Chelsea transfer news: Como bid for Chalobah, Delap to Everton
Chelsea transfer news: The Stamford Bridge revolving door is spinning at quite a rate again. This time, it is all about balancing the books. Cesc Fabregas wants Trevoh Chalobah at Como. The Italian side, fresh from securing a rather miraculous Champions League spot, have put a €27m (£23m) package on the table. Chelsea said no. They want €35m (£30m) for the 26-year-old centre-back, and they are not blinking yet.
Italian transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news of the bid, and Ben Jacobs later backed it up on X. There is a proper standoff happening here. Chelsea have a very specific reason to hold out for every single penny: Chalobah came through the academy. On the club’s financial balance sheets, selling a homegrown player counts as pure profit. It is cold, hard accounting math, but it heavily dictates their transfer strategy.
Standoff over Chalobah as Everton want Delap
Chalobah’s last campaign was a bit of a mixed bag, though he was incredibly busy. He racked up 47 appearances across all competitions, essentially becoming the main man in central defence while Levi Colwill sat out with a long-term injury. He scored three times from open play, putting him sixth on the club’s top-scorer list, and averaged 1.07 tackles and 1.23 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He kept things together while the rest of the backline looked incredibly shaky.
Fabregas sees him as the ideal marquee signing for Como’s European adventure. They are not the only ones looking, though. Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on him, according to Fabrizio Romano. If Chalobah goes, Chelsea already know who they want. Direct talks are happening right now with Crystal Palace for Maxence Lacroix, a move likely to cost around £47m. Then there is Liam Delap.
Everton are currently leading the race to sign the 23-year-old striker, with personal terms being sorted out as we speak. David Moyes wanted him last summer before Chelsea swept in and triggered his £30m release clause from Ipswich Town. Moyes never lost interest.
Delap had a miserable time at Stamford Bridge. Injuries ruined his momentum, and he struggled under the heavy weight of expectation, starting just 12 league games and scoring once. It was a massive contrast to his brilliant season at Ipswich, where he bagged 12 goals and two assists in 40 matches.
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New manager Xabi Alonso wants to clear out the bloated squad. Delap just does not fit into the plan. Everton desperately need reliable options up front after a season of firing blanks, and Moyes is ready to finally get his man.
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