Rumour Reel: Chelsea chasing five targets, Everton eye Iceland hero
Published:
Holly Thackeray | July 23, 2016
Another Saturday, another round of riveting rumours as Premier League clubs continue to have their interests piqued by the prospect of summer signings. Chelsea are dominating the tabloids this morning, with the Blues supposedly keen on between four and five more additions – but who could they be?
Blues to bag fantastic five?
Most of the off-season attention has so far surrounded Manchester rivals United and City, but Chelsea could be about to take centre stage, as the papers now tip tactician Antonio Conte to try for up to five further players.
The London Blues have already lured Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante to the English capital for around £63m combined, but Stamford Bridge could now have more new arrivals in the pipeline after talks were believed to be held between the new boss and Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
To propel Chelsea back into title contention, Conte is thought to be targeting another top class striker, with Real Madrid marksman Alvaro Morata and former Blues goal bagger Romelu Lukaku reportedly the primary targets up top, with PSG poacher Edinson Cavani an outside option.
While, centre back is believed to be the other area most in need of refreshment, and Roma defender Kostas Manolas along with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly stand out as the most likely transfers, though Benfica young-gun Victor Lindelof has also emerged as a potentially cheaper capture.
As for midfield and in net, Chelsea’s unlikely pursuit of Giallorossi star Radja Nainggolan could still have legs, while Diego Lopez may be tempted to join the Londoners as back-up stopper to number one keeper Thiabut Courtois – after slipping behind AC Milan teenage prospect Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order.
Everton seeking Sigurdsson
Elsewhere, new Everton coach Ronald Koeman could complete a £25m deal to bring Swansea City schemer Gylfi Sigurdsson to Goodison Park.
One of Iceland’s Euro 2016 heroes, the midfielder from the Nordic nation is a regular goal and set-piece threat who has helped run the Swans midfield for the best part of three seasons.
A troubled time at Tottenham was sandwiched in between his two separate Swansea stints but the engine room plotter, still only 26, is now much older and wiser and should succeed in his next step up.
Intelligent operator Sigurdsson would be able to add a new dimension to the Toffees with his composure in a midfield roster which often contains energetic duo Ross Barkley and James McCarthy, looking like a smart move by Koeman – with the Icelandic attacker typical of the type of value transfer the Dutchman employed at Southampton.
Related
Take a look back through previous rumour reels in our archive.
