A View From The Bridge
Blow for Chelsea as Real Madrid take the lead in pursuit of world-class Bundesliga star
Real Madrid leading the race for Chelsea target David Alaba
According to Spanish publication Marca (h/t Football.london), Real Madrid are leading the race for Chelsea target David Alaba.
The Austrian international is in the final few months of his contract at Bayern Munich. He will be permitted to talk to other clubs once the transfer window opens in the new year.
The prospect of landing such an experienced player in the prime of his career for free is a no-brainer. However, it would appear that we do not have it easy.
Chelsea were among the four clubs shortlisted as options for the 28-year-old. Real Madrid were also among them and it would now appear that they are winning the race to land Alaba.
Represented by superagent Pini Zahavi, there was hope that the Blues could use their influence to land the Austrian intrnational. Zahavi shares a good relationship with Chelsea and has helped us sign a number of stars in the past.
A versatile player who can play a variety of positions, Alaba is also a skilled handler of the dead-ball. He would have added much to our squad.
While Real Madrid are one of the continent’s storied clubs, they are currently in need of a revamp. They have lacked consistency this season.
Chelsea meanwhile are a team on the rise and could be on the verge of something special. Whether this can help swing the transfer in our direction remains to be seen.
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Signing Alaba would further strengthen a Blues defence that has benefited from the addition of fresh blood. The likes of Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, and Edouard Mendy has had a noticeable impact on our backline.
Whether Real will land him or if we will swoop in late remains to be seen.
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Fikayo Tomori could help Chelsea in the race for £38m Nikola Milenkovic
Transfer News: Chelsea keen on a deal for Nikola Milenkovic
According to transfer news from SempreMilan, Chelsea are keen on a deal for Nikola Milenkovic. The Blues will face competition from the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan for the Fiorentina man’s signature.
His contract at the Serie A clubs expires in the summer of 2022, which means he could be a free agent by the time the 2022 summer transfer window arrives. However, Fiorentina have been told that there are no plans to renew his current deal and he wants to take on a new challenge.
This is why they could be open to parting ways with the Serbian international this summer itself. Any Chelsea move for the 23-year-old, however, rests on one Chelsea loanee.
If AC Milan make Fikayo Tomori’s deal permanent, they are unlikely to chase Milenkovic anymore, leaving Chelsea to battle only Manchester United for him.
He is an immovable part of the La Viola line-up this season where he has made 28 Serie A appearances, even grabbing 3 goals and an assist in that time. The Serbian is priced at £38m, which is relatively on the higher end given the current situation.
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However, with AC Milan all but set to sign Tomori on a permanent deal, the Blues could recycle the funds towards Milenkovic. A solid defender by all means, he could be a long-term addition to the side.
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Transfer News: Olivier Giroud to leave Chelsea and join Inter Milan
Transfer News: Olivier Giroud could leave Chelsea and join Inter Milan
According to transfer news from SempreInter, Olivier Giroud could leave Chelsea at the end of the season and reunite with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan. The Italian club are looking to replace fourth choice striker Andrea Pinamonti and Giroud is one of the options being considered.
The 34-year-old Giroud has been with Chelsea since January 2018 when he sealed a transfer from Arsenal. The veteran forward has been a handy player for the Blues, chipping in with vital goals on a consistent basis.
So far this term, Giroud has racked up a tally of 11 goals from 26 matches in all competitions, scoring some important goals, especially in the UEFA Champions League. (h/t Transfermarkt)
However, the Frenchman’s future at the club is far from certain as he is in the final few months of his contract. Indeed, Giroud’s current deal with Chelsea runs out at the end of the season, which has led to interest from a host of clubs in Italy.
Apparently, Inter manager Antonio Conte is looking to add another reliable striker to his ranks as a backup to Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez. Hence they have zeroed in on Giroud who has previously worked under Conte at Chelsea.
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Giroud has been a very useful squad player. Even at 34, the Frenchman adds a lot of value to the side but has become a bit-part player in recent weeks. So, there is a good chance he could reunite with Conte at Inter should he decide not to renew with Chelsea come the end of the season.
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Chelsea to swap Emerson Palmieri for Juve star Alex Sandro
Transfer News: Emerson Palmieri – Alex Sandro swap deal could be on the cards for Chelsea
According to transfer news from Football Italia, Chelsea could offer Emerson Palmieri in a swap deal for Alex Sandro. Thomas Tuchel remains a fan of the player while Juventus are keen to offload him. On the other hand, Emerson has often expressed his desire to return to Italy.
There were exit links in January 2020 but Frank Lampard refused to sanction a sale. Emerson has been underused ever since Lampard took over and the arrival of Ben Chilwell did nothing to help that cause.
When Alonso fell out of favour, Emerson was given sporadic chances. However, on Tuchel’s appointment, Alonso was straightaway restored as the first-choice wing-back, with even Ben Chilwell struggling for game time.
Emerson has struggled massively to get any sort of game time this season and an exit has been mooted. The Italian has been linked with a move to Juventus, Inter Milan or Napoli. As for Sandro, Juventus want to get rid of his €6m-per-season wages.
With Emerson returning from abroad, he would be able to take advantage of tax cuts and that in turn can help Juve who would then have to shell out half of what they did on Sandro. The Brazilian is a decent full-back to have but he has not shown much progress in the last few seasons.
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Given his age and experience, Emerson should be playing week in week out. That is clearly impossible at Chelsea due to the presence of Alonso and Chilwell. However, this swap deal hardly makes sense for Chelsea given Sandro would be joining the club in a position that is already stocked.
A View From The Bridge
Aston Villa to pass up on Ross Barkley but West Ham show interest
Transfer News: Aston Villa to pass up on Ross Barkley, West Ham show interest
According to transfer news from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are willing to pass up on a permanent deal for Ross Barkley but West Ham have shown interest.
Villa have reportedly told Chelsea they don’t intend to keep Barley. However, David Moyes has added the player to his transfer wishlist for next season.
Barkley joined Chelsea in January 2018 from boyhood club Everton. Despite showing glimpses of his innate ability, the England international wasn’t able to nail down a spot for himself in the lineup at Stamford Bridge.
Following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz last summer, Barkley sought to leave the club on loan in order to play regularly.
To that end, he secured a loan move to Aston Villa. Barkley made a fine start to life at Villa Park, playing a key role in their strong beginning to the campaign.
However, over the course of the season, has form has declined greatly with intermittent injury problems making things worse. The 27-year-old has now become pretty much an afterthought for Villa manager Dean Smith.
With the season fast approaching its end, Barkley will soon be back at Chelsea, where his chances are unlikely to improve a great deal. Amidst this limbo, he could be offered an escape route by a familiar face in David Moyes.
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It was under Moyes that Barkley broke through at Everton and the Scotsman is said to be a fan of his former ward. Currently managing West Ham, he could explore the possibility of signing Barkley if an opportunity presents itself.
A transfer away from Chelsea could be the ideal way forward for Ross Barkley with the Blues also keen to get the midfielder off their books.
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