Real Madrid expect Chelsea to make move to sign their 25-year-old midfielder as Pochettino set to confirm deal
Chelsea could reportedly make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde in January.
Mauricio Pochettino recently suggested that Chelsea would enter the transfer market to improve the squad amid their terrible campaign.
And now one report from Defensa Central has claimed that the Argentine is very keen on Federico Valverde.
According to the Spanish outlet, the 25-year-old is one of Pochettino’s most desired targets and Real Madrid are anticipating a move from Chelsea for him.
Chelsea spent big on midfielders during the summer, bringing in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but it looks like Pochettino is not completely satisfied with his options in the middle of the park. Lavia is yet to play a game for his new club because of injury, so that has not helped things.
Will Chelsea sign Federico Valverde in January?
It is not hard to see why Pochettino would want Valverde. He is such a powerful midfielder who has also shown versatility under Carlo Ancelotti by playing on the right flank.
The Uruguay international is making 1.7 tackles per game in the Champions League this season (WhoScored), which is the third-highest average in Real Madrid’s squad, possessing a lot of experience in that competition and at the top level in general.
But because of all the above, it really is hard to imagine Real Madrid selling Valverde next month. He is obviously such an important player for Ancelotti.
If Pochettino wants to sign a new midfielder, then the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss is probably going to have to look elsewhere.
Bringing in Valverde would be great, but there is just no way he is going to be on the market in the middle of the season. And with his contract not up until 2029, you cannot see a summer transfer taking place either.