Chelsea to sign world-class striker as Giroud’s replacement plus other transfer updates
Chelsea were the busiest in the summer transfer window and have continued to look for more players to join Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
Recall that Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell all signed for the Stamford Bridge club in the summer.
But Frank Lampard’s side have struggled in the Premier League. With one win in their past five games the Blues currently sit in 9th. Although, with the league a relatively open affair this season Lampard’s men are only seven points off league leaders Liverpool.
Here we bring you the latest Chelsea transfer news we got from Sky Sports News, BBC Sports, ESPN, NBC sports, The SUN and other top sports websites.
Chelsea told £18 million will wrap up transfer deal for Simakan
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard made the decision over the summer to bring Thiago Silva to the club after hearing that he would become a free agent after deciding that now was the best time to leave PSG.
There were many people in the media whom believed that the ageing Brazilian would not have it anymore, that he would not be able to compete at the very highest level, but he has proven everybody wrong and is one of the best in the League right now.
According to the latest reports, the Blues have ‘positioned themselves’ to sign Strasbourg’s Simakan, 20, who has established himself as one of the finest young centre-backs in Ligue 1 over the last two seasons, and are in deep talks to get a transfer deal done
And according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Strasbourg have told the Premier League giants that they want £18m if they are to agree to selling Simakan.
Rice Reservations
According to The Athletic, the Blues hierarchy are uncertain if Rice has the required quality to play in a Champions League side.
Pair this with the enormous price tag West Ham would slap on the 21-year-old and the signing becomes something of a risk.
Tomori eager to leave
With just one Premier League appearance, the defender is eager to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more playing minutes.
That is according to The Athletic, who also say any links with Leeds are wide of the mark.
Can the defender find his move?
Lampard gives Kepa exit update
Following a string of high profile mistakes Lampard was left with little choice but to replace the shot-stopper.
And having cost a world record £72million Chelsea will be desperate to recoup some of their fee.
“We’ll see how January goes,” Lampard said when pressed on the goalkeeper’s future.
Luka Jovic looks for a new team as Lampard eyes him
Luka Jovic has become the third-choice centre-forward for Zinedine Zidane and, with this in mind, the Serbian is looking at a Real Madrid exit.
Although he was a starter at the Supercopa de Espana this time last year, Jovic finished 2020 with just 607 minutes and one goal, spread across 18 appearances. Real Madrid played 50 total games.
This season he has played 208 minutes across five matches, only one of them in the Champions League. He hasn’t scored or assisted and hasn’t played since November 8.
According to reports, Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, who is in need of a new striker has also been reported to have been in touch with the forward.
Chelsea enter the battle to sign No.9 Norwegian goal machine
Haaland has already notched 17 goals this campaign, with the striker set to start a bidding war. Several Europe’s elite are already showing interest, including the likes of Real Madrid and Man United. But the English manager has told Chelsea bosses to ‘make the deal happen’.
Blues are looking to swoop for the 20-year-old striker despite landing Timo Werner for £53m over the summer. However, Timo has had his struggles adapting to English football and Frank wants more firepower in his squad. The Blues face a massive scrap to land the Norwegian striker, however, with Red Devils and Man City also keen.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich provide competition from abroad. But greater wealth in the PL gives the English clubs the upper hand. Man United have chased the footballer for some time, with the Norwegian manager having coached the player at Molde.
Man City are also in the hunt for a new No. 9 as they begin to contemplate life after club legend Sergio Aguero. Man City can also play on the heartstrings of Erling, whose father Alf-Inge formerly played for the club. Erling’s current contract runs until the summer of 2024, meaning Borussia Dortmund have no obligation or really need to sell.
Chelsea in the hunt to sign 25-year-old Uruguayan defender
Uruguay international is the footballer London giants officials are looking at. Jose Maria is a solid defender who is an important part of Diego Simeone’s side at the Wanda Metropolitano. At 25-years-old, Gimenez could provide coach Frank Lampard with a long term solution in the back-line.
It’s thought that the 25-year-old defender would form a good partnership with Silva, replacing Kurt Zouma. Since signing for La Liga giants in 2013, the centre-back has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in Spain. He’s played almost 200 games for the Los Rojiblancos and helped them to win the UEL in the 2017/18 campaign.
His importance to Diego means he wouldn’t come cheap, however. Blues would have to fork out a big sum to prise the defender away from Atletico Madrid. Joe has been linked with a move to the PL in the past. Both Red Devils and Man City have recently been touted with moves for Gimenez, although they eventually signed alternative defenders.
If the Blues don’t sign the Uruguayan centre-back then Bayern Munich’s David Alaba could be a cheaper option. The versatile footballer is out of deal in June which means he can talk to interested clubs in winter. According to recent reports, his agent is currently trying to maneuver a transfer to London club for the footballer.
Chelsea in advanced talks with €20m-rated Poland international
10 of those 11 starts have been in Serie A where his team sits 11th in the table. The London giants are rumored to be in for a replacement for veteran Thiago Silva, who is nearing the end of his footballing career as a footballer at the age of 36.
Blues signed Silva from PSG last summer on a free transfer and the player has been dominant at the back for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, helping them keep 6 clean sheets in the 10 matches he has played in this campaign.
However, Blues are now eyeing a long-term replacement for the ex-AC Milan defender and are in the market for the Polish defender, who is said to be valued at nearly £54m. The Blues are also not the only PL club interested in him. Liverpool and Man United are also said to be in for the 20-year-old centre-back.
Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan are also one of the clubs who are after the signature of Walukiewicz who has already played three senior games for the Polish national team.
Chelsea have a strong defence for now but with Thiago Silva ageing and Antonio Rudiger’s Blues future hanging by a thread, the London club’s interest in a talented footballer like Sebastian Walukiewicz makes sense.
Brighton closing in on £4.5m signing of Chelsea target Moises Caicedo
The 19-year old from Independiente del Valle is due to undergo a medical before committing to the South Coast club after negotiations intensified on Friday.
A number of Premier League clubs had expressed interest in the midfielder.
Caicedo was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United but the Old Trafford club opted not to make an offer. Chelsea also made enquiries, which was a move understood to be favoured by Caicedo, while West Ham, Everton and Newcastle also opened discussions over a deal.
However, Brighton are the club who pushed to reach an agreement and hope to have the deal finalised this week.
Caicedo has been capped four times already by Ecuador.
Brighton have previously negotiated with Independiente for Billy Arce in 2018.