Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on John Terry, Diego Costa Rumours
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has revealed he was interested in signing Chelsea captain John Terry in the January transfer window and has hinted he'd be keen to bring the veteran to the Hawthorns in the summer.
The centre-back's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and given Terry has struggled for minutes this term, speculation has gathered pace over a possible exit. Baggies boss Pulis was candid when discussing his admiration and interest in the 36-year-old.
"There was no approach made," Pulis said of the January inquiry, per James Dale of Sky Sports. "It was just finding out what the situation was, and the situation was that John wanted to stay at Chelsea. I think he wanted to be there and stay there and be part of going out as a champion."
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Pulis added that "if he becomes available in the summer, we'll sit down then and have a little think about" a making an offer.
As noted by Liam Twomey of ESPN FC, when Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was asked about Terry's future at his press conference on Friday, he was giving nothing away:
While the defender evidently has a lot of affinity for the London club, with just four starts in the Premier League this season, he has a big decision to make over his future.
According to Matt Hughes of The Times, while Terry has previously suggested he would not play for any other Premier League club, the Blues captain has had second thoughts about joining another English outfit. That could open the door for West Brom.
Conte's 3-4-3 setup can leave centre-backs a little exposed, and for a player in the twilight of his career like Terry, that's not ideal. However, in a defensively minded side like the Baggies, where he would be protected and able to organise, the veteran may have something to offer yet.
Diego Costa Replacement Rumours
According to Tony Banks of the Daily Express, Chelsea are already making plans for the summer should Diego Costa depart, with Real Madrid man Alvaro Morata and Swansea City forward Fernando Llorente linked.
In the report, Banks broke down the Blues' summer plans, suggesting the likes of Atalanta's Franck Kessie, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson are all on their radar.
It's also stated a rejig of the attack may be on the cards, with both Costa and Michy Batshuayi linked with exits.
Costa has been in awesome form at the point of the Blues attack this season, bullying opposition centre-backs, working hard and providing a splendid foil for Chelsea's other attackers. As these numbers from the Premier League Twitter account show, he sticks the ball in the back of the net regularly too:
It's not all been plain sailing for the Spain international, though. Earlier in the season, he was reportedly axed by Conte for the trip to Leicester City following a row over fitness and consequently tipped to depart. However, Costa has since been reintegrated into the side and is back among the goals again.
Replacing the striker would be a huge challenge, as he brings so many positive attributes to the Blues in the final third. With that in mind, perhaps that's why Chelsea may already be putting contingency plans in place.
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