In preparation for the 2023-24 campaign, Chelsea has strengthened their attacking lineup with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Angelo Gabriel, and Diego Moreira. However, they have yet to add new midfield lynchpins to their squad. During pre-season, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Cesare Casadei, Andrey Santos, and Carney Chukwuemeka have been deployed in midfield, but some lack top-level experience.
Chelsea is said to have reached an agreement to sign Rennes' Lesley Ugochukwu for £23.2m, but being only 19 years old, he might be loaned out to sister club Strasbourg for the season. Alternatively, Ugochukwu could be directly integrated into the first team as an option alongside Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, whose £100m price tag could be a hurdle to a summer move to Stamford Bridge.
However, according to Spanish outlet Nacional via Football365, Chelsea is now preparing an even more lucrative bid for Federico Valverde. The 25-year-old's contract with Real Madrid runs until 2027, but with the arrivals of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, there will be increased competition for places in Carlo Ancelotti's midfield.
Despite offers from other clubs, including an €80m (£68.7m) approach from Liverpool earlier in the transfer window and bids of €100m (£85.9m) from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, Real president Florentino Perez has rejected all advances for Valverde. It remains uncertain if Valverde has any interest in leaving Europe at this stage of his career. Nonetheless, the report indicates that Chelsea is determined to overcome Perez's resistance and is willing to offer Valverde a significantly improved contract under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.
