Championship manager sounds warning to Chelsea over defensive target: “It would take a lot of money”

Russel Martin asserts it will take lot of money to sign Kyle Walker-Peters amid Chelsea links

Southampton manager Russell Martin has told Chelsea that signing fullback Kyle Walker-Peters in the January window will take a great deal of money after the Blues have held talks with his agent.

Walker-Peters was under Mauricio Pochettino’s tutelage at Tottenham Hotspur, so the Argentinean will undoubtedly get the most out of him if the Blues are able to sign him.

But the West Londoners will have to fork out much more if they want to sign him in the January transfer window. After the Saints manager confirmed they won’t let him leave easily and will demand hefty money from the interested parties, (h/t Football.London), he told the BBC:

“I spoke to Kyle. I also know his agent really well. There’s been no conversation at all about him wanting to leave. He’s in such a good place. I think he’s enjoying himself. It would take a lot of money to prise him away.”

It is still surprising that he remained with Southampton when they were relegated from the Premier League, and if we make a bid for him, then we can give him a chance to return to the English top-flight league.

He is an excellent fullback and is versatile on either of the wings, which will greatly benefit us given the number of injuries we have suffered in both the right-back and left-back positions. His addition will be good for us, and he has played under the Argentine manager, so it shouldn’t take time to settle at Chelsea.

Given our injuries, it is doubtful that our fullbacks will always be fit, so Pochettino can help him realise his maximum talent. We witnessed how the Argentine helped Kyle Walker become one of the best fullbacks under him before he left for Manchester City.

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He will also make a terrific backup. We currently need a right-back because Malo Gusto is the only available player, and we can’t use him excessively lest he get injured. Therefore, it makes more sense to sign Walker-Peters.