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Chelsea Transfer News: Dante Reveals Blues Dream, Latest Eden Hazard Rumours
November 7, 2015
Chelsea may find their ability to lure top talent stunted by this season's poor performance, but Wolfsburg defender Dante has revealed his dream to play for the Blues, while Real Madrid's interest in Eden Hazard is growing.
Speaking in a FIFA question-and-answer session on Saturday, former Bayern Munich centre-back Dante professed his desire to represent a "big club," picking out Chelsea as his outfit of choice:
Some Bayern fans might take offence to the Brazil international's possible suggestion they don't qualify as a big club in Dante's eyes, but Chelsea might have their attention piqued by his interest.
The 32-year-old moved to the Volkswagen Arena last summer for a reported fee of €4.5 million, and if Chelsea were looking to boost their defensive options this winter, his services may be deemed worthy of exploration.
Dante won the Bundesliga title three years in succession between 2013 and 2015, racking up 133 appearances for Der FCB during his three-year stay at the Allianz Arena.
The veteran could be considered past his peak considering his age, but Bleacher Report's Stefan Bienkowski recently hailed Dante as one of the more impressive performers during a Bundesliga encounter against his former club:
John Terry has courted some criticism as one of Chelsea's more disappointing performers this season, and the ex-England international turns 35 in December leading up to the expiration of his Chelsea contract in June.
Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill have started as manager Jose Mourinho's preferred centre-back pairing at times this season, with the club already planning to deal with Terry's potential departure from Stamford Bridge.
Of course, the west London giants may not have Dante on their radar as a 2016 recruit, but his preference to represent the Blues will undoubtedly aid the club should they wish to chase his signature in future.
Latest rumour surrounding Chelsea also claims Real are picking up interest in Hazard as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to talkSPORT (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express).
The two-time Chelsea Player of the Year has been linked with a 2016 transfer to Real Madrid, and Short's report mentions Paris Saint-Germain as a possible destination for Ronaldo, as well as Major League Soccer.
Mourinho has dropped his star winger from his starting XI on three occasions this season, calling into question just how valued the Belgian is following a stuttered start to the campaign.
Spanish football writer Rafael Hernandez suggested previous references to the player being a possible Ballon d'Or contender in future may be wide of the mark:
Despite his lack of form, Hazard may still be coveted by Los Merengues in the hope they can revive the 24-year-old to his former best, scoring 19 goals in 52 appearances last season.
Chelsea will be tough negotiators when it comes to tempting away one of their most prized assets, but the indecision surrounding their 2015-16 campaign, which sees them sitting 16th in the Premier League, could alter their stance.