Chelsea have added a Leeds United star to their watchlist as they look to add more depth to Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield this season.
Having already lost the likes of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount, Chelsea are looking particularly light in midfield.
Pochettino’s side have been pushing hard for a deal for Moises Caicedo, but they have had three bids rejected for the Brighton man so far.
Chelsea now seem keen to expand their transfer watchlist, so that they aren’t putting all of their eggs in the Caicedo basket.
According to The Times, Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams and Ajax star Edson Alvarez are now on Chelsea’s radar.
With the Caicedo deal now facing uncertainty, Chelsea are wise to widen their search for a new holding midfielder.
Leeds United paid around £20m to sign Adams last summer and he is believed to have a relegation clause in his contract.
Despite Leeds having an underwhelming campaign last season, the 24-year-old midfielder still showcased his class in the Premier League.
Chelsea will have to fend off interest from Aston Villa to seal a deal for Adams, but the Leeds midfielder is said to be keen on an exit this summer.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke recently clarified that Adams is expected to miss the start of the new season as he continues his recovery.
“Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams are still on their way back because they are still doing their rehab so they will definitely miss the start of the season and they will definitely miss also [the] next weeks,” Farke told LeedsLive.
“It will last a few weeks, it’s a bit too early to judge. Once they will be back I expect them perhaps to be back after the first international break, but it will last a while so they have to work on the rehab.
“Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams, top-class players, top characters, are so important for us. Not easy for us to start without them, but that’s reality.”
Chelsea will be keeping a keen eye on the developments surrounding the Leeds midfielder as they ponder what to do with Caicedo.
Brighton are firmly sticking to their £100m valuation, but Chelsea have been unwilling to go that high for him up until this point.
