Chelsea Transfers

[Blue Armour 4,256]

7 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Galatasaray on verge of agreeing loan transfer with Chelsea over striker David Datro Fofana 

https://turkish-football.com/galatasaray-on-verge-of-agreeing-transfer-with-Chelsea-over-striker-david-datro-fofana/

Galatasaray are on the verge of agreeing to a 1.5-year loan deal with Chelsea over striker David Datro Fofana according to Fanatik.

Per the source, after a development in negotiations the Blues are close to agreeing terms with Galatasaray.

The report claims that Chelsea initially were not keen on sending Fofana to the Super Lig but with the other major leagues transfer windows closing the Blues do not have many options if Fofana is to gain experience on loan.

The Super Lig transfer window stays open until 8 Febuary 2023.

Chelsea and Galatasaray are set for another round of talks where the possibility of reducing the loan term to six-months will be discussed.

Despite only joining Chelsea in January the 20-year-old striker could struggle for playing time due to competition up front.

After being left on the bench for the last three league games Fofana played 15 minutes in the goalless draw against Fulham.

Galatasaray are keen on strengthening their attack as they continue efforts to win the league title.

The Yellow Reds are currently first after winning their last 11 games in a row and are six points ahead of second-placed rivals Fenerbahce.

Of course. 

Potter is prepared to send away the only decent striking option away on loan.

Not going to lie though, he probably needs a season away to score against weaker teams and build up his reputation and experience.

And this was recommended by Drogba too, I think.

Would suck for us because we have no good backup, but could be good for Fofana, if he gets the minutes 

Edited February 4, 2023 by Blue Armour

[Vesper 28,418]

Rafael Leao makes decision after Chelsea January spending spree

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/report-rafael-leao-makes-decision-after-Chelsea-january-spending-spree/

Rafael Leao believes Chelsea do not really want him after their January spending spree and is now closer to signing a contract extension with AC Milan, according to Gianluca di Marzio.

The Blues have reportedly been linked with Leao for a while, with even reports suggesting they were leading the race for the winger.

However, rather than trying to convince Milan to sell their star player, Chelsea spent a reported €70milion (£63m) plus a potential €30m (£27m) in add-ons on Mykhailo Mudryk, another talented left winger.

Di Marzio claims that Leao is now convinced that Chelsea do not have any serious interest in him after their January spending.

“I expect a renewal, although I don’t know what the contractual conditions and the value of the clause will be,” the Italian journalist told Chiamarsi Bomber when speaking about Leao’s contract situation at Milan.

“There is the intention on both sides to continue together.

“[Leao] also knows that staying at AC Milan is the best choice because he is loved and considered by everyone.

“Moreover, he understood that Chelsea didn’t really want him otherwise, given all the money spent in January, they would have made a mega offer for him as well.”

Would Leao have been a better signing than Mudryk? Only time can tell, but both are obviously exceptional talents.

While it is not impossible, Mudryk’s arrival might also have closed the door for any potential Chelsea move for Leao.

Even if Chelsea were to offload Christian Pulisic, who is reportedly among the six players the London club are looking to sell in the summer, it seems unlikely that Leao would agree to move to Stamford Bridge without guaranteed game time.

 

[Vegetable 830]

I'm not sure DDF rejected Brighton only to spend 1.5 years in Turkey now. Maybe until end of current season, but a lot can happen during 18 months

[Vesper 28,418]

Exclusive: Everton plot out-of-window Chelsea star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signing, his deal could be terminated

https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-sources-Chelsea-signing-deal-auba/

Everton are eyeing a potential out-of-window move for Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseysiders are keen to sign a free agent forward after losing out on multiple attacker signings in January.

Edited February 4, 2023 by Vesper

[Blue Armour 4,256]

Arsenal fans already getting paranoid about 'Agent' Jorginho.

[Vegetable 830]

2 minutes ago, Blue Armour said:

Arsenal fans already getting paranoid about 'Agent' Jorginho.

Hope he won't do as good as agent Fabregas did…

[Hamilton 2,120]

14 minutes ago, Blue Armour said:

Arsenal fans already getting paranoid about 'Agent' Jorginho.

What happened?

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

14 minutes ago, Hamilton said:

What happened?

Played his usual

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by ulsterchelsea

[TheHulk 1,825]

My belief in the project will dent if this guy gets a new contract on anything over 100k.

