Transfer Rumour Round Up
Transfer insider Dan McCarthy gives an update on those two or three names everyone is talking about...
As we hit day 19 in the January transfer market, here we have the latest round-up on the targets Chelsea have been linked with in recent weeks.
Erling Haaland:
The Athletic broke a story today implying Chelsea would be willing to break the bank this summer in their pursuit of the coveted Norwegian forward.
As I reported back in the summer of 2020, then an update in October 2020, Chelsea have always maintained an interest in the player and have scouted him extensively.
Chelsea are attempting to build a working relationship with super-agent Mino Raiola, hence the links to Haaland, and also Gianluigi Donnarumma who is another client of Raiola.
In summary, here is what I wrote a few months back on this situation, which remains consistent to this day:
‘Haaland has been scouted by Chelsea, and the club has made Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola aware they would like to be “kept updated” with Haaland’s next moves. Chelsea are interested in Haaland and he is on their “list” of targets. If a move to West London is possible, Chelsea will pursue this.’
Dayot Upamecano:
Many reports are surfacing suggesting Chelsea are interested in the RB Leipzig centre back, coherent with the confirmed reports that Chelsea are in pursuit of a top-level central defender for next season.
Like many targets Chelsea have, Upamecano has been extensively scouted by the club. With a lower release clause than a player of that quality should demand, albeit he has had a phenomenal rise in recent years, this makes this deal more attractive than most.
As I tweeted recently on this, Chelsea have done their “due diligence on this deal.”
Whilst it is too early to report if Chelsea will be bidding for Upamecano in the coming months, Chelsea are interested in the player and will be keeping tabs on this situation moving forward, with a couple of other centre back options.
Boubacar Kamara and more options: You can find more on Chelsea’s links to Kamara here. You can also find more on potential centre back options here.
Declan Rice:
Without a doubt, the most talked-about potential deal for Chelsea Football Club in the past year.
These links have disintegrated slightly due to numerous reasons - Chelsea’s form, West Ham’s form, and the lack of activity especially in the outgoing department in Cobham.
As I’ve always maintained when reporting on this particular saga, January was always extremely unlikely for a deal to be struck between the London rivals. I am now hearing a deal won’t be happening for sure in January, supporting my previous reports and beliefs.
To summarise this one, here is what I wrote a few months back on this situation, not much has changed since:
‘The deal did not happen in the summer of 2020, due to Chelsea failing to offload certain players and raise the necessary funds to make a tempting bid for Rice. As I have always maintained, I also find the deal unlikely to happen in the upcoming January transfer window, for many reasons.
‘West Ham under David Moyes are doing well, Declan is flying with his performances and captaining the side, and January is never a good time to sell your best player, mid-way through the season.
‘If you sprinkle on top the fact West Ham are incredibly stubborn with their prices when selling their prized-assets, plus Declan arguably only increasing this number with his recent performances, all signals point to a potential summer move from Chelsea. In summary, be patient, don’t believe everything you read, and keep one eye on the January transfer window, but maybe keep two for the Summer of 2021.’
Chelsea fans, don’t expect much movement in January. Nevertheless, expect a deal or two in the summer, as the re-build continues.
Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport