Transfer gossip: Express still linking Chelsea with Coutinho
Some of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea….
The Express continue to link Chelsea with former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.
Manchester United and Paris St-Germain have also been linked with the Brazilian, who has been tipped to leave Barcelona this summer.
The Express declare that Coutinho “is open to a move to Chelsea” and suggest he would favour a switch to Stamford Bridge.
The story is based on comments by journalist Duncan Castles – described as a “transfer expert” by the Express – on the Transfer Window podcast, even though he suggested Coutinho is unlikely to join the Blues, not least because the prospect of a transfer ban hangs over the club.
Castles said: “Coutinho’s obviously represented by a couple of agents who have very strong links to Chelsea, have done a huge number of deals to that club.
“The briefing I had last week was that Coutinho’s preference would be to go to Chelsea rather than Paris St-Germain.
“But of course, dependent on the transfer-window ban being lifted, which it looks almost certain not to happen.
“The idea that Roman Abramovich spends that amount of money on one player, in terms of salary and transfer fee, at a time when he’s trying to sell the club, strikes me as a little strange.
“So I expect that briefing comes more from the desire of the agents to bring Chelsea into the equation than it does of an actual defined and fixed preference on Coutinho’s part.”
Conte wants Cahill – reports
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to sign Gary Cahill for Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy.
Cahill, whose Chelsea contract expires at the end of this month, is leaving the club and Conte is said to be keen to take him to the San Siro.
Swans linked with James
Swansea City are the latest club to be linked with Chelsea youngster Reece James.
Manchester United are among those said to be interested in James, who impressed during a season-long loan at Wigan.
The Mail say new Swansea manager Steve Cooper is looking to sign James, 19, on loan.
James is currently recovering from an ankle injury he recently suffered while playing for England’s Under-20 side.
