Blues sign Barca midfielder.
Chelsea have confirmed that they have agreed a deal with Barcelona for Oriol Romeu, according to Sky Sports.
Andre Villas-Boas wants the young Spaniard to join the club to add to the current squad number and to have some healthy competition in midfield.
“I don’t want to speak too much about him because he is not our player,” said Chelsea? boss Villas-Boas. “It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien’s injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.”
It is believed the fee agreed between the two clubs is in the region of £5m, which would be seen as a snip in the current market for such a highly-rated young player.
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New Drogba contract.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is set to sign a new contract after he admitted talks have begun, according to Sky Sports.
The Ivorian striker has been at the London club since signing from Marseille in the summer of 2004 and he is keen to extend his stay.
“We’ve started talking and it’s very interesting. Everybody knows what I feel about Chelsea? and what I want,” Drogba said. “I will definitely be here next season. I said a few years ago that I will be here until the end of my contract, and I am here.”
The 33-year-old went on to say this his place in the first team isn’t guaranteed with the emergence of Daniel Sturridge and with Fernando Torres looking to improve after suffering a tough season when he joined from Liverpool in January.
Courtois Madrid loan.
New Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaud Courtois has joined Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan, according to The Guardian.
The 19-year-old only signed for Chelsea earlier this month in a £7.9m deal from Belgian side Genk.
This deal was seen as one for the future as Petr Cech remains a vital player in the Chelsea team and with Hilario and Ross Turnbull the seemingly obvious back-up it was seen fit by the Chelsea management to send the youngster out to prolong his development.
Courtois will join the Madrid side as a straight replacement for outgoing Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea who joined Manchester United last month.
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