Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Kwadwo Asamoah, Gonzalo Higuain, Top Rumours

Chelsea reportedly want to secure the signing of versatile Juventus man Kwadwo Asamoah in a deal that could reach €25 million.

That’s according to Alberto Mauro of Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Gazzetta World), who said the Italian champions would be “more than willing” to accept that kind of money for a player who has fallen down the pecking order in Turin.

While his stock is low at the moment, the Ghana international was outstanding at Juve under the tutelage of Antonio Conte, who will take over at Chelsea next season. Here are the kind of qualities he can bring to a team when at full flight:

Asamoah would be a very useful player to have around the squad. The 27-year-old is adept at doing a variety of different jobs, especially on the left flank, where he is comfortable slotting into defence or further forward. He plays with an industry and energy that few in Serie A can match, too.

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Additionally, there were times under Conte, and during his games with the national team, when Asamoah was a force in central midfield as a box-to-box presence. Given Chelsea’s lack of energy in this area of the field, perhaps that’s something the Italian may look to address if he could land his former player.

As Goal’s Liam Twomey noted recently, the Blues haven’t quite been able to strike the right balance in midfield under interim boss Guus Hiddink:

Chelsea are also reportedly set to reshape their options up front, with AS (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star) having stated they will cash in on striker Diego Costa and launch a £38 million bid for Napoli man Gonzalo Higuain.

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Costa has endured a mixed season, having started poorly before coming to life in the second half of the campaign. It’s suggested by Williams a return to former club Atletico Madrid is an option for the Spain international, while there is also said to be interest in the player from the Chinese Super League.

Higuain, meanwhile, has been one of the hottest strikers in world football this season, netting goals at an extraordinary rate in Serie A. Bleacher Report UK summed up what has been a campaign to remember for the former Real Madrid man:

If Chelsea were to move one out and bring the other in, it’d mean a shift in playing style. These numbers illustrate the differences between Costa and Higuain, the former a battering-ram of a forward and the latter a stealthy operator in the penalty area:

	Costa	Higuain
Apps (Sub)	27 (1)	34
Goals	12	33
Assists	6	2
Shots per game	2.4	5.2
Key passes per game	1.1	1.5
Dribbles per game	1.4	1.4
Aerial duels won per game	1.5	0.3

As well as a change at the very top of the pitch, there could also be some shifts at the very base of it. That’s according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, who has reported goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is interested in a summer transfer to Real Madrid, although Chelsea will do their utmost to keep him on board. 

“Incoming boss Conte is acutely aware of the situation and will look for assurances from the Belgium international keeper,” added Cross, also noting the Blues value their star stopper at upwards of £50 million.

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It’s not been the best of seasons for Courtois, having suffered with injuries, suspensions and a loss of form. Indeed, when you consider just how well Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has performed this term, you do wonder why Real would be interested in splashing so much on a possible replacement, per OptaJose:

Asamoah could be a savvy capture for Chelsea given his playing style, adaptability and familiarity with Conte’s methods. Still, the sum mentioned seems excessive for a player who has been far from his best for the past couple of campaigns. The Blues would surely seek to negotiate a less substantial transfer fee.

Higuain will be tough to prise away from Napoli, especially with no UEFA Champions League football on offer at Stamford Bridge next season. In Costa, the club already has a forward who is effective and well-suited to English football; to lose him, with little in reserve as it is, would be a big blow to the new Blues manager.