Chelsea set to succeed with third bid after agreeing terms of star player transfer

Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the transfer of Leandro Paredes from Zenit Saint Petersburg as their first January signing.

The Argentine has agreed personal terms with the Blues, who have so far had two bids rejected for the player, though all parties supposedly anticipate this deal eventually going through, according to the Daily Star.

The report states Paredes was not Chelsea’s first choice, but that a move for Cagliari midfield starlet Nicolo Barella looks off the table in this transfer window.

Paredes looks a decent alternative, however, with Chelsea seemingly only really looking for a replacement for Cesc Fabregas to come in as a backup to the likes of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.

Fabregas ended up joining Monaco after a lack of playing time, but if Paredes has agreed terms as the Daily Star claim, then he is presumably more willing to put up with spending time on the bench at Stamford Bridge.