Chelsea plot loan move for World Cup winner

With Euro 2020 coming to a dramatic end on Sunday night, focus returns to club football with the early rounds of Europa League qualification having already started and the domestic season now less than a month away. 

The 2021/22 Premier League season promises to be a much more closely fought one than last term, during which Manchester City ended up runaway leaders.

Liverpool made their first summer signing earlier this month, acquiring RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, and Jurgen Klopp’s side will also be buoyed by the return of Virgil van Dijk.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are close to signing England international Jadon Sancho, while Manchester City have been linked with a whole host of stars as they look to go one better than last season and secure their first ever Champions League title next term.

Chelsea are another side who will likely look quite different next season having been linked with the likes of Erling Braut Haaland, Romelu Lukaku and Miralem Pjanic.

It appears, however, that the Blues have turned their attention elsewhere, with the Daily Express reporting that they are lining up a loan move for Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann won the Golden Boot at Euro 2016.

The report suggests that the Barcelona forward, who has also been linked with Liverpool, United and Arsenal, could be allowed to leave this summer and that the Blues could be keen on a temporary move.

It also states that the club would need to reduce its wage bill beforehand, with the likes of Baba Rahman, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater all looking almost certain to leave the club this summer.

With their second Champions League triumph still fresh in the mind, Thomas Tuchel’s side will be keen to defend their title and also compete for the Premier League title next season.

The report also suggests that the Blues could employ a tried and tested method during potential negotiations for the Frenchman.

Last season, it was widely reported that Antonio Rudiger was used as a middle man in the deals to sign his fellow German internationals Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

Now, it is claimed that Kurt Zouma could be used in the same way to persuade Griezmann to make the switch to West London.

With such big names being heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, next season could prove to be another exciting one for Chelsea fans.