Chelsea Transfer News - Modric, Pastore, Lukaku and Lampard
Chelsea are set to splash the transfer market, according to reports, as they prepare bids for Romelu Lukaku, Luka Modric and Javier Pastore.
The Blues secured a comfortable 4-0 win against Hong Kong side Kitchee on Wednesday with Yossi Benayoun playing the creative midfielder's role. However, the Daily Star reports that they are set to make a final take-it-or-leave-it offer for the Croat, believed to be around the region of £30 million.
Chelsea had two bids - of £22 million and £27 million - rejected for the 25-year-old and if Spurs reject another offer, Chelsea will close their interest in the player as they have another option in Javier Pastore.
Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has noted the importance of adding creativity to his midfield and is known to be a big fan of the Croat. The idea is that Modric could finally provide the service required to get Fernando Torres clicking at Chelsea. Some quarters suggest Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, having earlier stated that the player was not for sale, is holding out for £35 million.
Elsewhere, reports suggest Chelsea already has submitted a bid for Palermo 22-year-old Javier Pastore. They are in a two-horse race to sign the Argentine, along with French side Paris Saint Germain who, according to Palermo director of Sport Sean Sogiliano, have also bid for the player.
Sogliano told RMC radio, "At the moment we are waiting and will make a decision in the next few days, after (Thursday's) Europa League game against Thun. We have received interesting offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea."
The Daily Mail has suggested that Chelsea have comeback with an improved bid of £20 million for Belgian whiz-kid Lukaku. Anderlecht rejected the Blues' previous offer of £18 million, but with Arsenal and Tottenham also interested, Chelsea have increased their offer.
Chelsea have no shortage in striking options and Lukaku is seen more as one for the future, especially as he has drawn similarities with Chelsea mainstay Didier Drogba.
Against Kitchee, Villas-Boas played Blues veteran Frank Lampard in a deep lying role in midfield. And the Portuguese manager stated that it could be a sign of things to come for Lampard.
He said, "Frank is one of the best players in the world. He is more than happy and has the flexibility to play in a holding or forward position. He's comfortable with it. It's nothing new for Frank. Maybe it prevents him from arriving in the box too early - but maybe he can arrive at the precise time."
But the 33-year-old, who is known for his late runs into the box, stated that he would quit football the day he realizes he can't play his usual box-to-box game.
Lampard said, "If I didn't feel I was able to get into the area, I wouldn't want to hang around too long. I love getting into the box, getting up and down the pitch. I know I can do it now and hopefully I can for a few more years.
"But I will know when that day will come. I'll probably be sold before then. I don't mind where I play. I have actually played the deep role for England fairly regularly. I do like to get forward, but this won't be a role that will stop me getting into the box."
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