Football news - Paper Round: £52m Nabil Fekir could replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea

Chelsea may buy Nabil Fekir to replace Eden Hazard, who may join Real Madrid, which would allow Isco to move to Manchester City. Fred, meanwhile, wants to stay at Manchester United...

Chelsea consider Fekir switch

Chelsea are looking to add to their squad in January to support their new manager Maurizio Sarri. One option is Nabil Fekir, the Lyon playmaker. Fekir almost joined Liverpool for around £52 million in the summer, but the deal fell through. Chelsea could strike a deal for less than that as his contract expires in 18 months time, and bring him to Stamford Bridge in the summer. They are also interested in Christian Pulisic and Gonzalo Higuain.

Paper Round’s view: Higuain, Pulisic and Fekir all play in different positions in attack, so it is unlikely that they are all on the same shortlist. Chelsea need a striker above all else, but a playmaker like Fekir would be a sensible replacement should they expect Eden Hazard to join Real Madrid in the summer.