Chelsea transfer news: Will Antonio Conte land Alexis Sanchez, Andre Silva, James Rodriguez, Casemiro or Leonardo Bonucci: The hottest Blues January transfer gossip, according to Football Whispers
DESPITE splashing more than £100million to bring in the likes of N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso and David Luiz this summer, Chelsea are expected to be even more active when the transfer window re-opens in January.
The Blues currently sit top of the Premier League thanks to a remarkable nine-game winning run, but manager Antonio Conte is still considering a few key additions to ensure his side maintain their title push.
Antonio Conte has moved quickly to bolster his ranks at Chelsea this seasonReuters
With several high-profile players linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, we’ve analysed the five top-ranked Chelsea transfer rumours according to Football Whispers, which collects reports from across the globe and gives each of them a rating out of five.
Keep up to date with ALL the Chelsea news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary.
And it’s not good news for Arsenal fans…
Alexis Sanchez: Arsenal – 2.9 out of 5
Alexis Sanchez’s hot start to 2016-17 as well as his inability to pen a new deal at the Emirates has alerted Antonio Conte of a potential January moveAP:Associated Press
CHILEAN forward Sanchez has been in scintillating form this season having scored 12 goals and registered eight assists for Arsenal, thriving in his central striker role.
Chelsea’s attack is hardly in desperate need of reinforcements, but with Sanchez reportedly unable to agree terms on a new contract with the Gunners, the Mirror is reporting that the Blues will make an audacious swoop for the former Barcelona star.
Despite having a wealth of attacking options already at Conte’s disposal, Sanchez would almost certainly guarantee himself a starting place at the Bridge.
However, they are likely to face competition for his signature from the cash-rich Chinese Super League and he is sure to have suitors from across Europe.
Andre Silva: Porto – 2 out of 5
Porto star Andre Silva is also on Antonio Conte’s radar this winterAP:Associated Press
CHELSEA recently sent scouts to watch highly-rated 21-year-old Portuguese striker Andre Silva, and Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo believes the Blues could make a big-money offer for the talented youngster.
Silva, who is also being tracked by Manchester United, has already netted 12 times for Porto this season as well as having scored four goals in five games since making his senior debut for Portugal in August.
Porto reportedly need to raise cash through player sales to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions, but whether Chelsea are willing to meet Silva’s £51m release clause remains to be seen.
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Football Whispers
James Rodriguez: Real Madrid – 1.5 out of 5
James Rodriguez could finally put his difficult spell at Real Madrid behind himGetty Images
THE Blues were heavily linked with a move for Colombian star James Rodriguez in the summer, and Spanish media outlet Don Balon claims the Premier League leaders will renew their interest in the Real Madrid man in January.
James has been out of favour at the Bernabeu this season having played just 549 minutes so far for the European champions.
However, despite a lack of game time at Madrid, the 25-year-old has shown his class with four assists and one goal.
Conte may view the former Monaco midfielder as the ideal man to add competition for places and creativity to his ranks.
Casemiro: Real Madrid – 1.4 out of 5
Casemiro could be another on his way from the Bernabeu to Stamford BridgeAP:Associated Press
CHELSEA are also being linked with another Real Madrid star in the shape of defensive midfielder Casemiro.
OkDiario of Spain reported back in March that Casemiro was as summer target for the Blues and the west Londoners could yet make a move for the Brazilian in the near future.
Likened to former Stamford Bridge favourite Claude Makelele, Casemiro could form a fearsome partnership if paired with Kante.
However, Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane values the 24-year-old and would be reluctant to let him leave the Spanish capital.
Leonardo Bonucci: Juventus – 1.4 out of 5
Leonardo Bonucci could make his way to Chelsea to boost their defensive ranksGetty Images
HAVING had bids rejected for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan in the summer, Conte seems intent on raiding Serie A for a top-class defender.
And they don’t come much better than Juventus centre-back Bonucci; something Conte is very much aware of having worked with the 29-year-old during his time in Turin and with the national team.
The Telegraph recently reported Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to make Bonucci the most expensive defender in history by sanctioning a whopping £60m bid for the 67-cap Azzurri stalwart.
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