Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Major Names Linked to Blues

Chelsea will reportedly face stiff competition in the race for Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel this summer.

The Belgian has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge for some time, and the Blues even held talks with Zenit over a £23 million deal last summer, according to Kieran Gill of MailOnline.

However, AC Milan will be looking to steal Witsel from under Chelsea’s nose, as Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Alex Wood of Daily Star) claimed the Italian giants are preparing a summer swoop.

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The 27-year-old has been one of Zenit’s standout performers this term, with his versatility proving a handy tool to the Russian side.

Witsel is at home anywhere in midfield—from playing the holding role to pushing forward—while his defensive credentials have also been put to the test in 2015/16. Here’s a look at what the Belgian can bring to the Premier League:

Witsel’s contract in Russia expires at the end of next season, but the player himself recently told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure (via Wood) that he’s ready to move on to bigger and better things in 2016:

“I still have a contract for one more year come June and the club know how I feel. I would like to play in a bigger league. I cannot say that I will 100 per cent leave, but we have not held talks over a new deal and my intention is to leave this summer.”

That has put the likes of Chelsea and AC Milan on red alert, and they could well snap Witsel up for a cut-price deal.

As just one season is left on his current deal, the midfielder said he isn’t expecting a big-money bidding war to take place in the summer:

“When a player has just one year left on his contract, a club cannot demand too much money. I don’t think Zenit will be asking €40 million for me.”

The Blues will look to get a deal across the line before this summer’s European Championships, where Witsel will undoubtedly increase his demand.

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From incomings to potential outgoings now, as Juventus are reportedly looking to lure Willian and Eden Hazard to Serie A—per Tuttosport (via Mark Brus of Metro).

The Italian champions have been linked with Oscar in previous seasons, and now they are interested in two others.

Unlike the Witsel transfer, landing one of Hazard or Willian will likely cost a pretty penny, with a combined fee that could be above the £100 million mark.

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Stamford Bridge is unlikely to host any Champions League football next term, which gives an incentive to the club’s top players to head for the exit door.

The Blues powers-that-be, then, need to ensure they keep hold of their prized assets to push back towards the European elite in 2016/17.

Chelsea return to action against bottom club Aston Villa on April 2, before tricky encounters with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Leicester City close out their forgettable campaign.