Rumour Reel: Chelsea chasing Arturo Vidal, West Ham want Taulant Xhaka?
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Coral’s rumour reel
As punters prepare to welcome in the New Year, clubs across the country are instead getting ready for the grand opening of the January transfer window. The clock is ticking with just one day to go, so what are Premier League teams plotting? Coral’s rumour reel for December 31 features a potential Arturo Vidal transfer for Chelsea and much more!
Read on to find out who your club could move for after the clock strikes midnight…
Arturo Vidal transfer to Chelsea?
According to reports, Chelsea’s dogged pursuit of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan will not be reprised in January, with the box-to-box Belgian’s mooted price of over £50m believed to be too steep for even the Stamford Bridge side’s riches.
So, the Blues are instead set to turn their attention to a more likely Vidal transfer, with their pockets bulging after the sale of midfielder Oscar to China’s Shanghai SIPG.
Antonio Conte could capture the tenacious Chilean, whom he previously enjoyed great success with at Juventus, for upwards of £34m – though it is thought giants Bayern Munich will hold out for closer to £40m.
Once arguably the most sought-after midfielder in the world, the 29-year-old could be paired to great effect with energetic N’Golo Kante in west London, as the more attacking of the two in what would be a dynamic central partnership.
Taulant Xhaka to West Ham?
Elsewhere in London, West Ham United are said to be targeting Basel’s versatile talent Taulant Xhaka, the brother of Arsenal’s midfield grafter Granit. The pair famously play for two different international teams, with Granit capped for Switzerland and Taulant an Albania regular.
If the two siblings are to be reunited in the English capital, the Hammers will have to fork out a rumoured £4m for the 25-year-old, and if the price is set that low it could be considered quite the bargain.
Taulant Xhaka has been a top Basel performer for some time and looks ready for the step up to a more competitive league, with the midfielder also able to play as a right back. The Irons may have to move quickly, however, with Spanish side Valencia primed to compete for his signature.
Slaven Bilic’s meb have struggled this season but have managed to lift themselves to 11th in the Premier League table, though could still use reinforcements throughout a squad that has both underperformed and been injury plagued, so Taulant’s adaptability should come in handy.
