Chelsea have now reportedly tabled a mouthwatering £112 million (R2.6 billion) offer for a certain Real Madrid star.
Having spent a record-breaking £585.5 million (R13.7 billion) on 16 transfers during co-owner Todd Boehly's first year since taking over the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022, the Blues seem to have an appetite for yet more big-money signings.
Read: Man City 'agree deal' for Chelsea star
The side is now reported to be eager to bring one of Real's key players to Stamford Bridge, with new manager Mauricio Pochettino said to have earmarked the star as a potential marquee arrival for his tenure, which begins on 1 July and ends in June 2025 if the tactician and the club decide against the option to extend until 2026.
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, the Argentine boss wants to sign Los Blancos midfielder Federico Valverde in the upcoming transfer window, with a whopping bid of £112 million said to have already been submitted to the LaLiga giants.
The Chelsea head coach is understood to be a huge admirer of the Uruguay international's quality and winning mentality, and would like to bring that to his squad in 2023/24.
The reports claims that the English outfit have tabled an offer of a £95 million (R2.2 billion) fee up front, plus about £17 million (R399 million) in add-ons, for the South American.
Although the 24-year-old is believed to have no interest in leaving the Santiago Bernabeu as his contract expires in June 2027, the offer by Chelsea will reportedly stand until the end of June should Carlo Ancelotti's team decide to accept the deal.
Read: Club boss: 'I should have taken the R8 million I was offered'
Chelsea are likely to lose several midfielders in the coming weeks, with Croatia international Mateo Kovacic rumoured to have agreed a deal with Manchester City and Englishman Mason Mount reportedly set to join Manchester United, while N'Golo Kante is said to be on the verge of moving to Saudi Arabia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is linked with a switch to AC Milan.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: