Chelsea close in on highly-rated right back
Chelsea's chances of landing Dutch international defender Gregory van der Wiel have increased because long-term suitors Bayern Munich have ended their interest in signing the World Cup finalist, according to reports in The Guardian.
The Ajax right back was widely expected to trade Amsterdam for Munich last summer but despite a drawn-out saga, he remained with the Dutch giants for another season, and it could prove a shrewd strategy that the Blues have waited 12 months to make their move for the 23-year-old.
After his impressive displays for Holland last year in South Africa, he had no shortage of admirers and was expected to carry a hefty fee, a campaign with limited Champions League exposure and mixed fortunes domestically have prompted claims that his current valuation is £9 million.
Discussing the prospect of a pre-season exit from Ajax, van der Wiel said: "I've never left Amsterdam and I don't know what life is like elsewhere. It would be a huge challenge but it ought to work out well - I'm sure of that. I want to win trophies, keep progressing and play at the very highest level."
The reigning Premier League champions aren't short of options at right back with Branislav Ivanovic, Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira on the books but Ivanovic prefers operating in the centre and the latter two have been linked with leaving, so it's not unthinkable that they would look to strengthen.
An article in the Daily Mirror suggests that Bosingwa and Ferreira aren't the only players whose Stamford Bridge futures are uncertain, as they believe that Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Yuri Zhirkov have all been deemed surplus to requirements.
Will Chelsea conduct their transfer business as title holders? They are [9.6] to finish first...
Published: 28 Apr 2011
SAMMYJNR (April 28, 2011 9:53 AM) said:
Please allow malouda to remain in stamford bridge.He is a utility player.
dammy (April 28, 2011 10:39 AM) said:
chelsea get this guy he is fantastic
nemar (April 28, 2011 10:51 AM) said:
get him roman, neymar,modric swoop 4 drog and sanhz.
mike (April 28, 2011 11:12 AM) said:
we should'nt let al those playerz leave in case of injury
Usman (April 28, 2011 11:29 AM) said:
Drogba malouda Anelka Bosingwa and zhirkov Ferriera all to live and bye Aguero Modric Sanshez van der wiel and Neymar
viciano (April 28, 2011 12:16 PM) said:
buy neymar to replace drogba,sanchez to replace florent,kun aguero to replace anelka,van der wiel for jose and ferrera.eden harzard or josh for lampard.
But lampard and drogba should stay to serve as an understudy for d young stars.
I will not like to see jose,hilario,ferrera,yuri,florent,anelka,and alex in chelsea next season.
Chris (May 2, 2011 3:45 AM) said:
As soon as the summer transfer window opens Chelsea should run after VDW,Sanchez and Neymar.Sanchez n Neymar should be lost to no club as they are the players with the X-factor.They will be the difference when in crunch games.If possible sign another decent midfielder like Sahin or Hamsik n Begovic from stoke...Rest lets hope we win the title this time n get a first treble next season.Out=Malouda,Anelka,Feriera,Bosingwa,Zhirkhov.