Chelsea eye surprise deadline day move for Premier League midfielder

Chelsea want to complete a shock deadline day move for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, claims The Daily Mirror.

Maurizio Sarri’s side were pummelled 4-0 by Bournemouth on Wednesday night and the Italian again conceded he is struggling to motivate his players.

Chelsea had cooled their interest in signing a new midfielder after missing out on Leandro Paredes to Paris Saint-Germain but could now make a dramatic last-hour swoop for Doucoure.

The 26-year-old has already admitted this month he wants to move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe and there were suggestions PSG could move for the Watford star.

Doucoure, who is currently recovering from an injury, has now emerged on Chelsea’s radar, though it would take an enormous bid to convince Watford to sell on deadline day.

With less than 24 hours remaining in the winter transfer window, Watford would have little time to find a replacement and that could prove Chelsea’s undoing.

Since the beginning of last season, Doucoure has won possession in the middle third more times than any other player in the Premier League (288).