Chelsea Transfer News - The Blues eye LaLiga star to replace Eden Hazard, Lyon forward wants Stamford Bridge move and other stories - 30th January 2019
With the window a day away from shutting down for the 2018/2019 season, an almighty scramble is expected to take place over the next 48 hours.
One of the more prominent sides in the window, Chelsea has seen its fair share on incomings and departures already. Christian Pulisic is joining next season while Gonzalo Higuain has come to help solve the team's goalscoring crisis.
Cesc Fabregas, Victor Moses, and Alvaro Morata are a few of the big names that have departed Stamford Bridge and it looks like more will follow.
Here is a look at the latest transfer speculation as it concerns the West London giants:
#1 Blues look to La Liga to replace wantaway star
The Eden Hazard issue is one that everyone at Chelsea will like to resolve as soon as possible. The team's talisman has been the difference maker this season and has cemented his place as the Blues' go-to guy.
However, he is yet to commit his long-term future to the team and with his contract expiring next season, the board may have no choice but to cash out on their prized asset.
Replacing him will not be easy and as such, a few potential replacements have been mooted. According to The Express, Chelsea will look to replace Hazard with a star from La Liga if he leaves (with Real Madrid the likeliest destination).
In the report, it states that the Blues have identified Barcelona stars Phillipe Coutinho or Ousmane Dembele as the perfect replacements for the Belgian. Both men joined the Blaugrana for hefty fees last season and have had varying degrees of success at the Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants will not ley either leave without recouping a significant part of their investment. This is a story that may rumble deep into next season.
#2 Chelsea linked with former Manchester United star
It is no secret that the frontline for the Blues has been disappointing this season. This has seen coach Maurizio Sarri chop and change in order to find a workable solution.
This has seen the arrival of Higuain and the departure of Morata to Atletico Madrid. However, the Argentine international is 30 and is not a long term answer for the team's goalscoring issues.
With Hazard also looking likely to leave, the club knows that they need to get in quality replacements as soon as possible.
With that in mind, the name, Memphis Depay has begun to make the rounds. The Oranje international had an unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford under Louis Van Gaal. He was sold to Olympique Lyon for 17m in Jose Mourinho's first season at the helm.
The 24-year-old has really come into his own at the French side and has emerged as one of Europe's most complete forwards. According to The Sun, the player has named Chelsea as one of the clubs he would wish to join.
Depay is quoted as saying:
"I want to go to a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
"I want to go to a city that suits me and a club that suits me, to a team that really wants to play football.
It remains to be seen if the Blues will take up this open invitation to get their hands on one of the most wanted forwards in European football.
Other stories making the rounds ..........
Defender Andreas Christensen will be allowed to leave the Blues on loan this week after angering coach Sarri after the Arsenal game (The Express).
Nathan Ake reunion may not happen as Bournemouth distance self from Danny Drinkwater speculation (Goal.com)
Left-back, Baba Rahman joins Ligue 1 side Reims on loan for rest of season (ChelseaFC.com)
Calum Hudson-Odoi will not be allowed to leave this season - Sarri (Evening Standard)
AC Milan ready to meet Chelsea asking price for Tiemoue Bakayoko (The Express)