Arsenal plan stunning raid on Chelsea as Houssem Aouar hopes fade

Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reported to be planning a surprise raid for Jorginho should Chelsea show any willingness to let the Italy midfielder leave.

The Blues have taken their summer spending soaring towards the £250m mark. Edouard Mendy is the latest addition in a busy summer for Frank Lampard’s side.

However, Chelsea are not done there yet.

Wednesday’s Paper Talk claims Lampard remains desperate to get his hands on Declan Rice. Prising the star from West Ham though won’t come cheap. Chelsea are likely to have spend £70m on the player. The England man could yet end up costing a club-record £75m fee if the Hammers play hardball.

In order to further their chances, transfer expert Ian McGarry reckons Chelsea will listen to offers to some of their stars.

One of the names mentioned by McGarry was N’Golo Kante. However, Lampard has publicly gone on record to say the World Cup winner remains a vital cog in his side.

“I think pretty much every club in the world would want N’Golo Kante,” the Chelsea boss told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I have seen those reports as well. He is an incredible player and person and I certainly don’t want to lose him. He’s fundamental in terms of what I’m trying to do.”

As a result, Sky Sports believe fellow midfielder Jorginho is far more likely to move on.

The former Napoli man has seen his name regularly linked with a move back to Italy during his two years at Stamford Bridge.

However, Sky Sports claim Jorginho’s name has come up in conversations between Arteta and technical director Edu.

The Gunners are very much in the market for a midfield dictator and have Houssem Aouar firmly at the top of their list.

Lyon appear unwilling to negotiate on their €60m asking price, while another suitor has entered the running.

 

And should they fail to convince Lyon to accept a lower price, then a move for Jorginho could be next on their agenda.

Arteta is a big fan of the midfielder having convinced Pep Guardiola to try and sign him at Man City.

City missed out to Chelsea at the time – much to their frustration. However, Arteta remains an admirer of the 23-times capped Italy international.

Sky Sports suggest that any suggestion that Chelsea are willing to sell Jorginho will see Arsenal make their move.

Any deal is not likely to come cheap with the Blues likely to seek a fee of at least £45m.

 

READ MORE: Thiago Silva names important influences behind Chelsea transfer

 

Villa interest in Loftus-Cheek, Barkley

Reports on Thursday, meanwhile, suggested Aston Villa were keen on both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley.

Villa head coach Dean Smith reportedly wants to round off the transfer window by bringing in a new No 8 on loan.

Barkley and Loftus-Cheek are his top targets, but Premier League rules mean he can only sign one of the players.

Should Villa move for Barkley, Chelsea have demanded that interested clubs pay the England international‘s £120,000 salary. However, Villa are “reluctant” to agree, meaning the deal could be off the cards.

Barkley has appeared on the substitutes’ bench in Chelsea’s two Premier League games so far this season. However, he starred in Wednesday’s 6-0 win over Barnsley, notching his side’s third goal.

Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, started the Blues’ 3-1 win over Brighton but has not featured in either squad since.

 

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