Paper Talk: Chelsea plot bargain deal as third Germany star is lined up
Chelsea have a new name at the top of their defensive wish-list with a January bid being prepped, while Man City have edged Man Utd to sign a Partizan Belgrade attacker, according to Saturday’s transfer gossip.
MATTHIAS GINTER SUBJECT OF CHELSEA RAID
Chelsea are reportedly readying an approach for Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter in January.
Despite a summer that saw the Blues spend some £220m, Frank Lampard’s squad rebuild is far from complete.
The Blues boss vastly improved his midfield and attack this summer, but strengthening his defence remains a priority.
The addition of keeper Edouard Mendy has vastly solidified the Blues. However, Lampard still wants a top-class centre-half brought in. Indeed, he feels that is an area of weakness for Chelsea.
While Thiago Silva was brought in on an initial one-year deal, Lampard also set his sights on a deal for Declan Rice.
The England star can play defence or midfield – but Lampard sees him more as a centre-half. However, West Ham’s refusal to lower their £70m asking price has divided the Chelsea board.
While Lampard feels he’d be worth it, there are some behind the scenes who feel he’s over-priced.
Instead, Germany paper Kicker, claims the Blues will move instead for Ginter.
Chelsea were linked with Ginter in the summer, before focusing instead on Rice.
However, Kicker claims his huge performance for Gladbach against Real Madrid in the Champions League has pushed him to the top of Chelsea’s agenda.
With Ginter’s contract due to expire in 2022, Gladbach will be vulnerable to his sale if he does not renew.
It’s thought he could be lured away for a fee of around £35m, which for obvious reasons, represents better value than Rice.
Gladbach will likely resist any Chelsea approach in January, but it’s felt a move either then or next summer could bear fruit for Lampard.
Ginter would be the third German to arrive at Chelsea in recent times following the captures of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
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MAN CITY WIN RACE FOR STEVANOVIC
Manchester City have edged out Manchester United to secure a £7m deal for Partizan Belgrade winger Filip Stevanovic. (Goal)
A member of the Abu Dhabi royal family has approached the EFL about permission to buy Derby. (The Times)
Wes Morgan will take on an executive role with Leicester City when he retires at the end of the season. (The Times)
Luke Shaw will earn an England recall next week, ending a 26-month international exile. (Daily Mirror)
OZIL DECISION EXPLAINED BY ARTETA
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted he “did his best” to involve Mesut Ozil at the club. (The Sun)
Matteo Guendouzi has revealed Mesut Ozil helped convince him to leave Arsenal for Hertha Berlin. (The Sun)
The Premier League will be a massive loser in the Brexit battle as Karen Brady fears Europe’s top talents will be refused visas. (The Sun)
Harry Toffolo will start his 100th consecutive EFL match and is dedicating it to the woman he loves. (The Sun)
AND MORE GOSSIP
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says Karim Benzema’s incredible bust-up with Vinicius Jr was a “good thing”. (The Sun)
Barcelona are to launch a fresh Eric Garcia transfer bid in January. The Man City defender will push for the move, having rejected Pep Guardiola’s ‘seduction’. (The Sun)
Huss Fahmy has become the latest high-profile executive to leave Arsenal as the club continues to drastically restructure its internal operations. (Daily Telegraph)
Rick Parry has told Jamie Carragher: ‘Project Big Picture is not dead’. (Daily Telegraph)
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