Hincapie could be of interest to Chelseaplaceholder image
Hincapie could be of interest to Chelsea | Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea as they continue their bid to strengthen this summer.
Chelsea were back in FIFA Club World Cup action in the early hours of Wednesday morning, UK time, and as they compete in the United States, the club’s recruitment staff are working hard on deals back home.
Enzo Maresca wants - and needs - more strength and depth this summer, and Chelsea are going to back him as they prepare for what they hope will be a Premier League title push and a run in the Champions League. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Hincapie price
Chelsea are interested in signing a signing a defender this summer as they look to add competition for Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and others. The Blues have the signing of a defender high on their wishlist for the summer, and one possible target is Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie.
According to CaughtOffside, the Blues are interested in signing the Bundesliga defender this summer, and they have reportedly been handed an asking price of £51million. That asking price is the value of Hincapie’s release clause, meaning Chelsea can avoid any negotiations to tick their centre-back box this summer. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande this summer, but he is expected to cost much more.
The player’s agent, Manuel Sierra, told the same website back in January: “Basically he’s a warrior, he’s a leader. He is, for me, one of the best left central defenders in the world. One of the best left-backs and the best hybrid players for sure. I mean, he needs – or he deserves to – play in the world’s best places.
“He’s very happy in Bayer but he’s ready for the next step. He is also very good at playmaking. He just likes to win like nothing else. He competes for win all the time, even when he hasn’t played that often. He’s a warrior, but above all, he is a very good person; nice person and humble guy who knows where he comes from.”
Gittens deal likely
Chelsea are going full steam ahead in their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens this summer. The Blues have made the 20-year-old their prime target, but they fell short with their initial offers.
Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl has said he will continue talks with the Blues, and The Athletic say Chelsea are confident they can reach a full agreement soon. Meanwhile, TBR have reported that Gittens is only interested in joining Chelsea this summer, which is good news amid whispers in Germany claiming Bayern Munich are interested.
Estevao’s excitement
New Chelsea signing Estevao Willian has admitted it is difficult to see out his time with Palmeiras with a level head as he prepares to join Chelsea. He told GE Globo: “(It’s) very difficult, it’s a dream that I’m going to make come true, knowing that I have to focus here and work. It’s not easy, you have to keep your head here. The closer it gets, the more anxiety sets in, the butterflies in your stomach.
“I’m trying to focus as much as possible here to leave well, with my head held high and through the front door and knowing that I gave my best. Sometimes it’s difficult, you imagine yourself in Europe, playing with several other players, with everything that Europe represents, a dream of mine. But I’m trying my best to focus my head here, because I have a lot to give to Palmeiras.”
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