Chelsea have started their transfer season in the worst way possible so far. Following a title winning season where they regained the European stature and the lure of a lucrative suitor, the Blues have been hugely reluctant in their negotiating activities.
It is without a doubt that the Blues squad need improvement in more than one position and there are players who are moving out this summer itself. But the club has surprisingly found their approaches blunt and none of their transfer targets have been close to agreeing on an offer.
Their next target, as per reports, is La Liga winger Vitolo. Playing for Sevilla, the winger has been in phenomenal form last term scoring six goals and assisting 10 times in all competitions, and Chelsea have been eyeing him to upgrade their attacking front before next season.
However, Sevilla, who have also qualified for the Champions League qualifying stages, are unwilling to let go of their star player so easily. The 27-year-old has been slapped a £35 million price tag to keep him from leaving and after Atletico Madrid, who were increasingly confident of landing him, faced the transfer ban, Chelsea are now the front runners.
And with Sevilla’s unwillingness, Chelsea are reportedly willing to offer the side a player in exchange for the winger and are undecided between centre-half Kurt Zouma and backup striker Michy Batshuayi. Both the players serve as a back-up to the side at the moment and Chelsea wouldn’t have to deal with a huge loss if they let go of either.
While Zouma has played just 17 times last season in all competitions after returning from a horrific leg break, Batshuayi couldn’t really impress manager Conte throughout the season. Although it was his goal that sealed Chelsea’s title against West Bromwich Albion, he has mostly been a bench player for the Italian boss.
And we think the Belgian forward would play a far more important role in the Blues’ domestic campaign next year. Chelsea have already lost the likes of Dominic Solanke and Tammy Abraham to Liverpool and Swansea City respectively and further missing out on Batshuayi could be suicidal for them.
With World Cup next year, Chelsea would, of course, get a more determined and committed response from the 23-year-old, and given his phenomenal conversion rate on the debut season, he is worth keeping. Zouma, unfortunately, is unlikely to unlock his potential at Stamford Bridge.
The French international broke into the limelight with some phenomenal defending and should be named amongst France’s top talents at the moment. He would only excel in Sevilla and who knows could be picked up by the giants in few years. It would be a win-win situation for both the clubs and the players for this deal.
