The Luka Modric saga has gone on all throughout the transfer season, zigzagging back and forth between sides. If you're not familiar with the story, then I'll explain. Basically, Chelsea are in need of an intelligent, creative midfielder who can link the defense to the strikers and anchor the team. Chelsea have found exactly what they're looking for in the 25-year old Croat. The problem is that he plays for Tottenham, and wants to win trophies. Therefore, he's dying for a move to the Bridge. That's brilliant, because everyone at Chelsea is keen to sign him. Sounds like a done deal, right? Wrong. Daniel Levy, Tottenham's owner, has decided that he's not going to sell Modric, for any price (even though Levy and Modric had made a gentlemen's agreement prior to the transfer season that said that if a good club came along, they would consider the offer). Levy has remained adamant in his stance not to sell Modric the whole summer, while manager Harry Redknapp has see-sawing back and forth, first agreeing with Levy, then saying that they could use the money to purchase some new players (Tottenham have spent a grand total of $0 in the transfer window so far), then saying that he's given his blessing to Modric if he wants to leave, and now going back and saying that he's not going anywhere. Modric, in the meantime, has done everything possible to try and force a move through to Chelsea. He asked not to play in Tottenham's games against Manchester United and Manchester City. Redknapp benched him in the United game, but he was threatened with not being allowed to play in the Euro qualifiers if he didn't play against Man City. He played 65 minutes (not at his usual form) before being substituted, saying his "head wasn't quite right." Chelsea have already seen bids £22m, £27m, and an unofficial £30m rejected by Daniel Levy, saying that there's no point in bidding at all, it will just be rejected. Chelsea, who are willing to treble Modric's current wages, are putting together a bid worth around £40m before the end of today, hoping that it will be an offer that Daniel Levy just can't pass up, considering Tottenham are in need of some spending money. Tottenham are known for making transfer deals up until the very end of the window however, so I wouldn't count a Modric move out until the window closes at 6:00 EST.
2. Alvaro Pereira
Pereira is a Uruguayan international who helped his team to victory at the most recent Copa America. At the moment, the 25-year old LWB plays for FC Porto (he used to play under new Chelsea manger Andre Villas-Boas), although Chelsea are quite confident that he'll be a Chelsea player before the window closes. Chelsea have already seen a bid of £16.6m rejected by the Portugese club, but Chelsea seem to think that a bid of £20m (which they have just submitted) will be enough to land the prolific winger.
3. Franck Ribery
Ribery is a well-known French international who is quite capable of filling the empty role of creative playmaker in midfield, and apparently can make some very interesting faces. While Chelsea are trying their hardest to push through the Modric deal, every hour it looks slightly less likely. So they've turned to Franck Ribery. The 28-year old midfielder currently plays for Bayern Munchen. Chelsea have already submitted a £30m bid for Ribery, although Bayern are telling Andre Villas-Boas that he will have to up his offer by £6m if he wants to sign Ribery. I'm thinking that if Modric isn't signed by sometime around 2:00 EST then Chelsea will agree to Bayern's terms and sign Ribery. They can't wait for Levy to cave until 6:00 EST (when the window ends). They desperately need a playmaker, and he's a great choice. He's strong, intelligent, can score goals, and would fit in well with the rest of the squad.
4. Kevin de Bruyne
For Kevin de Bruyne, a move to Chelsea would ignite his career. The 20-year old Belgian international is eager to follow in the footsteps of his teammates Thibault Courtois and Romelu Lukaku with a move to the Bridge. He's a quick midfielder who can pass and cross the ball well, and is quite good at taking free kicks. He would be a great addition to the squad, and would most likely see some playing time at Chelsea if he were to sign. Unfortunately, he broke his leg in early August, but it seems to be healing nicely and Chelsea still want to sign the highly-rated midfielder. Chelsea have submitted a handsome £6m bid to his club, Racing Genk, for consideration, but it was rejected, much to the chagrin of de Bruyne. He desperately wants a move to Chelsea, and I think that the two clubs can reach an agreement before the window closes today.
5. Gregory van der Wiel
The 23-year old Dutch RB would be a great addition to the squad, allowing Branislav Ivanovic to reclaim his CB position, where he plays best. He was the Dutch player of the year for 2009-2010, which is quite a huge deal, considering he beat out Wesley Sneijder for the award. He has the ability to make brilliant runs and is a great defender. Chelsea have submitted a 32 million euro bid for the Dutch international, to which he and his club Ajax seem to have agreed. Contract agreements just have to be hashed out now, and unless the deal hits any snags, we'll see him in a Chelsea jersey soon.
So there we have it! Those are the top five Chelsea targets for today. The transfer window closes at 18:00 EST, which is 23:00 BST. Hopefully we'll see quite a few of the listed players playing for Chelsea soon. I'll be keeping everyone posted.
Cheers,
~Matt
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