[Vesper 28,418]

Xavi Rules Out Manchester United Signing Ansu Fati From FC Barcelona

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2023/02/04/xavi-rules-out-manchester-united-signing-ansu-fati-from-fc-barcelona/?sh=7714ab646357

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has ruled out any chance Manchester United might have had of signing Ansu Fati.

Reports emerged from Catalonia on Friday claiming that the Premier League giants were interested in buying the former teenager prodigy from his boyhood club.

Fati is struggling for form and protaganism in Xavi's talented team which currently tops La Liga, with a decision to opt for a four-man midfield only leaving space for a right winger as either Gavi or Pedri operate as false left wingers.

Probed on the rumors ahead of Barca's meeting with Sevilla at Camp Nou on Sunday evening, Xavi Hernandez poured cold water on any remote hopes Barca's opponents in the Europa League in under a fortnight might have had of landing the number '10'.

"No, no, no... Things will work out for him," Xavi insisted.

"We have to be patient. Ansu is a spectacular asset to the club. We trust him a lot, he is working very well. I am very happy with his tremendous mentality in training, but be patient.

"He is 20 years old and needs time, like everyone else. Things will work out for him, now is not the time to talk about sales," Xavi said.

United will get a closer look at Fati when they take on Barca twice in a fortnight in the mentioned Europa League playoff tie.

For Xavi, though, it seems like a case of 'hands off' despite Barca's need to make a big player sale in the summer.

This is due to La Liga president Javier Tebas revealing that the Catalans must shave €200mn ($220mn) from the wage bill as they are currently failing to meet Financial Fair Play limits for the 2023/2024 season.

Xavi clearly has faith in his winger and striker, however, who burst onto the scene in 2019 as a 16-year-old and broke a series of youngest goalscorer and appearance maker records in Spain and on the continent for club and country.

With the return of Robert Lewandowski from suspension, it is unlikely that Fati will get the nod against Sevilla tomorrow as Barca look to extend their five point lead at the summit.

[Vesper 28,418]

RWer breakdown

It is obvious that Pulisic, Ziyech, and likely CHO are soon gone, and only Ziyech is a true RWer (sort of, as he is also an AMF, the point is he is shit on the left). Pulisic and CHO are weak on the right (and the left tbh, ffs)

That leaves us with two clear LWers, both right-footed: Mudryck and Sterling

And one RWer: Noni Madueke, a lefty

No, Mount is not a winger, he is shit there, same for Kai, and very likely for Felix as well, plus, the same for Nkunku next season. 

Mount may not be here (and is 100% a MFer anyway), and those others are AMFs or SS's or false nines

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia  (ambipedal) is far better on the left than the right, same for Rafael Leão (right footed), and both will be close to 100 euros, or more.

Chiesa, a right footer who prefers the RW is still very much NOT fully recovered (if he was, he would be my number one or close number two), the same for the lefty Oyarzabal (who actually prefers the left wing).

I have no interest in Raphinha (a lefty) nor Sancho (right footed) at all.

Demebele (ambipedal and my number one winger want last year after Chiesa went down) is NOT leaving Barca. Saka is a pipe dream. Gnabry and Coman are not leaving Bayern.

so that leaves TWO legit, class, quality options

both lefties

Sane (but he actually likes the left wing more as well, ffs)

and then the by far number one lefty RWer left

Moussa Diaby (who we should have purchased 2 or 3 years ago)
 

 

 

 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,881]

17 hours ago, Bumtrubbler said:

only 1 of them we actually need is a striker. have to assume we'll be shopping in the summer. we're not making Europe this year & hopefully bedding in all the new signings & clearing the very obvious dead wood. - ziyech havertz pulisic cho etc etc. 

they've tried - they didn't make it 🤷‍♂️

I don't rule out Europa league qualification. Should be possible.

[Vesper 28,418]

lol at the title on the web aggregator

this one will make some heads snap here

 🤪

 

Alongside Silva: Chelsea also working on new contract for ‘sublime’ Mason Mount, who is keen to stay

https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/Chelsea-fc-news/Chelsea-mason-mount-latest-contract-news-updates/

 

Chelsea are working behind the scenes to secure a new contract for midfielder Mason Mount amid their work to tie town defender Thiago Silva.

