Chelsea wants to sign “unbelievable” midfielder who plays like Bruno Fernandes – report
It has surfaced that Chelsea is considering a transfer for a second midfield player this summer as Mauricio Pochettino aims to continue building his team.
Chelsea’s season-ending run of form has put them in the running to qualify for the Europa League ahead of their final two Premier League games. Should they win both of their remaining games and their London rivals lose both (against Manchester City and relegated Sheffield United), Chelsea could even catch Tottenham.
The Blues have surpassed Manchester United in the standings after winning three and drawing one of their last four Premier League games following a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal.
It has probably kept Pochettino in a job for the summer, with the speculation surrounding his future appearing to have largely died down in recent weeks following the announcement that Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim would be staying in Portugal this summer.
But there is likely to be significant change on the pitch ahead of the new season. Thiago Silva is leaving the club as a free agent, while Armando Broja is thought to be up for sale and the future of Conor Gallagher remains unclear, with the midfielder one of Pochettino’s most relied-upon players but out of contract in 2025 and strongly linked with a move to Tottenham. Now, they may have identified a replacement.
Blues keen on goalscoring midfielder
That is according to Italian media outlets, who claim that Chelsea have made contact with Atalanta over a potential move for impressive Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners this summer.
They are not alone in their admiration of the Dutchman, with Liverpool and Juventus also in the race for his signature following an excellent Serie A campaign, while journalist Dean Jones claimed that the midfielder would be an “unbelievable addition to the Premier League”.
Initially viewed as a deep-lying midfielder, he has played a more advanced role for Gasperini’s side this season and has managed to find the net on 12 occasions, along with grabbing five assists and helping his side to two finals (the Coppa Italia and the Europa League).
His performances have even drawn parallels with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes via data site fbref, given his status as a do-it-all playmaker with goalscoring pedigree.
Despite this success, he seems keen for pastures new, admitting that the Premier League was an attractive prospect when quizzed earlier in the season.
“Last year there was concrete interest from Napoli. However, in the end the two clubs did not find an agreement. I told Atalanta that in the coming summer I want to leave”, the maestro told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
“My fiancée and I are having a great time in Italy, but for some clubs in England I could even bear the rainy days there… I hope options present themselves so I can think about it”, he continued.
Now, he could get that move, with TuttoJuve explaining that Liverpool and Chelsea are both in the race along with Juventus for his signature, which is likely to set them back in excess of 40m euros. With Gallagher potentially leaving, could Koopmeiners be his replacement at Stamford Bridge?