It may have taken Chelsea a while to adjust themselves to the new realities of the football market, but they seem to have managed to do so just in the nick of time. According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are set to agree on a £35 million deal (inclusive of bonuses) for Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
Chelsea closing in on a £35m deal for Danny Drinkwater - @Matt_Law_DT https://t.co/QUExOOAXGH pic.twitter.com/Zpz8LFNsCn
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 31, 2017
Earlier today, several reports claimed Chelsea made a £27 million (plus bonuses) approach for Drinkwater — their first following the player's official transfer request in light of the Blues' continued interest on his services. This final (?) offer adds a few extra million on to that, but who’s counting anyway? It’s still below Leicester’s initial asking price of £40m.
Meanwhile Leicester are arranging the last details of Sporting midfielder Adrien Silva to King Power Stadium. The Portuguese would serve as the immediate to fill in Drinkwater's spot in their first team squad.
With barely an hour and a half in the transfer window, a deal should be announced quite soon. All we have left is to wait for the official announcement, and hope Drinkwater can pay back his (hefty) fee with his performances on the pitch for Chelsea.