Chelsea have lodged an official move for defender Zhang Linpeng as they look to bolster their side before the transfer window shuts on Tuesd...
Chelsea have lodged an official move for defender Zhang Linpeng as they look to bolster their side before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday, per Daily Express.
However, the signing is in danger of collapsing due to the lack of clarification regarding how much first-team football he will be assured of with the Blues, as reported by the newspaper.
Jose Mourinho has a solid defence to choose from already with Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and, of course, John Terry all established members of the Chelsea rearguard, while recent addition at full-back Baba Rahman, 21, will also be fighting for a place.
Their latest defensive acquisition from Augsburg could replace the struggling Ivanovic which would mean Mourinho may switch Azpilicueta across to right-back, leaving it open to debate where Linpeng would fit in.
The China international said, as per the Express: "I am very happy and very excited to finally have this formal invitation."
However, the newspaper also quoted a club statement regarding Chelsea's chase for the 26-year-old: "We did receive an offer from Chelsea, which we have attached great importance. But we will not continue to talk with Chelsea unless the English club make a guarantee on Zhang's playing time.
"Chelsea haven't told us which club will be Zhang's first stop, and they could not guarantee Zhang could play for Chelsea in the future. So we believe it is a great risk to let him leave now, both for the player and the club."
Chelsea have an average of 40 defensive actions per game this term.
With numerous Chelsea players out on loan, the likelihood is that Linpeng will be sent out upon arriving at Stamford Bridge, something that his club and the player want to avoid if the deal is to be completed.