Pursuit of Caicedo Highlights Ambitious Summer Transfer Plans

Mount, in particular, has attracted interest from Manchester United, but Chelsea rejected their latest bid of £55 million.

Chelsea are actively pursuing midfield reinforcements in the summer transfer window as they prepare for the potential departures of several players. The Blues have already bid farewell to N’Golo Kante, who joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, and Mateo Kovacic, whose move to Manchester City has been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Mason Mount are also rumored to be on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge.

Mount, in particular, has attracted interest from Manchester United, but Chelsea rejected their latest bid of £55 million. The club countered with a £58 million offer, along with £7 million in add-ons.

Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing, with Mount eager for a move. Additionally, it is believed that Gallagher is likely to depart this summer, with Tottenham showing interest.

Everton, who bid for Gallagher in January, are unlikely to rekindle their pursuit in the current transfer window. While Newcastle has shown interest, they are currently prioritizing other targets.

Regarding Loftus-Cheek, his potential move to AC Milan was thrown into doubt following the sacking of Paolo Maldini, the person leading negotiations.

However, it is still probable that the midfielder will leave before the start of the 2023/24 season. Cesare Casadei, a promising talent within Chelsea’s ranks, has aspirations to fill Loftus-Cheek’s shoes.

Casadei, who trained alongside Loftus-Cheek in the Chelsea first team before moving to Reading, regards the Real Madrid star Fede Valverde as the strongest player in his position.

Casadei recently excelled at the U20 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with seven goals and the Golden Ball award. Although Italy finished as runners-up to Uruguay, this experience has likely prepared Casadei for a potential role in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the upcoming season.

Another midfielder, Andrey Santos, who was signed by Chelsea in January, also participated in the tournament.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, who was loaned back to Vasco da Gama due to work permit issues, is expected to be given an opportunity in pre-season following the resolution of his permit situation.

While the talented duo of Casadei and Santos provide promising prospects for Chelsea’s midfield, it is highly likely that the club will seek a senior addition.

Brighton’s Moises Caicedo could potentially fill this role, with Chelsea reportedly preparing an £80 million bid for the 21-year-old. The proposed offer comprises £70 million upfront, along with £10 million in add-ons.

With Enzo Fernandez already at the club, Chelsea’s midfield options for the coming years seem well-covered if Pochettino can successfully secure the signing of Caicedo.

Follow London Insider on Google News