Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Gianluigi Donnarumma, Radja Nainggolan Rumours

The agent of reported Chelsea target Gianluigi Donnarumma has insisted the teenage AC Milan goalkeeper is worth £30 million to any prospective suitors.

Chelsea have been linked with 17-year-old Donnarumma, as have Premier League rivals Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail's Kieran Gill. He also noted how potentially incoming new Blues manager Antonio Conte "admires" the Rossoneri stopper.

It's an admiration the player's agent, Mino Raiola, understandably shares. Speaking to Italian publication Gazetta dello Sport (h/t Liam Spence of the Daily Express), Raiola made it clear just how much his precocious client is worth: “But I don’t know anything about this story. But if it’s true that there’s an offer of €38m (£30m), well I’d invest that money in signing Gigione.”

Chelsea may come to share Raiola's view if current No. 1 Thibaut Courtois departs at the end of the season. The Belgian recently hinted at a possible exit during an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF (h/t Sky Sports' Peter Gilbert).

Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press

Courtois leaving Stamford Bridge gathered steam as a rumour recently when La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid were both heavily linked with the commanding 'keeper.

Sergi Font of Spanish publication Marca detailed Barca's interest, while AS, also of Spain (h/t Alex Terrell of the Sun), revealed Los Blancos' willingness to splash the cash on Courtois.

If Courtois does return to Spain's top flight, where he once starred for Atletico Madrid, Chelsea will obviously need a replacement. It makes sense the club would be tempted by Donnarumma, a player already prompting rave reviews despite his tender years.

His situation at Milan will only fuel more transfer rumours. Recently, Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Metro's Sean Kearns) reported the Rossoneri may be forced into a sale due to huge financial losses. But the Serie A side would still want around £32 million for their talented goalie.

It's a price Chelsea could easily afford, and one that would net the club a burgeoning star. But the presence of Asmir Begovic, Courtois' backup, who could easily be a more than dependable No. 1, as well as other issues in the squad, should give Chelsea pause before stumping up the cash.

The Blues need at least one new centre-back and a full-back to refresh an ageing and cumbersome defence. Help would also be welcome in the attacking areas of midfield, along with a new striker or two.

That's a big to-do list for any club.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Sticking with Begovic and finding a reasonably priced deputy, before fixing the problems in the outfield, may be the better bet for a club that has endured a disastrous defence of the league title this season.

Radja Nainggolan Quells Transfer Rumours

One player who could stabilise things among the outfield 10 is AS Roma's midfield powerhouse Radja Nainggolan. But the Belgian destroyer has taken to Twitter (h/t the Daily Star's Alex Harris) to rebuff suggestions he is set for a move to the Bridge: "If I have not yet spoken with any club, why would I talk to my friends?"

According to Harris, Nainggolan's denial comes hot on the heels of a story from Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard that reported the 27-year-old is near the top of Chelsea's summer shopping list: "Nainggolan is highly rated by Antonio Conte, who is expected to be named as Chelsea’s next permanent manager."

Johnson also stated how the interest is mutual: "He has been talking to friends about the possibility of joining the Blues and has not ruled out a move to the Premier League."

Nainggolan is a suitable target for a squad that has experienced a surprising amount of issues in the holding midfield role during this campaign. The position was one of strength during the march to last season's title, but Nemanja Matic has gone off the boil this season, while John Obi Mikel remains limited in many matches.

By contrast, Nainggolan is a consistently capable performer. But at the price being discussed, "around £35 million," according to Johnson, Chelsea should bank on Matic, a player the same age as Nainggolan, returning to form under a new manager next season.

Both Donnarumma and Nainggolan will look like natural targets if Conte takes over from Guus Hiddink as boss. But any new manager ought to look at some of the incumbents in Chelsea's talented yet underachieving squad and realise the club's money would be better spent bolstering other key positions.