Transfer gossip: Lille now linked with Batshuayi
Some of the recent transfer speculation involving Chelsea…
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 Blues boss Antonio 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.
Chinese clubs again linked with Mikel
The Daily Mirror again suggests that Chinese clubs are keen to sign John Mikel Obi from Chelsea.
His agent John Shittu has denied reports the Nigerian midfielder has agreed a move to Spanish side Valencia.
Shittu said: “It is not true that Mikel is joining Valencia on a four-year deal. The information is not correct.”
Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande, Hebei China Fortune and Beijing Guoan have all been in contact over a potential deal to sign Mikel, it is claimed.
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.
Vidal speculation
On Monday, The Sun declared that Arturo Vidal has hinted at a “sensational Blues transfer” after he ‘liked’ a post on Instagram.
The Bayern Munich midfielder reacted to a story linking him with a potential move to Chelsea.
Chilean Vidal previously played under Conte at Juventus and is one of several of the Italian’s former players to have been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.
