CHELSEA are in the market for a new central defender and have lined up alternatives to Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.
The Croatian defender has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but after an impressive World Cup, his value has rocketed.
And this has put Chelsea off due to the high valuation, David Ornstein reports.
Therefore, Benoit Badiashile, Piero Hincapie and Evan Ndicka are all being considered as potential targets for January as Graham Potter still wants a left-sided defender.
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Stay tuned with all the latest transfer news…
- Nick Emms
Leao reveals Premier League ambitions
Manchester United and Chelsea target Rafael Leao has admitted that he would like to play in the Premier League in the future.
Speaking to RDP Africa, he said: "Yes (I'd like to play in the Premeir League), in the future.
"But now I’m 100 per cent focused on Milan. I’m at a top club and I’m under contract. I also like the city of Milan."
- Nick Emms
Badiashile the Blue?
Multiple sources believe that Chelsea will sign Benoit Badiashile in the coming weeks ahead for around £30million.
This would surely put an end to any interest in Josko Gvardiol, who has been a long-term target for the club.
Monacoâs French defender Benoit Badiashile is a target for ChelseaCredit: Getty It could also put the future of Levi Colwill, currently on loan at Brighton, into doubt.
It remains to be seen as to whether a deal can be struck ahead of the January transfer window.
- Nick Emms
Chelsea identify Gvardiol alternatives
Graham Potter's Chelsea have already made the groundwork to sign David Datro Fofana and Adrey Santos ahead of the transfer window and were linked with Josko Gvardiol.
However, with the valuation of the Croatian rising, Chelsea are looking at alternatives for the January transfer window.
According to David Ornstein, Chelsea are in talks with Monaco over a deal for Benoit Badiashile and other options including Evan Ndicka and Piero Hincapie are being looked at.
- Kiro Evans
Two-Way Fight For Felix
Manchester United and Arsenal are the main contenders for Joao Felix, according to reports.
The attacker has been linked with a Premier League move and helped put himself in the shop window with his performances for Portugal in the World Cup.
Now Mercato report that it is down to the two English giants to fight over his signature.
The 23-year-old is reported to be dissatisfied at Atletico Madrid and wants a January move away.
- Kiro Evans
I Want You
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.
The full-back has impressed in La Liga this season and been a regular in the team despite only being 18 years old.
Calciomercato report that the Gunners and Newcastle are among clubs fighting over Fresneda.
- Kiro Evans
A Lu Club
Luis Suarez is reportedly set to join Brazilian club Gremio after being urged by a 'friend' believed to be Lionel Messi to make the switch.
The Uruguayan was at his boyhood club National but he is believed agreed to the free transfer following advice from his former Barcelona team-mate.
The striker is currently staying at Messi's home in Rosario to celebrate Argentina's World Cup triumph.
During their vacation, they are believed to have discussed Saurez's future and terms put forward by Gremio, according to reports.
- Kiro Evans
Home A-Loan
Crystal Palace will be mostly looking at loans in the upcoming January window, chairman Steve Parish has confirmed.
Patrick Viera has engineered the club's second-best ever start to a Premier League season and they have been linked with a swoop for their former defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But Parish said: "There are one or two things we’d like to do, probably more loans than buys.
"We would really look to the summer to do anything major. We have a good squad, I think the players are very good, and I think we have a good points tally."
- Kiro Evans
Hefty Price
Manchester United are reportedly convinced that Barcelona are trying to drive up the price for Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder is a long-term target for the Red Devils after they tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that De Jong is "non-transferable", according to Sport.
But the report suggests that it is a tactic in order to raise his price ahead of a potential sale of the player.
- Kiro Evans
Patino contract set to be extended
Arsenal are set to trigger an extension to the contract of promising midfielder Charlie Patino.
The 19-year-old is currently enjoying a loan spell at Championship side Blackpool.
In his 17 games for the Tangerines, Patino has scored twice and assisted two more goals.
Patino’s form has convinced Arsenal that he deserves an extension to his contract at the Emirates.
And now the Gunners are set to trigger a two-year extension to his deal, which is set to expire at the end of the current season, according to the Daily Telegraph.
