Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba and John Stones Rumours

Chelsea are doing their utmost to facilitate a deal to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in the last knockings of the transfer window due to concerns Barcelona could snap him up next summer.

That’s according to David Woods of the Daily Star, who wrote the Blues are “desperately” trying to sort something out before the deadline passes in a week’s time and are willing to break the bank to do so. It’s reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was initially only keen to part with £60 million for the Frenchman, but he could now offer a whopping £73 million.

Here’s a look at why Pogba could potentially become one of the most expensive players in the history of the game:

Chelsea’s interest will be understandable for anyone who has taken in their early matches. The Blues have looked a little lightweight in midfield, with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic well short of the standards they set last season. 

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As we can see here via Squawka Football, the former in particular is really struggling for form:

Pogba would certainly stiffen up the Blues in this area of the pitch. During his time in Turin he’s become one of the most well-rounded midfielders anywhere in world football and he’d bring a much more comprehensive edge to the Chelsea engine room. Even for a sum as inflated as £73 million, the 22-year-old could still prove to be fine value for money.

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However, despite what would be a stratospheric offer, it’s claimed Juve are set to keep Pogba beyond this window. “There's no money able to get Pogba this year,” said an “Italian source” cited by Woods. “But he will be sold next year 100 per cent, with Barcelona his likely destination.”

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Gianni Verschueren, given the sales made by the Bianconeri in this window, Pogba won’t be going anywhere:

Rightly so, too. Turin remains the best place for Pogba to develop for the time being and this season there will be an added responsibility on him that'll only enrich his overall development. Chelsea may look to prise him away with a lucrative offer before the deadline, but Juventus have no need to sell and will stand firm as a result.

John Stones Considering Transfer Request

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According to Oliver Kay of the Times, Everton defender John Stones could lodge a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Chelsea.

It’s suggested in the piece that despite the Toffees’ insistence the youngster won’t be sold, he has asked manager Roberto Martinez for permission to join the Blues. Now, the England international is apparently “weighing up” whether or not to hand in a written transfer request to expedite the process.

Earlier in the summer, Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at what Chelsea would be getting should they bring Stones in:

At this late stage of the window it would be strange to see Everton sell. Granted, if the Blues were to come in with a massive offer, the chance to sell Stones might be tempting, but it’d leave Everton with one senior centre-back in Phil Jagielka. With just a week left in the window, bolstering the defence would be extremely difficult for the Toffees.

Current Everton team-mate and former Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku has encouraged Stones to stay at Goodison Park, per Bleacher Report UK:

If Stones does submit a transfer request, then it’d put Everton in a difficult situation and the Blues would surely be quick to take advantage. After all, there have been major questions raised about the Chelsea defence this season, with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic all enduring shaky starts to the campaign.

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It makes the aggressive nature of their pursuit of Stones understandable, and it’s a saga that looks set to run right up until deadline day itself. But Everton have been staunch in their stance on their prized asset all summer, so a shift in their standpoint now would be very peculiar indeed.