Is Stoke man’s arrival a sign Middlesbrough ace is Chelsea bound?
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As is often the case during a transfer window, one player signing for a club generally causes a domino effect. And that’s a position Stoke City, Middlesbrough and Chelsea find themselves in right now.
The Potters are reportedly willing to allow former Barcelona man Bojan Krkic to team up with compatriot Aitor Karanka in the north-east, for a fee which is yet to have been decided.
But while Bojan’s arrival would be one of just many huge names that have moved to Teesside since Boro returned to the Premier League, it could well be a sign that another player is Chelsea bound.
Our traders make it a 4/9 shot for Bojan to sign for the top-flight returnees.
And such an arrival would make the 6/4 currently on offer for Adama Traore to sign for Chelsea very tempting.
It’s a story which sent Twitter into meltdown earlier this week, but apparently Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is a huge admirer of the 20-year-old.
However, should a deal be struck for Traore, it’s worth noting that he wouldn’t be allowed to play for Chelsea this season, as FIFA rules state that no player can represent three clubs in one season.
Signed by Aston Villa at the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign, Middlesbrough pinched the Spaniard from the West Midlands last summer for an undisclosed fee.
While we’re yet to see consistently great performances from the forward, who spent his youth career at Barcelona, we have be treated to several glimpses of his potential thus far.
Clearly not lacking in self-confidence, the youngster boasts impressive figures on the ball.
In fact, he’s ahead of the likes of Eden Hazard, Riyad Mahrez and Alexis Sanchez in terms of dribbles per game, with 6.8 attempted on average. Only Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace has a higher average (7.6).
With his best years still way ahead of him, it’s clear to see why a club like Chelsea are keeping tabs on the winger.
And while the Blues are yet to make a formal bid, that could well change over the next few days if Boro seal a deal for Stoke’s Bojan.
But who would fans rather have in their team?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
