According to reports, Chelsea ‘want to add two midfielders’ to their squad this summer and Brighton star Moises Caicedo is one of their main targets.
The Blues have spent around £600m on signings over the past year but they are expected to spend significantly during this summer’s transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as their new head coach and a report from The Athletic has revealed some of his transfer priorities.
‘Chelsea know they need a more defensive-minded central midfielder to pair with record signing Enzo Fernandez’ and they also ‘desire a new No.9’.
The goalkeeping department is another ‘key position for Chelsea to strengthen this summer as they do not trust Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In terms of their potential targets, Chelsea are ‘stepping up their long-term interest’ in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Lavia’s value has been somewhat set by Manchester City having a £40million ($50.3m) buyback clause they can exercise in 2024, which was included as part of the deal which saw the now 19-year-old leave them for Southampton last summer. The report adds.
‘Despite now being a Championship club, relegated Southampton are reluctant to sell Lavia in this window unless they receive an offer in the region of £50million. Chelsea, if they proceed with this one, will obviously look to pay less than that.
‘Ideally, the club want to add two midfielders to the squad and remain very keen on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. They could well make another move for him if they generate enough money from midfield outgoings.
‘Caicedo will cost considerably more than Lavia, with Brighton valuing him at over £70million.
‘Arsenal and Newcastle United are among the other Premier League clubs who have been linked with him, but Manchester United are perceived to be a bigger threat. As with PSG, all three can put Champions League football next season on the table.’
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As for a potential new goalkeeper, Inter Milan’s Andre Onana ‘could be available’, while Chelsea ‘have looked at’ Brentford’s David Raya.
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan is ‘admired but would be expensive’, while Brighton’s Robert Sanchez ‘would be a cheaper alternative to other targets’ and he is ‘highly regarded by Chelsea’s goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts from several years working together at the south coast club’.
Leeds United’s Illan Meslier is ‘also a contender’ but the young Frenchman is ‘lower down on the pecking order’.
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