Transfer gossip: Chelsea among clubs linked with Turkish prospect

Some of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea…

Chelsea are monitoring highly-rated Turkish youngster Yunus Akgun, it is claimed.

ESPN reckon the Blues are showing an interest in winger Akgun, 18, after his impressive performances for Galatasaray.

Juventus, Wolfsburg and Benfica are also said to be keeping an eye on the player.

It comes after the four clubs had scouts at Turkey Under-19s’ 1-0 win over England on Tuesday in which Akgun played.

It is standard practice for Europe’s leading clubs to have a scout at such games.

Midlands paper links clubs with Hudson-Odoi

There is speculation over the future of Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea are ready to let the forward leave on loan in January in order for him to pick up first-team experience.

And the Birmingham Mail have linked him with Midlands clubs Aston Villa, West Brom and Derby County.

The Birmingham Mail speculate that Villa assistant boss John Terry’s relationship with his former club Chelsea could pave the way for a deal and that West Brom and Derby “will have been alerted to the news” that Hudson-Odoi can leave on loan.

Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Chelsea want to extend his contract before a loan move but that there is so far no sign of an agreement.

The Sun claim Hudson-Odoi’s future at Stamford Bridge could be under threat because of Chelsea’s supposed interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic.

Aouar linked

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has also been linked with Chelsea.

The Daily Mail claim the Blues, Arsenal and Barcelona are among the clubs showing an interest in the France Under-21 international, who reportedly turned down Liverpool in order to sign his first professional contract at Lyon.

The Mail say Liverpool have continued to monitor his progress and that Chelsea scouts have been looking at Aouar, 20, ahead of a possible move.

Sun say Chelsea want Skriniar

The Sun say Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the pursuit of Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.

The 23-year-old Slovakia international is said to be rated at £70m and has been tipped to leave Inter in January.

He has been linked with United and The Sun now claim that Chelsea are also keen to snap him up.

It follows reports in Italy that Skriniar is reluctant to sign a new contract at Inter because he is unhappy with the wages on offer.

Times tip Loftus-Cheek to seek move

Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressed at Crystal Palace last season. [Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire]
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has again been tipped to seek another loan move from Chelsea in January.

The Times say there is “renewed interest” in the England midfielder from Crystal Palace, where he was on loan last season, as well as German club Schalke.

Loftus-Cheek has been desperate to establish himself as a first-team regular at Chelsea but faces major competition for a midfield place.

Palace boss Roy Hodgson has made it clear that he would like to take the player back to Selhurst Park.

Drinkwater could stay – Mail

The Daily Mail say Danny Drinkwater could stay at Chelsea despite being told he will not play for the club this season.

Drinkwater has been overlooked by Blues boss Maurizio Sarri and was tipped to move during the summer transfer window but stayed put.

The Mail say his wage demands could be a barrier to a loan move in January and that the fee Chelsea would want in order to sell him makes a permanent transfer unlikely.

Rice touted for move

Chelsea are among clubs being linked with Declan Rice.

The defender has been in negotiations over a new contract at West Ham and it has been claimed he is wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United.

And The Sun now claim those clubs face competition from Tottenham, who supposedly want him too.

Pulisic speculation continues

Chelsea continue to be linked with Pulisic.

A number of UK newspapers are still insisting that the midfielder is heading to the Premier League.

It comes after Dortmund sporting director Michael Zore denied reports that Chelsea are set to sign Pulisic and want the deal done in January.

The Daily Mirror have therefore now declared that Pulisic will be moving to England but not until the summer, when he will have a year remaining on his contract.

The Mirror claim he has told friends he will make the move and declare that this has put Chelsea and Liverpool “on alert”.

The Mirror previously claimed that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants his club to rival Chelsea in the supposed battle to sign Pulisic and is ready to sell Fabinho in order to fund a £70m move.

Klopp is said to be desperate to sign the United States international.

The Mirror quoted ‘an Anfield source’ as saying: “Having watched Christian develop there is no way Jurgen is going to back off now. He knows he is a talent who can light up the Premier League.”

The Daily Mail recently claimed that Chelsea have won a race to sign him.

It came after The Guardian suggested last week that Chelsea are favourites to sign the 20-year-old.

That story was based on Pulisic indicating that he is open to a move to England.

“England, the Premier League, is a league where lots of kids dream of playing so there is no reason why maybe one day I won’t play here,” he said.

“As you can see, we are having a great year at Dortmund and I am enjoying every moment of that. Then when the time comes for me to talk in the breaks about my future, then that’s when those things happen.”

AC Milan linked with Cahill

AC Milan have been linked with Gary Cahill.

Corriere dello Sport say Milan could offer the Chelsea defender a move to Italy in January.

Cahill has said that he could seek a move when the transfer window reopens if he is still being overlooked by Sarri.

Speculation over Bakayoko too

AC Milan are haggling over a price for Tiemoue Bakayoko, it is claimed.

The Express have picked up on reports in Italy suggesting that Milan do not want to pay the £31m fee agreed for his eventual permanent transfer and instead want to pay around £22m.

Bakayoko has failed to impress since moving to the San Siro on a season-long loan and reports recently claimed he could be sent back to Chelsea in January.

Alex Sandro lined up, Star claim

Chelsea are still being linked with Alex Sandro.

Despite the club having Marcos Alonso with Emerson Palmieri as back-up, the Daily Star claim a £40m move is being planned for the Juventus left-back.