Chelsea Rumours Archive July 08 2016

08 Jul 2016 15:30:08
After wrapping up Umtiti, does that end Barcelona's interest in Marquinos? I remember a month or so ago you said Chelsea, Barcelona and City amongst others were interested in him due to his lack of playing time, and was wondering where Barcelona potentially no longer interested where this leaves Chelsea's efforts to sign the player?

{Ed002's Note - PSG had no intention of selling Marquinhos last summer and have agreed a new contract with him - regardless of interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. However, the player is continuing to have a difficult time with no regular pattern to his game time and this has led Chelsea to put a marker in place with PSG over another discussion about the player and this has led to some further recent discussions with Chelsea and his representatives. Barcelona had a different player in mind as first choice so did not need to look again to Marquinhos. It is unlikely we will see further interest from Bayern Munich as they have secured their primary target. Manchester City have spoken with his representatives, but again he is not first pick right now. However, there has been an approach from another English side.}

08 Jul 2016 16:09:53
My guess is utd.

08 Jul 2016 16:09:53
My guess is utd.

08 Jul 2016 17:12:21
I notice you said he's not first pick for City, but didn't state whether he was for Chelsea or not? Do Chelsea have preferred options to him as well? Also, can I ask if you know how Chelsea's discussions with the representatives have gone just in general interest terms (I'm not asking for any explicit details, but just an indication of whether he would be open to a move to the club maybe? )
Thanks for the info ed (:

{Ed002's Note - Kalidou Koulibaly is the player Chelsea are after.}

08 Jul 2016 17:37:46
Ok, thanks Ed.
I had read your posts stating the Koulibaly interest, but there was a lot of speculation with Conte coming in that he would implement a 3 centre back formation, so I was unsure whether Chelsea have interest in more than one defender or not, hence my asking whether he was first choice even though I knew we also want KK.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

08 Jul 2016 17:53:28
The media seemed to be insisting on Chelsea going with 3 at the back. Conte used to alternate with 4-2-4 amongst other formations - if we were looking to go with three CB's, my guess is that we'd look to do it over a period of time (once loanees return, young players develop or transfer targets are available) .

08 Jul 2016 20:09:28
I agree Steve_B. I'd imagine Conte would likely wait til at least Zouma was fit again and would want at least one or two windows in order to assess whether the current squad were capable of playing the formation and if not then, either deciding to buy the required players or if we'd been successful, stick to what was working.

08 Jul 2016 11:22:13
Top of the morning Ed, any truth in chelsea having a bid for Barbosa rejected? Have a good day.

{Ed002's Note - Santos' Gabriel Barbosa is of interest to Fiorentina, Dortmund, PSG, Galatasaray, Chelsea, Real Madrid and a couple of minor Premier League sides. However, although much is expected of him he is only a teenager and whilst there is an agreement between Santos and Barcelona that may be exercised in 2016, I suspect that he won't move there this year. Chelsea and Fiorentina have held recent discussions and have tried, and continue to try, to strike a deal - but no luck so far. His agent mentioned previously that that Fenerbahce had made an offer but I suspect that is incorrect and it was Galatasaray - and their interest has now gone. Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid have been upping their interest with Real Madrid having several representatives watch games towards the end of the season and Chelsea having two offers rejected. I would expect him to sign a new contract that has been offered and stay at Santos until next summer.}

08 Jul 2016 12:15:15
Thanks for the reply.