Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Nemanja Matic and Baba Rahman Rumours

Real Madrid are lining up Chelsea midfielderNemanja Matic after they failed in their pursuit of Juventus superstar Paul Pogba.Francesc J. Gimenoof Spanish publicationSport(h/tJames Cambridgeof theExpress)reported that Real managerZinedine Zidane has switched his attentions to the Serbia international as he searches for increased steel in the Real midfield. A 34 million bid is being prepared for the player, who suffered a dramatic loss of form last term at Stamford Bridge.According to Cambridge, with Pogba set to join Manchester United in a world-record deal, Zidane desires an alternative toCasemiroand has been "pressing" Real president Florentino Perez for a new signing.Matic's first-team opportunities in west London are under threat due to the arrival of N'Golo Kante from Leicester City, and the temptation to start afresh in the Spanish capital could be appealing if a deal can be brokered.However, Matic recently pledged hisimmediatefuture to his club and said he welcomed the competition from Kante for astarting berth, asquotedbyTom Doyleof theLondon Evening Standard:I am sure that 100,000 players want to come to play for Chelsea so there is always competition, all life is a fight so every player is ready for that.Yes, [it is great to haveKante] - he is a good player and I am sure that he will bring a lot of qualities to our team and all good players are welcome to our team.He is a great player and it was difficult play against him [last season] and I am very happy because he is coming to Chelsea.John Percyof theTelegraph alsoquoted AntonioConteduring Chelsea'spre-season endeavours, and the new boss said he is keen to see the player remain at the Bridge:He [Matic] is not for sale and I know with work he can become a fantastic midfielder, one of the best in the world.He is a very important player for me, he is very important in my idea of football. He knows this and Im delighted by his attitude and behaviour and I see in him commitment.Maticfeatured in 38 matches in the Premier League andUEFAChampions League last term, according toWhoScored.com, but the midfielder was far from his best of the previous season, when his quality helped Chelsea to the league title under former manager Jose Mourinho.In other news, Baba Rahman has joined up with Schalke on loan. The German side confirmed the defender had joined their ranks via social media on Monday:Rahman was a peculiar Chelsea signing, and it was questionable whether he would have the quality to be a top-class player in the Premier League.A stint in Germany will give the 22-year-old the minutes he needs under his belt, but there is a question mark hanging over Rahman's career. The defender may never play for Chelsea again and be forced to find a permanent home in the near future if he fails to make the mark inGelsenkirchen.Nizaar Kinsellaof Goal reported the Blues expect to welcome the Ghana international back at the end of his loan after making 15 appearances for Chelsea last term. Kinsella added the player remains in the Conte's "long-term plans."Meanwhile, Matic's playing time will be seriously compromised by Kante's arrival, and a move to Madrid is a dream scenario for the bruising midfielder.However, the Serbian would be a risk for Real at the quoted price, as it is yet to be seen if he can recapture the form that brought him to prominence under Mourinho.
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