Premier League leaders Chelsea could continue strengthening in the summer as they’ll want to challenge on the European stage after dominating the League and the League Cup this season. Here is a selection of transfer rumors involving Chelsea in the last few days.
Chelsea signed Filipe Luis and Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid for hefty money in the last summer and recalled Thibaut Courtois from his two-year loan spell as well. They could raid Diego Simeone’s side again, this time with the hopes of signing winger Antoine Griezmann if reports from The Express are to be believed.
The Frenchman has been a long-term Arsenal target, but the blues could match the release clause of A?43m on his current contract. Griezmann arrived at Atletico for A?22m last summer and signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2020. Despite his glittering performances, Atletico are unwilling to give him a better contract simply because he recently signed a six-year deal with the club.
Chelsea have a plethora of quality players out wide with Eden Hazard, Willian and Juan Cuadrado at the club. However, Jose Mourinho has persisted with just 22 players for the whole season, the least used by any club in the Premier League. With that, Chelsea could go for Griezmann as he has been in brilliant form in the last couple of years. The 24-year old had scored 16 goals in 35 games for Real Sociedad last season and he has followed it up with an incredible 22 goals this time with a handful of games still to play.
Imbula linked with a A?20m move to Stamford-Bridge
Marseille youngster Giannelli Imbula has been linked with a move to London according to reports from The Sun. Jose Mourinho has reportedly dispatched scouts on a regular basis to observe the Frenchman who could play alongside Nemanja Matic in a holding midfield role.
The links are very strong as Marseille have already identified potential replacements for the 22-year old. Mourinho has deployed Brazilian midfielder Ramires and Kurt Zouma in that role and the duo have impressed in spells. However, Imbula could be a star in the making and will only strengthen the midfield. His key strengths include good passing, work rate and breaking play, all the attribute that Mourinho admires.
Ancelotti quashes Jese Rodriguez to Chelsea rumours
Another one of Chelsea’s rumored transfer targets, according to the Marca, is Real Madrid’s young winger Jese Rodriguez. The 22-year old is considered by many as a long-term solution to Cristiano Ronald
o as he is just 22-years old and has shown a lot of promise. However, due to the plethora of stars at Real coupled with a serious injury that he suffered, Jese has been unsuccessful in nailing down regular game time. A move to Chelsea wouldn’t necessarily mean an improvement in that, but he could find it easier as Chelsea will definitely consider rotating their squad next season as they have used just 22 players this season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, however, denied that Jese will leave the club next season, “I speak to Jese the same as I do with everybody,” said Ancelotti. “I understand he wants to play more, but he has to be ready as his chance could come just as it has for Chicharito. Jese is staying because he is an important player.”
