Todd Boehly is starting to form plan B and plan C options for Chelsea in the attacking areas as we approach the final stretch of this summer's transfer window.
The Blues are close to confirming their seventh first-team signing of the summer in the form of £70m Leicester star Wesley Fofana. football.london understands a fee has been verbally agreed and a medical is underway for the Frenchman. An announcement is expected between now and the early parts of next week. Once that deal is fully finalised, all eyes from Boehly's perspective will be on the attack despite a large proportion of supporters alerting him to the midfield issues amid Conor Gallagher's recent struggles.
Up top, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon are being targeted. However, personal terms with the 33-year-old regarding contract length and agreeing a fee with Barcelona are seemingly proving more difficult than expected. The general feeling is that the Blues could walk away from negotiations by Monday if no significant progress is to be made. It's important to remember that the upcoming Thursday presents the final day of business before proceedings cease.
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A similar story is unfolding for Gordon. Chelsea were willing to pay up to £60m for the 21-year-old star who netted his fifth ever Premier League goal in game week four at Brentford but fresh reports indicate it could take up to £85m in total to unlock this negotiation. There has even been talk that two players plus significant cash is being offered Frank Lampard's way.
If either of the deals weren't to get the 'green light', plan B and plan C options could come into the equation. Zaha has already been linked to a West London switch and he was absent from the Crystal Palace squad that fell to a 4-2 defeat against Man City at the Etihad.
Whether it was a genuine injury as Patrick Vieira mentioned in his pre-match press conference remains to be seen but it wouldn't be much of a surprise if things were going on behind the scenes. At this point, anything is possible in the transfer market.
With less than a year left on his contract, it's no wonder the 29-year-old is being viewed as a last-minute possibility by not only Chelsea but also their London rivals Arsenal.
On the Blues' pursuit, rumours have it from two reliable Chelsea sources that talks were held with the Eagles' representatives on Friday. Palace would need a replacement if a last-minute sale were to go through.
Chelsea fans - Would you consider a player plus cash swap with Crystal Palace involving both Conor Gallagher and Wilfried Zaha? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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