Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Major Signings Reportedly Eyed by Blues

Chelsea will reportedly make a sensational swoop for Barcelona playmaker Ivan Rakitic if current Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone takes the Stamford Bridge hot seat.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Don Balon (via Marc Brus of Metro), which stated that the Argentinian is a huge fan of Rakitic, and although he failed in his attempts to bring him to Madrid, he’s hoping it’ll be second time lucky at Chelsea.

Simeone is said to have agreed to take over as Chelsea manager for the start of the next season—per OK Diario (via Sean Kearns of Metro)—and that’s thrown plenty of big names into the Blues rumour mill.

However, none is bigger than Rakitic, who has become an integral cog in Barcelona’s perfectly oiled machine.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

His link-up play with Barca’s mercurial front three, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, has caused endless problems for La Liga defences this term, while his ability going backwards is equally impressive.

However, Brus wrote that the capture of Arda Turan in the summer means Rakitic is no longer “indispensable” to the Catalan giants, and that much will encourage Chelsea to put a big bid on the table.

The Barcelona manager may disagree with that theory, though, as SportsKeeda revealed that the 27-year-old is the most-chosen player under Luis Enrique’s leadership.

It’s not difficult to see why, either, and even if Simeone does take the helm at Chelsea, he’ll need to table an astronomical bid to get Rakitic in blue.

Elsewhere, the Blues are reportedly looking to see off interest from Manchester City and Barcelona to sign Dutch starlet Riechedly Bazoer—via Adrian Kajumba of Daily Mirror.

The 19-year-old is a product of the Ajax youth system, yet he’s come of age this season with some powerful, dynamic performances in the heart of the first team’s midfield.

Kajumba reported that Bazoer’s brother and agent Irchandley was at Chelsea’s Surrey training ground to discuss a transfer—believed to be worth around £24 million.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Chelsea have shown signs of resurgence under Guus Hiddink, but it’s likely to be too little, too late for them to reach the Premier League’s top four.

Without Champions League football, whoever takes over at Chelsea could find it difficult to lure the biggest names in the game to Stamford Bridge.

Of course, the Blues could still qualify by winning the tournament itself. Their mission to do so continues on March 9, as they try to reverse a 2-1 deficit to French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge.