It’s time to talk all things transfers as the January window is now open for business. In this article we focus on Chelsea FC, the club that has been the most relevant thus far in the window. Stamford Bridge has acquired Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund and sent Cesc Fabregas to AS Monaco.
They are far from done with their January transfer business, so let’s take a look at the latest rumors making the tabloid rounds today. For part two of Chelsea transfer talk, go to this link.
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata wants out, as has been well documented. However, his potential loan to Sevilla that had been in the works? It’s off the table now.
According to Goal, Sevilla pulled out and Morata “spent the weekend in Madrid as he looks to negotiate a move away from Stamford Bridge.” A different report from Goal claims that Atletico Madrid could be the centre-forward’s escape route. Morata has openly discussed his struggles in adjusting to life in London several times, and it’s no secret that he would love a return to his native Spain.
However, what if a return to Espana isn’t in the cards? Well, the Daily Mail reports that Bayern Munich is interested.
In terms of replacements for Morata, Chelsea have been strongly linked with Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuain this transfer window, but that deal, if it were to actually happen, is still a long ways off from being closed.
According to the Evening Standard, Juve have rejected Chelsea’s offer of picking him up on loan, and instead want a permanent move priced at £32 million.
So if that doesn’t happen, what’s the fall back option? Well, according to the Daily Star, AFC Bournemouth are ready to put Callum Wilson up on the trading block, provided their very high price is met. The publication says that the Cherries want Chelsea to pay £75 million in transfer fees for Wilson.
To put that in perspective, it’s the same amount Manchester United paid Everton for another former Chelsea striker, Romelu Lukaku, in the summer of 2017.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.