Chelsea transfer news: Conte 'eyeing up Sergio Aguero to replace Diego Costa'

Chelsea transfer news: AC Milan pour scorn on Cesc Fabregas

13 October

Out-of-favour Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas has been dealt another blow after AC Milan ruled out a move for the midfielder, claiming he lacked the "characteristics" they were looking for.

Milan are in need of reinforcements after Riccardo Montolivo was ruled out for at least six months with a serious knee injury, but manager Vincenzo Montella made it clear that he would not move for Fabregas in January, reports ESPN.

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There had been speculation that Milan would move for Fabregas in the new year. But speaking to Corriere della Sera, Montella said: "We need a player with Montolivo's characteristics, someone who knows how to play in a midfield of two. Fabregas does not have these characteristics."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's hopes of bringing Mario Pasalic back to the Bridge in January have been dealt a blow after the midfielder's agent said his client is happy to remain at AC Milan until the end of the season.

The Daily Express reports that agent Vincenzo Cavaliere ruled out an early return when asked by Italian website Milannews about Pasalic's situation.

"Milan has always been his priority," explained Cavaliere. "From a physical point of view, he feels food and he's really concentrated. He wants to win a place and he's sure he will be able to help the team."

The 21-year-old Croatian playmaker arrived at Chelsea in 2014 and was loaned out to AC Milan in August with both parties agreed on a 12-month stay, so there's little the Londoners can do even if, as the Express claims, Antonio Conte would like to have Pasalic for the second half of the season.

Chelsea transfer news: Conte wants Alessio Romagnoli and Sergio Ramos

12 October

If Antonio Conte is serious about signing defender Alessio Romagnoli in the January transfer window, he "must cough up at least £50m". That's according to The Sun, which says the 21-year-old AC Milan centre-half "tops the list of targets for the Chelsea boss" as he looks to strengthen his shaky defence.

Former Italy manager Conte overlooked Romagnoli for his Euro 2016 squad, but the youngster made his international debut last week in the 1-1 draw against Spain. The fact he's now capped has added a few more million to his value and the Sun says Milan are "desperate" to keep the player, who signed for them last year in a £17m move from Sampdoria.

But Romagnoli isn't the only international centre-back on Conte's shopping list. Veteran Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos could be in line for what the Daily Star describes "a sensational move" to Chelsea.

The stunning news was first released by Spanish outlet Diario Gol, which claims Conte has been alerted because Ramos is "no longer considered unsellable at the Bernabeu". Apparently Real president Florentino Perez is willing to listen to offers for the Spain captain provided they reflect his quality and experience.

Why? The Spanish press claims Perez is planning a "complete makeover" of Real Madrid's squad next summer.

Several players could be for the chop and it seems 30-year-old Ramos will be first to be axed because Perez "is not happy" with his performances since he signed a new contract a year ago. As for what Real might accept, it's believed they'll want more than the £23m they paid Sevilla in 2005, although they appreciate his age militates against an exorbitant sum.

Chelsea transfer news: N'Zonzi could cost more than £27m

11 October

Cough up the cash or say night-night to Steven N'Zonzi. That's the gist of the message from Sevilla to Chelsea about their twinkle-toed midfielder who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

According to the Daily Star, Sevilla are ready to offer N'Zonzi a new contract with the insertion of a buyout clause higher than the existing £27m figure, and club president Jose Castro was candid in his assessment of N'Zonzi's future in Spain. "I know that N'Zonzi is attracting a lot of interest, and because of that we're talking about a new contract," he told Spanish publication Don Balon.

"It is only a good thing that teams are chasing him, there isn't anything negative in that. We always want to keep good players in our team, unless there are offers that you can't turn down."

It's believed Chelsea are front runners to land the former Stoke midfielder although Leicester, Juventus and Barcelona are also sniffing around the 27-year-old Frenchman.

Elsewhere and ESPN claims that Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi could be set for a January move to AC Milan. Apparently the Italian outfit are "monitoring" the former Marseille marksman's situation at Stamford Bridge and could swoop as early as January. The Belgian ace arrived at the Blues in the summer in a £33m deal but he has yet to start a Premier League game and is clearly behind Diego Costa in manager Antonio Conte's eyes.

Though the Italian gaffer has indicated that he believes Batshuayi has a future at the Bridge, a hefty offer from AC Milan might make Conte revise his opinion.

