Chelsea Transfer News: Calling True or False on 10 Big Rumoured January Deals

When your club is as big as Chelsea FC and there's a transfer window open, anything could happen.

You only have to go back a year ago and look at the January transfer of Fernando Torres to know that Chelsea still have the financial clout to pretty much sign whoever they want, whenever they want.

So why are we always so sceptical about January transfer rumours?

I would have laughed my head off at the beginning of January 2011 if someone said that Torres would have moved from Liverpool to Chelsea.

That shows what I know.

Chelsea have had their fair share of gossip already this month and have probably made the biggest move so far in signing Gary Cahill from the Bolton Wanderers.

Now the dust has settled on the Cahill story, I decided to work my way through some remaining transfer talk and deliver my verdict on whether the moves will happen or not.

One thing that's always important to remember is just because someone says they're staying, doesn't mean they are.

Alex

It's no secret that Queen's Park Rangers made a bid for transfer listed Alex, but a gulf in personal terms has meant the move will not go ahead and Mark Hughes is left to go back to the drawing board.

It now appears that Carlo Ancelotti's Paris St Germain are interested in the Brazilian, and Ancelotti will know what his money is getting having managed Alex at Chelsea.

I thoroughly expect this deal to go ahead over the coming days, so I'm calling this one TRUE.

Willian

Shakhtar Donestsk have apparently rejected an offer from Chelsea for striker Willian.

What's odd is that on Sunday January 22nd, Andres Villas Boas seemed to suggest Chelsea weren't interested in the player right now due to him being cup tied for the Champions League.

What a strange turn around then on Monday 23rd January when Sky Sports news confirmed that a Chelsea bid for the player had been rejected.

It seems AVB was trying to keep the deal quiet but failed miserably.

The question now is whether Chelsea will go back in with an improved offer, as it is believed that Shakhtar are wanting £29 million for the player.

I think they will, so I'm also calling this one TRUE.

Frank Lampard

Manchester United were apparently sniffing around Frank Lampard following rumours of unrest after he was dropped for a few games by Villas Boas, but more recently Lampard has been linked with a move to PSG.

AVB has dismissed any rumours of a fall out between himself and Lampard, but it seems AVB can't be wholly believed now anyway following the Willian story.

Nevertheless I can't see Lampard going anywhere—ever.

He's in the twilight of his career and he should see out his playing days at the club he's become synonymous with.

Chelsea and Lampard are one, so I'm calling this move FALSE.

Didier Drogba

China beckoned for Nicholas Anelka and the speculation was that Didier Drogba would do the same.

Currently away on African Cup of Nations duty with Cote d'Ivoire, Drogba has released a statement saying that despite the rumours he will not be leaving Chelsea until June at least.

Drogba seems to be favoured with Daniel Sturridge over misfiring Fernando Torres.

He's getting pitch time so why go anywhere?

I'm trusting in Didier and calling the talk of him leaving in January as FALSE.

Marek Hamsik

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik was reported to be interested in a move to Chelsea according to Metro.

In July 2011, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis put a price tag on Hamsik of £88 million, which suggests the Italian club won't be letting him go on the cheap.

Chelsea are unlikely to fork out that kind of money in the January window so I'm calling this rumour definitely FALSE.

Hulk

FC Porto forward Hulk is another player in the £80+ million bracket as his club have stuck an £84 million price tag on his head.

Hulk apparently is not ruling out a move to Chelsea to be reunited with his former boss, but whilst this story has more legs than the Hamsik one, I still think Hulk will be a Porto player come February.

Hulk declared:-

"

"You never know what tomorrow will bring, but if one day there was an attractive offer for me and the club, there would be no problem to reach an agreement, as long as it is amicable."

"

I'm calling this move in January as FALSE, but I expect to see Hulk in a Chelsea shirt next season if AVB is still around.

Lucas Ocampos

River Plate winger Lucas Ocampos is allegedly being tracked by Chelsea and is valued at £8 million by his parent club.

This article is odd because it states that River Plate value the midfielder at £8 million, but rejected a bid from Inter Milan this month for £15 million.

If Chelsea want him it sounds like they're going to have to stump up some serious cash for an unproven 17 year-old who could turn out to be over hyped.

I can't see this deal happening either and am calling it FALSE. Maybe in the Summer, but definitely not in the next week.

Milos Krasic

There certainly seems to be more weight in this deal involving Chelsea than there is in Krasic's proposed move to Liverpool.

National team mate Branislav Ivanovic has been touted as the one to help persuade Krasic put pen to paper for the Blues and move to England.

AVB apparently wants Krasic on a loan deal whereas Juventus are believed to prefer a permanent switch, but there is no figure mentioned.

With Krasic short of playing opportunities as Juventus, I'm saying this move in January is TRUE as long as Juventus let him go on loan.

If the Old Lady holds out for a permanent move then the January switch will become FALSE.

Eden Hazard

It appears that Chelsea's attempt to sign Eden Hazard from French Ligue One outfit Lille has been shelved for the time being.

Hazard was priced at £40 million earlier in the season when it became apparent that a number of clubs were chasing his signature, but reports this month had suggested that Chelsea had approached the player and even agreed personal terms before being set to bid £25 million for his services

This latest story suggests that was not the case and Andres Villas Boas will not be bidding for Hazard before the end of January.

This is one I will call TRUE. I don't see Hazard going anywhere until the Summer.

Lucas Moura

Finally we end with Brazilian Lucas Moura, who earlier this month was linked with Chelsea in a 35 million EURO bid.

No such bid has seemingly been forthcoming and according to the report, Moura wants to stay in his homeland until 2014.

There hasn't been any recent speculation that I could find regarding Moura and Chelsea, other than to say that Inter Milan were considering a bid for the player at the request of Lucio.

I'm calling this speculation as FALSE. I can't see Moura going anywhere for a good few years.

After Thoughts

So it seems after all that Alex is likely to leave and Willian is likely to arrive.

Chelsea will have to wait until Summer to say goodbye to Didier Drogba and hello to Hulk.

Milos Krasic is my outside bet for a possible move this January still, but it will all depend on whether Juventus will be a little flexible on their terms.

Hazard is certainly going to move in the Summer if you believe what you read, and Chelsea have more than a chance of signing the highly thought of youngster.

All in all, it looks as though Chelsea might be busier than others this month, but Summer is where the real deals are at for the Stamford Bridge boys.

Thanks for reading and follow me on twitter @petercwebster where I post all my b/r content.

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