Chelsea chases Fernandez; Jorginho set to join Arsenal
Benfica has forced Chelsea to make a Premier League record bid of $130 mn
THERE’S only a matter of hours to go before the January transfer window shuts for good, with multiple moves already in the can and plenty potentially still to come later on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez for a Premier League record fee from Benfica remains up in the air. The Blues look set to confirm the exit of Italy’s Euro 2020 victor Jorginho to rivals Arsenal though before time runs out at the end of play on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Manchester City have confirmed the loan exit of Joao Cancelo to Bayern Munich, while Inter’s raid for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire looks a no-go.
But the Red Devils are hopeful of sealing a deal for Bayern’s Marcel Sabitzer, following a potential season-ending injury for Christian Eriksen. Stats Perform runs the rule over what has happened and what could still be before the deadline.
BLUES REMAIN IN RECORD PURSUIT FOR WORLD CUP WINNER FERNANDEZ
Graham Potter’s side have already been handed an eye-watering war chest by Todd Boehly since his takeover, and they show no signs of slowing down their spending.
A move for Enzo Fernandez, whose stock rose after his performances alongside Lionel Messi as he led Argentina to World Cup glory, has been on the cards all month.
But the hefty release clause set by Benfica has forced Chelsea to table what would be a Premier League record bid of 105.6 million ($130 million) if successful. That would overtake the fee Manchester City paid out for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, though issues remain over how the payment would be delivered to the Portuguese club.
JORGINHO READY TO LEAP ACROSS LONDON
With one player potentially set to arrive, another is almost certain to have their departure confirmed in the coming hours at Stamford Bridge.
That is Italy international Jorginho, who is set to trade the Blues for Premier League leaders Arsenal on an 18-month deal. The move to bring in the veteran playmaker with a proven track record for silverware
echoes the swoop the Gunners made for Gabriel Jesus from Man City last year.
It would be Arsenal’s third permanent capture of the window, following the signings of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, and likely signals the end of their pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moses Caicedo for now.
CITY CONFIRM CANCELO EXIT TO BAYERN
The writing may have been on the wall for longer than many realised when it came to Joao Cancelo’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
The player has denied a reported bust-up with Pep Guardiola following his return from the World Cup, though Cancelo had slipped down the pecking order with the Premier League champions in recent games. The Portugal international will hope for a fresh start with Bayern,
where he has joined on a loan through the end of the season with a reported buy option at 0 million ($ 6 million).
The move to bring in the veteran playmaker with a proven track record for silverware echoes the swoop the Gunners made for Gabriel Jesus from Man City last year
UNITED HOLD ONTO MAGUIRE AMID SABITZER PURSUIT
The future of Man United club captain Harry Maguire has long been a point of consternation for supporters, though his recent cup performances suggest he still has a role to play.
Despite slipping to fifth in the centre-back pecking order, the England defender appears to be an option head coach Erik ten Hag wishes to retain, dashing the interest of Serie A heavyweights Inter.
But with the news Christian Eriksen will miss most of the rest of the season through injury, United are exploring a move for Austria international Marcel Sabitzer to help plug the gap.