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Mid-Day Ticker: Chelsea close in on De Bruyne, Everton avoid favorites in FA Cup draw and more

Kevin De Bruyne (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Chelsea is looking for a better second half of the season in the Premiership, and it is hoping the signing of an attacking midfielder will help them do that.

Chelsea is set to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Belgian club RC Genk on a five-year deal. The 20-year-old, who can also play on the wing, is reportedly in London for a medical. The transfer fee is reported to be around $10.6 million.

De Bruyne would become the third Belgian at Chelsea should the move be finalized. He would join compatriots goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Romelu Lukaku.

Here are more stories from to help get you through the day:

FA DRAW PITS EVERTON AGAINST SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY OR BLACKPOOL

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup took place over the weekend, and Landon Donovan and Everton now have an idea of who they will face. Everton is scheduled to do battle against Sheffield Wednesday or Blackpool as 16 teams fight to keep their FA Cup hopes alive. Zak Whitbread and Tim Ream are among the other Americans who could also play in the next round of the tournament.

Here is the full list of fifth round FA Cup fixtures:

Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Everton vs. Sheffield Wednesday/Blackpool

Chelsea vs. Birmingham City

Crawley Town vs. Stoke City

Stevenage vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Norwich City vs. Leicester City

Sunderland/Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal

Millwall/Southampton vs. Bolton Wanderers

All games will take place on February 17, 18 or 19.

TERRY OUT OF SWANSEA CLASH

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry for its match against Swansea City on Tuesday, as the defender is recovering from a knee injury. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed Terry has been carrying the knock since the club's FA Cup win over Portsmouth on Jan. 8, and rest has finally been deemed necessary. Terry joins a growing list of injured players for Chelsea, as Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi are all currently sidelined.

TONI MOVES TO UAE CLUB AL NASR

Luca Toni's time with Juventus has ended. The club confirmed on Monday that the Italian striker will join UAE Pro League side Al Nasr. Toni joined Juventus last January on a free transfer from Genoa but he did not make an appearance in a Serie A match this season, paving the way for his move. Toni scored two goals in 15 matches in his time with Juventus.

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What do you think of Chelsea's impending signing of De Bruyne? Think Chelsea can win without Terry? How much do you think Toni is getting paid by Al Nasr?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. DeBruyne will not be coming to Chelsea,he is signing and being sent straight back to Genk on loan.He will be coming in the summer.

    Reply
  2. will Landon still be playing with Everton (assuming no transfer or extension) in mid-February? when is he planning on returning to LA?

    Reply

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