AVB set for big January spend?

Cahill, Krasic, Kaka, Cavani and Hamsik – AVB’s £140m shortlist if reports from TuttomercatoWeb are to be believed.

A transformation at the Bridge is due to commence when Blues boss Andres Villas-Boas delves into the January transfer market to inject new life into a somewhat stale Chelsea side. The supposed ’dead wood’ of Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Salomun Kalou, Alex and Nicolas Anelka all face the exit door to make room for fresh European talent.

But are rumours of a £150m makeover true or are they wide of the mark? Spending such a huge sum of money in January is a little far-fetched, a summer spending-spree, however, is a stronger possibility. The Chelsea boss told Sky Sports:

“It is not true that I will have £140m for the market of January. I do not believe that we will do so many investments.”

The likeliest of January arrivals at the Bridge are Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Juventus forward, Milos Krasic. Chelsea have reportedly agreed a fee of around £7m with Wanderers for the 26 year-old centre-back but the deal has hit a stumbling block over Cahill’s wage demands with AVB having this to say:

“I think we can sort it out. It should be no problem but at present we’re miles apart regarding an agreement with the player.”

Milos Krasic is also expected to follow in Cahill’s footsteps in January. The want-away winger has become disillusioned with life in Turin having grown out of favour with the Old Lady under coach Antonio Conte, making just 6 appearances this season. Juventus have told the Serb he can leave if they receive an offer of £10m but Chelsea may look to bring Krasic in on-loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.
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Krasic’s agent, Dejan Joksimovic told reporters of Chelsea’s interest for the winger:

“The lad will leave Juventus, as he hasn’t been relaxed over the past few months due to the various rumours appearing newspapers.

“Chelsea? They are interested in the player.”

Napoli hotshots Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani remain to be linked with the West-London outfit but a January move for the pair is almost certain to be a non-starter. Chelsea are due to face the Serie-A side in the last 16 of the Champions League in February so a move to Stamford Bridge for the duo would cup-tie either player for the best club competition in the world. A double swoop in the summer for Hamsik and Cavani would cost the Blues somewhere in the region of £70m.

Unsettled Real Madrid midfielder, Kaka, is said to be another on AVB’s wanted list. The 2007 World Player Of The Year has had a disappointing spell at the Bernabeu since joining from AC Milan in 2009. Patchy form and injuries have seen the Brazilian grow out of favour under Jose Mourinho with the Portuguese boss willing to let Kaka leave if he receives a £22m offer.

A Madrid source said:

“Kaka has always interested other clubs and Mourinho has decided that he has far better options in midfield so the best thing to do is to move him on.

“There has been no concrete offer but it is now known that the club would accept an offer in the region of £22m.”

The overhaul at Stamford Bridge is ready to spring into action with some exciting possibilities ahead.

By Graham Duckworth for the Transfer Tavern