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Transfer rumours: Chelsea want Barcelona teenager, clubs chasing Said Benrahma, Napoli want Emre Can

Transfer rumours: Chelsea want Barca teen, clubs chasing Benrahma, Napoli want Can
© Reuters
Sports Mole rounds up the latest January transfer rumours, including Chelsea chasing a Barcelona prospect and West Ham United winger Said Benrahma attracting interest.

Chelsea reportedly hold an interest in signing Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi.

The Premier League outfit are currently in the process of assessing how to make changes to their first-team squad during the January transfer window, as well as remaining within FFP criteria.

However, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have placed a large focus on acquiring young talent since their takeover in May 2022, and it now appears that a prospect from Barcelona is on their radar.

According to Sport, the Blues may make a formal approach for Cubarsi at some point in 2024, seeing him as one for the future.

While the 16-year-old is yet to challenge for a first-team spot, the centre-back has already made two appearances for Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League.

Furthermore, Cabrasi has made 17 appearances for Spain Under-17s, with the expectation being that he will continue to progress up the age groups, while Barcelona already have him tied to a contract until 2026.

Olympiacos' Kostas Fortounis in action with West Ham United's Said Benrahma on November 9, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, West Ham United are allegedly open to parting ways with winger Said Benrahma while business is open throughout this month.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a successful stint with the Hammers, contributing 24 goals and 19 assists from his 154 appearances in all competitions.

In 2023-24, though, the Algeria international has found himself in and out of the team, making 12 starts and nine substitute outings.

Although Benrahma has a contract until 2026, the Daily Mail suggests that West Ham are willing to allow the playmaker to leave the London Stadium.

West Ham would reportedly consider offers in the region of £20m, while a loan with an obligation to buy cannot be ruled out if they are able to find an alternative.

Fulham and Lyon are each said to be monitoring the situation, although they may not be prepared to meet West Ham's current demands.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can on March 6, 2023© Reuters

Over in Italy, Napoli have reportedly identified Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can as a potential January transfer target.

Napoli are currently enduring a poor defence of their Serie A title, sitting down in eighth position in the table and 17 points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

As a result, the expectation is that they will tinker with their squad this month in an effort to at least get back into the top four.

According to Corriere dello Sport, consideration is being given to making a bid for Germany international Can.

The report alleges that the versatile 29-year-old may be available for a fee in the region of €20m (£17.3m) at a time when Dortmund are reshaping their own squad.

However, Can has been a regular in the team this season, making a total of 16 starts and two substitute outings in all competitions.

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Written by
Darren Plant

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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