Chelsea have had three bids rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for midfielder Moises Caicedo and are now looking at alternatives after becoming frustrated with negotiations
Chelsea are interested in signing Leandro Paredes this summer (Photo by Di Yin/Getty Images)×
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Chelsea are interested in signing defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes as negotiations for Moises Caicedo drag on.
football.london understands the Brighton star has been identified as a top target this summer, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to strengthen his midfield. It’s understood the Blues have already had three bids for the Ecuadorian international rejected, with their most recent offer in the region of £80million.
The Seagulls are thought to want around £100million for Caicedo and it’s understood the two clubs remain in talks over a switch. The fact the Blues have had a bid accepted by Brighton for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez shows the clubs remain in dialogue but it’s thought the Blues hierarchy are becoming frustrated with the time it is taking to get the deal over the line.
Now, it appears that the west London outfit are looking at alternatives and Paris Saint-Germain star Paredes is a name high up on their list, according to Evening Standard. Pochettino worked with the Argentine during his time at PSG and he would add experience to a youthful Blues midfield.
Paredes spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Juventus and made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and assisting twice. The 29-year-old is now into the last year of his contract at PSG and is available at a reasonable price, the Evening Standard report.
The report adds that Edson Alvarez, Tyler Adams, Amadou Onana and Gabri Veiga are other players being looked at. Pochettino is keen to bolster his midfield in the coming weeks and made his feelings clear on the situation during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
“No, I told you that we need to improve in all the areas. I am happy with the midfield but we also need to improve this area,” said Pochettino following the Blues’ draw with Borussia Dortmund earlier this week. The Argentine was asked a similar question ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season clash against Newcastle United earlier this summer
He replied: “It depends on the situation of different players. We need at least one more and we are working on that. It depends on what happens in the next few weeks. We will decide and take our decision.”
Soucre: football.london