Round-up: Frank dismisses Benrahma reports and QPR accept Bright offer

Thomas Frank has poured cold water on reports that Chelsea have opened talks with Brentford about signing Said Benrahma.

Reports in France and Benrahma’s native Algeria have claimed that Chelsea want to sign the winger and have made an approach.

Benrahma, signed from Nice in 2018, has been outstanding this season.

But Bees boss Frank has dismissed suggestions a sale to Chelsea is in the offing.

He said: “I haven’t heard anything from my co-directors of sport.

“If I haven’t been told anything then I don’t think it’s true. It’s a rumour. I think it’s easy to know this isn’t true.”
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Kante to miss semi-final

N’Golo Kante will remain sidelined for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Chelsea were hoping the midfielder would be fit enough to return to the squad for the game at Wembley following a hamstring problem.

However, speaking at a news conference on Friday afternoon, Frank Lampard revealed that Kante would not be available.

He has been out since going off during Chelsea’s win against Watford earlier this month.

Blues boss Lampard added that there are “a few other niggles” he will need to assess before naming his team.
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Lampard unsure how much Chelsea will spend

Lampard has insisted he is unsure how much money is likely to be available for Chelsea to make more new signings.

Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have already been brought in and Blues boss Lampard is keen to further improve the squad.

But is not yet clear how much he will have to spend when the transfer window reopens.

Much will inevitably depend on whether Chelsea seal a place in next season’s Champions League.

Lampard was asked at a news conference on Friday if the club’s strengthening this summer might end up being similar to previous spending under owner Roman Abramovich.

“We’ll see. I can’t answer that one. We’re not there yet,” Lampard replied.

“We have to focus on what’s in front of us and we’ll see how we can compare it to any other spending summer or not.

“We’ll see how I feel and we feel as a club – whether the squad needs strengthening or the balance needs changing.

“If it does and we make moves, great. At the moment we don’t know.”
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QPR accept offer for Osay-Samuel

QPR have accepted an offer from Club Brugge for Bright Osayi-Samuel.

West London Sport revealed in May that a bid from the Belgian outfit for Osayi-Samuel had been rejected.

However, negotiations resumed and Rangers have agreed to sell him in a deal worth around £4.7m.
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Rangel out for up to nine months

QPR defender Angel Rangel faces up to nine months out with a ruptured Achilles tendon. 

Rangel was carried off on a stretcher during this week’s 1-1 draw at Luton.

He is approaching the end of his contract and turns 38 in October.

Rangers say the issue of his future will not be addressed until after he has surgery next week.
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