Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea look to prey on contract situation of exciting attacker and get the jump on Prem rival

Man City winger Riyad Mahrez alongside Fulham forward Fabio Carvalho

Chelsea are looking to prey on the contract situation of an exciting attacker and get the jump on a Premier League rival, it’s been claimed.

Thomas Tuchel already has several options going forward. But for the most part, they have not been performing at their best this season. More has been needed from the two recognised strikers, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

The trio of Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech have all contributed, but there has been dips in form for all three.

Arguably the best performer has been Kai Havertz. He is still developing and adapting to English football, though.

So further attacking reinforcements are not out of the question come the summer transfer window.

And according to Foot Mercato, the Blues are ‘keenly interested’ in Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

The 31-year-old has been in fine form this season. He has scored 21 goals and picked up seven assists across 33 appearances in all competitions.

Despite that record, City have allowed him to enter the final 18 months of his current. And whether they will renew it remains to be seen.

It may deemed that he has reached his peak and will be on a downwards slope. If so, it’s believed Chelsea could nab him for between €30-40m (£25-33m).

Jorginho could leave Chelsea this summer because of sale of the club

Jorginho could leave Chelsea this summer because of sale of the club

Jorginho isn’t 100% committed to Chelsea as the sale of the club means that return to Italy could be on the cards

The report notes that Roman Abramovich’s sale of the club has put their transfer business on ice for now.

That could work against the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, because PSG are also said to be looking at Mahrez.

Before signing Lionel Messi the Ligue 1 club made an approach for him last year.

They do still have him on their radar, though, because Angel Di Maria is set to walk away from the French capital come the end of his own contract in the summer.

Chelsea also in battle with City


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Christopher Nkunku and Yussuf Poulsen

Meanwhile, Chelsea and City are among the clubs who have reportedly learned they will have to spend big if they are to sign Christopher Nkunku.

Nkunku has been attracting interest from the Premier League thanks to his performances for RB Leipzig.

Recently, he was linked with a reunion with Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United. But rivals City and Chelsea are also in contention for the Frenchman.

As per Foot Mercato again, the two Prem clubs – as well as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain – have taken note of Nkunku’s impressive form this season.

Leipzig would now be looking for a fee of at least €75m to consider selling Nkunku, whom they have under contract until 2024.

READ MOREFirst of three Chelsea exits to be finalised ‘this week’ with medical completed, contract agreed