Clubs linked with Phillips and Blues are reportedly eyeing Batshuayi
A round-up of the latest transfer speculation involving the area’s clubs…
Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion are again interested in Matt Phillips, according to the Mirror.
West London Sport revealed last summer that QPR had rejected a bid from Albion for Phillips and also revealed during the January transfer window that an offer from Boro had been rejected.
Rangers have so far received no sign of interest in the winger this summer. However, the Mirror say both Premier League clubs are vying to sign him.
The Mirror also say Chelsea are considering a move for Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi after he reportedly rejected interest from West Ham because he wants to join a bigger club.
The Mirror suggest Chelsea have Batshuayi on their shortlist of possible alternative signings should they miss out on Juventus forward Alvaro Morata, who has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, The Sun claim incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to sign Juventus’ Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The 32-year-old, who is apparently rated at £12m, played under Conte at Juve and is said to have been offered the chance to join the Blues on a three-year contract.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has apparently suggested that Diego Costa is keen to return to the Spanish club from Chelsea.
Cerezo was reportedly caught on camera by Antena 3 Sports saying: “We are there, he wants to come. But that is already complicated.”
And Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has said that his Belgium team-mates Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard are trying to persuade him to join them at Chelsea.
“They (Hazard and Courtois) have told me to join them. I know Chelsea are a big club, but I have to take several things into account,” he said.
“It’s not easy to leave Italy behind after 12 years. I need to become better because of the transfer – in all ways. I won’t leave for a small difference.”
