Transfer gossip: Speculation over Chelsea players ahead of the deadline

Some of the latest transfer speculation as the deadline approaches…

Danny Drinkwater continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea as the transfer deadline approaches.

Drinkwater has been unable to establish himself as a first-team player since being signed from Leicester City a year ago.

The Independent say Leicester, who sold him for £35m, are considering taking him back to the East Midlands club.

The Daily Telegraph say that as well as Leicester there is interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace.

But it is suggested that Drinkwater’s wages could be a problem for interested clubs and that Chelsea have been looking for a loan fee of around £10m.

The Telegraph speculate that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri might want to keep Drinkwater because Tiemoue Bakayoko could be on his way to AC Milan.

The Telegraph also say Chelsea are likely to loan out either Michy Batshuayi or Tammy Abraham because Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are both staying at Stamford Bridge.

The Daily Mirror, on the other hand, say Abraham will be staying despite interest from a number of clubs.

Meanwhile, French publication L’Equipe has claimed that Manchester United want to sign Kurt Zouma from Chelsea. United have since denied any interest in the Chelsea defender.