While the transfer season is still a few month away, all the top teams are gearing up to get their dominos in place hoping to get deals done in June before the European Championships kick-off in France, worried that some of the players they are targeting could have a good tournament and that their selling price increases because of it.
Chelsea just like Manchester United and City are expected to be big players during this summer’s window as they welcome new managers to their clubs, while for Liverpool it will be Jürgen Klopp’s first opportunity to stamp his mark on the club, and for Arsenal fans hopefully the transfer window where boss Arsene Wenger will finally spend some of that huge reserve of cash the team has in the bank.
On to the news coming out of Stamford Bridge and we are hearing that incoming manager Antonio Conte has already been reassured that star striker Diego Costa will not be sold despite interest from his former club Atletico Madrid and the Chinese Super League. The Blues remain adamant that the 27-year-old wants to remain in West London and that the club will not entertain offers for their top striker.
This stance also shoots out of the water any and all suggestions that Chelsea would go after Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea only just sold the 22-year-old Belgium international to Everton two years ago for £28 million and will not be looking to resign him for what could possibly be as much as £50 million given the way he has developed on Merseyside.
One player who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge however is Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ according to the Daily Mail who claim the Belgium No.1 is top of a short list of players should Real Madrid fail to sign Manchester United’s David De Gea.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper is said to prefer the Spanish capital over the hustle and bustle of London and still has a house in Madrid and a Spanish girlfriend from his time with Atletico.
Interim coach Guus Hiddink has been impressed by Asmir Begovic in training and is thought to have discussed the possibility of the 28-year-old Bosnian taking over from Courtois during a meeting with Conte in London this past week.
Evidence that Begovic is being groomed to replace the Belgium will be there for all to see, should Courtois be benched for the Blues remaining games.
