The chances of Chelsea bringing in a signing or two in the January window feel unlikely at this stage, after Todd Boehly and Clearlake spent north of £250m in the summer.
That is despite the appointment of Liam Rosenior as manager. The Blues, as is the way, continue to be linked with players, and Rosenior is even said to have identified Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco as a target.
But it does feel unlikely that Rosenior and Chelsea will make any new signings in the next few weeks. What is much more likely is outgoings. The first is close, with Leo Castledine set to join Middlesbrough.
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Roma are in talks to sign Axel Disasi, who has been bombed out of the squad after a loan at Aston Villa. The same goes for Raheem Sterling, failing to play for the Blues since returning from a loan at Arsenal.
Raheem Sterling eyed by Antonio Conte in shock Napoli move
Back in the summer, Bayern Munich made an offer for Sterling, but nothing materialised, and now, the winger is eyeing a move. The 82-time England international has 18 months remaining on his contract.
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It is believed that Sterling wanted to remain in London and while both West Ham and Fulham have been linked, Sterling has now made a u-turn and is willing to go beyond London before the end of January.
Well, Italian site Corriere Dello Sport claim former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte could look to bring Sterling to Italy, with the website labelling Sterling as a ‘wildcard’. Surely, he would jump at the chance.
It would see him reunite with Kevin De Bruyne, with whom he shared his best years at Man City. Conte has often looked to the Premier League for recruitment, also signing Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.
SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?
Your potential shortlist could include:
Kobbie Mainoo
Mike Maignan
Marc Guehi
Todd Boehly and Paul Winstanley during Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
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How many players has Conte signed from Chelsea since 2018 exit?
Rasmus Hojlund also moved to Napoli in the summer after De Bruyne, as Conte continues to recognise the Premier League as a source of talent. The signing of Sterling wouldn’t be his first from Chelsea.
Of course, Conte spent two years at Chelsea and has since managed Inter Milan, Tottenham and Napoli. At Napoli, he has raided Chelsea to sign Romelu Lukaku on the cheap, costing the Italian side just £30m.
He also signed Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea while at Inter Milan. A move to raid his old club for the ex-Liverpool and Man City star would see Conte sign a third player from Chelsea since leaving in 2018.
Sterling will want to move with the competition ahead of him far too much. But, it will be interesting to see if Rosenior has any plans for the England veteran, and if there is still a chance he could play again.
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