Hato has been struggling for fitness of lateplaceholder image
Hato has been struggling for fitness of late | Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly plotting a swap deal with Barcelona, involving summer signing Jorrel Hato.
Chelsea aren’t expected to have a busy January transfer window, as they have spent big on recruitment in recent seasons. They added a lot in attack with the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho and more.
However, Enzo Maresca’s side are struggling at the moment; they have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches. This dip in form continued on Tuesday as they drew 2-2 to a struggling Bournemouth side, after letting three points slip at Stamford Bridge.
With that in mind, Chelsea’s owners could change their mind and decide to make some big signings in January to try and boost the Blues’ chance of finishing in the top four in the Premier League. Reports suggest they could offer a swap to Barcelona.
Chelsea ‘offer’ Jorrel Hato for Fermin Lopez
Jorrel Hato joined the Blues from Ajax in the summer, but the Dutchman has failed to get regular minutes, despite many believing he would become a world-class centre-back in the next few seasons. Reports are indicating that Hato could already be on his way out, and Chelsea could utilise him in a swap deal.
According to Football 365, Chelsea have ‘offered’ Hato to Barcelona, who were also linked with him in the summer. They report that the Blues want to include Hato in a swap deal for long-term transfer target Fermin Lopez. Hato cost £38.5m in the summer, and Lopez is understood to be worth around £61m, so any deal would likely have to include cash too.
Lopez is an attacking midfielder who has become a real star for Barcelona and the Spain national team. The 22-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season for Barcelona, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. He can play as a centre-midfielder or a winger, and would likely play a similar role to Enzo Fernandez or Cole Palmer if he moved to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea keen to add in midfield
It is understood that the Blues are considering a move for McAtee in January to sign him from Nottingham Forest. The Blues would likely sign him, and then loan the English midfielder out to French side Strasbourg to get more regular game time.
Despite many believing that Chelsea needs more defensive help, the reports suggest that Maresca is looking to sign a new midfielder, and more specifically, an attacking midfielder, as McAtee and Lopez both play a similar role.
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