Chelsea 'step up' interest in £50m Arsenal target as Fernandez and Caicedo alternative

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 26 Jan 2023 08:54 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have been quoted astronomical sums for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, but they have now targeted a central midfielder who could cost half as much.

Chelsea need to rejuvenate in central midfield with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both the wrong side of 30, out of contract at the end of the season, and the latter in particular increasingly struggling with injury.

Todd Boehly has sanctioned €460 million worth of transfer spending since succeeding Roman Abramovich as Blues owner, meanwhile, and selling clubs are all too aware of the American's deep pockets.

READ: REVEALED: Will Chelsea sign Enzo Fernandez or Caicedo or both?

Benfica insist that Chelsea need to match Fernandez's €120m release clause if they are to part ways with the Argentine World Cup winner, while Brighton have slapped a £100m price tag on Caicedo.

— Everton (@Everton) September 23, 2022

Onana to Chelsea?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Chelsea now have a Plan C in Everton's Amadou Onana.

"If [Newcastle-bound Anthony] Gordon's absence was not enough, Everton now face the prospect of losing two key playmakers after Chelsea stepped up their interest in Amadou Onana," reports the Times' Tom Roddy.

"Chelsea sensed an opportunity in the 21-year-old, who moved to Goodison Park only last summer, with Everton needing to raise cash due to Financial Fair Play issues."

READ: Who is Amadou Onana? The next Vieira trying to emulate Lampard at Everton

Everton, who sacked manager Frank Lampard on Monday, have recorded losses of more than £370million over the last three seasons alone and have only avoided penalties due to coronavirus pandemic-related exemptions.

As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers on Wednesday, Everton will receive £35m rising to £50m for Gordon, while their asking price for Onana is believed to be £50m.

Onana only joined Everton from Lille for €35m (£30m) at the start of the season, so they could turn a quick profit on the Belgium midfielder, who, despite the Toffees' travails, has some of the best defensive stats in the Premier League this season.