Chelsea Transfer News: Top Rumours on Christmas Day

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder and reported Chelsea transfer target Marco Verratti is negotiating a new contract with the Ligue 1 champions, according to his agent.

Donato Di Campli confirmed the news in an interview with Goal (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata):

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[Verratti] has not received proposals from other clubs.

It’s true, we talk with PSG. However, there is no signature yet. We are in the right direction for an extension.

Marco is aware that he is in the middle of a very important project.

"

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro's Mark Brus), the Blues have already made an offer for the 23-year-old, who Di Campli believes will cost at least £72 million, per Malata.

Verratti has quickly become one of Europe's top central midfielders in France, after making the move to PSG from Pescara in 2012. A playmaker not unlike the legendary Andrea Pirlo, he displays incredible passing range and sets himself apart with his willingness to work on the defensive side of the ball.

He has a tendency to get a little too eager, which results in a lot of bookings, but as he gets older and more experienced, he should learn when to bring his intensity down a notch. Here's a look at what he's been up to in Paris:

Bleacher Report UK's Andrew Gibney is a fan of this move:

Verratti would be a superb transfer target for just about any club, and his physical approach in midfield and passing range would be a welcome addition to a Chelsea squad that has struggled so far in the 2015-16 campaign.

The midfield in particular has been poor, with Cesc Fabregas not finding his form and Nemanja Matic unable to take care of everything on his own.

But the Italian seems highly unlikely to move. He's the heart and soul of PSG's midfield, and Les Parisiens aren't exactly a small club. Running away with the Ligue 1 title, the defending French champions have been in superb form all season long and currently sit on top of Bleacher Report's European club rankings, via Sam Tighe and Marcus Speller:

PSG are backed by the financial might of Qatar Sports Investments, and if there's one thing the club isn't lacking, it's money. Unless Verratti openly asks for a transfer, he won't be leaving the French capital anytime soon.

Lazio Want Kurt Zouma Loan

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Lazio are reportedly looking at Chelsea starlet Kurt Zouma as a short-term option to bolster their defence, despite the Frenchman's status as a regular starter for the Blues.

Corriere dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT) claims the Serie A club still believe he's available, as new Blues interim manager Guus Hiddink could look to shake things up defensively in an effort to turn the club's season around.

Lazio's defence has been a disaster since the loss of centre-back Stefan de Vrij to injury, and they've already conceded 26 goals in Serie A this season, the most out of any club in the top half of the standings, per WhoScored.com.

The team are desperate to sign a top defender in January, but these rumours are making it sound as if the club is clutching at straws.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Per Football Italia, Lalaziosiamonoi.it even suggested the club was approached to sign Zouma, an absurd suggestion given the former Saint-Etienne man's position at Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old ranks among the top defensive prospects in English football―it makes no sense whatsoever for Chelsea to approach other clubs to offer his services.

There's little doubt Lazio would be interested in signing Zouma on loan, and they'll likely contact the Blues hoping they can convince the club to send the Frenchman to Rome for six months. As mentioned before, the Italians are desperate, and they'll pay good money for a six-month deal if they have to.

But unless Hiddink is planning massive changes that would result in a decrease in playing time, it's hard to see Chelsea moving Zouma anytime soon.

The Blues would have to add at least one extra defender and move back to the partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry just to find a reason to send Zouma away.

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