Chelsea looking to trump Spurs in the transfer market once more
Published:Chelsea look set to swipe yet another Tottenham target from the clutches of their London rivals before the close of the transfer window, amid rumours that they’re in advanced talks to sign Porto winger Christian Atsu.
Spurs – available to back at 13/10 to finish in the Premier League’s top four – had hoped to conclude a cut-price deal for the Ghanaian winger earlier in the summer but, after the proposed transfer went quiet, the Blues are poised to swoop.
Atsu, whose contract with the Portuguese champions expires at the end of the current campaign, could be available at a bargain £3.5m with the club opposed to the idea of losing him for nothing come next summer.
Renowned for his pace and direct approach play, the 21-year-old would offer Chelsea’s attack an additional element with their current wide men inclined to float inside from the flanks instead of beating full backs and whipping in crosses.
This acquisition, however, will further add fuel to the rapidly growing fire of speculation that suggests the Blues’ star man, Juan Mata, is on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
Following the arrival of £30m playmaker Willian, it was already mooted that the Spaniard would struggle to hold down a regular place in their side and, after being forced to make do with an unused substitute berth in their crunch clash with Manchester United recently, reports of an imminent exit have gathered pace.
The addition of Atsu would seemingly make it even more difficult for the Spaniard to get in the side and, with Chelsea set to complete this deal, Arsenal and Tottenham are more than likely readying bids for the former Valencia man.
Spurs are 6/1 shots to land Mata with Ladbrokes, while their north London foes are at 8s to ensure further Tottenham frustration in the transfer market.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
