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Football

09th Jan 2019

Chelsea preparing bid for Callum Wilson as Alvaro Morata nears exit

Chelsea are reportedly going to launch a £50 million bid for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson once Álvaro Morata has been loaned out

Reuben Pinder

How much?!

Chelsea are preparing a £50m bid for Callum Wilson, according to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney.

However, the move relies on Alvaro Morata moving on, with Atlético Madrid interested in taking the striker on loan until the end of the season with a view to buying him permanently in the summer.

Morata has endured a nightmare spell in England, with the occasional goalscoring form inspiring hope that he might fulfil his potential on these shores. Alas, it has not happened.

Under Maurizio Sarri, who showed faith in Morata at the start of this season, he has been knocked down the pecking order, with the Italian coach preferring to play Eden Hazard as an unorthodox number 9 through the middle.

Atletico want to bring that nightmare to an end and offer the Spain international a chance to rediscover his goalscoring form, with cult figure – at both clubs – Diego Costa struggling to find the net this season.

Despite Morata’s troubles in front of goal, there is a lot of interest in him right now, with Sevilla, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund all keeping tabs on his situation.

Wilson, meanwhile, has been hugely important for Bournemouth this season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions for the Cherries so far. But the recent signing of Dominic Solanke from Liverpool would suggest that Eddie Howe’s team are preparing to lose Wilson to Chelsea.

They would be making a hefty profit in the process, especially considering they signed the striker from Coventry for around £3m back in 2014.

In his first season with the club, he scored 23 goals, but has since had to overcome two knee injuries, which has stunted his goalscoring.

But now, he is in the form of his life, and Chelsea are willing to take a punt on the England international, hoping he can solve their goalscoring woes.

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