Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on John Terry and Gianluigi Donnarumma

Shanghai SIPG, managed by former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, reportedly want to sign Blues captain John Terry in January.

According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, the Chinese Super League outfit are hoping to lure the 35-year-old to the club to become a key part of Villas-Boas’ setup. It’s noted Shanghai’s interest in Terry is longstanding, with the veteran having rejected a two-year deal from the club earlier in the year worth a potential £12 million.

As reported by Lewis, Terry and Villas-Boas didn’t see eye-to-eye during the Portuguese’s stint at Chelsea during the 2011-12 season; the Portuguese coach was sacked after just nine months at Stamford Bridge. However, it’s stated the manager is keen to bury the hatchet.

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Terry’s future will no doubt be a big topic of discussion in the weeks to come. The centre-back’s contract with the Blues expires at the end of the season, and under Antonio Conte the team looks to have found a system that’s not reliant on the captain.

As noted by NBC’s Roger Bennett, since being thrashed 3-0 by Arsenal earlier in the campaign, Conte’s team haven’t looked back:

The 3-4-3 formation being deployed requires dynamic defenders who can cover ground quickly, which is why the likes of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta have all flourished as a back three. Terry, while still a dependable option, needs protection around him at this stage of his career.

In the report it’s also noted that Kurt Zouma is close to returning from his injury layoff, meaning Terry will be even further down the pecking order. Having been associated with the Blues for so long, it seems as though a new challenge may finally be on the cards for the Chelsea icon.

Gianluigi Donnarumma Discussed by Juventus

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According to reports in the Italian press (h/t Adam Shergold of the MailOnline), Juventus have emerged as possible rivals to Chelsea for AC Milan star Gianluigi Donnarumma.

As noted in the piece, Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport have all linked the 17-year-old sensation to the Italian champions. Corriere dello Sport (h/t Goal) reported last month that Chelsea would rival Real Madrid for the teenager.

Per Daniele Longo of CalcioMercato.com (translated by Steve Mitchell), Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta also hinted the Bianconceri may be interested in signing the Italy international. “Over the past 20 years, Juventus has always had the goalkeeper of the national team and before that there was Dino Zoff,” he said. “We would like to continue on this road.”

Donnarumma was drafted into the Milan team when he was just 16 last season and has thrived, turning in a string of stunning performances. Here’s a look at what he can offer:

Juventus currently have one of the finest goalkeepers in the world in Gianluigi Buffon, although given he’s 39 in January, it’d be no surprise to see the club thinking hard about a replacement. However, the veteran recently offered some intriguing advice to the youngster when asked about a possible switch, per Bleacher Report UK:

Conte will be well aware of the qualities the youngster possesses and, potentially, the long-term consistency he would bring to a team between the sticks. Donnarumma, after all, already emits the aura of a seasoned professional and is surely set for a career at the top of the game.

It’s not an area of the squad the Blues need to address with any great urgency, though, with Thibaut Courtois recovering from a poor run of form to show his world-class credentials recently. Donnarumma, still in the early stages of his playing days, surely requires some stability in his career too.