Chelsea ready to ‘outbid’ Tottenham and Man Utd for Leeds ace after Potter orders Boehly to strike

Leeds Utd stars Tyler Adams and Illan Meslier with Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell

Graham Potter has told the Chelsea board which position he wants to strengthen this summer and the Blues are reportedly prepared to outbid Man Utd and Tottenham for a Leeds Utd ace.

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed a new number six is among Chelsea’s top priorities for the summer window. N’Golo Kante is on the cusp of signing a new deal, though his struggles with injury will force the Blues into acquiring a younger star too.

Declan Rice is on their radar with West Ham reportedly resigned to losing their captain at season’s end.

Elsewhere, a new centre-forward is wanted and a permanent move for Atletico Madrid loanee may be on the cards.

Chelsea are understood to be desperate to sign the classy Portuguese outright and an encouraging update from the Athletic claimed Felix’s price tag has been dramatically slashed.

Regardless, today’s update regards the goalkeeping position, with Football Insider bringing news of a potential raid within the Premier League.

Graham Potter’s current options are Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy. Kepa has displaced Mendy as the No 1 this season, and according to 90min, the Senegalese may soon be dispatched for good.

Indeed, the online outlet claimed Todd Boehly and co. have ruthlessly decided to axe the 31-year-old stopper.

18-year-old Gabriel Slonina is on the books following his $15m (approx. £12.3m) arrival from MLS side Chicago Fire last summer.

However, the USA international is viewed as one for the future and if Mendy departs, a more readymade and experienced replacement will be required.

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Chelsea hovering over Illan Meslier

That’s where Leeds Utd come in, with FI reporting Potter’s demand for a new goalkeeper has resulted in Chelsea’s board putting the name of Illan Meslier forward.

The Frenchman is widely viewed as a future France international and has repeatedly drawn links with Man Utd and Tottenham in the past.

Indeed, the Athletic’s Leeds expert, Phil Hay, previous claimed Spurs were mulling a Meslier move to replace Hugo Lloris who has clearly seen better days. The Sun put Man Utd on Meslier’s trail in February as they seek a long-term successor to David de Gea.

Chelsea are claimed to have ‘joined the race’ for Meslier’s signature by FI. They’re reportedly prepared to ‘outbid’ Spurs and Man Utd in the event a bidding war ensues.

However, Chelsea believe a move for Meslier might not be a bank-breaker anyway.

Leeds are understood to have slapped a £30m-plus valuation on their No 1 and that price may actually decrease in the event they’re relegated to the Championship. The Whites currently sit 19th ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

As such, replacing Mendy with the much younger Meslier at Stamford Bridge may only require a minimal net spend if both deals are made.

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