Chelsea fans can often be misled during a transfer window, they can read one rumour and get their hopes up, only to have them dashed away at the last moment.
The Blues aren’t always the best at negotiating transfer deals and getting their number one targets across the line, like the time the club tried to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender, Marquinhos on summer deadline day and ended up signing Michael Hector from Reading and Papy Djolibodji from Nantes, who subsequently, made one appearance from the bench.
But this could be the summer where all of that changes. Chelsea have seemingly fallen under the radar of the ‘big’ Premier League clubs this summer, as a result of all the headlines regarding Jose Mourinho moving to Manchester United, Pep Guardiola taking over the helm at City, the Jurgen Klopp factor taking shape at Liverpool, newspapers look like they’ve forgotten that Antonio Conte is taking over at Stamford Bridge in July, which looks like it could be a good thing for Chelsea.
Whilst the club have been linked with almost every Serie A or Italian player possible, the club seem to have outlined their key targets this summer. Radja Nainggolan, N’Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata.
So are we as fans being misled for what seems to be the perfect summer of business? Or, are the board going about the deals in a low-key manner, hoping to get them done and stay off the radar?
Talks are ongoing between both Chelsea and AS Roma for a deal to sign the Belgian midfielder and he recently commented on his future, confirming Chelsea’s interest.
There has been contact between Roma and Chelsea, but I will not get involved so long as there is no agreement between the clubs.Chelsea are keen to strengthen their squad and Conte is a manager who wanted to sign me before. Chelsea are a big club.
Nainggolan has been coveted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe with Juventus also interested in his signature, but the player seems to prefer a move to London rather than the Italian champions.
And without dominating the back pages, a deal seems to be very likely, with money seemingly the last factor to be decided before a deal can be sown up.
The midfield has been Chelsea’s weak link this season and Nainggolan will be able to provide a much-needed presence that can dominate the middle of the pitch.
As well as the Belgian international, N’Golo Kante, who Chelsea turned down the chance to sign from Caen for just £5.6million last season, looks like he could be on his way out of Leicester City’s title-winning squad.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea could be ready to treble the player’s wages this summer, despite not being able to provide him Champions League football. Claudio Ranieri and Leicester are ready to let the player go, but French giants, Paris Saint-Germain, who could offer him the lure of European football, are also interested, which could halt a deal for the Blues.
Conte’s Chelsea have also been left in pole position to sign Juventus striker, Alvaro Morata this summer. The Spaniard is likely to re-sign for Real Madrid before they sell him, to Chelsea or whoever, for profit, due to their £23million buy-back clause.
The Blues have beaten off interest from Arsenal, who turned their attention to Leicester’s and England’s Jamie Vardy this summer. If reports are to be believed, it could cost the Blues around £100million in total to land the aforementioned trio, which could prove great value for money if they pull the deals off.
As well as the incomings, there looks like there will be a summer clear out at Stamford Bridge, ready for next season.
Loic Remy and Nemanja Matic both look set to leave the club after a disappointing season and loan deals for both Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao have since expired.
So, all in all, it looks to be a very promising summer for Chelsea. Despite the poor league finish and the lack of Champions League football next season, they’re seemingly still able to attract some of Europe’s best this summer.
If Chelsea did manage to bring in their three targets, it would completely change the look of the squad, adding strength in depth and addressing key areas that have hampered the Blues in the past.
However, they’re not set in stone just yet, and it would be typical Chelsea to fall at the last hurdle and not to sign any of three, ending up with a third choice midfielder from Ligue 1 that nobody had ever heard of, only for him to be loaned out next season.
