Chelsea’s hopes of completing a transfer deal with AS Roma have hit a challenge after it emerged former boss Jose Mourinho would be willing to oppose a deal with the Premier League club. Reports recommend that the two clubs could agree a direct transfer deal involving two Chelsea players for one of Mourinho’s men, but doubts are now circulating over the Portuguese’s preference for completing a deal.
Mauricio Pochettino’s preference for signing a striker is no secret in January, however, with Financial Fair Play considerations over the club’s £1 billion spending since the purchase of Todd Boehly, the west London club possibly want to be mindful of how much they spend.
Roma’s reported interest in two of their players may have provided a win-win scenario for either club after being linked with two players who fell out of favor under Pochettino.
According to Italian outlet Romagiallorossa, the Serie A side are interested in signing Trevoh Chalobah and the forgotten Malang Sarr, who was left out of the club’s 25-man Premier League squad in September.
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In the past, Tammy Abraham had been debated for a possible return to her boyhood club after going through the academy formula while the striker is discovered outside the Stadio Olimpico. However, the ambitious 2-for-1 deal could already be available. being dead in the water because of Mourinho’s obvious objections.
Roma’s sporting director Tiago Pinto is reportedly willing to sign Chalobah and Sarr after scouring the market for low-budget players, with either of them known as two long-term options. Chelsea are said to be not easy with around £25m for Chalobah, however, a swap deal would be far more likely than a money deal.
However, it doesn’t seem that Pinto and Mourinho have the same point of view. The Giallorossi coach would need Eric Dier from Chalobah or Sarr from Tottenham, and the England international’s contractual scenario would make him a less expensive option.
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Chalobah has been injured in recent months but the centre-back looks set to leave the club in January with interest from German and Italian clubs.
His former boss, Thomas Tuchel, has been linked with a transfer of the player he signed at Stamford Bridge, while a move to Inter Milan has also been discussed.
But Roma are credited with offering Abraham, a player who remains popular with Chelsea enthusiasts and who Pochettino could welcome to Stamford Bridge given his struggles in front of goal.
Mourinho’s obvious reluctance to talk about a deal may be a stumbling block, while Chelsea have thought of several other strikers for a conceivable move in January, adding Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
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