Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Alexandre Pato due in London today; Robin van Persie in frame; Eden Hazard 'worth £80m'
All the latest speculation from Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Alexandre Pato is due in London today to finalise a six-month loan deal with Chelsea.
Various reports confirm that the Brazilian is in the capital having seen his loan sanctioned by his club, Corinthians, with Pato hoping to make a quick impact and seal a permanent move in the summer.
Pato’s agent, Gilmar Veloz, told Brazilian TV his client would board a flight overnight Tuesday. A work permit is expected to be granted on appeal, report the Daily Telegraph, as Pato will accumulate the ‘points’ needed under the new system given the size of the club and his Chelsea wages.
Pato’s arrival is likely to have repercussions for Chelsea’s other forwards, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao, both of whom could leave. The Daily Telegraph report that Chelsea would prefer to cut short Falcao’s loan spell from Monaco and send him back to his parent club.
If the Pato deal appears all but wrapped up, a rather more left-field story today comes from the Daily Express. They report that should the Pato deal collapse, Chelsea will move for the former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
Van Persie joined Fenerbahce from Manchester United at the start of the season but is having a miserable time. The Dutchman has scored seven goals in 26 games and is keen to leave.
If Remy and Falcao are on their way, Eden Hazard almost certainly is not. The Sun report that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants “at least” £80m for the Belgian, who is a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could face a transfer embargo after it emerged Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore played for the Under-18s when he was 16, report the Evening Standard.
Chelsea believe there was an agreement allowing Traore to play in friendly games.
Fifa rules prevent the transfer of any player under 18. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were both hit with transfer embargoes, with both contesting the sanctions.
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