Chelsea are considering an offer for PSG star Leandro Paredes after they have struggled to make much progress with a deal for Moises Caicedo.
The Brighton midfielder has been a top target for Chelsea all summer, but they are yet to strike a deal for the 21-year-old.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are ready to make an improved offer for Caicedo after their latest bid of £80m was rejected.
Although it remains to be seen if Chelsea will match Brighton’s £100m asking price for the player.
With Mauricio Pochettino seemingly not wanting to put all of his eggs into one basket, Chelsea have expanded their search for a midfielder.
According to The Evening Standard, Chelsea are interested in PSG midfielder Paredes as they have become ‘frustrated’ by the Caicedo chase.
Pochettino knows Paredes well from his time in France and he is seemingly keen on a move for his former midfielder.
The 29-year-old spent last season out on loan with Juventus and is available at a ‘reasonable price’ according to the report.
With his contract up at the end of the season and PSG seemingly keen to sell, Chelsea could land themselves a bargain.
Plenty of other Premier League sides have held an interest in Paredes over the years. Prior to signing Casemiro, Man Utd were interested in the Argentine international.
Paredes would go against Chelsea’s latest recruitment policy of signing young and upcoming stars, but he would give them a different dynamic in midfield.
Frank Leboeuf thinks that Pochettino should be in the market for a more experienced player and Paredes would certainly tick that box.
“I love the player,” Leboeuf told ESPN. “What he showed last season was absolutely fantastic and one of the best players in his position right now.
“It’s not, for me, what Chelsea should look for. They have no experience players in the middle of the park. That is what lacking the most for me at Chelsea.
“They have young players, who are very talented players, but you can see the age. They are very, very young. You need players with experience.
“They lost Kovacic, Kante and Jorginho before the end of the season and they didn’t replace them. Caicedo is a great player, but he hasn’t got the experience that I am looking for and will be needed in the middle of the park for Chelsea.”
