Cesc Fabregas set to stay at Chelsea; Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli undergoes medical ahead of move to Nice

Latest reports claim Cesc Fabregas is set to stay at Chelsea after he was earlier linked with a move out on-loan to AC Milan. Meanwhile Mario Balotelli is finally set to complete a transfer away from Liverpool with a move to Nice.

Chelsea are reportedly keen to hold on to midfielder Cesc Fabregas at the club after reports from Italy indicated a potential loan move from AC Milan. Sky Sports sources have stated that the 29-year-old is keen on staying at Chelsea and working under Antonio Conte and doesn’t fancy a move anywhere else in the near future.

Through the course of the summer, Fabregas has been subject to a wild set of rumours linking him to many a European heavyweight, citing the Spaniard’s doubts regarding his plans under new boss Conte.

The doubts regarding his future only intensified after he managed to earn just 12 minutes of football for the Blues in their first three Premier League encounters.

The 29-year-old was a 78th minute substitute during his side’s opening day victory over West Ham United and has since failed to secure game time. However, the midfielder brushed aside any speculation and uncertainty surrounding his future with tweets that re-affirmed his commitment to Chelsea.

Since his arrival from FC Barcelona in 2014 for £30 million, Fabregas has helped Chelsea to a Premier League title and a Capital One Cup success before a disastrous 2015-16 campaign saw Jose Mourinho ousted from the club. Many fans held players including Fabregas responsible for collectively bringing about the downfall of the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge.

However, despite all the controversy, the Spanish international remains a key element of this Chelsea team and his experience in the Premier League is something his younger peers can learn from. Hence, it is no surprise that Conte wants to hold on to Fabregas even if it’s just for the short-term future.

Balotelli undergoes medical ahead of transfer to Nice

After almost three months, it appears Mario Balotelli is finally set to complete a transfer away from Liverpool on deadline day. There was immense speculation surrounding the Italian’s next move with Jurgen Klopp having clearly established that he had no future at Anfield. The likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Genoa and Palermo all showed interest however it was French side Nice who won the race to sign the forward.

Balotelli, who incidentally completed a £16 million move to Liverpool on deadline day in the summer of 2014, has endured a torrid time at Merseyside. After a disappointing first season where injuries, temperament and poor work ethic ensured a lack of game time, Balotelli completed a loan-move back to Italy in a bid to piece his football career back together.

However, having returned from a rather fruitless season out on-loan with Milan, Liverpool found little use for the striker having already loaded their attacking ranks with the signing of Sadio Mane to go with the presence of three other strikers in Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings.

Palermo previously expressed an interest in Balotelli, who has not played for Liverpool since April 2015, but could not conclude a deal and the player has since had limited options throughout the summer. That was until Nice came calling.

The Reds struggled to find a buyer for the Italian initially but managed to attract clubs soon after it was reported that the striker would take a pay-cut for a move to a new club.

It is understood the Italy striker spent most of Tuesday on the south coast of France trying to conclude a permanent move away from Anfield. The move would end a Merseyside nightmare for Balotelli who in his single season at the club managed to score just 4 goals of which only a solitary strike came in the Premier League.

Once a hot European prospect, Balotelli now eyes Nice as probably one of his last opportunities to fight his way back up and fulfill his potential.