Chelsea is set to retain defender Bashir Humphreys beyond the current transfer deadline, as revealed by sources from football.london.
Despite interest from Championship clubs, particularly Swansea City, who were aggressively pursuing the 20-year-old center-back for a loan deal, Chelsea has opted to retain him.
This decision comes in the wake of Wesley Fofana’s injury and the potential transfer of Trevoh Chalobah, which has prompted the club to keep Humphreys as a valuable cover option.
Bayern Munich remains persistent in their pursuit of Chalobah, despite a rejected loan proposal from Chelsea.
The Allianz Arena club is in ongoing negotiations with the Blues to secure a loan arrangement, indicating optimism in finalizing the deal.
Chalobah, keen on the move, aims to make the transition before the impending transfer deadline.
Chelsea, however, is holding out for a permanent transfer and has set a £50 million price tag on Chalobah’s signature.
By retaining Humphreys to provide cover for center-back positions alongside the likes of Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoît Badiashile, and Axel Disasi, Chelsea effectively paves the way for Chalobah’s potential transfer before the deadline.
Humphreys recently showcased his versatility by playing as a right-back in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against AFC Wimbledon, completing the full 90 minutes.
Humphreys had also made a substantial impact during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States earlier in the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino, impressed by Humphreys’ composed and assured ball-handling skills, has demonstrated his satisfaction in retaining the young talent as a viable option for the upcoming season.
The decision to retain Humphreys indicates Chelsea’s strategic approach to managing their defensive options amid ongoing transfer negotiations.
Follow London Insider on Google News