Chelsea look set to miss out on long-term target to Premier League rivals Liverpool. Two La Liga giants battle it out as they plot th...
Chelsea look set to miss out on long-term target to Premier League rivals Liverpool. Two La Liga giants battle it out as they plot their January transfer raid of Thomas Tuchel's side.
Liverpool set to complete Chelsea hijacking
Chelsea look set to miss out on Porto star Luis Diaz to Liverpool this month, according to The Sun . The report claims that the long-term Blues target has a release clause of £67 million. Still, despite this, Jurgen Klopp's side is looking to move forward with a deal that's closer to £60 million. Diaz's agent, Carlos Van Strahalen, confirmed the west Londoners interest in his client last month when speaking to the Portuguese outlet Radio Renascenca .
The Sun claim that Liverpool would typically have instead waited until the summer to execute a deal, which would've kept Chelsea in the race.The loss of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to the AFCON has reportedly accelerated a move to compensate for their absences.
Our view: I'm not a religious watcher of the Primeira Liga in Portugal but, from when he's played in the Champions League, this does look like a big loss for the Blues. A signing to contend with Liverpool's AFCON absentees is also very worrying as to where it could leave Chelsea at the end of the season.
Azpilicueta edges closer to La Liga move
According to Spanish outlet AS, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has edged closer to a move back to Spain amid Atletico Madrid's and Barcelona's brewing interest. The report claims that Diego Simeone has identified the versatile defender as his 'favourite' target to replace Kieran Trippier, who has joined Newcastle United. Spanish newspaper, Mundo Deportivo, has claimed that the La Liga champions 'would do everything possible' to sign the 32-year-old. His current deal at Stamford Bridge expires this summer, making him available via a free transfer at the end of the season.
Our view: Losing Azpilicueta would be a massive loss for Chelsea regarding his leadership, commitment, and ability to perform at the highest level in any position. However, I do worry that as the Blues approach a transition period under Tuchel, whereby the club need to buy a new centre-half and one or two wing-backs. The Spaniard will soon have to settle for a squad rotation role. With this in mind, it's completely understandable why he may want to seek a move elsewhere. A club where he can feature week in, week out, and Atletico Madrid would be the perfect next club for him if he were to move on.
Barcelona 'accelerate' Christensen interest
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona has been in talks with Chelsea's Andreas Christensen for 'weeks'. Xavi's side has now 'accelerated' pursuit after the 25-year-old's changed representatives, as per Mundo Deportivo's latest newspaper report on the story. Mundo Deportivo claims that the Danish centre- back's contract renewal with the Blues has halted. Leaving the door wide open for clubs to begin pre-contract negotiations over a free summer transfer.
Our view: I really thought that the Christensen of old would be left behind this season, having matured and developed into one of our best defensive options. But, his contract saga has hampered his next step at Stamford Bridge, and I can see him moving on for free this summer which is a shame. It would be a big miss, but realistically he's replaceable. Chelsea have the financial power to cover their losses, and Tuchel has a lot of talent at Cobham waiting to burst through.
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