Chelsea Transfer News: Jonathan Calleri Switch Imminent, Latest Blues Rumours

Boca Juniors’ impressive young forward Jonathan Calleri could be set to play one more game for the club, with the Chelsea target said to be close to completing a move to England.

Deportes Telam (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness) said the president of the club has admitted a January departure is on the cards for the 22-year-old. It’s written in the aforementioned piece Calleri “has practically sealed his incorporation to English football for a fee of around $10 million (£6.62 million).”

As noted by Coast, no English team is named directly in the piece, although French newspaper L’Equipe (h/t Sport Witness) has previously claimed Chelsea have agreed a deal for the player.

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Here’s a look at what Calleri, a skilful striker who has thrived alongside Carlos Tevez at La Bombonera, is capable of producing:

There are definitely attributes in place that would appeal to teams such as Chelsea. Calleri is mobile, has an excellent touch and makes snappy decisions in the attacking third. They’re qualities that have been a huge boost for Boca throughout 2015 as they were recently crowned as champions of Argentina.

Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror thinks that after the success of players such as Juventus’ Paulo Dybala, who was sensational for Palermo after a move from Instituto in 2012, top teams will be more willing to gamble on players from South America:

A move to England and especially Chelsea would be a big step for Calleri. Not only is the standard of play a lot higher in the Premier League, but the Blues don’t have the finest reputation when it comes to blooding young players.

Manager Jose Mourinho typically operates with one striker, and while Diego Costa has failed to find his best form this term, he’s a player more likely to tick boxes in the eyes of the Blues boss. A loan move after signing would suit Calleri so he can get minutes, but so many players in the past have followed this path at Stamford Bridge and ended up in football obscurity.

Amadou Diawara’s Agent Confirms Blues' "Strong Interest"

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Chelsea could make Amadou Diawara their first January signing, with the teenager’s agent revealing there is genuine interest from the Blues.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Liam Spence of the Daily Express) the champions have focused their intentions on landing the 18-year-old Bologna man after sending scouts to run the rule over him this term. Robert Visan, Diawara’s representative, told Tuttomercatoweb that Chelsea are in the hunt, but there are a lot of admirers, per Spence:

"

There is a strong interest of Chelsea.

I work with Pini Zahavi, who everyone knows, but that does not mean that will he will go to Chelsea.

Also the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Juventus follow him [but] with them I never speak of offers, only football.

But now, I repeat, he is indebted to Bologna.

"

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Despite his tender years, Diawara has been excellent for the Serie A side this term, featuring in all 13 of their league games so far.

Stylistically, he’s an enforcer in the middle of the park, using his athleticism and understanding of the game to cut out opposition passes then carry the ball into dangerous positions for his own side.

While getting in an burgeoning young player from the continent would excite the Stamford Bridge faithful, it’s worth remembering they have a lot of brilliant academy prospects of their own.

As noted by OptaJoe towards the end of last season, the Blues do have a dearth of English talent in their squad at the moment:

Someone like Diawara has the potential to become an excellent player, but so do prospects such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is currently struggling to get a look-in at Stamford Bridge.

Given the obvious quality in the Chelsea academy, a team that won the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League last season, it’d be refreshing to see some of those players given an overdue chance.