Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues pushing for Victor Osimhen, Crystal Palace want English ace, and more - August 30, 2024
Chelsea stuttered to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Servette in the Europa Conference League playoffs second leg on Thursday, August 29, at Stade de Geneve. However, the Blues progressed to the group stages of the tournament with a 3-2 aggregate score, thanks to their 2-0 win in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the west London giants are pushing to secure the services of Victor Osimhen before the end of Friday. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are considering a late move for Trevoh Chalobah.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 30, 2024.
Chelsea pushing for Victor Osimhen
Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to sign Victor Osimhen by Friday, August 30, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Nigerian forward is a priority target for the Blues this summer, although securing his services has proven to be a challenge.
Osimhen is also wanted in the Middle East and Romano has stated that Al-Ahli have already reached an agreement with Napoli for the 25-year-old. The Saudi club are willing to offer the Nigerian a four-year contract worth €25-30m net salary per year.
However, Osimhen is yet to give his green signal to the move. The west London giants have refused to throw in the towel and their representatives are already in Naples to chalk out a deal. Chelsea are proposing a loan deal with an obligation to buy and are negotiating personal terms with the player's camp.
Crystal Palace want Trevoh Chalobah
Crystal Palace are considering an offer for Trevoh Chalobah on Friday, according to The Daily Mail. The Eagles have already secured the services of French defender Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg this summer.
However, they are planning to further bolster their backline and have their eyes on Chalobah. The English defender has been cast aside at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Enzo Maresca and is not training with the first team.
The Blues want to cash in on the 25-year-old before the end of the transfer window. However, they apparently want £30m to let Chalobah leave, which could be a dealbreaker for Palace.
Former player advises Blues on Raheem Sterling
Former Chelsea midfielder Vinnie Jones believes that the club should sell Raheem Sterling to West Ham United this summer. The English forward is a peripheral figure at Stamford Bridge and Enzo Maresca has already sanctioned his departure.
Recent reports have suggested that Manchester United are considering a move for the 29-year-old as part of a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho. Arsenal have also been named as a possible destination this summer.
However, speaking on talkSPORT, Jones insisted that his former club cannot afford to strengthen their rivals this summer.
“I just read there, Sterling is only 29, he seems like he is 35, he has been around a long time. But what’s his next move? He is on massive wages. Who is going to take him? Someone like Manchester City or Arsenal? But do Chelsea want to help them win the league?" said Jones.
He continued:
“If he went to someone like West Ham and that, at least Chelsea can say ‘we can control that if he takes half the wages’. He’s in a hard position really, Sterling. He is in a football position which is not really fair on the lad."
He concluded:
"I call it a football position. I was in it many years ago when I nearly got transferred and then I had the hump. They put me in as captain of Wimbledon. I was then training with the kids. I don’t think Chelsea would want him to go somewhere and help them win the league, that’s the problem.”
Sterling scored 10 goals and set up eight more from 43 games across competitions last season, but doesn't fit Maresca's tactics.