Chelsea are looking to make further signings in this transfer window and are looking to sign, from under the noses of Premier League rivals, two headline players.
Firstly, Southampton Dutch centre back Virgil Van Dijk has been long linked with a move to Liverpool, but whilst the player seems keen to join up with Jurgen Klopp. there have been significant delays and issues associated with the move, to such extent that Klopp recently declared himself ‘satisfied’ with the corps of centre backs he currently has at his disposal.
Chelsea are getting much closer to this situation, as they search for a long term replacement for John Terry, and they seem ready to test the player’s resolve by slapping a bid in. Van Dijk is expected to command a fee that would threaten the world record fee paid for a defender. Van Dijk is keen to leave Southampton and if Liverpool continue to dither, could well agree to join the Champions.
Secondly, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has declared that they are interested in signing French full back Serge Aurier from Paris St Germain, with Manchester United the apparent favourites for his signature. According to the Express, Chelsea are ‘locked in talks’ with Aurier, with £27 million being the fee banded about for his capture.
The right back has become somewhat surplus to requirements at PSG, but his chances of signing for an English club have been thwarted due to his current ban from entering the country, due to an incident the player was involved in last year. This ban would need lifting for Aurier to play English football – but if so, Chelsea could poach the player from United as Conte clearly feels his defence needs strengthening as they look to defend their Premier League title and mount an assault on the Champions League this season.
The Express also reports that Chelsea remain interested in Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater and are monitoring the situation concerning Everton’s Ross Barkley.
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