Chelsea
The Blues closing in on Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado
According to the latest reports from Italy are suggesting that Chelsea are closing in on Fiorentina’s right wing back Juan Cuadrado and the Blues would be willing to pay his release clause if they need to do so.
The Blues have seen an earlier bid for Cuadrado rejected, but the message coming out from Fiorentina’s camp is the player would leave, should any club pay his release clause, thought to be around €35m.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Stamford Side are closing in on Juan Cuadrado of Fiorentina . It has over the last few hours Emerged That the Blues have every intention of meeting the 35 M € contract release clause and get hold of the Colombian winger as soon as possible, under specific instructions of manager Jose Mourinho.
As Di Marzio and his working staff usually have a good feel about the transfers going on in Italy, and in general as well, and therefore it their information turns out to be true, Chelsea are expected to remain busy in the last few days of the January transfer window.
The Italian journalist also adding that should Chelsea completes a move for Cuadrado, Fiorentina could turn their attention towards Mohamed Salah to replace the Colombian in the lineup.
There is also a possibility that winger Andre Schurrle could leave the club in January although Chelsea would only sell him should they receive a good offer for the German international.
Chelsea
Chelsea to return for Spurs superstar with increased bid
Roman Abramovich could be ready to get his chequebook out once again in January and make an incredible £52m offer for Tottenham playmaker, Luka Modric.
The Blues have bid for Modric in the past two transfer windows but any fee they have submitted has been deemed unworthy by Spurs so far. Last January also saw the Chelsea FC owner write a cheque out for £50m to bring Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to Stamford Bridge and it is believed the Russian owner will now at stop at nothing to get his man.
The Croatian playmaker is believed to have been subject to three offers from Chelsea over the summer, the largest of which is thought to have been worth £35m. Despite the big money bids and the midfielder actually handing in a transfer request, he was not permitted to leave the club and will now remain at the club until January at least.
Harry Redknapp has been striving to tie the maestro down to a new long-term deal, however Modric is reluctant to sign an extension as he looks to keep his hopes of a move away, alive.
Daniel Levy played a key role in keeping Modric at White Hart Lane and apparently made the decision to reject the player’s transfer request.
However, one would think that with a bid of £52m on the table, even Levy will find it difficult to keep his star midfielder in the side.
Breaking News
Arsenal considering shock bid for Chelsea veteran
Reports are suggesting that Arsenal could continue their spending in January by making a move for Chelsea forward, Didier Drogba.
The striker has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge for some time now, with the likes of Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Nicolas Anelka to contend with.
The Ivory Coast international is also at the ripe old age of 33 and the Portuguese boss could be tempted into cashing in on the forward.
News is circulating that Marouane Chamakh could be on his way back to France sometime soon, with PSG apparently showing interest in acquiring his signature after the striker has endured a disappointing two years at the Emirates Stadium.
Drogba could turn out to be a sound asset for the Gunners, providing an experienced mind who has played in the Premier League for seven years now, and still has the potential for brilliance.
Given his low resale value and that he is in the last year of his contract, the forward, who has netted almost 100 times for the Blues, could be available for a pittance and would relieve some of the pressure from Robin van Persie in his sole central striker role.
Arsenal
Arsenal face West Ham with live streaming from the Premier League
Arsenal are planning a double raid in January for two players whos contracts currently come to an end next summer and will look to make a two bids worth a combined £14m.
First on Arsene Wenger’s list is that of Bolton Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill for whom the side were reported to have had a bid rejected in the last few days of the summer’s transfer window.
With it unlikely that Bolton will extend the 25 year old’s current deal, and with Cahill himself suggesting he wants to get involved in European competition, Arsenal will remain one of his top destinations.
Arsenal will face competition for the England defender though. Most notable competitors for his signature are those of Tottenham Hotspur – who were rumoured to be close to a deal this summer – and Chelsea, who feel the defender could be a long term solution to the aging John Terry.
Arsenal’s second target is that of 26 year old Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
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The Italian’s current deal also ends next summer although the Serie A side still remain hopeful that a new extension to the his contract could go ahead before January.
Should it not, the side will look to sell for obvious reasons, mainly the risk of allowing him to sign a pre-deal in January and risk losing the talented player for nothing.
Whilst it is still early days in the season, Arsenal already have certain players marked for attention and with Cahill and Montolivo pencilled in for a possible January acquisition, Wenger will be hoping any new players in January will be enough to push them on for the second half of the season.