Edson Alvarez to Chelsea in 2023: The state of play

Karan Tejwani

25 Oct 2022 08:30 BST
3 min read

Chelsea are keen to improve their midfield options and are still keeping tabs on Ajax star Edson Alvarez, who has been on their radar for quite some time.

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The Blues are set to have major changes to their midfield in the summer, as N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are in the final months of their contracts at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have offered Kante an extension, but are unable to reach an agreement, while Jorginho has been linked with clubs such as Barcelona.

READ: Who is Edson Alvarez? Ajax's midfield machine targeted by Chelsea

Regardless of whether they extend, Chelsea are planning ahead and the Ajax midfield star is high on their list of priorities for a summer transfer.

Alvarez still a top target

Chelsea targeted Alvarez late in the summer transfer window but Ajax held firm and were unwilling to let the midfielder go in the final hours of the market.

It was believed that Chelsea would come back for Alvarez in January and that Ajax would be more receptive to an offer if it came in the right time.

READ: Chelsea want €50m Edson Alvarez in January despite Zakaria loan

Ajax already sold plenty of stars over the summer such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller and Ryan Gravenberch and were unwilling to let one more go so late in the transfer market.

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has spoken about a possible move: “He’s always been on Chelsea’s list, but Ajax will try to keep him at least until the end of the season,” Romano explained.

🇲🇽 The 50th goal scored by a Mexican player in the #UCL

⚽️ Edson Álvarez pic.twitter.com/UWr4vwMPyA
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 7, 2022

“There are no negotiations ongoing now, also no decision will be made by Chelsea on new midfielder in October; it will take some time. Not an easy one, for sure.”

Alvarez fits the right profile of a Chelsea signing in the Todd Boehly regime: he’s only 24 years old and has constantly gotten better since moving to European football in 2019.

Whether Chelsea make a move for him remains to be seen, but it won’t be cheap: Ajax wanted €50 million for Alvarez last time around, and will want the same the next time the Blues come knocking.