As things stand, Chelsea do not look as though they are going to make major moves in the January transfer window. But, as football fans all know, that can change in an instant with Chelsea.
Liam Rosenior has been at Chelsea for a week after being appointed as Enzo Maresca’s replacement last Tuesday. He watched the defeat to Fulham from the stands before orchestrating a 5-1 win over Charlton.
Rosenior will have made many notes, including what this Chelsea squad lacks with the January window currently open. The Blues have been linked with plenty of players, even since Rosenior was appointed.
The former Hull boss wants Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco at Chelsea, while Como defender Jacobo Ramon has also been touted as a Chelsea target. Now, reports claim Ruben Neves has been offered to Chelsea.
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Ruben Neves’ Al Hilal situation and Chelsea interest
Neves has now spent two and a half years in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, and his contract is due to come to an end at the end of the season. Chelsea are not the first Premier League side to be linked with a move.
Indeed, TalkSPORT say Leeds, Newcastle and Man United are also interested in Neves, who has already rejected two Al Hilal contract offers. A third is on the table, but if he rejects it, Al Hilal will sell for £15m.
Ruben Neves at Wolves.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Well, Chelsea expert Simon Phillips claims on his Substack channel that super agent Jorge Mendes has offered Neves to Chelsea. But, it is believed that Chelsea have turned down the chance to sign Neves.
“SPTC Sources have heard that agent Jorge Mendes has offered Ruben Neves to Chelsea this month. Sources have heard that so far at least, the chance to sign Mendes has been turned down by Chelsea.”
What Pedro Neto said about Neves while at Wolves together
Neves is a player that is well-renowned in the Premier League because of his time at Wolves. He remains a key player for Portugal and it may surprise many to know that actually, Neves is only 28 years of age.
Chelsea have spent more than £1bn on transfers since their takeover in 2022 but are miles away from challenging for the Premier League title. Who needs to be held to account and why? 💰
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Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley
Behdad Eghbali
Todd Boehly
Joe Shields
The players
The managers
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Behdad Eghbali (R) co-owner of Chelsea with co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley (L)) and Laurence Stewart (C)
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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The former Wolves star played alongside current Chelsea star Pedro Neto at Molineux and back in 2021, before his move to the Middle East, now-Chelsea winger Neto raved about Neves and Joao Moutinho.
Speaking to O Jogo, Neto said about Neves and Moutinho: “Neves and Moutinho are the stars of the squad, We have similar ways of thinking. On the field they are leaders, they like to play, to have the ball.”
Chelsea have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Reece James in the middle of the park but if Neves was to come to Chelsea, the former Wolves man would be expected to start. One to keep an eye on.
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