Chelsea’s Strategic Moves: Pursuing Two Midfielders in a Potential £132m Deal
Chelsea’s Ambitious Transfer Plans: Pursuing Cicedo and Ugarte in a £132m Deal
Brighton has set a hefty price tag of £80 million for Cicedo, catching the attention of Arsenal, who nearly secured his signature in January. According to The Guardian, Chelsea is also keen on securing Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon, who has a £52 million release clause in his contract with the Portuguese team.
Should Chelsea manage to acquire both players, the combined cost would amount to £132 million. This significant investment aligns with the desires of co-owner Todd Boehly, who is determined to keep the Blues spending money. Since taking over from Roman Abramovich last summer, the American owner has overseen a staggering expenditure of over £600 million.
However, Chelsea’s aggressive pursuit of new signings raises concerns about potential violations of Financial Fair Play rules. To navigate this situation, the club aims to offload some of their top players as part of a strategic team rebuild.
Mason Mount, who is experiencing contractual complications at his current club, has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Chelsea is rumored to demand £80 million for Mount, a sum that could be utilized to secure Cicedo if United is willing to meet the valuation.
Nevertheless, Chelsea faces competition from Arsenal in the race to sign the coveted Brighton star player. Recently, Cicedo’s agent praised Arsenal as a “great club,” indicating their interest in acquiring the talented player.
Brighton, on the other hand, has expressed interest in signing Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, a potential deal that could facilitate Cicedo’s move to Stamford Bridge. The intricate negotiations between the clubs will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of these transfer endeavors.