Chelsea hold talks over signing £60m star

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is a man on a mission this summer. While the Blues have reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, thoughts are still on improving the team ahead of next season.

Maresca has already signed Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr this summer, but they won’t be the only arrivals at Stamford Bridge. That much is certain.

With the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season, the former Leicester manager will be aiming to have a squad strong enough to mount a potential challenge.

As such, he is keeping an eye on developments regarding a few players. Lyon youngster Malick Fofana has been earmarked as a target. As to Xavi Simons, who is ready to make the step up from RB Leipzig this summer.

Signing some of the best young talents on the continent appears to be the philosophy that Maresca is going for, although he will need some experience mixed in along with the youngsters.

One player whom Maresca is desperate to land is Borussia Dortmund talent Jamie Gittens, having tracked him for the previous few months.

Chelsea’s interest in Jamie Gittens

Despite having a wealth of options in the final third, Maresca is looking to make some big changes this summer.

Christopher Nkunku looks destined to leave the Blues after just two seasons, while Nicolas Jackson has attracted attention from elsewhere, notably Arsenal.

If both of these players depart, then the club will be keen on adding replacements to their squad.

Bolstering his wide options is another priority for Maresca, especially considering Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk is set to face a lengthy doping ban, meaning he won’t be able to play for the club.

As such, targeting a move for another winger or two is in the club’s best interests, hence the approach for Gittens.

The Blues had a bid of £42m rejected by Dortmund at the start of June for the Englishman, as they value him at around €65m (£55.5m), which Chelsea have yet to meet.

Positive talks have been held between player and club, but until that asking price is met in the coming weeks, Gittens won’t be making the move to England.

Last season, he registered 17 goal involvements – 12 goals and five assists – across 42 games for the German side, despite falling out of favour slightly during the second half of the season under new coach Niko Kovač.

Indeed, the youngster doesn’t quite fit into the Croatian’s style of football, hence why it looks as though they are willing to let him leave this summer. Of course, this depends on whether Chelsea can meet the asking price.

Still aged only 20, Gittens has plenty of room to develop and challenging for trophies while competing in the Champions League next season will certainly aid him.

Should the Blues secure a deal for the player, he could work wonders alongside another potential signing…

Chelsea discussing move for Premier League forward

Delap won’t be the only forward to make the move to Chelsea this summer. Hugo Ekitiké has been one of the club’s main transfer targets to add depth to this position, while West Ham United player Mohammed Kudus has also been linked with a move.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are discussing a potential swoop for Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro.

“Let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea in Joao Pedro,” said Romano when talking on his official YouTube channel.

“He remains a player of interest, and they are having conversations because they like him and are following closely.”

Brighton are looking for a fee of around £60m in order to sanction the sale of the Brazilian.

Gittens remains a priority, but if Maresca is able to sign both the Englishman and Pedro this summer, they could make for a fantastic duo next season.

Why Joao Pedro would be unplayable with Jamie Gittens

When he is compared to his fellow peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the previous 365 days, Gittens has shone in several metrics.

His penchant for beating his marker is evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (3.57), while the winger also ranks in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.53) and in the top 7% for carries into the penalty area (3.06).

Not only does this show he is a handful for defenders, but it allows him space to get into the best positions in the final third.

As such, he would be excellent at providing Pedro with chances aplenty in the Premier League and Champions League next term, no doubt about that.

The Brazilian netted ten goals in the top flight last term, grabbing six assists in the process.

What was most impressive is that the 23-year-old scored once every 195 minutes for Brighton while finishing the season with a goal conversion percentage of 21%.

He only missed seven big chances, too, suggesting the Brighton star is extremely clinical in the penalty area.

Combining this with Gittens’ desire to get the ball into the box as often as possible, means the pair could shine together next season.

Once hailed as “magical” by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his ability on the ball, Pedro could be the ideal replacement for the likes of Nkunku and Joao Felix, who are both expected to leave.

His Premier League experience means the striker should be ready to slot into the starting XI without the need to settle in.

A fee of £60m sounds extravagant on the surface, but with the club needing players of Pedro’s quality for their Champions League campaign, that is the price Maresca must be willing to pay.

For now, the focus is on going as far as possible in the Club World Cup, especially with $125m on offer for the winner.

The Italian is still looking to bolster his team, though, and he could make a bold statement by capturing Pedro and Gittens.

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