Chelsea transfer news update: Chelsea target Dimitri Payet and Pedro Leon, no Arshavin move

Chelsea target St Etienne’s Dimitri Payet

Sources revealed that defending champions Chelsea made an offer for Dimitri Payet, the St Etienne striker. The French international was once a Liverpool target but a move never came through and the 23 year old remained with the French outfit. However, with
the uncertainty surrounding the arrival of Fernando Torres the Blues are eyeing other striking options and Payet seems to be on top of their list.  The St Etienne player possesses the ability to play on the wing or as an attacking midfielder behind a lone
striker but has recently been played as striker. He has excellent pace and looks to be a promising player having despite just recently having made his debut in 2010.

Chelsea plan to bring in Madrid midfielder Pedro Leon

Real Madrid midfielder cum winger could very well be Chelsea’s first signing of the January transfer window if the deal goes through. The 24 year old out of favor midfielder arrived at the Bernabeu this summer and failed to make an impact and is now a benchwarmer
for the La Liga giants. He has made some five appearances as a substitute since the start of this campaign and during that short while has not been able to win over Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. This is why it is expected that Mourinho will have no objections
to the player going to his former club.

Wenger tells Chelsea to forget Arshavin

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he had no intention of letting Russian international Andrey Arshavin leave during the January transfer window. It was expected that the Gunners playmaker would be on his way to Chelsea after having a particularly difficult
season at the Emirates. However, Wenger claims he still has use for the Russian in his squad and does not want him to leave anytime soon.

Wenger said while speaking to reporters, “If you look at the best passers in the Premier League he is still up there. Andrey is not as consistent technically as we are used to because it is a lack of confidence. Sometimes we forget how good we are and more
during times when we are conscious of it. Andrey is, at the moment, in that position so we have to remind him how good he is.”

Arshavin was recently criticized by Arsenal fans for his lack of effort which saw him put in some very half hearted performances for the London side. However, Wenger is confident he will improve in the second half of the season and is determined to maintain
his services despite the massive interest from Chelsea. The Blues are mostly interested in the player because of Russian owner Roman Abramovich, who is determined to bring his fellow countryman to Stamford Bridge.