Transfer news and gossip ahead of Wednesday’s deadline
A round-up of the latest transfer news and speculation involving our area’s clubs.
• Chelsea could let Zouma go, it’s claimed
• Sunderland fail to land Begovic – Northern Echo
• Blues closing in on Brozovic deal – Mail
• Fabregas offered to Inter, Gazzetta dello Sport claim
• Spaniard says he will ‘fight for Chelsea’
• Chelsea ask about Luiz
• Kenedy completes Watford loan move
• Atsu expected to join Newcastle
• QPR sign Anderlecht striker Sylla
• Rangers also agree fee to sell Kpekawa
• Rangers keeper set for contract and loan move
• Brentford interested in Palace winger
• Bees also want Henry
Gossip
Sunderland fail to land Begovic – Northern Echo
Sunderland have failed in an attempt to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a season-long loan, the Northern Echo reports.
Black Cats boss David Moyes is keen to sign a goalkeeper before Wednesday’s transfer deadline as Vito Mannone has been sidelined by injury.
But he was reportedly knocked back by Chelsea after an approach was made for Begovic.
There has been speculation about Begovic’s future this summer and the Blues’ recent signing of Portuguese keeper Eduardo has fueled reports that the Bosnian could leave on loan.
Speculation over Zouma
The Sun have picked up on reports in Italy that Chelsea are willing to let Kurt Zouma leave on a potentially permanent basis.
It follows initial reports that the defender could join Schalke on loan in order to rediscover his fitness following a long-term knee injury.
Now it is claimed that Zouma, 21, is discussing a move to the German club and that the deal would involve an initial loan with the option of a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
The reports emanate from Gianluca Di Marzio, a journalist whose father Gianni was previously Napoli boss and a transfer adviser to QPR.
Chelsea closing in on Brozovic deal – Mail
Chelsea are closing in on a £25m deal to sign Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, according to the Daily Mail.
Brozovic, 22, recently signed permanently for Inter after completing an 18-month loan spell from Dinamo Zagreb, but is apparently set for a move to west London.
Juventus are reportedly interested but Inter would apparently prefer not to sell to a rival Serie A club.
Speculation over Fabregas’ future
Chelsea have offered Cesc Fabregas to Inter in a bid to sign Brozovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
It is claimed that Inter are considering the offer despite sporting director Piero Ausilio insisting Brozovic is set to stay with the Serie A club.
It comes after Fabregas hit back at reports he could be on his way out of Chelsea.
His omission from the Blues’ starting line-up has fueled speculation about his future.
And reports in his native Spain have claimed that the midfielder has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge by boss Antonio Conte.
But in a post on Instagram, Fabregas insisted that is not the case – and that he “will continue to fight” for the club.
Wolves want Martin – Sky
Fulham face competition from Wolves for the signing of Derby County striker Chris Martin, Sky believe.
West London Sport reported at the weekend that Whites head coach Slavia Jokanovic is keen to sign the 27-year-old.
Sky say both Fulham and Wolves have tabled bids for Martin and that so far there has been no official response from Derby.
News
Chelsea ask about Luiz
David Luiz could make a shock return to Chelsea from Paris St-Germain.
The Blues, who are looking for a centre-back, have enquired about the availability of Luiz, 29, who they sold to the French club in 2014.
Kenedy to Watford
Chelsea winger Kenedy has joined Watford on loan until the end of the season.
The Brazilian impressed when he featured for the Blues last season but has not featured this term under Antonio Conte.
Remy completes Palace loan move
Chelsea striker Loic Remy has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.
West Ham had also been interested in signing the Frenchman, who has been pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Michy Batshuayi.
Bamford joins Burnley on loan
Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford has joined Burnley on loan until the end of the season.
A number of Championship clubs, including QPR, were hoping to sign the 22-year-old, but he preferred to stay in the Premier League.
QPR complete Sylla signing
QPR have completed the signing of striker Idrissa Sylla from Anderlecht.
West London Sport revealed on Monday that Rangers had agreed a fee in the region of £1.5m for Sylla, 25, and later revealed that he had agreed personal terms.
The Guinea international, who has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road, joined Anderlecht in February last year from Zulte Waregem. He was previously at French club Le Mans.
Bees target Henry
Brentford want Walsall’s highly-rated teenage left-back Rico Henry.
The 19-year-old has been watched by a number of Championship clubs and could be set for a pre-deadline move.
Kpekawa in talks with Barnsley
QPR defender Cole Kpekawa is edging closer to a move to Barnsley.
The defender, 20, has been given the green light to travel north to discuss personal terms ahead of a proposed £450,000 move to Oakwell.
Lumley set for contract and loan move
QPR plan to extend Joe Lumley’s contract before sending the goalkeeper out on loan this week.
Lumley, 21, had been lined up for a loan move to Gillingham but that deal now appears unlikely to go through.
Rangers are looking at other options as they are keen for Lumley to pick up more first-team experience.
Atsu set to complete move
Newcastle are expected to complete a deal to sign Christian Astu from Chelsea.
The Ghana winger, 24, has not made a first-team appearance for the Blues since being signed from Porto in 2013.
Atsu is expected to move to St James’ Park on loan with a view to an eventual permanent move.
Bees unable to land winger
Brentford have had another approach for Chesterfield winger Gboly Ariyibi rejected.
The Bees recently made their interest in Ariyibi, 21, clear to the League One club and, having been rebuffed, have seen a follow-up move similarly fended off.
29/08/2016 @ 11:14 am
I hope Conte know what he is doing, concerning Fabregas swap deal with Inter is a big joke, why not with James Rodriguez…..
27/08/2016 @ 11:58 am
are you telling us that this Alonso guy is better that Rodriguez at left back?????