Chelsea target €70m Porto star as alternative to Gordon
Cameron Smith
- 23 Aug 2022 10:08 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea have contacted Porto for the availability of the Brazilian winger Pepe, according to reports in Portugal.
The 25-year-old only made the jump to Europe in 2021, joining Porto from Gremio last summer, but has reportedly made an impression on Chelsea.
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The Blues are looking to bolster their forward line, despite signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, and have heavily pursued both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon.
The former is closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona, with advanced talks taking place and a deal nearing completion, while the latter remains a key transfer target. Reports have emerged that Chelsea are confident of completing a deal for Gordon, with a fresh bid of up to £60 million being tabled, according to reports.
However, the boyhood Evertonian isn't the only wide forward that Chelsea are looking at this summer.
The club's attackers are still yet to score this season - with their three goals coming from midfielder Jorginho and defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James - and it's an area that head coach Thomas Tuchel is desperate to address.
Wesley Fofana is also being targeted to fix the backline, with summer spending possibly reaching an all-time high if Chelsea complete the moves they've been linked with. The Blues have already spent the most money of any club in Europe this window after adding Sterling, Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Gabriel Slonina.
And their spending is not done yet.
Chelsea in for Pepe
Record in Portugal have reported that Chelsea have made exploratory contact with Porto's Brazilian winger Pepe over a possible summer move.
The 25-year-old scored four goals and assisted a further four in 28 league games last season, and reportedly has a €70m release clause included in his contract.
Five of his eight league goal contributions came in a two month spell between March and May last campaign, with his late season form attracting Chelsea's attention.
The report details that Porto will not let the player leave unless his release clause is activated as they wish to keep him after losing Luis Diaz to Liverpool in January.
