Transfer news: Chelsea ready to launch late bid to sign 26-year-old star

Transfer deadline day is here and managers are working hard to strengthen their squad with last minute deals and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Chelsea are linked with Abdoulaye Doucoure…

Chelsea are eyeing a last gasp swoop to sign Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure as Maurizio Sarri looks to bolster his options before tonight’s deadline, according to the Mirror.

Sarri was left furious after Chelsea were hammered 4-0 by Bournemouth on Wednesday night and the Blues boss is now hoping to strengthen his squad before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm.

Chelsea are yet to sign a replacement for Cesc Fabregas following his move to Monaco earlier this month and the Mirror claims that Doucoure  has emerged as a surprise late transfer target.

The newspaper says the west Londoners are huge fans of the highly-rated Watford midfielder and are ready to make a late swoop to sign the 26-year-old over the coming hours.

Watford have been trying to hold on to Doucoure all month amid links with Paris Saint-Germain and it seems they could now face a fresh battle to keep the midfielder at Vicarage Road if Chelsea formalise their interest today.

Doucoure was left out of the Watford squad for their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham last night with boss Javi Garcia claiming he has a minor knee injury but it’s only fuelled speculation the player could be set for a deadline day move to Stamford Bridge.

The former French U21 international has been a superb signing for Watford since joining the club from Rennes in 2016 with his eye catching performances in the middle of the park making him a key player for the Hornets in recent years.

READ –> Chelsea transfer news

No doubt they will do all they can to cling on to Doucoure but the player would be tempted if Chelsea do launch a late move to lure him away so this is a potential deal we should keep an eye on over the coming hours.