Chelsea closing in on deals for Moses and Azpilicueta
Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Wigan Athletic midfielder Victor Moses and Marseille defender Cesar Azpilicueta according to a Footy Bunker source.
The Blues captured the signature of Internacional playmaker Oscar last week in a £25 million deal joining fellow new recruits Eden Hazard, brother Thorgan and Marko Marin in West London.
Owner Roman Abramovich and manager Roberto Di Matteo are guiding the club through a period of transition after seeing several first team stars leave the club during the summer.
Di Matteo is keen to boost his attack after losing Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou on free transfers and wants Nigerian international Moses to provide competition in the wide areas.
The Champions League winners have already had three bids, the latest thought to be £6.5m, rejected by Latics chairman Dave Whelan who is holding out for £10m for his star asset.
Abramovich is unwilling to pay over the odds for the highly-rated 21-year-old with reports suggesting he will seek showdown talks with boss Roberto Martinez as the club continue to hold him back from a dream move to Stamford Bridge.
A move for Azpilicueta is likely to be more straight forward after Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo admitted they could sell the right back in order to generate funds for new signings ahead of the new season.
“Everybody has to sell before buying,” he told RTL.”In effect, it could either be (Stephane) M’Bia and Azpi. But for now, nothing has changed.”
Having lost Jose Boswinga on free transfer last month Di Matteo is eager to strengthen his defence and the £7million-rated Spaniard is high on his wanted list.
The Italian coach will hope to have the 22-year-old, who is currently in England representing his country at the Olympic Games, in place before the new Premier League campaign kicks off next month.
