With the winter transfer window fast approaching, here's a list of players we have been linked with so far:- Filip Stuparevic - striker from Voždovac for around £3m. Age:18. Looks like this is someone we have already signed. Mateo Musacchio - Centre back from AC Milan. Age: 27. As much as I would like to see it, he's now in the AC Milan first team and he's under contract until 2021, so therefore an unlikely transfer. Hector Herrera - Central midfield from FC Porto. Age: 28. His contract expired in June 2019, however, it appears that Roma will be his next club. An unlikely transfer to us. Gary Cahill - Centre back from Chelsea. Age: 32. Only a fringe player at Chelsea now and is out of contract at the end of the season. This one could actually happen, as I don't see too many clubs queuing up for him, however, the big stumbling would be wages. He would have to take a fairly big hit I suspect, so for that reason I think it's an outside bet at best. Fedor Chalov - Striker from CSKA Moscow. Age: 20. Sounds like there could be a chance that this one that could actually happen. Emiliano Sala - Striker from Nantes. Age: 28. He's got 18 months on his contract, so there could be some possibility that Nantes would be looking to cash in, however, because he's having such a good season I think it's unlikely we'd be able to sign him for the price we'd be looking to get him for. Diego Demme - Defensive midfielder from RB Leipzig. Age:26. Under contract until June 2021, so I think this one is unlikely. Ironically he was born in Herford!! Must be an omen surely? Milad Mohammadi - Left back from Akhmat Grozny. Age: 25. Contract expires at the end of the season, so makes me think it's a possibility even though it's not a position that I would expect we need cover for right now. As you can see from the list of players we've been linked with, 3 are strikers, 2 central defenders, 2 midfielders and a left back. This gives an indication as to the positions we are looking to strengthen. The two young strikers wouldn't be a problem for our squad as both are U21, if we managed to sign them. From our current 25 man squad 8 are home grown and 17 non-home grown. Clearly we have scope to drop a couple of players from the list. Zeegelaar and Britos are passengers this season and just making up the numbers, so that would allow us to bring in two new NHG players without the need to sell.
Gary Cahill has recently been confirmed as captain of Chelsea again this season and Sarri seems to want him at the club, so not as likely as it may seem. Sarri says in the article below, it all depends on Cahill himself. But with the club (and players) showing they want & value him, it may be the deciding factor to make him stay there. And as you rightly point out - wages would almost certainly prohibit him coming here. https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/11/2/captain-cahill
The Stuparevic transfer is a curious one - as it seems widely reported that we have signed for him to come here. But its not been announced. We announced Joao Pedro so why not Stuparevic? Would rather have Christensen than Cahill if we are going for Chelsea CB's.
Andrea Ranocchia - Central defender from Inter Milan. Age: 30. He's out of contract in the summer and we've been linked to him in the past. Apparently Inter have not initiated contract talks it looks like he could be on his way out, as he's only made the bench and has not played any minutes this season. Seems like he fits a Pozzo signing. Low value, experienced central defender. https://talksport.com/football/4435...ve-for-inter-milan-defender-andrea-ranocchia/
Yes we were linked a year ago weren't we due to the time he spent at Hull under the snake. Apparently has the pace and turning circle of an oil tanker ?
Good player, with great potential. That being said, he’d cost quite a bit and would he command a place in the starting XI immediately? I think that’s what we need to be looking for, however hard to find.
Ranocchia - good with pesto but for a tomato based sauce Id recommend farfalle or for a deep ragu a penne is best
Given how much they sold Hogan for shows that they can drive a high price. Coupled with the fact he’s young, English and highly-prized in a decent Championship team, I’d be surprised if you saw much change out of £15m personally...
Benham will be a tough negotiator, esp given their new stadium which is now going up, btw. Reminds me of the East Stand webcam era.
If he is loaned out to Brentford to sweeten the deal, Britos will be nervously eyeing the digger next to the foundations of the South Stand.
If Vestergaard plays against us on Saturday you'll see a whole new level of turning circle. Less of oil tanker, more a floating LNG.
So to bring in any over 21 year old players we need to clear out quite a few. Kaboul, Prodl and Britons look like history. But I can't see many other senior slots being freeded up with the exception of players being sold if they attract offers that beat the clubs estimate of value. Just for sake of argument, say Arsenal bid £40 m for Pereya with their need to replace the injured Welbeck. Personally I am not sure there will be many changes in January. Maybe a loan or two would f injuries dictate a tactical change to the squad, but not many strategic purchases.
Wouldn’t Deulofeu be the Welbeck replacement? Both shoot like their boots are on the wrong feet. Unfair! Actually, Deulofeu is deft whereas Welbeck is a clumsy player.
Don't forget Magic Marvin Zeegelaar is somehow taking up a squad place. He'll surely be first in line for the chop.
