Chelsea Transfer News: Huge Barcelona-Chelsea swap deal, Blues striker a target for Everton, Higuain transfer hurdle, and more - 11th January 2019

Willian (L) has attracted interest from Barcelona once again
Willian (L) has attracted interest from Barcelona once again

Chelsea's pursuit of a striker continues, as we head into another round of Premier League fixtures this weekend. The Blues face off against Newcastle United at home on Saturday, where they would want to get all three points.

Which players are Chelsea interested in and who is likely to see the door at Stamford Bridge?

Let's take a look at Chelsea's transfer news and roundup for today:


#1 Callum Wilson not going anywhere, according to Eddie Howe

Callum Wilson (L)
Callum Wilson (L)

Recent reports have indicated that Chelsea are interested in Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, in a £50 million deal. Chelsea are desperate to sign a striker, and the 26-year-old English striker fits the bill, having shone at the Cherries, scoring 9 goals in 16 games this season.

But it seems like Wilson's Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, isn't interested in letting go of his star forward anytime soon.

“I’ve been told about the speculation, it’s not something I seek to read. “It’s a waste of time for me to do so. It’s business as normal; Callum has been bright and bubbly this week so no problems there. In my opinion, and it’s just my opinion, I wouldn’t sell at any price but I’m the manager of the team trying to create the best team that I can.”

“We desperately want to take the team forward and to do that we have got to keep our best players. He (Wilson) is a very important member of the team. He has unique attributes that really complement what we do here. He’s been a really good goal scorer for us this season. That’s the hardest thing to do in the sport so we value him really highly," said Howe.

Bournemouth and Callum Wilson will face off against Everton at Goodison Park this weekend.

#2 Massive Willian Barcelona swap

Willian
Willian

It is no secret that Barcelona were interested in Chelsea and Brazil winger Willian previously, and it seems like the Catalans will offer money as well as a player in exchange to land their man.

The Telegraph have reported that Barcelona offered £50 million plus summer signing from Bordeaux, Malcom, to bring Willian to the Nou Camp, but Chelsea have reportedly rejected the deal. This is quite a shocking move from Barcelona considering Willian is almost a decade older than Malcom, and hasn't been in great form to warrant such a big fee as well as a player in exchange.

21-year-old Malcom, who moved to Barcelona in the summer transfer window for €41 million, has struggled for the Spanish side, making just 5 appearances in the league this season.

Chelsea aren't keen on another winger as they have already signed Christian Pulisic who will arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

#3 Morata transfer status

Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata is certain to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window, but Chelsea will only let him go after they find a replacement for him, as per Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué, in his BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.

Balague has revealed that Morata's agent has met with two Spanish clubs - Sevilla and Atletico Madrid and that he has agreed personal terms with both clubs.

What’s quite clear is Morata’s agent is in Spain and has reached an agreement with Sevilla. So Morata would go to Sevilla, but then he goes to Madrid and meets [Diego] Simeone and then he reaches an agreement with Atletico Madrid. So he could go to Atletico Madrid as well. The thing is that Chelsea have not given him permission to sell him because they say: ‘unless we get a replacement, we won’t get rid of Morata," said Balagué.

Chelsea were recently linked with a move for Sevilla striker Andre Silva, who is currently on loan from AC Milan.

#4 Michy Batshuayi to Everton

Michy Batshuayi
Michy Batshuayi

Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who was on loan at Spanish side Valencia for the first half of the season, could be a target for Premier League side Everton.

The report states that Everton manager Marco Silva could be interested in bringing the Belgian if he can sell one or both of his strikers - Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse. Chelsea will only sell Batshuayi and will not loan him to Everton.

The Belgian striker scored just 3 goals in 23 appearances for the Spanish side and returned to the Blues in the January transfer window.

Since signing for Chelsea in 2016, Batshuayi has scored 19 goals in 53 appearances for the Blues and has had two loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, one at Borussia Dortmund and at Valencia earlier this season.

#5 Juve and Milan reject Chelsea bid for Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain

The Higuain-Chelsea saga rolls on as Calciomercato are now reporting that Juventus, the parent club of the Argentine striker, as well as AC Milan, where he is currently on loan, have rejected Chelsea's offer.

Chelsea had reportedly offered to bring him on loan and buy him at the end of the season, which has been rejected by both Italian clubs.

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