Chelsea transfer news: Striker currently undergoing medical, Chelsea looking for a swap deal, and more - 31 January 2018

Olivier Giroud reportedly undergoing medical at Chelsea

After playing a substitute's role for the Gunners in Swansea's 3-1 win over Arsenal, Olivier Giroud has reportedly travelled to Chelsea to undergo a medical and to sign a three-year deal with Chelsea. The Sun reports that the player and his representatives are currently in Cobham finalizing the minute details of his contract.

Arsenal were waiting to confirm Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's capture from Borussia Dortmund before giving Giroud the permission to join the Blues. After receiving a confirmation from Arsenal, Chelsea then allowed Michy Batshuayi to travel to Dortmund to sign for the Bundesliga giants and in turn completing a transfer triumvirate.

Arsenal have reportedly boiled down from their original valuation of £30 million for Giroud and it is believed that a £18 million sum has been agreed between the two parties. Chelsea are looking to make the transfer official before their home match against Bournemouth tonight and have planned to parade the Frenchman in front of the Chelsea faithful at halftime.

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Chelsea looking to swap Eden Hazard with Marco Asensio

Hazard has been reluctant to sign a new deal with the Blues

Despite offering him a new deal weeks ago, Eden Hazard is still reluctant to secure his future at Stamford Bridge. It is believed that the Belgian forward is waiting for Real Madrid's approach in the summer.

But Chelsea are not going to let Real Madrid sign Hazard easily. Earlier it was reported that the Blues are preparing an offer to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge with Hazard going the other way. But the club's top brass has now advised Abramovich to not invest heavily in a player on the other side of 30 and to instead focus on another Madrid starlet.

Don Balon has reported that Chelsea are set to demand Marco Asensio in return if Real Madrid do make a move for Eden Hazard in the summer. Asensio is tipped to have a bright future ahead but has struggled for game time this season. He has a deal with Madrid until 2023 but if promised a regular starting berth, the Spaniard may leave the Spanish side for greener pastures.

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Reason behind Chelsea's failed move for Edin Dzeko revealed

Apprehensions over Antonio Conte's future have reportedly led Dzeko to reject Chelsea's advances

Serie A football expert Ciro Venerato has today revealed the reason behind Edin Dzeko's failed move to Chelsea. The Blues were keen on taking the Bosnian on board and a fee was also agreed with AS Roma. But a number of other factors led the transfer to be called off which in turn led Chelsea to look for a striker elsewhere.

Venerato revealed to Tuttomercatoweb that Edin Dzeko had reservations that Antonio Conte would be sacked soon - a manager under whom the 31-year-old was eager to play. This was the major stumbling block which stopped Dzeko from travelling to London.

Also, his high wage demands were not taken well by the Chelsea hierarchy who had reportedly offered him much less than his expectations. Despite a failed move for the striker, Chelsea did complete the signing of Dzeko's teammate Emerson Palmieri yesterday who signed a long-term deal with the club.