Some of the recent transfer speculation involving Chelsea…
Chelsea will not move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in January because of his involvement in the African Cup of Nations, The Sun say.
The Senegal centre-back was among Chelsea’s targets in August and the Blues have long been tipped to make a bid for him in the new year.
Now it is suggested that the club will wait until the summer.
The Sun quote ‘a source in Italy’ as saying: “It is impossible for Koulibaly to go to Chelsea in January because of the African Cup of Nations.
“He is happy at Napoli, wants to stay there and likes it in Serie A. He won’t be sold until June.
“The Napoli supporters would go crazy if he was sold now. It would take a monster offer that just won’t come.”
The Express have picked up on yet more reports in Italy claiming that Chelsea could move for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Blues boss Antonio Conte was tipped to sign the Belgium international during the summer and has since been tipped to move for him when the transfer window reopens.
Nainggolan could replace Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea, the Express suggest.
Midfielder Fabregas is said to be on the radars of several Italian clubs ahead of the January window.
Speculation continues over the future of John Terry, with the Daily Mail suggesting that Conte plans to phase out the Chelsea captain during the next two transfer windows.
Conte wants to sign defenders, with Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci and Roma’s Antonio Rudiger among those being targeted, the Mail reported on Tuesday.
Terry continues to be linked with a possible move to China, with Shanghai Shenhua, who recently appointed former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet as manager, touted as a possible destination.
Terry, 35, will not consider reuniting with Poyet until the player’s contract expires at the end of the season, the Mail say.
Speculation also continues over the future of John Mikel Obi, who has been tipped to leave Chelsea in the new year.
A number of clubs have been linked with the Nigeria international, with Manchester United even reported to be interested.
But his agent John Shittu has told Goal.com it is not certain that Mikel, whose contract expires next summer, will leave Stamford Bridge.
“Obi Mikel and Antonio (Conte) have been speaking,” Shittu is quoted as saying.
“The manager, club and player have been talking, so I am not in a position to tell about what they have been speaking about. In the next few weeks things should be clearer.
“We have been having meeting with a few parties who are interested in him. Once we are able to agree the way forward with Chelsea, then we will take it from there.
“There are a few clubs in Europe and Asia, they are numerous and are interested in him because he is a quality player, aged only 29, and we just have to speak, so we will see. A lot of interest is there.
“There is no decision made yet and it is still 50-50 whether he will sign or leave. A lot can happen in the next months. Never say never in football.”
This post was last modified on 03/12/2016