Transfer gossip: Chelsea linked with Monaco pair
Some of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea…
There continues to be speculation over who Chelsea might sign with the windfall from Oscar’s expected big-money move to Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG.
The Guardian and The Telegraph both suggest the Blues are interested in Monaco pair Tiemoué Bakayoko and Djibril Sidibé.
It comes after Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte and technical director Michael Emenalo recently watched Monaco play Tottenham in the Champions League.
The match was shortly before Chelsea played Spurs, but it is nevertheless claimed that they were there to watch midfielder Bakayoko (pictured above) and full-back Sidibe.
The Rodriguez saga
Chelsea are not chasing James Rodriguez, The Sun now say.
The Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with the Blues during successive transfer windows despite no approach being made.
He has duly been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of next month’s window, with both clubs supposedly battling to sign him.
The Sun now say Chelsea have been put off by Real’s asking price, which is apparently £60m.
Mikel attracting interest, says agent
The Sun also say John Mikel Obi, who is expected to leave Chelsea in January, could move to China.
His agent John Shittu has told the newspaper that a number of clubs are interested in the Nigeria midfielder.
Shittu said: “It’s very likely he will leave Chelsea in January. There are many teams interested in the player.
“In the past we spoke with Inter Milan but now there are a lot of Italian clubs that want him. I will not reveal the names, but there are other Italians teams on his trail.
“And beware: even in UK, Spain, Germany and even in China know the value of the player and requested information about him.”
Barcelona youngster linked
Chelsea are among a number of clubs monitoring Barcelona teenager Marc Cucurella, according to a report in Spain.
Tottenham and Everton are named by Spanish outlet Sport as also being interested in the 18-year-old left-back, who is part of Barca’s B team.
Cucurella is out of contract next summer and as a result is able to discuss a move with foreign clubs in January.
PSG join Blues in hunt for Van Dijk – Mirror
Paris Saint-Germain are the latest admirers of Virgil Van Dijk, claim the Daily Mirror, who had previously linked the Southampton defender with a move to Chelsea.
Manchester City and Everton are also said to be interested in Van Dijk, who only signed a new six-year deal last season.
More Courtois speculation
Real Madrid are reportedly in negotiations to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
A report from Madrid-based radio station Onda Cero, picked up by Goal, claims the Spanish giants have opened discussions with the Chelsea goalkeeper’s representatives and may table a €25m (£21.1m) bid.
PSV want Van Ginkel return – Metro
PSV Eindhoven are said to interested in re-signing Chelsea midfielder Marco Van Ginkel.
Metro quotes the club’s technical director Marcel Brands as saying the 24-year-old “is on our list”.
Van Ginkel spent the latter half of last season on loan at PSV and has only featured in the Under-23s for Chelsea so far this season.
“The question is now with our technical staff,” Brands is quoted as saying.
“We need to look even if he is feasible. We have not checked with Chelsea.”
Conte keen to keep Batshuayi – Guardian
Chelsea will reject any approaches to take Michy Batshuayi on loan, The Guardian say.
There has been speculation over the striker’s future, with West Ham reportedly planning to make an approach for him.
The Guardian say that will be rejected because Conte believes it would be better for Batshuayi’s development for him to remain at Chelsea.
The summer signing from Marseille is expected to make his first Premier League start against Bournemouth on Boxing Day, when Diego Costa will be suspended.
West Ham are also said to be interested in Chelsea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek and back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Blues apparently want Vidal
The Express have picked up on Spanish newspaper Don Balon claiming that Chelsea are looking to sign Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal at the end of the season.
The Chile midfielder, 29, played under Antonio Conte at Juventus as is one of several of the Blues boss’ former players to have been tipped to join him at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have a £42m bid ready and would need to be in the Champions League in order to convince Vidal to join them, it is claimed.
Agent still touting Laxalt
Genoa winger Diego Laxalt has again been touted for a move to Chelsea, this time by the Daily Mirror, which also reports that Diego Costa is set to be offered a new contract at the Bridge.
Laxalt was recently linked with a move to west London after his agent Vincenzo D’Ippolito claimed Conte is keen to snap up the 23-year-old.
Now D’Ippolito is quoted as saying: “Genoa believe in him, but they are always open to selling their players for the right offer.
“Conte had been scouting Laxalt when he was in Italy and he’d love to take Laxalt to Chelsea now.”
