Chelsea ready to battle Man Utd for £58m target as 'medical booked'

Chelsea will now be entering the final stages of their preparations for Monday night’s all-London clash with West Ham United. The Blues are fighting to get back into the top four as they welcome back former boss Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, they play on the same evening as the transfer deadline, meaning they are going to have to do plenty of work in the build-up and across the daylight hours of Monday. As they weigh up potential incomings and outgoings, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.

Kobel battle

Chelsea are said to be interested in Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel this month, with Maresca clearly uncertain about Robert Sanchez’s spot in his starting XI. Asked if he had decided on the starting keeper for this weekend, Maresca replied: "Not yet. We have two or three days for the decision.

"The good thing is that any decision I take, I feel good because every time Filip has played since we started, he has done well. Filip or Robert, we will see but any decision will be okay." Meanwhile, Kobel is being linked with a £58million move to Stamford Bridge, and The Independent say Manchester United are also interested in the stopper.

Vale set for exit

Chelsea are set to give up on youngster Harvey Vale, who is headed across London on a permanent deal. According to The Athletic, Vale’s medical with QPR has been booked ahead of his permanent switch to join the Hoops.

Vale was linked with a move in the summer, but he was eventually kept. he now gets his move nine years after joining the Blues as a youngster and having never made a senior league appearances, though he is still just 21 years of age.

Maresca confirms transfer plans

Chelsea boss Maresca says there will be transfer action for the Blues amid an ongoing search for an attacker, while a handful of players are also expected to leave the club.

“You can expect players arriving and players leaving – it is like this in this moment. I don’t know about the players leaving and arriving,” said Maresca in his pre-match press conference.

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