Chelsea linked with Zenit St. Petersburg center back, again -- report

While it would appear that Chelsea will in fact make a proper, last-minute defensive signing this year in Marcos Alonso, the feeling of deja vu remains palpable.  The ghosts of Papy Djilobodji haunt the final few days of the 2016 summer transfer window, as Chelsea look high and low for any decent center back to come in, either as a permanent signing or perhaps on just a loan.

Twelve months ago, as the Stones saga waltzed to its unsatisfactory conclusion, Ezequiel Garay popped up on the radar.  Chelsea had been linked with the big man several years prior, when he was still with Benfica, but the Argentina international has been plying his trade at Zenit St. Petersburg since 2014.  Nothing came of the rumors last year, but according to local (?) reports, Garay may not be staying in Russia for much longer.

English football club "Chelsea", according Spb.Sovsport.ru, interested in moving the Argentine defender of "Zenith" Ezequiel Garay. As it became known Spb.Sovsport.ru , representatives of "Chelsea" came to St. Petersburg for talks with the club about the transfer and the personal contract with the player himself.

-source: Sovsport via Google Translate

Last-minute option in 2015; now last-minute option in 2016.  Probably nonsense both times, though Chelsea were name-dropped earlier this summer when Garay looked to be heading to Inter Milan.

Twenty-eight hours and counting.