Transfer gossip: Latest speculation over Costa’s future
Some of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea.
Antonio Conte will make Diego Costa fight for his place back in the Chelsea side and plans to sell him in the summer, according to the Telegraph.
Speculation about Costa’s future is rife after boss Conte left him out of the squad for Saturday’s win at Leicester.
The Telegraph, which first reported that Costa and Conte had been involved in a bust-up, say Conte plans to assess the player’s performance in training before deciding whether to recall him against Hull on Sunday.
Chelsea are also among the clubs said to be interested in Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
Bamford fee reported to be up to £10m
Patrick Bamford’s proposed move to Middlesbrough from Chelsea could potentially be worth £10m, the Mirror say.
Bamford, 23, is expected to move on a permanent deal to Boro, where he has previously been on loan.
And the Mirror say Boro will pay an initial £6m with a further £4m in potential add-ons agreed.
Sky Sports News HQ say the initial fee will be £5m.
Related West London Sport story: Chelsea’s Bamford set to complete Middlesbrough move
Real want Blues duo, say Don Balon
Spanish newspaper Don Balon say Real Madrid will try to sign Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois this year.
It claims Real have drawn up a list of five targets to fill key positions, which include the Chelsea duo and Manchester United’s David De Gea.
Tottenham star Dele Alli reportedly also caught Real’s eye but, according to Don Balon, there were “doubts about his youth and his lack of experience” in relation to price Spurs would demand, so they would apparently prefer Hazard.
Chelsea reportedly scouting Swedish teenager
Chelsea are among the clubs reportedly monitoring 17-year-old Swedish forward Alexander Isak, according to the Daily Express.
Its report claims “90 clubs” had looked at AIK teenager Isak, including the Blues, Arsenal and Manchester United.
But Isak is reportedly on the verge of signing a five-year deal with Real Madrid, the Express say.
Matic linked with Man Utd
Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic has again been linked with Manchester United.
Matic has repeatedly been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford since former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took over as United boss.
And The Sun have duly touted Matic as a possible replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin, who has joined Everton, and veteran Michael Carrick.