THE LOWDOWN: OPENING OFFER REJECTED

The Premier League star has worked his way up through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge to become a regular feature of the first-team squad, but there is uncertainty over his future having now entered the final 18 months of his deal.

The Daily Mail claim that the England international rejected fresh terms offered to him before leaving for the World Cup last November which saw him heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.

However, reports suggested that the 24-year-old was set to resume negotiations after the January window had closed, and it seems like that is exactly the case.

THE LATEST: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS PRIORITISED

According to 90min, Chelsea are now ‘focusing all of their efforts’ into tying Mount down, with Todd Boehly previously admitting that agreeing an improved deal was one of the club’s ‘top priorities’ this season.

The Blues maestro’s representatives are ‘aware of interest’ from potential suitors, but the player is ‘keen to stay’ and establish his place under Graham Potter. 

The SW6 outfit are prepared to make their youth product ‘one of the highest-earning’ members of the squad as a reward for his development and success over the years.

 

THE VERDICT: ALONGSIDE SILVA

Thiago Silva has openly confirmed that he’s likely to put pen to paper on a new contract in the coming days, and Mount could be set to follow in his footsteps by extending his stay in the capital.

The Portsmouth-born talent has posted 70 goal contributions in 187 senior outings and is a vital cog in the centre of the pitch, currently averaging 1.5 key passes per league game.

He also ranks in their top seven best top flight players by average match rating, according to WhoScored, and only Thiago Silva has played more league minutes than Mount this season.

The midfielder is a mainstay under Potter and someone who is quite clearly rated highly by Brighton’s former boss.

Mount has been described as a ‘sublime’ player by journalist Josh Bunting, and as someone who’s going to be so important for the future of the club, it’s essential they reach an agreement as quickly as possible.

[Superblue 6,370]

4 hours ago, Mhsc said:

I am very excited by him. Can't wait to see him and Enzo play together. Also, given how useless we are upfront I think I'd rather see Enzo play further forward so he can be more of a goal threat which we desperately need atm, e.g. perhaps something like:

Zacharia Kovacic

Madueke Enzo Mudryk

Felix

 

I personally wouldn't play Enzo that high up.

What he just needs is a midfield partner who is willing at times to sit deep when he decides to roam forward and vice versa. That didn't happen last night - he was left to hold it together on his own and in doing so left him restricted with what he could do. 

Even Ruben in this situation would be better than Gallagher or Mount as he's far more understanding of that position and at times the need to drop and hold. But the quicker Kova and Zakaria can come back to full fitness the better.

[Mário César 970]

jesus christ we will renew with mount? 

[Vesper 28,418]

6 minutes ago, Mário César said:

jesus christ we will renew with mount? 

magic 8 ball now says

Edited February 4, 2023 by Vesper

[Vesper 28,418]

Just to keep it all short and sweet

here are my must buys:

GK  Jan Oblak  or Giorgi Mamardashvili or Illan Meslier (likely it will have to be Meslier of those 3, unless Oblak demands to come, or Valencia come way down from Mamar's 100m release clause, neither of which are likely to happen)

CB (right footed) Jurrien Timber as we need speed speed speed (unless it has to be homegrown, then either Nathan Collins or Taylor Harwood-Bellis) 

CMF/DMF Roméo Lavia or Rice OR if we want Kante style (we are NOT doing both, not this summer) Nicolò Barella or Caicedo or Manu Kone

AMF/No. 10 creative    Arsen Zakharyan (no one lelse interests me)

RW Mousa Diaby or if not him, then Sane

CF Victor Osimhen (only one I truly rate) or Dušan Vlahović or IF it has to be a homegrown, then Toney

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gvardiol is very likely not moving until his summer 2024 release clause kicks in, barring someone (not us) paying 110 to 120m quid (and if Badi and Colwill both come good, we do not need Gvardiol, just like we likely do not need Rafael Leão at LW, as we now have Mudryk and Sterling there, plus both Gvardiol and Leão are insanely expensive, and I can only see one more crazy expensive (as in 100m) buy atm, and that will be Osimhen, if we can pull it off)

and to sum it all up

Jude Bellingham is probably a pipedream for so many reasons, sorry

Edited February 4, 2023 by Vesper

[DDA 9,685]

After what I just saw of Onana on MoTD, get that lad here.... skill, strength, passion and desire. 

 

Perfect.