- Kiro Evans
Wan Love
Patrick Viera has fuelled speculation of Aaron Wan-Bissaka making a return to Crystal Palace.
The French manager suggested that the Eagles could be active in the January transfer market after admitting his side are "short on numbers".
The right-back left the South London club in the summer of 2019 in a £50 million switch to Old Trafford but he has since lost his place in the team.
He said: "Listen, he is a Man United player. We have to respect that and there's nothing more to say about that. He is a good player, there is no doubt about that. He's related to this football club, and I think he's been loved by the fans.
"But again, he's a United player. I hope we're going to be busy [in January].
- Tony Robertson
Maddison calls for investigation
Leicester star James Maddison has called for an investigation into a horror challenge in an FA Cup Youth game.
Foxes starlet Will Alves was on the receiving end of a "horrific" challenge from Wolves Youth star Caden Voice.
And following a day of outrage over the challenge, which has seen Alves suffer ACL damage and will see him miss nine months of action, Maddison took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
He said: "Wasn’t sure whether to comment on this publicly but feel like it really needs to be looked at.
"This tackle is not acceptable in any way. I’m devastated for young Will.
"A brilliant kid with a bright future now having to recover from this horrific challenge😞."
- Tony Robertson
Four Prem stars make L'Equipe Team of the Year
Four Premier League stars have made the cut for notoriously harsh French magazine L'Equipe's Team of the Year for 2022.
Virgil van Dijk made the cut after helping Liverpool win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, while also almost guiding them to Premier League and Champions League glory.
Kyle Walker made the cut at right-back after helping Man City to another league title, while fellow City star Kevin de Bruyne also made the team.
New Man Utd star Casemiro made it following strong performances at United which came after winning La Liga and the Champions League at Real Madrid.
Elsewhere, ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois made the list after his Champions League final heroics, while a potential future Chelsea star in Josko Gvardiol slotted in besides Van Dijk.
Theo Hernandez completed the defence while Luka Modric went into midfield another stunning year from the Croatian.
World Cup winner Lionel Messi was joined by World Cup Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe and Balon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.
- Tony Robertson
Prem top goalscorers
With the Prem now less than 48 hours from its return, lets remind you of the division's leading goalscorers from the first 14 games.
Erling Haaland is the runaway leader so far, but will he be able to maintain his strong form going into the business end of the season?
- Tony Robertson
Four contract extensions triggered
Manchester United have triggered the contact extensions for four players.
Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Fred all saw their deals extended for an additional year after the club triggered the optional clause to do so.
Each players deal was due to expire next summer, but now the club have given themselves more wiggle room to negotiate fresh terms.
Speaking to club media, Erik ten Hag confirmed the news.
He said: “Yes, I can confirm it.
“We are happy because the squad is going in the right direction and those players (have) a massive contribution in that direction.”
- Tony Robertson
Liverpool Bellingham boost
Liverpool's pursuit of Jude Bellingham has been handed a boost after Jurgen Klopp revealed there would be fresh investment in the squad.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa, he said: "I don’t know the amount of money it would take, but I’m not against investment, to be honest, that’s clear.
"We will see what the future brings, nobody knows that in the moment, but I’m still convinced the future is bright for us.
"But in the moment, we have to sort the situation, nothing to do with investment or whatever, we have to sort the present, and that’s what we’re working on.
"January, in our situation, is a window where we always say we’re always prepared, that’s how it is."
- Tony Robertson
Premier League Expected Goals table revealed
The Premier League is returning to our screens after a month and a half hiatus.
And while points on the board are the most important thing, some teams may have endured some really bad luck or vice versa in the first half of the season.
But the Premier League "Justice Table" which shows the Prem table based on Expected Points shows quite a different look.
Credit: Twitter/@xGPhilosophy - Tony Robertson
Proof in the pudding
Chrsitian Pulisic has been urged to keep at it at Chelsea rather than push for a move to Manchester United.
The American was linked with a move to Utd in the summer before talks collapsed and the Red Devils signed Antony.
And with rumours still suggesting Pulisic will leave Stamford Bridge, Glen Johnson has urged him to stay at Chelsea and fight for his spot.
