Blues to offer armband in bid to keep Hazard
MAURIZIO SARRI is ready to make Eden Hazard his captain in a bid to keep the Belgian star at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard led Belgium to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia this summer, and is a £180million target for Real Madrid.
But Chelsea are determined not to sell the attacking midfielder and feel that handing him the captaincy may be the key to persuading the 27-year-old to stay in west London and sign the new contract he has been offered.
Former Napoli boss Sarri, who has only been working with his squad for just over a week since taking over from Italian compatriot Antonio Conte, has not yet made the final decision. However keeping Hazard, who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2012 and is also Belgium’s skipper, is at the top of his list, ahead of Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta and midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Sarri also met owner Roman Abramovich and director Marina Granovskaia here in Nice last night to discuss transfer targets.
Chelsea have been told by Juventus they will have to pay £45million for centreback Daniele Rugani. An opening offer of around £40m was rejected in discussions between Granovskaia and Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici in Italy
on Thursday, but a deal could be concluded this weekend.
Rugani’s agent David Torchia said: “Chelsea really like Rugani and have made an important offer.
“Juve are aware of the interest but for now they don’t want to sell the player.
“But we know everything has a price. Rugani is a defender that would make Chelsea’s manager happy and it would be a good investment for them. Rugani wants to play more games.”
Sarri also wants £58m-rated Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, but wants to get the Rugani deal sealed first.
To complicate matters AC Milan are also in for the Argentina striker.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin has led to Juve rethinking their options, with general manager Beppe Marotta saying: “Higuain is still an important player for us, but now we obviously have greater competition. He is a professional and we are evaluating his future with the people who represent him.”
Chelsea are also close to a deal for Brazil winger Bernard, 25, who is a free agent after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, while Valencia are interested in Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea will also discuss a deal with Inter Milan officials for Uruguay midfielder Matias Vecino, who will cost around £30m.
The Blues face Inter in the International Champions Cup today and a deal could be concluded quickly as the Italians are happy to sell.
Sought-after Russia midfielder Aleksandr Golovin will not be heading for Stamford Bridge after agreeing a move to Monaco from CSKA Moscow. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
Golovin, who had been linked with Chelsea since impressing for Russia at the World Cup, scored 13 goals in 113 appearances for CSKA, who said they had received a club-record fee for his services.
“I am very happy to sign for Monaco,” Golovin told the Ligue 1 side’s official website.
“This is a new adventure for me that I approach with a lot of ambition. I am now looking forward to meeting the staff and my new team-mates and to get going.”