Right wing-back may not be Chelsea’s most immediate need in the upcoming summer transfer window — Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James have been doing a fantastic job — but the Blues have already been linked with the likes of Jonas Hofmann, Jesus Corona, Gabriel Menino, and now we have a new name to add to that list, Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez.
Vazquez is set to be a free agent in the summer — why are there so many free agents this summer!? — after he reportedly rejected Real’s latest contract extension offer, which would have seen his salary reduced by 10 per cent (Real blaming the pandemic for that).
Vazquez has rejected several contract extension offers in the past as well, and apparently believes that he actually deserves an increase on his €3.5m annual salary. He is now said to be evaluating offers from other clubs, like Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich, with the latter said to be frontrunners. The 29-year-old is a very versatile player and has played in every position on the right flank. He started his career as a right winger, but has featured mostly as a right back in recent times. He would be a good alternative to Gabriel Menino, should we decide to purchase a right wing-back in the summer.
Speaking of Menino, UOL’s latest report once again brings up Chelsea’s interest in the youngster. Juventus are said to have joined the race as well, with Menino now becoming one of the most-coveted players plying their trade in South America. Despite a plethora of interest, Palmeiras, have yet to receive an official bid — though they are expecting one soon as it would also help them in their current economic situation. Menino doesn’t have a stated preference for a dream destination, which should ensure plenty of bidding.
Estafe vê Gabriel Menino observado por europeus em mercado ainda frio https://t.co/R5Dk0EMGHe
— UOL Esporte (@UOLEsporte) April 1, 2021
Meanwhile, on the left flank, Chelsea’s situation is the exact opposite, with an overabundance of players at our disposal. Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are all competing for one position and that situation is definitely unsustainable. Emerson looks the favorite to leave, and according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sempre Inter), Inter Milan are expected to be among those poking around once again for the Italy international, to help them replace aging duo Ashley Young and Aleksandar Kolarov — maybe this time for real!