Real keen on Aymeric Laporte; Chelsea in talks for Cuadrado

Real keen on Aymeric Laporte

Champions League holders Real Madrid have informed Athletic Bilbao of their interest in French defender Aymeric Laporte, Marca can reveal.

The two clubs have been in talks over Asier Illarramendi and los Blancos officials took advantage of the opportunity to enquire about the possibility of recruiting Laporte in the summer.

However, as expected, Athletic referred them to the player’s €42 million release clause, as they have no plans to negotiate with interested clubs.

Real Madrid apparently see Laporte as a perfect option to form a defensive pairing with Raphael Varane in the future and they could decide to meet the asking price at the end of the season.

With the youngster also on the radar of Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, chances are los Blancos will face stiff competition for his signature.

Laporte, 20, already has decent first team experience, having featured in 68 La Liga matches, while making seven appearances in this year’s Champions League campaign.

Chelsea in talks for Cuadrado

Sky Sport has learned that Premier League giants Chelsea are closing in on Fiorentina winger Juan Guillerme Cuadrado.

The Blues seem determined to lure the Colombian to Stamford Bridge in the January window and they are currently negotiating a transfer fee.

And while Fiorentina are not prepared to accept any amount lower than the winger’s £26.8 million release clause, Chelsea are confident they can wrap up the deal in the coming days.

One of the reasons why Cuadrado recently decided to sign a new deal at Artemio Fanchi was the inclusion of said buy-out clause that should allow him to leave Viola for a top European club.

The 26-year-old, who can be used as a full-back, attacking midfielder, winger or attacker, is reportedly eager to join the Stamford Bridge outfit.

After sharing spoils with Liverpool in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final, Chelsea are 8/13 to win the return match.

Bordeaux to sign Chantome

French daily newspaper L’Equipe understands that Bordeaux have all but agreed to sign midfielder Clement Chantome from Paris Saint-Germain.

Les Girondins were in the market for a central midfielder and they seem to have secured the signature of the 27-year-old footballer.

The final details of the transfer have yet to be sorted, but it is believed Bordeaux will pay around €750,000 for Chantome.

The highly rated player, whose deal with PSG is due to expire at the end of the season, was also on the radar of Lyon, but les Gones wanted to sign him on a free transfer.

Clement Chantome is thus set to leave Parc des Princes after 15 years and nine seasons in the first team, during which he made 162 league appearances and scored 5 goals.

Bordeaux officials have high hopes for the former France international as they aim to achieve European qualification.

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