Chelsea transfer news: Blues to trade Eden Hazard for Leonardo Bonucci

10 October

Chelsea "are stepping up their bid" to bring Leonardo Bonucci to Stamford Bridge, says the Sun, and they're hopeful of landing their man by offering Juventus Eden Hazard in exchange. The paper says that Blues boss Antonio Conte has made the Italian defender "his No 1 priority" in the January transfer market, and it seems that the Italian champions are ready to do business provided Chelsea give them someone in return.

Ideally, says the Sun, Juventus would like Cesc Fabregas as the heir to the midfield throne vacated by Andrea Pirlo, but apparently Conte wants to keep hold of the Spanish midfielder. That's not the case with Hazard, however, who is worth more than Fabregas on the transfer market, and Chelsea believe that Juventus gaffer Max Allegri will agree to the swap and hand over Bonucci in the New Year.

Meanwhile the Sun also claims that Barcelona are circling Andreas Christensen and a "shock £20m" offer could soon be tabled for the Chelsea centre-half. The 20-year-old Danish defender has struggled to make much of an impression at the Bridge since arriving as a callow 16-year-old from Brondby in 2012, but he's been making a name for himself this season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach. And according to the Sun he so impressed for the German outfit when they played the Spanish giants in a recent Champions League tie, that Barcelona are ready to entice him to the Camp Nou. Apparently they regard Christensen "as a ball-playing centre-half and an ideal partner and long-term replacement for Gerard Pique". As to whether the Blues are ready to do business with Barcelona, it's believed that they are monitoring his progress at Monchengladbach and will decide between now and the start of the January transfer period whether he has a future in west London.

Chelsea transfer news: Chelsea prepare bid for Lazio striker Felipe Anderson

7 October

Chelsea are pondering a move for Lazio striker Felipe Anderson.

Citing, II Messaggero, the Daily Star reports that a change of agent has helped Chelsea’s cause and means they could beat Manchester United to his signature.

The 23-year-old Brazilian forward has just under four years left on his contract and recently hired Giuliano Bertolucci to represent him.

Bertolucci works alongside super agent Kia Joorabchian and helped facilitate the deals that took Ramires, Alexandre Pato, David Luiz and Oscar to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Thiago Silva has refused to rule out a move to Chelsea, according to his agent.

The Brazil star’s contract with Paris Saint Germain runs out next summer and Blues were this week linked with the classy central defender.

Barely a day goes by without a new Chelsea rumour and yesterday the club were reportedly preparing a stunning £60m bid for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, a world record fee for a defender.

The Metro , citing Sport Witness, reports Silva has not yet had talks about a new deal with the French giants.

His agent, Paulo Tonietto, said: "Chelsea are a big club. And the English league is the best in the world.

"We're not negotiating a new contract, let’s see what happens before December. Thiago’s deal ends on June 30, 2017 if PSG don’t qualify for the Champions League. Everything is possible in football."

Chelsea transfer news: Abramovich ready to bankroll £60m bid for Leonardo Bonucci

6 October

Chelsea are ready to make a stunning £60m bid for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci.

The story in the Daily Telegraph claims owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to bankroll a deal in January that would break the world record for a defender.

The previous record was the £50m Paris Saint Germain paid Chelsea for David Luiz who has since returned to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are desperate to rebuild a creaky defence and Abramovich was at the Chelsea training ground last week for a series of meetings with manager Antonio Conte about the best way forward.The Telegraph says Bonucci, 29, would be a “dream signing” for Conte.

Bonucci, who has 63 caps for Italy, is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in the world and worked with Conte for three seasons at Juventus and the Italian national team.

The pair have a close relationship and earlier this year Bonucci said: “He (Conte) is the boss, and if you listen to him and show him respect, you will see he is one of the best bosses in the game.

"The players in the Italy team nicknamed him The Godfather. That means when he talks, you listen. You do what he says and you don’t argue. Players want to listen, though.”

Manchester City tried to sign Bonucci during the summer and could be tempted to try again now Chelsea’s interest has been revealed.

Another stumbling block could be Chelsea’s absence from the Champions League this season.

The Telegraph also says Chelsea have been tracking the best home-grown defensive talent and are one of a number of clubs interested in Burnley’s £25 million-rated Michael Keane, who has been called up to the England squad.Chelsea are also keeping a close watch on emerging talent Vladislav Zhikov.The Daily Star, which cites Transfer Market Web as its source, claims Blues are so impressed with the 17-year-old Bulgarian that scouts have been sent to watch him at the AC Milan academy.

