Chelsea have a five-man shortlist to replace Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day that includes players from Arsenal and Tottenham. The Blues are working on finding a midfield signing who can arrive should the Argentina star leave Stamford Bridge in the coming hours.
Fernandez could complete a momentous deadline day transfer to Manchester City before Tuesday's 11pm deadline, and become the first player to have commanded more than £100million twice.
Camara and Kone approaches
Chelsea's efforts so far have focused on landing Monaco ace Lamine Camara and Roma's Manu Kone. They have so far been unable to reach an agreement, with a £38.5m bid for Camara rejected, while Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini does not want Kone sold.
Xabi Alonso has three more players on the club's shortlist, however, and all are closer to home. talkSPORT reports that Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest are also under consideration.
Arteta and De Zerbi comments
Despite the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes to the Emirates this summer, Mikel Arteta suggested that Zubimendi was not available for sale. "No, he's a really important player. He's a really important player for us," Arteta said recently. "Zubi without a doubt was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him we would never get into the position that we got in the last few weeks and he deserves massive credit."
Spurs ace Bergvall wanted to depart the club earlier in the transfer window but last week Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that he was also set to stay in north London. "Lucas Bergvall, 100 per cent," De Zerbi said when asked if his charge wanted to stay at Tottenham. "We spoke a lot in pre-season. He's a top player, a top potential player. I like he stays, but I think now he wants to stay and we have no problem."
Gibbs-White situation
Gibbs-White, who is highly regarded by Chelsea, was set to move from the City Ground last summer but saw a transfer to Tottenham collapse when Nottingham Forest threatened legal action over their approach. Instead he signed a new deal with the Tricky Trees.
