Transfer News: Chelsea close in on £30 million move for Danny Drinkwater

Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a £30 million move for former Manchester United midfielder Danny Drinkwater, currently a part of Leicester City.

According to Daily Mirror, Chelsea are closing in on a transfer that will see their midfield buffed, with Danny Drinkwater reportedly on the brink of completing a move to Stamford Bridge. The Manchester United academy graduate is closing in on a £30 million move away from Leicester City.

Danny Drinkwater was never really afforded a chance to make his breakthrough at Manchester United. However, Leicester City is where the midfielder really came into his own, being one of the pillars in the club’s unprecedented success in the 2015-16 Premier League campaign.

However, after a dull 2016-17 campaign, the player could be set to move away the King Power Stadium. The 27-year-old has been linked with Chelsea in the recent weeks, with the Blues continuing to scour for more additions to the midfield, despite the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The need for depth at Stamford Bridge has been evident by the quality of bench in the first game and while it did improve in the second match – a 2-1 win over Tottenham, Antonio Conte is well aware of the heavy reinforcement the side still needs if it is to match last season’s feat.

Chelsea and Leicester City are £10million apart over the signing of Danny Drinkwater. #CFC (Mail) pic.twitter.com/Rc4CvG6AMd

— Conteholic (@Conteholic) August 22, 2017

Chelsea currently have Tiemoue Bakayoko, N’Golo Matic and Cesc Fabregas as the three main options for the two midfield positions, which highlights just how important an addition in the said position is at the current moment, given the sale of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

And while Leicester City look a threat again, they are unlikely to be up for honours come the end of the season and with no European football at offer, Drinkwater might just be interested in jumping ship to join Conte’s Blue army.

Conte has already made his intentions of adding to his squad clear and while Leicester value Drinkwater at £40 million, it is suggested that Chelsea might be able to get their man by negotiating a lower fee at around the £30 million mark.

Chelsea did have a £15 million bid for the Leicester man turned down. But, the nature of the current market combined with their urgent need might see them shell out double their initial offer in order to get their man, who looks set to don a different Blue shirt by the end of the summer transfer window.