Chelsea Transfer News/Rumours Update – 11 January 2013

1) Torres out? : 

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, who won 88 caps for Ireland and played for Chelsea between 1992-94, said the writing could now be on the wall for Torres.

“If you are playing for a big club you have to deliver because if you don’t, you’ll be going through the exit door,” added Cascarino.

“He is very close now. The fans singing Demba Ba’s name is going to hurt Torres but you are going to get that if you don’t play well and you miss chances.

“The fans won’t accept it if you are not performing.” (Sky Sports)

2) Benat won’t come cheap : 

Real Betis have warned Chelsea and Manchester City one of La Liga’s brightest talents – Benat Etxebarria — won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap. Benat has been one of the standout performers in the La Liga this season, leading Real Betis to a lofty fifth position at the halfway stage of the competition. The 25-year-old’s exploits have garnered attention from some of the biggest clubs in the world, with City and Chelsea thought to be leading the chase. However, Betis manager Pepe Mel has insisted his star player will not leave for a low price, with interested clubs having to match the €20 million (£16.2 million, $26 million) buyout clause, despite having only a little over a year remaining in his contract. (SportsWorldReport)

3) Fellaini to sign for Chelsea within next 72 hours : 

According to the French press, Chelsea are expected to tie up the signing of Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, within 72 hours, meaning that the Belgium International will be a Blues player by early next week. There has been various reports around the British, French and Belgium media suggesting that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to fork out the £25 million needed to activate a release clause on Fellaini. The latest report suggests that the deal will be completed sooner rather than later.  (IBTimes)

Other News : 

1) Luke Shaw snubs Chelsea :

Chelsea and Arsenal target Luke Shaw will sign a five-year deal at Southampton on his 18th birthday. The highly rated 17-year-old left back has been attracting admiring glances from a number of the Barclays Premier League’s elite. However, the latest talent off Southampton’s production line has ended any speculation over his future by today committing his long-term future to the club. He cannot sign a senior contract yet but it is believed Shaw will be seal a five-year deal when he does turn 18 on July 12, 2013.

‘I have spoken with the chairman about a long-term plan for me at the club,’ the defender said.

‘To put an end to all the speculation, I will be committing my future to Southampton. I’m not going anywhere. (Daily Mail)

2) Terry returns to action : John Terry’s return to fitness took a tentative step forward on Thursday night as the Chelsea captain eased his way through a first-half run-out with the Under 21 side.  Terry’s 45-minute comeback against Fulham’s youngsters at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, under the watchful eye of under-fire manager Rafa Benitez, was his first action since injuring his knee in a collision’s with Luis Suarez in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on November 11,  partnering 16-year-old Danish centre-back Andreas Christensen in the heart of Chelsea’s defence, Terry showed no ill-effects of the knock, but after two months out inevitably there were signs of a lack of match sharpness. (Daily Mail)

3) Chelsea and Arsenal battle for Capoue :

The tough-tackling holding midfielder is widely recognised as one of the best talents in Ligue 1, and has reportedly been watched by scouts from both clubs in the last few months. Indeed, according to French paper Le Sport 10, the duo have been so impressed with Capoue, that they are ready to splash out up to £8million to land him this month. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on the lookout for another defensive midfielder after selling Alex Song to Barcelona in the summer, while Blues manager Rafa Benitez wants to add competition for current holder John Obi Mikel. Toulouse are resigned to losing Capoue in the near future, but are thought to want a fee in excess of £12million for the player, who still has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal. (Metro.co.uk)