Paper Talk: Chelsea close on Teixeira but may face Vardy fight

Mark Holmes
Alex Teixeira: Signing for Chinese club

Alex Teixeira: Signing for Chinese club

Chelsea are apparently closing on the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk forward Alex Teixeira but could face competition from Manchester City for Jamie Vardy.

MAN CITY COULD RIVAL CHELSEA FOR VARDY

Chelsea could face competition from Manchester City for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy next month, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Vardy is on Chelsea’s list of targets and has now apparently been the subject of a ‘tentative check’ from City, but Leicester are determined to hold on to a player they rate at £30million and will offer the 28-year-old a new contract on improved terms.

While Chelsea’s interest in Vardy is said to be strong, the Telegraph says ‘there has been no indication’ that City are preparing to make an offer despite their interest. However, a bid from Chelsea or injury to Sergio Aguero could change that, the newspaper adds.

CHELSEA CLOSE ON £30M TEIXEIRA…

Chelsea have moved closer to the £30million signing of Alex Teixeira after the Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder verbally agreed to their offer, report the Daily Express and Daily Star.

Chelsea are apparently pressing ahead with the move for Teixeira despite the departure of Jose Mourinho last week as they see the 25-year-old, who they have been tracking all year, as the man to solve their goalscoring problems.

Shakhtar wanted to keep Teixeira for the rest of their domestic season, which restarts in March after the winter break, but the club’s exit from the Champions League has opened the door for Chelsea, who are now said to be in talks with Shakhtar over the fee and Teixeira’s representatives over a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

BUT ARE UNLIKELY TO LAND SIMEONE

Roman Abramovich will have to change Chelsea’s transfer strategy to make Diego Simeone the club’s next permanent manager, according to the Daily Telegraph, as the Argentine would demand the final say over technical director Michael Emenalo on all incoming players.

Abramovich has made Simeone one of his top targets, along with Pep Guardiola, to take over at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, but a source close to the Atletico Madrid boss has told the Telegraph that he is extremely happy at the Vicente Calderón Stadium and will only consider quitting Spain for Chelsea if all of his conditions are met.

The final say over all incoming transfers would apparently be “non-negotiable”.

AND THE REST

Saido Berahino will attempt to resurrect his transfer to Tottenham next month having become increasingly isolated at West Brom (The Times)

Arsenal are hopeful of signing Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil on new contracts in deals that will cost them a total of £300,000 per week (The Times)

Mathieu Flamini is set to leave Arsenal next summer (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa are considering Leicester City midfielder Gokhan Inler and Bodeaux winger Wahbi Khazri as possible transfer targets for next month (The Times)

Aston Villa are prepared to offer West Ham reject Morgan Amalfitano a route back into the Premier League (Daily Mail)

West Ham have placed an £18million price tag on Andy Carroll in anticipation of Newcastle United resurrecting their interest in their former striker (The Times)

Bournemouth have gazumped Watford with a £16.2million move for Roma winger Juan Iturbe, on an initial loan (Daily Mail/Daily Mirror/Daily Star)

Eddie Howe is also interested in Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello (Daily Mail)

Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are chasing Preston playmaker Alan Browne (Daily Star)

Dutch club Groningen will move for Liverpool’s 19-year-old Jerome Sinclair in January. Espanyol are also interested in the striker (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham defender Federico Fazio could be set to return to Sevilla (Daily Mirror/Daily Star)

Tottenham could be about to loan out Kevin Wimmer to Marseille (The Sun)

Sunderland have joined Newcastle in the hunt for Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi (Daily Mirror)

Ashley Cole is ready to make a fresh start by following Steven Gerrard to LA Galaxy (The Sun)

QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is ready to ready former club Chelsea for Belgian teenager Charly Musonda on loan (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea teen Charly Musonda is wanted by Feyenoord (The Sun)

Manchester City players are convinced Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season (Daily Mail)

Wilfried Bony will have showdown talks with manager Manuel Pellegrini today after being left on the bench at Arsenal (Daily Express)

Everton are the subject of a £200million takeover bid after advanced talks with the former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team (Daily Telegraph/The Times)

Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as a leading contender to become Swansea City manager (Daily Mirror)

Swansea have made a shock move for Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal (The Sun)

The introduction of video referees in the Premier League has moved a step closer – after the FA sent a questionnaire that could see English football being used to trial the wider use of technology at matches (Daily Mail)