Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea initiate PSG raid to give Pochettino perfect start, as Fabrizio Romano confirms move is greenlit

PSG trio Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a PSG star will be “allowed to leave” this summer and Chelsea have emerged as one of two clubs who’ve already taken the first steps towards a move, per reports.

The shape and size of Chelsea’s upcoming summer transfer window will hinge largely on who and how many they can get off the books.

The Evening Standard listed no fewer than 15 first-teamers who are on the chopping block. A subsequent update listed seven high profile stars the Blues hope to axe before June 30.

The significance of that particular date is that is when the club’s accounts for 2022/23 must be filed. Any sales made after that date will count towards the books for 2023/24.

If Chelsea are able to trim the fat of their squad, a new goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker are all wanted.

Regarding the midfield addition, various reports are pointing towards PSG’s Argentina international, Leandro Paredes.

The 28-year-old central midfielder is known to Pochettino not only because he’s Argentinian, but also through their time at PSG. Pochettino was in charge in Paris between 2021-22.

Paredes was loaned out to Juventus for the current campaign, though a sub-par season will ensure the option to buy worth around €20m will not be activated.

As such, Paredes will return to PSG at season’s end, though perhaps not for long.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano tweeted both he and fellow Argentine, Angel Di Maria, are “expected to leave” Turin this summer.

Di Maria will become a free agent, while Paredes has one year remaining on his deal, meaning a transfer fee will be required.

Romano added Paredes is “on the market” and “will be allowed to leave” Paris.

Chelsea ignite Paredes move

That’s where Chelsea come in, with Argentine journalist, Martin Arevalo, claiming the Blues and Atletico Madrid are sizing up a move.

As cited by Goal, Chelsea have ‘established contact’ with Paredes’ camp as they explore whether a summer swoop is viable. Atleti have seemingly taken the same step.

No transfer fee is cited, though it stands to reason PSG would command something similar to the €20m option that was inserted into the Juventus loan. €20m equates to just £17.3m at current exchange rate.

A Paredes move may become all the more important for Chelsea and Pochettino pending what happens with several of their current options.

Mason Mount looks set to leave and his preference is joining Man Utd. Mateo Kovacic is wanted by Man City in the event they lose Ilkay Gundogan to free agency.

N’Golo Kante too could depart, with the veteran Frenchman out of contract this summer. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is currently in talks over joining AC Milan.

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