He told Midnite: "I want Chelsea to keep Christian Pulisic, he shouldn't leave for Manchester United.
"I have defended him for a long time and said he has so much potential, but now he needs to prove it.
"He still has loads to give, give him one more serious season, but if we're having the same conversations this time next year, he has to go."
- Tony Robertson
Bu-yern their time
Bayern Munich are monitoring Illan Meslier over a potential transfer.
According to Mediafoot, Bayern have added Meslier to their list of potential goalkeepers who could replace the injured Manuel Neuer.
They have also targeted Argentina hero Emiliano Martinez.
- Tony Robertson
Whole Blue world
Chelsea are reportedly set to add two promising stars to their squad in the January transfer window.
Both Vasco de Gama midfielder Andrey Santos and Molde striker David Datro Fofana are on course to arrive at the Blues.
SunSport took a look at how Graham Potter could line up his side following their arrivals.
One way Potter could line his side up An alternative look to the Blues - Tony Robertson
Lopetegui on Cunha signing
New Wolves boss Julian Lopetegui has heaped praise on incoming forward Matheus Cunha.
Cunha is reportedly closing in on a switch to Molineux, and former Spain boss Lopetegui appears to have all but confirmed a deal is done for him.
Speaking about Cunha, he said: "I think he is a complete forward.
"He has good condition, good skills, not just technically but physically because this is England and you have to be able to compete to survive.
"He has this profile to play here for a lot of years. We are going to help him to develop his strengths in the future. When the market opens, Cunha is going to help us.
“All leagues are different but football is the same.
"I talk about special skills for England because one of the clear strengths is the physical strengths of the players. There are strong players."
- Tony Robertson
‘No one is untouchable’
Diego Simeone has hinted that Joao Felix could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid, in a boost to Man Utd and Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.
Arsenal have been linked with move for the forward after Gabriel Jesus was sidelined for an estimated three months following knee surgery.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag wants to add more firepower after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
A loan move appears to be the way forward for both clubs and will cost them £8m as they cover Felix's wages for the second half of the season.
On the future of Felix, Simeone said: “I hope we can give Joao some serenity, joy to show what he learned at the World Cup – he’s important.
“I only focus on Atleti to win. Our CEO words on Joao’s future? Whatever has to happen, will happen. Here no one is untouchable.”
- Tony Robertson
Clipped Eagles
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has cooled talk of a transfer for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The right-back has been linked with a transfer back to the Eagles after struggling for game time at Man Utd this season.
However, Vieira attempted to ease any expectations about a January move for him.
He said: "Listen, he is a Man Utd player. We have to respect that and there’s nothing more to say about that.
"He is a good player, there is no doubt about that. He’s related to this football club and I think he’s been loved by the fans. But again, he’s a United player."
But Vieira did also admit he was hoping to strengthen his side next month.
He added: "I hope we’re going to be busy (in January).
"We always work hard to try to improve the squad but we know how tough and difficult it is to find the players to improve the team.
"We are quite short on numbers but it is important to find the right players."
- Tony Robertson
Rom the Toon
Romelu Lukaku's Chelsea stay is set to end next summer, but not his Premier League one if Newcastle's reported interest proves to be tangible.
According to Calciomercato, Lukaku, currently on loan at former club Inter Milan, could be the subject of a bid from Eddie Howe's side in the summer.
However, it stipulates that such a bid is conditional upon the club achieving a top-four finish.
The Magpies are currently in third place in the league after a superb start to the campaign.
In a boost to Newcastle as well, the report indicates Chelsea are unlikely to accept a new loan proposal from Inter.
- Tony Robertson
Buzzing Frank
Thomas Frank on his new Brentford contract.
- Tony Robertson
Kouli-go-ly
Kalidou Koulibaly will sensationally be allowed to leave Chelsea after failing to convince the club's management, according to reports.
Koulibaly has struggled at times since joining the Blues last summer.
And now, according to Calciomercato, Chelsea are set to allow the Senegal defender to leave the club next summer.
The 31-year-old has been tipped for a move back to the Serie A.
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