KEY POINTS

  • Inter Milan has failed to bring in Chelsea targets Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kante
  • Inter settles for Arturo Vidal of Barcelona
  • Chelsea is still searching for more key players for the next season

Inter Milan is looking to add more firepower, but all their Chelsea targets, including Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kante, have been thumbed down despite the entry of new faces at Stamford Bridge.

Giroud attracted interest from several clubs after Timo Werner's arrival at Stamford Bridge. Critics felt that the 33-year-old player would end up as surplus, but this does not seem to be the case. Instead, the French forward believes he brings something different to the table and opts to focus on helping the Blues win a title.

"I haven't spoken to Lampard. One thing is certain: the competition [in the squad] will pull us all to the top. A great club should have different options in each position," Giroud said in an interview with Telefoot.

Before Giroud made that declaration, Inter and Juventus were linked to the French national, with reports saying that he had agreed to a two-year deal with the latter worth about $5 million. These claims were shot down, and no formal contract offer was made, according to Goal.

With Giroud off the table, Kante was mentioned as a possible target. Inter proposed a swap deal and offered Marcelo Brozovic and Christian Eriksen. The Blues turned down that pitch as well.

Frustrated in their pursuit for certain players with the Blues, Inter diverted its focus to target Arturo Vidal of Barcelona. The 33-year-old Chilean midfielder is expected to arrive in San Siro soon.

For Chelsea, player shopping has not slowed down. Declan Rice is still on its radar, although Lampard is also exploring the market for goalkeepers.

Lampard is not too happy with the performance of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero, wanting a better shot-stopper for next season. Jan Oblak was a target, but his high price has forced the Blues to look for someone that costs less. That guy appears to be Edouard Mendy.

As mentioned in a previous post, the Blues are pushing for the Rennes goalkeeper, but SRFC is not too keen on parting with the 28-year-old goalkeeper.

Chelsea has submitted an improved bid for his services, ready to spend as much as $33 million to bring Mendy to Stamford Bridge. The previous bid made by the Blues was $24 million.

Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring one of this two goals for Arsenal against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Oct. 29. Reuters