2015 Claudio Villa - Inter (Photographer) - (Editor)
Paper Talk: Chelsea in for Kondogbia; New Juve contact for Depay; Grimaldo picks Turin over Manchester
Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport states that Chelsea are considering a January move for Inter midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia. The 23-year-old has made recent declarations that he is frustrated with life in Italy and that if he is unable to break into the nerazzurri starting XI, he will seek pastures new.
The West London club are the second Premier League side to show interest of the Frenchman after Liverpool also made tentative enquiries as to the player’s availability. Kondogbia currently earns around £70,000 a week and the Merseyside club baulked at trying to match these wages and look to have lost interest.
JUVE STEP UP THEIR INTEREST IN DEPAY:
Meanwhile over in Turin, Tuttosport writes that Juventus are stepping uop their interest in Manchester United play-maker Memphis Depay. The journal is confident that the bianconeri will launch a January offensive for the 22-year-old despite the players recent claims that he wants to remain in the Premier League. Juve boss Massimo Allegri wants to add to his squad for the second-half of the campaign and believes he can re-lauch the Dutchman’s career in Italy.
OTHER HEADLINES:
According to SportMediaset, Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has emerged as Napoli’s number one choice to replace Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese centre-half will be on African Cup of Nations duty in January and the 22-year-old Frenchman is a new year target.
Newcastle United are now clear favourites to take Lazio striker Ravel Morrison back to England. Corriere dello Sport explains that Toon boss Rafa Benitez is keen to bring the former Manchester United youth player to St James’ Park.
The Italian media believe that West Ham United striker Simone Zaza is destined for either Napoli or Valencia in January. The 25-year-old has failed to impress since his loan-move from Juventus in the summer.
Sky Sport Italia are confident that Chelsea target Milan Badelj will remain in Italy and join AC Milan. The Crotian international is currently at Fiorentina but is desperate for a January switch.
Spanish left-back Alex Grimaldo will choose Juventus over Manchester City according to Tuttosport. The 21-year-old Benfica star will be heading to Turin for a price of around €45 million.
Steve Mitchell @barafundler
Steve Mitchell @barafundler
