be on a team that is the number one seed. It’s one thing to just have playoff hopes, and then it’s really cool to be the number one seed and try to defend it.” “Especially with them [defending] Champion. I’m just trying to come in and play every role I can to help make this team a champion again. “I’m really confident going to any game with these guys.”

The South American recruitment model at Chelsea could soon bring another in-form defender into the Bluco system, with Union’s Mateo Del Blanco emerging as a name to watch ahead of the summer window.

The 22-year-old left-back has been building serious momentum over the past year. He is no longer just a regular starter at Union – he has become one of their most decisive players.

In the current season, Del Blanco has already contributed two goals and one assist in 860 minutes, while averaging a 7.63 rating. His recent performance underlines that growth. He scored against Instituto, then provided a goal and assist in a chaotic 4–4 draw with Independiente. Shortly after, he delivered an 8.4-rated performance against Boca Juniors.

Those numbers matter because they reflect a broader trend. Del Blanco is not a traditional defensive full-back. He plays at a high level, often operating as a wide outlet, and regularly impresses in the final third.

This is also reflected in the flexibility of his position. He can operate as a forward on the left, which helps explain his output and growing reputation. All this has caught the attention of Chelsea.

Increasing attention in Argentina

That form has not gone unnoticed domestically. Reports from Argentina indicated that both River Plate and Boca Juniors showed interest in January. That level of attention usually signals that a player is ready for a big move, even before European clubs are fully involved.

Mateo del Blanco also provides continuity and availability. He extended his contract with the union until 2028 in December last year and has already made more than 90 senior appearances.

His current market valuation is around £3.4 million (€4 million), which puts him firmly in the profile that Chelsea are looking for – affordable, developing and with progress.

“Mateo del Blanco, Union player, to be bought by Chelsea and loaned to Racing de Strasbourg”

💣Bomb @RenzoMPantich In #NoPodemosPerderAZZ pic.twitter.com/tSU9OoY7WW

– AZZ (@azzenstream) 19 March 2026

Chelsea plan revealed

A new claim has emerged in this context. Journalist Renzo Pantich Chelsea are reportedly set to buy Mateo Del Blanco and send him on loan to Strasbourg in June.

Pantich tells the player “Will be bought by Chelsea in the coming months” Before joining the French side on loan.

Pantich goes further in his explanation, framing the deal as already negotiated within the group structure.

He indicated that Chelsea’s idea is not to just sign the player, but to integrate him into their multi-club route immediately, insisting that the plan is for Del Blanco “Arrive and then be sent to Strasbourg” As part of that process.

The clear tone of certainty in his reporting is telling. Pantich presents the move as an expectation of something happening rather than a loose possibility, and describes the operation as one that is already being prepared for the next window.

This passage closely matches how Chelsea have used Strasbourg since the acquisition of Bleu. Ligue 1 teams have become a major development platform for players coming from outside Europe. This provides minutes, adaptation time and a low-pressure environment before any potential move towards Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, Valentin Barco has excelled this season, leading to Chelsea are considering a return to the Premier League for him.

One option is for Barco to move to London and Del Branco to replace him in France.

what happens next

For Chelsea, this would be a calculated move rather than an immediate first-team solution. Mateo del Blanco’s current level looks promising, but there is still a gap between Argentinian domestic football and the Premier League.

However, structures are already in place to manage that risk. Strasbourg provides the bridge, and Del Blanco’s trajectory suggests he is ready for the next step.

At present, this step is at the claim stage. Nevertheless, the profile, timing and route all fit Chelsea’s model closely.

🇩🇪 Fisnik Aslani | Tottenham and Chelsea call Kosovo a ‘shooting star’

📈 23 year old on the rise
🧠Have shown mental flexibility
🇽🇰Choose Kosovo instead of Germany https://t.co/gzoRT3yDup #thfc #Happiness #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 March 2026