Chelsea are considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s surplus-to-requirements midfielder Leandro Paredes as an alternative to Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
Chelsea is considering a move for one of PSG’s ‘undesirables’ as a replacement for Moises Caicedo.
Brighton recently rejected a third bid worth £80 million from the west Londoners, with the Seagulls insistent that the Ecuador international will only be sold if his £100 million asking price is satisfied.
Chelsea, however, are hesitant to go any higher, while Brighton refuse to decrease their asking price, prompting the Blues to consider other choices.
They have previously been linked with Leeds United’s Tyler Adams (who has a relegation release clause) and Ajax defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez, but a new name has emerged.
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea might make a late play for PSG outcast Paredes, who is one of 14 ‘undesirables’ in the French champions’ ‘bomb squad’.
Paredes and his fellow exiles, along with Kylian Mbappe, Julian Draxler, and Georginio Wijnaldum, have been barred from the first-team squad and forced to practice alone as PSG seeks buyers for them.
Paredes is not in the plans of new manager Luis Enrique, and PSG is aiming to secure a price before his contract ends next summer. Chelsea is considering a move for one of PSG’s ‘undesirables’ as a replacement for Moises Caicedo.
Given that he is in the final year of his contract, the Argentina international would be available for a modest fee, substantially less than Caicedo or even Adams and Alvarez.
Pochettino is familiar with his compatriot from his time in the PSG dugout and is eager to reunite with him, having previously attempted to sign him for Tottenham Hotspur when he was in charge of the north London club.
Paredes does not match the typical Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership profile of young, budding talent, but Pochettino believes his side is lacking in experience, particularly in the middle of the pitch.
The 29-year-old was part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad at the end of last year and spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Juventus.
Although the Italian giants had a buy clause in the agreement, they chose not to execute it, and Paredes has only been linked with Lazio and Galatasaray this summer.
While Chelsea has been unsuccessful in their search for a new midfielder this summer, they are making progress with deals for Brighton goalie Robert Sanchez and Monaco defender Axel Disasi, both of whom might be revealed soon.
