Attracting the kind of world-beating talent that has made Chelsea so successful over the past two decades may prove tricky for Todd Boehly, after overseeing their second-worst Premier League finish in his maiden season as controlling owner. However, the latest Chelsea transfer news indicates the American is not letting up in his pursuit of success next season after missing out on Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.
Chelsea Transfer News
It has been widely reported that Sporting Lisbon’s defensive midfield powerhouse Manuel Ugarte has opted for a move to Paris Saint-Germain, despite heavy interest from Chelsea.
The Blues pulled out of the race overnight after conceding defeat, citing an unwillingness to pay above what they consider to be Ugarte’s market rate – the Parisians will to pay upwards of €60m for the Uruguayan.
Although they look set to miss out on what appeared to be their priority target, a cogent start to the window has confirmed the club’s eagerness to add fresh acquisitions this summer.
This is in spite of dropping the largest ever single-season transfer sum last season, coupled with operational losses of £121.3 million for 2021-22.
A 12th-placed finish underlined what could be one of the steepest drop-offs ever witnessed in the Premier League after finishing third the season prior. Owner Todd Boehly is intent on salvaging what has so far been a torrid tenure in west London, and it appears the American plans to do that by whipping out his bottomless chequebook once again.
The Evening Standard report that Brighton’s Moises Caicedo still remains one of the priority midfield targets, after making a £55m bid for him back in January.
Whether London rivals Arsenal, who also bid as much as £70m for the Ecuadorian in the winter, come back in for him remains to be seen given Declan Rice is their priority.
However, the Gunners are willing to let as many as 14 first team players go to fund a squad overhaul, which is likely to include both Caicedo and Rice.
Chelsea’s midfield shortlist certainly doesn’t end there however, with the Daily Express also reporting that Southampton’s highly sought-after Belgian Romeo Lavia is considered one of the more attractive options by the club’s hierarchy given the lower fee.
Whoever signs Romeo Lavia will have a real baller on their hands. ✨pic.twitter.com/HMFvDNj2zv
— 90min (@90min_Football) June 5, 2023
Lavia was also the subject of an official bid for the Blues last summer, which the Saints swiftly rebuffed having only signed the 19-year-old just a few months before.
Another failed pursuit in January even saw then-manager Graham Potter phone the teenager in an attempt to persuade him.
The report even goes as far as saying former Chelsea winger and Lavia’s compatriot Eden Hazard has spoken to him about life at Stamford Bridge, actively encouraging him to make the switch should the opportunity arise.
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