Some of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea…
West Ham have launched a bid to sign Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea, The Sun say.
The Hammers have been linked with a number of strikers, including Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson. ahead of next month’s transfer window.
Now it is claimed they are looking to bring in Batshuayi, who is said to be unhappy at his lack of first-team action since joining Chelsea from Marseille in the summer.
The Sun say he has held talks with Chelsea and been reassured that he does have a future at the club but must be patient because first-choice striker Diego Costa has been in such great form.
Meanwhile, West Ham continue to be linked with Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
They are keen to tie up a deal to take the England Under-21 international on loan for the rest of the season, The Express say.
Loftus-Cheek has been linked with a move to the London Stadium since Chelsea boss Antonio Conte appeared to suggest that he could be sent out on loan.
“I’m sure that Ruben has great potential,” Conte said earlier this week.
“There will be a moment when I speak with my club and take the best decision, but I count on him because I think he has good potential.”
Paris St-Germain’s Marco Verratti continues to be touted as Chelsea’s number one target to replace the China-bound Oscar.
The Daily Mail say Chelsea are hopeful of agreeing a deal to sign the 24-year-old Italian and believe they can do so for less than £40m.
The Times, on the other hand, say Monaco midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko is Chelsea’s preferred replacement for Oscar.
The France Under-21 international (pictured above) could cost about £40m, The Times say.
He is a very different type of player to Oscar, and Conte apparently believes Bakayoko’s athleticism is far better suited to the needs of his squad.
Oscar’s expected transfer has led to speculation that other Chelsea players could also move to China.
The Daily Mail say Cesc Fabregas could follow Oscar to China in the summer.
Guangzhou Evergrande, who are coached by former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, are apparently interested in signing Fabregas.
The Mail suggest Chelsea could ask for as much as £40m for Fabregas if an approach for the midfielder is made.
The Times say Oscar will earn £400,000 a week after tax by joining Shanghai SIPG in January.
Blues skipper John Terry also continues to be linked with a possible move to China.
Terry could earn up to £12m by joining Shanghai Shenhua, according to The Independent.
And The Sun reckon John Mikel Obi has also been made an offer by Shanghai SIPG, apparently worth £170,000 a week.
Stoke City are considering a move to re-sign Asmir Begovic from Chelsea, the Mirror say.
It comes after Stoke manager Mark Hughes suggested his club could end their interest in Lee Grant after failing to agree a fee with Derby.
Grant has been on loan with the Potters and talks over a permanent deal are ongoing.
The Mirror say Hughes is now lining up possible alternatives to Grant and they include back-up Chelsea keeper Begovic, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Stoke in 2015.
Stoke could look to bring Begovic, 29, back on loan for the rest of the season, the Mirror say.
Hughes said at a press conference on Friday: “There’s a value on Lee and we appreciate that because he’s done absolutely fantastic for us, but we are not going to be held to ransom.
“There’s a market value on Lee and we know that. But we are a bit far apart and we may have to look elsewhere.
“He’s been absolutely fantastic since he’s come here and his form has helped us at a time when we were conceding too readily and he’s settled everybody down.
“He’s been great and we’d love to get it done and we will pay a premium because he’s done so well for us but we think we know the value for Lee and at the moment it’s a bit too far away for us to be able to do.”
This post was last modified on 20/12/2016