Transfer news and gossip ahead of Wednesday’s deadline
A round-up of the latest transfer news and speculation involving our area’s clubs.
• Chelsea could let Zouma go, it’s claimed
• Blues closing in on Brozovic deal – Mail
• Jokanovic wants striker Martin
• Sky say Fulham and Wolves have made offers to Derby
• Fabregas offered to Inter, Gazzetta dello Sport claim
• Spaniard says he will ‘fight for Chelsea’
• Bamford completes Burnley loan move
• Atsu expected to join Newcastle
• QPR agree fee for Anderlecht striker Sylla
• Rangers also agree fee to sell Kpekawa
• Rangers keeper set for contract and loan move
• Brentford want winger
Gossip
The Sun have picked up on reports in Italy that Chelsea are willing to let Kurt Zouma leave on a potentially permanent basis.
It follows initial reports that the defender could join Schalke on loan in order to rediscover his fitness following a long-term knee injury.
Now it is claimed that Zouma, 21, is discussing a move to the German club and that the deal would involve an initial loan with the option of a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
The reports emanate from Gianluca Di Marzio, a journalist whose father Gianni was previously Napoli boss and a transfer adviser to QPR.
Chelsea closing in on Brozovic deal – Mail
Chelsea are closing in on a £25m deal to sign Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, according to the Daily Mail.
Brozovic, 22, recently signed permanently for Inter after completing an 18-month loan spell from Dinamo Zagreb, but is apparently set for a move to west London.
Juventus are reportedly interested but Inter would apparently prefer not to sell to a rival Serie A club.
Speculation over Fabregas’ future
Chelsea have offered Cesc Fabregas to Inter in a bid to sign Brozovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
It is claimed that Inter are considering the offer despite sporting director Piero Ausilio insisting Brozovic is set to stay with the Serie A club.
It comes after Fabregas hit back at reports he could be on his way out of Chelsea.
His omission from the Blues’ starting line-up has fueled speculation about his future.
And reports in his native Spain have claimed that the midfielder has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge by boss Antonio Conte.
But in a post on Instagram, Fabregas insisted that is not the case – and that he “will continue to fight” for the club.
Blues loan moves on hold – Goal.com
A proposed loan move to Watford for Kenedy is on hold, as is a loan move for Matt Miazga, according to Goal.com.
The website recently reported that a deal had been agreed for Kenedy to join the Hornets on loan from Chelsea.
Goal now say the Brazilian youngster and centre-back Miazga will not be allowed to leave unless Chelsea bring in players ahead of the transfer deadline.
Miazga has had offers from two Premier League clubs, it is claimed.
Wolves want Martin – Sky
Fulham face competition from Wolves for the signing of Derby County striker Chris Martin, Sky believe.
West London Sport reported at the weekend that Whites head coach Slavia Jokanovic is keen to sign the 27-year-old.
Sky say both Fulham and Wolves have tabled bids for Martin and that so far there has been no official response from Derby.
News
Remy completes Palace loan move
Chelsea striker Loic Remy has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.
West Ham had also been interested in signing the Frenchman, who has been pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Michy Batshuayi.
Bamford joins Burnley on loan
Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford has joined Burnley on loan until the end of the season.
A number of Championship clubs, including QPR, were hoping to sign the 22-year-old, but he preferred to stay in the Premier League.
QPR bid for striker accepted
QPR have agreed a fee in the region of £1.5m with Belgian club Anderlecht for striker Idrissa Sylla.
The Guinea international, 25, is due in London to discuss personal terms ahead of a possible pre-deadline move to Loftus Road.
Bees target Henry
Brentford want Walsall’s highly-rated teenage left-back Rico Henry.
The 19-year-old has been watched by a number of Championship clubs and could be set for a pre-deadline move.
Kpekawa in talks with Barnsley
QPR defender Cole Kpekawa is edging closer to a move to Barnsley.
The defender, 20, has been given the green light to travel north to discuss personal terms ahead of a proposed £450,000 move to Oakwell.
Lumley set for contract and loan move
QPR plan to extend Joe Lumley’s contract before sending the goalkeeper out on loan this week.
Lumley, 21, had been lined up for a loan move to Gillingham but that deal now appears unlikely to go through.
Rangers are looking at other options as they are keen for Lumley to pick up more first-team experience.
Atsu set to complete move
Newcastle are expected to complete a deal to sign Christian Astu from Chelsea.
The Ghana winger, 24, has not made a first-team appearance for the Blues since being signed from Porto in 2013.
Atsu is expected to move to St James’ Park on loan with a view to an eventual permanent move.
Bees unable to land winger
Brentford have had another approach for Chesterfield winger Gboly Ariyibi rejected.
The Bees recently made their interest in Ariyibi, 21, clear to the League One club and, having been rebuffed, have seen a follow-up move similarly fended off.
