Chelsea form transfer triangle over long-term defensive target
Chelsea look ready to form a transfer triangle with Ajax and Valencia that could result in Gregory van der Wiel arriving at Stamford Bridge in a late January switch.
The Dutchman has been on the radar of the West London side for over a year now and it seems all their efforts may finally come good given recent events.
Van der Wiel was being linked with a move to Valencia this month and was in negotiations with the Spanish outfit last week but news emerged that the move hit a snag in personal terms.
However, the La Liga side supposedly haven’t given up on the 23 year-old and will seek to clinch a deal in the coming days.
Chelsea are adamant to rule that out though and will offer Jose Bosingwa to Valencia so that they are then left free to sign Van der Wiel.
Bosingwa has been criticised over recent weeks for his lack of defensive quality and reports have linked the Portuguese international with a Stamford Bridge exit, with Serie A side Roma showing a particular interest.
Van der Wiel recently suffered a groin strain but is expected to be back in action in February and could return as part of Andre Villas Boas’s Blues.
The right-back has made 21 appearances for Ajax this season scoring two goals as well as making four assists.
His exploits in the Eredivisie haven’t gone unnoticed on the international scale either and since 2009, van der Wiel has made 25 appearances for the Holland national team.
The Ajax youth product could be tempted by the proposition of playing at Stamford Bridge but will be hoping to maintain a starting XI spot if he is to stay in the plans of Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands team ahead of Euro 2012.
