Transfer gossip: Stoke interested in Loftus-Cheek, Sentinel say
Some of the recent transfer speculation involving Chelsea…
Stoke City are interested in signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according the Stoke Sentinel.
West Ham and Brighton are interested in the Chelsea midfielder, with reports suggesting he is set for a loan move to Championship leaders Brighton.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has suggested he will soon make a decision on whether the England Under-21 international can go out on loan.
The Sentinel say Stoke are monitoring the situation.
Mikel reportedly set for medical
John Mikel Obi is set to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA, the Mail reports.
Midfielder Mikel, 29, has been at Stamford Bridge for more than a decade but his contract expires at the end of the season and he is expected to move on during month’s transfer window.
His agent this week denied reports that Mikel had agreed a move to Spanish club Valencia, insisting that Chinese sides were keen to sign the Nigeria international.
Mikel is said to have been offered a three-year deal worth around £140,000 per week.
Blues reportedly considering Bakayoko offer
Chelsea continue to be linked with Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The Mail claim Chelsea are considering making a bid for the France Under-21 midfielder despite reports he is keen to stay put until at least the end of the season.
Manchester United have also been linked with Bakayoko, 22, who has been touted as a replacement for Oscar at Stamford Bridge following the Brazilian’s big-money move to China.
Musonda deadline claim
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has reportedly given youngster Charly Musonda two weeks to prove himself before deciding on the midfielder’s future.
Metro, picking up on reports from La Gazzetta Dello Sport in Italy, suggests Conte will run the rule over the 20-year-old, with Roma said to be interested in signing him on loan.
It is claimed that Oscar’s departure could open up a space in the squad for Musonda, had been on loan at Real Betis.
Vidal rumours ‘rubbish’ – Ancelotti
Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has poured scorn on reports linking midfielder Arturo Vidal with a move to Chelsea.
There had been suggestions the Blues could swoop for Vidal after Oscar’s big-money move to China.
But The Independent quotes former Chelsea manager Ancelotti as saying the speculation was “absolute rubbish” and “absolute nonsense”.
Lille want Batshuayi – Daily Mail
French club Lille have asked to take Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea, according to the Mail.
West Ham are also said to have made an approach for the Belgian striker, who has not started a Premier League match since his summer move to Stamford Bridge from Marseille.
A number of clubs – including Marseille – have been linked with a loan move for Batshuayi.
But Conte has insisted that the player will not be leaving on loan during this month’s transfer window.
“No. He is a new player for Chelsea and to go on loan now is a defeat for the club and for me,” Conte said on Boxing Day.
Kessie speculation continues
Metro are continuing with speculation that Chelsea are looking to sign Franck Kessie from Atalanta.
The story is based on an Italian journalist claiming on Twitter that Chelsea are in talks to sign the Ivory Coast international.
Kessie’s representatives are keen to secure him a move to the Premier League and have claimed that the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal are looking to sign him.
No approach has so far been made and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he is not interested in the player.
Chelsea eyeing Antonio, ESPN reckon
Chelsea are monitoring West Ham’s Michail Antonio, ESPN claim.
The 26-year-old is the Hammers’ top scorer, with eight goals this season, and his versatility has seen him play at right-back and up front as well as on both flanks.
ESPN believe Antonio impressed Conte when the two sides met in the EFL Cup and would be an ideal fit for Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation.
Blues reportedly in for Sandro
the Blues have also been linked with Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro.
Calcio Mercato suggests Conte will return to his old club for the Brazilian, who has made 17 Serie A appearances this season.
However, he only joined from Porto in August 2015 and is under contract until 2020.
Napoli left-back linked again
According to the Evening Standard, Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam has turned down a new contract amid interest from Chelsea.
It claims the Algerian is haggling over an extra £10,000 per week, while Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are also reportedly keen.
However, the Standard also suggests Chelsea’s failed summer pursuit of centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly could hamper any negotiations with Napoli.
Blues to pip Arsenal to defender, Sun says
Chelsea are set to beat Arsenal to the signing of Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, The Sun claim.
The left-back is among a host of players to have been linked with the Blues in recent months.
The Sun say Chelsea have made the first move to sign him and that Conte is hopeful of a £21m deal.
Chelsea are said to have held talks with Rodriguez’s agent, who has long been touting the player for a move to the Premier League.
05/01/2017 @ 11:34 am
Chelsea need signings to boost the title chances