Chelsea Transfer News: Chelsea dealt blow in €60m defender chase, Blues eye £20m Napoli star, and more - 9th December 2018
Hello and welcome to the daily Chelsea transfer round-up — your one-shop stop for all the latest Chelsea transfer news and rumours!
As the January transfer window approaches closer, the frequency of Chelsea's name in the transfer rumours has increased more than ever. Today's round-up has a bittersweet news for the Chelsea fans. Maurizio Sarri's has positive news regarding transfer plans for January, though, the Blues have dealt a blow in their chase for a top player.
Let's delve in to see what the rumour mill has to say about Chelsea today.
#1 Maurizio Sarri confirms Chelsea's transfer plans
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that he will make at least one signing when the January transfer window flings open. The Blues have been linked with a host of players after bringing Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho to the Stamford Bridge this summer.
However, Sarri's men have lost their momentum in the Premier League and the Italian aims to set things right by making a signing in the transfer window. Speaking on the matter he said:
"We need to change mentality – not because the old mentality was bad but it is not suitable with the new way of playing. Then after all this, maybe you need one player."
"But you cannot think you can buy 11 new players without problems. Then the problems will be the same. You have to create a new mentality and style of playing. We need to arrive at 95 per cent of our potential, then we can get the last five per cent with a new player."
#2 Chelsea plotting move for Napoli's Elseid Hysaj
According to reports from The Sun, Maurizio Sarri wants to raid his former club Napoli for right-back Elseid Hysaj in January.
The Chelsea boss tried to bring the Albanian in the summer along with Jorginho but was blocked by the Partenopei in doing so.
Hysaj's agent recently talked about the possibilities of a January switch on Italian radio. And now, the Blues are set to chase the 24-year-old once again when the transfer window opens.
Chelsea will have to offload Davide Zappacosta before making a move for Hysaj, who is valued at £20m by the Italian outfit. A Zappacosta-Hysaj swap deal could also be possible so as to convince Napoli to part ways with the Albanian.
#3 Chelsea dealt blow in Alex Sandro chase
According to Tuttosport via CaughtOffside, Chelsea target Alex Sandro is apparently close to signing a new deal at Juventus.
The Brazilian's current contract with the Old Lady expires in 2020 and the Italians are keen to tie him down to a new deal until 2023.
The new contract will also see Sandro's wages being doubled at Juventus. However, the Bianconeri might also be looking to offer a new contract to the player so as to increase his value for sale.
Sandro has made 132 appearances for Juventus since joining from Porto in 2015. He is currently valued at €60m in the transfer market.
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