Chelsea target £125 million swoop for Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alex Sandro

Sport360 staff 14:15 01/07/2017
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  • With the transfer window now officially open from July 1, the frenetic nature of speculation is only going to increase.

    Rumours are starting to gather pace and we take a look at the latest stories doing the rounds in the media.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Get in touch with your thoughts on Twitter and via Facebook.

    BAKAYOKO, RUDIGER AND ALEX SANDRO

    According to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea are eyeing a £125m triple deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alex Sandro.

    The Juventus full-back is expected to become the club’s record signing at £60m. The 26-year-old will come in to compete with Marcos Alonso for the left wing-back role.

    With John Terry leaving the club as a free agent, Rudiger is seen as a top class defender who could even be first choice at centre-back after his fine performances for AS Roma.

    Meanwhile, Bakayoko impressed Antonio Conte with his form for AS Monaco last season and would slot in alongside N’Golo Kante with Nemanja Matic edging closer to a move to Manchester United.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    It’s not often that a triple transfer deal looks likely but this one does. It will still take some doing but Rudiger looks like he will make the switch while Bakayoko and Sandro are well on the cards too.

    The Juventus defender could prove the most difficult to land given his price tag but he’s also looked like the one Conte is most keen on as well.

    It’s fair to say that Bakayoko’s acquisition will depend on the status of other deals. Apart from Matic, United are also in the market for Fabinho as are other clubs. Monaco won’t want to lose both their defensive midfielders in one summer so each deal may depend on the other.

    alex-sandro

    ALVARO MORATA

    The Daily Express claims that Alvaro Morata has told his friends that his move to Manchester United is a done deal. The 24-year-old has apparently made up his mind and will ensure that the deal goes through.

    The Spaniard is unhappy with the stalemate between Real Madrid and his Premier League suitors and has reportedly cut his honeymoon short to come to an agreement with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.

    The striker believes a move to Old Trafford is a vital next step in his career.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    It has gone quiet for a while but seems as if Morata’s transfer to United is still very much on. The stumbling block appears to be the transfer fee with Madrid holding out for £70m while United won’t go beyond £60m which is steep in itself for a player who was very much second-choice last season.

    A fee such as that will always bring with it finer details that need ironing out. Paul Pogba for example seemed destined for United for much of last summer but the transfer dragged on presumably because of the magnitude of the deal.

    Also, the fact that United haven’t been linked heavily to any other strikers recently only makes Morata’s signing seem more probable.

    alvaro-morata

    NABY KEITA

    Bleacher Report says Liverpool reportedly have a personal agreement in place with RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita to sign the midfielder this summer amid speculation the German club value their star at £70 million—although they do not want to sell.

    ESPN FC presenter and pundit Gabriele Marcotti said on Friday that the Reds have already reached an agreement with Keita personally, although no conclusion has been reached with Leipzig in regards to a fee.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    After the successful chase for Mohamed Salah’s signature, Liverpool look likely to secure another coup with the Leipzig midfielder. Keita’s £70 million valuation isn’t one that the Reds would be prepared to meet but given that the player appears keen to make the switch, the club could well settle on a lower fee.

    The midfielder is the sort of player that would flourish under Jurgen Klopp and the feeling is that he believes that as well. This would be another huge win for the Red half of Merseyside in the transfer window this summer.

    naby-keita

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