Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern were pleasantly surprised to see that their club had taken the initiative in the transfer window, after a new target emerged on Jose Mourinho’s wish-list.
With it being stated that Chelsea have joined the hunt for West Brom forward Saido Berahino and are planning a £20m swoop in January, Blues at the bar are confident that they can reach a deal with an England U21 international that has just over 18 months remaining on his contract.
However, with Chelsea sat 16th in the Premier League and already 13 points behind the top-four, the fans are under no illusion that their club needs to invest significantly in the transfer market in order to turn things around.
As such, they’ve gathered to discuss the latest rumours in the corner by the jukebox and are hoping that the potential arrival of these five can save their season.
Hit Berahino below to see FIVE players who could join him at Chelsea in January!
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Sofiane Feghouli
The Valencia winger looks set to depart from the Spanish side next summer on a free transfer and Chelsea, along with Manchester United, are eying a swoop for the Algerian international. However, the Blues could entice Feghouli into a January move.
Whilst they’d have to pay a fee in the New Year that would not be necessary in the summer, it means Chelsea would secure the talented wide-man ahead of their push to revive their season. Seeing him as an ideal replacement for Eden Hazard, should the Belgian depart, a few months of experience in the Premier League beforehand would go a long way.
Amadou Diawara
Not a name many Chelsea fans will be familiar with but it seems Amadou Diawara is a likely signing for Chelsea, after reports indicated today that a deal had been reached. The full details of the agree deal, which were made with an agent close to Roman Abramovich, have not been revealed- but it’s looking good.
The 18-year-old Guinean midfielder, currently at Italian side Bologna, would provide competition to an underperforming Nemanja Matic in midfield and would give the side a huge boost to their squad depth.
However fans will be concerned that this transfer seems to be directly linked to Abramovich, rather than Jose Mourinho, and that’s not necessarily a good thing- particularly as Papy Djilobodji seems to be on his way out in January, having arrived with Mourinho not wanting him.
Michy Batshuayi
If Chelsea want a talented big-name forward in January with bags of potential, the Blues should look no further than Marseille front-man Michy Batshuayi. The Belgian international is attracting vast interest from across the continent, with a whopping 15 top-clubs supposedly keen on his signature.
Spanish outfit Valencia are believed to be the favourites for his signature, which would cost any interested party about £35m, but Chelsea have the financial prowess to steal a match on the La Liga side and secure a highly-rated addition.
Wesley Sneijder
If reports in Turkey are to be believed then Chelsea are ready to swoop for Dutch international Wesley Sneijder in January, paying £14m to activate his release clause at Galatasaray. Now 31, the experienced midfielder would provide Chelsea’s underperforming side with a huge boost.
Having a strong relationship with Jose Mourinho certainly helps matters, with the pair winning a treble together during their time at Inter Milan, and Sneijder could be tempted by one final challenge in England before hanging up his boots.
John Stones
If you thought this transfer saga was over then you need to think again. Chelsea’s approaches for Everton’s John Stones may have resulted in disappointment during the summer but the Blues are not prepared to give up the fight, especially with their woeful displays this season.
Stones’ price-tag will have increased tenfold following superb performances for Everton and England this season but the same can be said for Chelsea’s interest, with their flailing back line being a huge concern to the West London side.
This could potentially be a record-breaking deal but it’s hard to argue that it’s a signing Chelsea do not require.
