Your morning Chelsea transfer round-up on Monday, July 10.
Ferdinand claim
Rio Ferdinand has explained why Chelsea were wrong to offload Mateo Kovacic. Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, the former Manchester United defender highlighted the Croatia international's 'shrewd' price tag and what he'll offer Manchester City.
"Man City, Kovacic is a great signing," said Ferdinand. "Obviously they've lost Gundogan, the captain, but I think Kovacic is a shrewd signing, at that price as well. I think he was £30m and in the current market, that's huge business, great business.
"He's full of experience, won the biggest trophies, and a different player to what they have got in that area. He can travel with the ball through the lines, so I think he's a good signing. I think they'll go again, City, somewhere else [in the squad]."
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Dybala endorsed
Thiago Silva has given Chelsea the green light to sign Paulo Dybala this summer. The 29-year-old forward has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently as Mauricio Pochettino hopes to further bolster his frontline options.
Speaking to Sky Sports during a visit to Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the veteran defender said: "I saw Paulo Dybala here, they talk about him at Chelsea. I hope he arrives. I’ve talked with him and asked him if he is coming. He is a world class player.
"Normally we speak in Spanish or Portuguese. I asked him if he wanted to come to Chelsea, but he didn't want to answer. He is a champion. If he were to come, he would give a great hand."
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READ MORE: Didier Drogba intervenes in Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea striker transfer plan with surprise request
Vlahovic swap deal
Chelsea have been handed a huge boost to their hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic this summer. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently, with Mauricio Pochettino said to still be in the market for a striker despite having already signed Nicolas Jackson.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have informed the Blues that they can sign Vlahovic for just €25million (£21million) if Romelu Lukaku is included in a player plus cash swap deal. The report states that the Belgium international has already told Juventus that he's open to a move to Turin, so now Massimiliano Allegri's side are expected to try and close a deal with the Blues by offering up the Serbian.
Vlahovic, who sees his contract at the Allianz Stadium expire in 2026, featured 27 times for Juventus in the Serie A last season, finding the net ten times. Despite his misfortunes in front of goal, the Serbia international has reportedly courted the interest of Chelsea.
Read the full story here.
