Chelsea: Plans to smash transfer record; PSG-man open to move; Costa controversy

By Sam Leveridge

Roman Abramovich is prepared to break the bank and smash the defenders transfer record with a £60 million bid for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, claim the Telegraph. Antonio Conte was desperate to secure the defender who he has worked with for club and country in the summer but Bonucci was reluctant to leave amid speculation also linking him with a move to Manchester City and Manchester United.

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Chelsea’s defence has struggled in the opening weeks of the season and signing Bonucci would be a statement of intent that they will firm things up at the back with John Terry soon expected back from injury.

Brazilian defender Thiago Silva may be open to a move to Stamford Bridge according to his agent. Silva has not yet been strongly linked, but when asked, agent Paulo Tonietto told Sport Witness:

“Chelsea is a big club and the English league is the best in the world. We’re not negotiating a new contract, let’s see what happens before December. Thiago’s deal ends on June 30 2017 if PSG don’t qualify for the Champions League. Everything is possible in football.”

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The Brazilian is one of the classiest defenders on the market and had formed a strong partnership with summer signing David Luiz in Paris and on the international scene. However, he wouldn’t come cheap as one of the Parisians key players and finances not a problem for Unai Emery.

On international duty, Diego Costa was lucky not to see red as he was once again caught up in controversy. In the first half of Spain’s draw with Italy he was booked for throwing an arm at, incidentally, Leonardo Bonucci.

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Then, in the 65th minute, the forward was caught offside and reacted furiously, blasting the ball into row Z as the Spanish team defended their narrow lead in a vital World Cup qualifier. Costa is no stranger to controversy but could have been lucky not to have been sent off in a crucial game for his adopted country.

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