Wednesday's transfer grapevine
Will Drogba stay or will he go?
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Wednesday, 16, Jul 2008 10:14
A couple of big-name Chelsea players could be heading for the exits at Stamford Bridge as their futures remain unresolved.
Wayne Bridge's new contract, which was announced yesterday, has underlined how much stalling is going on over a new deal for Frank Lampard - who now looks increasingly likely to cut his losses and hand in a transfer request.
If he does, it is almost a guarantee that former manager Jose Mourinho will be the only name on the list when it comes to suitors for the England star as the Portuguese looks to take Lamps to Inter Milan.
Didier Drogba may follow Lampard to the San Siro after revealing he will decide his future before the end of next week in order to settle matters before pre-season gets into full swing.
If the Blues do lose both Drogba and Lampard, manager Luis Felipe Scolari could be set to launch an audacious bid to hijack the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two men worked together for several years in the Portuguese national team set-up and the winger has apparently privately stated he would approve of the opportunity to work with Scolari again.
Carlos Queiroz's exit to take over the Portugal job has also hastened Ronaldo's exit, although Real Madrid are not keen to meet United's £70 million asking price.
Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan is hopeful of completing the signing of Argentinean winger Pablo Aimar from Real Zaragoza this week after the two clubs reached agreement over a fee.
And Reading striker Dave Kitson appears to be edging closer to the exit door at the Madejski Stadium after being targeted by West Ham United as a replacement for Bobby Zamora, who has gone to Fulham.
However, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion are also interested in the flame-haired hitman and could be set to enter a bidding war, which could see his value rise to around the £5 million mark.