Chelsea transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Stamford Bridge
Thursday, January 9
- Chelsea have launched a bid to sign Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes
- London rivals West Ham have offered Benfica a similar deal for Fernandes
- The Blues have tabled a £17m bid for Metz striker Habib Diallo
- Chelsea are poised to make a £40m move for West Ham’s defender Issa Diop
Moussa Dembele decision
Moussa Dembele is willing to move to Chelsea and compete with Tammy Abraham for a starting spot, says transfer expert Duncan Castles.
Express Sport understands Chelsea are targeting Dembele in this window as Frank Lampard looks to strengthen his strike force.
“I’m told he’s more than happy to go to Chelsea for example, where Tammy Abraham has scored heavily for Chelsea this season and is very much in possession of the jersey, and do the same thing there,” Castles said on the Transfer Window Podcast.
“Fight for his place, be confident that he can do a better job than Abraham and that he will end up being the first choice striker at some point after that transfer’s made.”
Habib Diallo £17m offer
Chelsea have tabled a £17m bid for Metz striker Habib Diallo as Frank Lampard searches for a new frontman.
The Blues boss wants to provide competition for Tammy Abraham with Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi failing to impress Lampard.
The Blues have been tipped to sign Lyon’s Moussa Dembele before the January window shuts.
However, according to Metz-based newspaper Le Republicain Lorrain, Chelsea have turned their attention to Diallo.
They claim the Blues have made a £17m (€20m) bid for the Senegalese striker, who has netted 10 goals this season.
Issa Diop to Chelsea
Chelsea are poised to make a £40million January move for West Ham’s French defender Issa Diop.
Express Sport understands the 22-year-old centre back has emerged as Chelsea’s top defensive target this month as manager Frank Lampard attempts to strengthen his squad.
Chelsea have been watching Diop, who has three and a half years left on his West Ham contract, for some time, with Lampard keen to add defensive reinforcements to his youthful team, and a bid is now imminent.
Diop, who is also a target for Tottenham, has impressed this season even while West Ham struggled under previous manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Liverpool shortlist
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has drawn up a shortlist of five transfer targets – including Sevilla defender Diego Carlos, who would cost them £64million were they to launch a pursuit for the Brazilian.
The Reds’ midseason business appears to be all but done, having snapped up Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg for £7.25million.
Yet in the longer term, Goal report that Liverpool are considering a number of options for potential summer moves.
Aside from Carlos, Liverpool are also known to like Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Leon Bailey of Bayer Leverkusen, Wigan forward Joe Gelhardt and Sandro Tonali, who plays for Serie A side Brescia.