Saturday, 17th September, 2011
Reports from Spain suggest that Chelsea are seriously considering bidding for Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol when the transfer window swings open again.
Albiol looks to be slipping out of favour at the Bernabeu and the summer signing of French talent Raphael Varane, combined with the presence of Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Ricardo Carvalho, means that the former Valencia man may be forced to look elsewhere.
And Spanish radio station Cadena Ser report that Chelsea have cast their eye over Albiol and could move for the centre back.
Despite having a number of defensive options, Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas is on the lookout for real quality to add and could allow the Brazilian Alex to leave in January – the former PSV Eindhoven man came close to switching to both Bayern Munich and Juventus in the summer.
Albiol arrived at Real Madrid in 2009 from Valencia, with Los Blancos paying Los Che €15M for his services.
The 25-year-old was linked with an exit in the summer, with Real Madrid reported to be standing ready to send the player to Manchester City in exchange for Emmanuel Adebayor.
A switch to Stamford Bridge would surely appeal to Albiol, especially in preference to limited playing time in the Spanish capital.
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