Chelsea are making a late push to signal Manchester Metropolis prospect Nico O’Reilly as they proceed their seek for a brand new central midfielder.
The 19-year-old has solely featured six instances for Pep Guardiola’s senior aspect, however his potential has caught the eye of the Blues, who’re eager on including one other high younger expertise to their ranks.
With Carney Chukwuemeka more likely to go away earlier than the switch window shuts and Romeo Lavia sidelined by damage, Chelsea are regarded as keen to bolster their midfield. Nonetheless, Metropolis are reluctant to half methods with O’Reilly with out sustaining some type of future management over the participant – one thing which is making negotiations tough.
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Based on switch skilled Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have made an official enquiry for O’Reilly.
He wrote on X, previously often called Twitter: “Chelsea hold engaged on new midfielder with enquiry made to Man Metropolis for 2005-born midfielder Nico O’Reilly.
“Metropolis don’t wish to lose future management on the participant— not a straightforward deal. Follows enquiry made for Mathis Amougou reported final week, nonetheless on checklist.”
Saint-Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou has been a key participant for the membership since their return to Ligue 1, making 16 appearances thus far this season.
As CaughtOffside reported beforehand, Chelsea see the 18-year-old as a long-term prospect and discussions are nonetheless ongoing with their possession group, BlueCo. If a deal is struck, there’s a powerful likelihood Amougou might initially be part of Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister membership, to proceed his improvement.
Nico O’Reilly may very well be the brand new Cole Palmer
O’Reilly’s potential transfer to Chelsea follows the membership’s profitable seize of Cole Palmer in 2023. Regardless of being extremely rated at Metropolis, Palmer struggled for normal minutes underneath Guardiola earlier than Chelsea swooped in with a €47 million deal.
Since then, Palmer has change into considered one of Europe’s high performers – naturally, Chelsea can be hoping that O’Reilly if signed, can comply with the same trajectory.
With the deadline quick approaching, Chelsea are working towards the clock to finalise a deal, however with Metropolis hesitant to let go of the gifted midfielder with out circumstances, securing his signature gained’t be simple.