Zhikov plays on the left wing and it seems Chelsea and the Italian giants could be doing plenty of business in January.The Star claims boss Antonio Conte will recall youngster Mario Passaic from the San Siro during the next transfer window. He has not played a game and Conte seems ready to end his misery.

Another deal between the clubs could involve defender Mattia De Sciglio and Cesc Fabregas.

Milan are reportedly after Fabregas, but Conte wants defender De Sciglio included in any potential deal as a makeweight.

Chelsea transfer news: Conte speaks to Oscar de Marcos

5 October

Chelsea are preparing an approach for Oscar de Marcos as boss Antonio Conte continues the search for solutions to his defensive problems.

The Blues spoke to the Athletic Bilbao right-back ten days ago, according to the The Daily Star, which cites Spanish news outlet El Desmarque as its source for the story.

Chelsea's defensive frailties are a well-documented priority for Conte and he is apparently prepared to offer de Marcos a four-year contract and double his wages.

There could be a snag, however, as The Star says de Marcos is in no hurry to leave Bilbao, and has a £35m release clause in his contract that runs until 2019.

There are more rumours surrounding Cecs Fabregas, this time about a possible move to Premier League rivals West Ham.

Fabregas was linked with AC Milan earlier in the week but the Daily Star, citing Mundo Deportivo, says Hammers have a "genuine interest" in signing the midfield ace and are leading the race to sign him.Fabregas has failed to impress new boss Conte and hasn't started a Premier League match this season.

Chelsea are also monitoring Dutch international defender Stefan de Vrij, according to goal.com, which cites II Messaggero as its source for the story.

Lazio are ready to offer him a new contract but the Blues could take advantage of a £30.8m release clause in his contract.

De Vrij, 24, struggled with injury last season but was on the Chelsea radar during the summer.Meanwhile Branislav Ivanovic, the much-criticised Chelsea right-back, says he does not mind sitting on the bench – but has vowed to win his place back.

He was dropped for Chelsea's 2-0 win at Hull on Saturday and his comments are carried in most of the papers ahead of Serbia's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

Ivanovic, who could drop further down the pecking order if De Marcos were to join, said: "I'll always put myself below the interests of the team, be that national side or club.

"When the team is successful and when they win, it's quickly forgotten when you make mistakes.

"It's been a while since I was a back-up, but I do not mind. I'll sit on the bench whenever the coach decides, and not for the first time in these eight years at Chelsea.

"Today's football means that every day you have to fight and prove yourself."

Chelsea transfer news: Conte looks to swap Cesc Fabregas for Mattia De Sciglio

4 October

Chelsea are willing to let midfield star Cesc Fabregas join Italian giants AC Milan but will demand a player, plus cash to secure the deal.

Fabregas's first team chances have been limited since Antonio Conte took charge in the summer and he could be heading out of Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, according toThe Sun which cites Italian website CalcioMercatoWeb as its source.

Conte is desperately trying to strengthen a fragile looking defence and will have his eye on AC Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio if a player swap with Fabregas is to be done.

De Sciglio is a versatile fullback and would be the perfect replacement for Branislav Ivanovic who was dropped for Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Hull on Saturday when Conte played his favoured system of a back three.

Chelsea will want £9m for Fabregas who was signed by former boss Jose Mourinho from Barcelona for £28m.

He won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 but has struggled for form after helping Chelsea win the Premier League title in 2015. He seemed to be back on form when he scored twice in the League Cup victory against Leicester but was dropped for the weekend trip to Hull.

Another player linked with a shock exit is Michy Batshuayi, just months after moving to Stamford Bridge.The striker was signed from Marseille for £32m in July but could be heading back to the French club, according to the Daily Star which cites Le 10 Sport as its source.

Batshuayi, 23, has scored three times for Chelsea but has not started a Premier League match.A report in The Times recently suggested the Belgian’s transfer was sanctioned by sporting director Michael Emenalo, rather than Conte.

But replacements could be on the way and Conte is preparing a sensational move for four La Liga players, according to the Daily Star.

The paper cites Spanish publication Sport, which claims Conte has told his staff he wants detailed reports on a number of players who could possibly arrive mid-season.

Sport says Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, Valencia's Joao Cancelo and Sevilla duo Sergio Rico and Steven N'Zonzi are top of his list.

Forward Griezmann has also been linked with a move to Manchester United after scoring 63 goals in 115 games for Atletico.

The Star, which is full of Chelsea transfer speculation, says Mateo Musacchio is also being watched by Blues.

The paper cites TransferMarketWeb as its source for the story which claims Conte is scouting the 26-year-old Villarreal centre-half ahead of a January raid.