Chelsea transfer roundup for 12 July to 18 July, 2021

SWANSEA, WALES - FEBRUARY 17: Marc Guehi of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Nottingham Forest at the Liberty Stadium on February 17, 2021 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - FEBRUARY 17: Marc Guehi of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Nottingham Forest at the Liberty Stadium on February 17, 2021 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
2 of 4
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Saul Niguez Esclapez (r) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with N’Golo Kante of Chelsea FC during the UEFA Champions League 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea FC at the Wanda Metropolitano on 27 September 2017, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Saul Niguez Esclapez (r) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with N’Golo Kante of Chelsea FC during the UEFA Champions League 2017-18 match between Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea FC at the Wanda Metropolitano on 27 September 2017, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)

2. Chelsea in line if Saul Niguez’s move to Barcelona collapses

We all are very familiar with the situation of FC Barcelona. If some of you are not the simple way to explain it is, Barcelona has to reduce their wage bill by €200 million otherwise they can’t register their new signings of Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay, and Emerson Royal. So to do this, Barcelona is looking to sell Antoine Griezmann. A swap deal is mooted with their Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid with Saul Niguez proposed to go the other way as the Spanish midfielder will be leaving the club this window. Chelsea has informed the Madrid club of their interest and is looking to pounce given the chance if the deal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid collapses.

The club needs to refresh their aging midfield line with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic are all in their late 20s and Billy Gilmour is sent out on loan to Norwich City. The 26-year-old has an impressive passing range and can help dictate the pace of the game which would makes him a quality acquisition. With a market value of £36 million, any bid in the region of £45 million would be enough to convince the Madrid-based club to part with the player. This deal currently is hanging by a thread because both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in advanced negotiations but Barcelona is asking for some money too on top of Antoine Griezmann. If both these clubs don’t come to an agreement by the end of next week, fans can expect Chelsea to put in a bid. Liverpool is also said to be interested but their priority is to buy a winger first. This would help the Blues jump in front of the queue, but the club needs to act quickly if the deal collapse between the two Spanish clubs.