Following Chelsea`s dire 0-0 draw in Norfolk in the FA Cup 3rd round, it`s time for some light relief and respite. Chelsea have already bagged one signing in Ross Barkley and after today`s showing, they could use a couple more.
The first tidbit tonight is definitely light relief. It comes courtesy of The Express who claim in thieir article, Barcelona are fuming that Chelsea picked up Barkley so cheaply. They are great admirers of the 24 year-old after Gerard Deulofeu, spoke highly of Barkley, having played at Everton last season.
With the two clubs meeting in the Champions League later in the year, the Catalans fear Barkley could make a big difference to Chelsea`s chances of qualification.
Also coming out of Spain, The Daily Star report that Chelsea could be interested in signing AC Milan`s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma should current incumbent Thibaut Courtois make a move in the opposite direction. That`s the opinion of Guillem Balague, Spanish football expert. Talking to Sky Sports Balague believes Courtois has issued his recent statement about being close to extending his stay at Chelsea, as a guise, to persuade Real Madrid to get him signed.
Yesterday, we spoke of the possibility of Chelsea signing Riyad Mahrez. More in hope than belief, today though, The Daily Star have quashed those hopes. The story states that the most likely destination for the Algerian is Arsenal FC. However, that does come courtesy of a bookmaker, so no real substance.
We missed out on mentioning Arturo Vidal yesterday. The Evening Standard report the news coming out of Bayern Munich`s Qatar training camp from manager Jupp Heynckes, today is, that the Chilean is going nowhere during this window. He claims there has been no contact between the clubs and the talk is simply speculation. So that looks like no deal, but wasn`t Philippe Coutinho staying at Liverpool during this window.
A name from the summer has reared his head again, The Express think there could be a chance of Radja Nainggolan moving away from Roma following a series of disciplinary issues that have seen him dropped from the team for this weekends game.
Radja Nainggolan has been dropped by Roma for their match with Atalanta in the Serie A after drinking, smoking video on New Year`s Eve. He`s been linked with Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for ?40m. pic.twitter.com/pF0XCQwnJU
? Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) January 6, 2018
The final story of the day involves another name mentioned in connection with Chelsea least summer. Alex Telles, who plays at left-back for Porto. According to The Sun Chelsea view the Portuguese` as a cheap alternative to Alex Sandro. Other suitor`s according to the story are Liverpool and weirdly Wolves.
With all these stories we know they are all pure speculation. But if Liverpool come into a large wedge of money courtesy of Mr. Coutinho, some of which they`ve already spent on a centre back, they`ll be looking bolster their ranks and they won`t be bothered by scuppering anyone else`s.
BREAKING: About to publish and the internet is saying Riyad Mahrez is due to sign for Liverpool tomorrow. Unconfirmed reports.
Back tomorrow at 10pm.