Chelsea chasing Cesc as other clubs pull out of the running

Following the announced exit of Frank Lampard from Chelsea this summer, the Blues (second-favourites at 2/1 to win the Premier League next season) are set to move for Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, valued at a reported £30m.

Former Arsenal captain Fabregas, 27, has been told he can leave the Nou Camp, with the Catalan giants now setting their sights on World Cup Spain call-up and Atletico Madrid playmaker Koke.

Both Manchester clubs United (5/1 to be Fabregas’ next club) and City (12/1) as well as the Gunners (5/1) had been linked with the Barca player this season, but have all seemingly pulled out of the race to sign him. This puts Chelsea (odds-on favourites at 4/5) firmly in the driving seat.

Fabregas, who has also made Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man World Cup squad, featured in nearly every match this campaign for the Spanish heavyweights, but fans openly showed their frustrations at the graduate of La Masia.

Although Fabregas has failed to impress Nou Camp crowds, he was still second-equal in the La Liga assists charts, with Koke, getting 13 in 36 games this term – he also netted eight goals.

If he were to move to Stamford Bridge, Fabregas could be seen linking up with the likes of other creative players Eden Hazard and Oscar, as well as potential new superstar striker and fellow Spain international Diego Costa.

Chelsea have have already all but sold centre back, and occasional midfielder, David Luiz to PSG for a reported £40m, so certainly have a lot of money to burn on top of what they already had in the transfer pot.

World Cup and European Championship holders Spain go into this summer’s tournament as fourth favourites at 13/2 to lift the former trophy for a second time.

They have been drawn in a tough group (B) that contains their final opponents in South Africa the Netherlands, as well as South Americans Chile and Australia. Del Bosque’s boys are odds-on both to win that pool at 8/11, and qualify for the knockout rounds at 2/11.