Chelsea Transfer News: Franco Vazquez Interest Revealed by Palermo, Top Rumours

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has revealed Chelsea are one of three teams hoping to sign Franco Vazquez in the January transfer window.

The attacking midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2014-15, lighting up Serie A with his intricate playmaking skills and superb dribbling. According to Zamparini, he’s a player who has caught the attention of a host of illustrious names in European football, including the Blues, per Italian radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli (h/t Mark Brus of Metro):

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Vazquez is the best Italian trequartista at the moment. No-one can turn their nose up when he’s compared to [Michel] Platini. He’s a player in great demand, and if he continues to perform as he has been I think this will be his last season in pink.

Milan, Inter and Chelsea want him as soon as the winter transfer window, but no-one will move in January.

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Alongside Paulo Dybala, who earned a big money move to Juventus after his own dazzling campaign for Palermo last season, Vazquez formed a supreme attacking duo for the Rosanero. Here’s a reminder of some of his standout moments:

Without Dybala, Vazquez hasn’t been quite as effective this season, although he’s still managed to accrue one goal and four assists in 10 appearances for Palermo this term. With a dynamic forward player making darting runs in front of him a la Dybala, the 26-year-old has the potential to be an even more positive influence in attacking areas.

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However, as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, it seems as though Vazquez is beginning to relish the added responsibility handed to him this season:

With Zamparini not keen on selling in the January window it looks as though the Blues will have to wait until the summer if there are any genuine intentions of making a bid. The Italian has the guile and intricacy to spruce up the Chelsea attack, but with the likes of Oscar, Cesc Fabregas, Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro all fighting for places, regular football surely wouldn’t be guaranteed.

Juan Cuadrado Close to Permanent Juventus Switch

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According to “multiple outlets in Italy” cited by ESPN FC, Chelsea’s Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado is close to making his loan switch to Juventus a permanent transfer.

It’s reported that Cuadrado’s agent, Alessandro Lucci, will hold talks with Bianconeri chiefs about completing a transfer this weekend. Although there is no clause in the winger’s loan agreement regarding a permanent deal, all parties are hopeful a switch can be completed soon, according to the piece.

For Cuadrado, it’s a move that would make sense, as he seems to be well out of favour under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. By contrast, during his time in Serie A with Fiorentina, the Colombian was a key figure, as we can see here:

Indeed, the capture of the Chelsea man has been a rare positive in what’s been a dreary season so far for Juve. The Italian champions are really struggling to cope after the sale of key players such as Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo in the summer. Cuadrado has tried to take responsibility with some fine days, but support for him has been scarce.

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Nevertheless, as we can see here courtesy of OptaPaolo, Serie A seems a much better fit for his talents than the Premier League:

It’s a shame things didn’t work out for Cuadrado at Chelsea, for at his best he could have provided the Blues with an edge that is currently lacking. They may have to take a hit on the big money they paid to land the 27-year-old last January, but with so many quality attacking midfielders, it’s not a sale that will hit the Blues too hard.