How Chelsea could beat PSG to WONDERKID transfer

James Shearman

23 Aug 2023 12:35 CDT
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Chelsea have been told by Lyon that they will have to include players in a deal for Bradley Barcola.

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Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Ligue 1 club are only willing to accept a swap deal, plus a transfer fee.

So, Barcola's next destination could come down to which club has the players that Lyon are after.

The Blues are known to face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for the winger.

The 20-year-old is seen as one of France's most exciting prospects, having registered five goals and eight assists in the league last season.

Who do Chelsea have to offer Lyon?

Chelsea have three first-team players that are surplus to requirements: Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Malang Sarr.

Lyon will not take Lukaku, but the other two could be of interest to them.

Sarr has spent much of his career in France, impressing at Nice before his move to Stamford Bridge. And, he spent last season on loan at Monaco.

Understand Olympique Lyon have clear strategy regarding Bradley Barcola: they want players included in the deal for the winger. ⭐️🇫🇷 #OL

OL are only keen on swap deal + fee for Barcola, message sent to PSG in the recent days.

Chelsea also informed since last week. pic.twitter.com/JUllgMqRRo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2023

His reported £100,000-per-week wages could be an issue, but a move to Lyon makes perfect sense otherwise.

The central defender would be an adequate replacement for Castello Lukeba, who recently left for RB Leipzig.

As for Hudson-Odoi, he would be a like-for-like replacement for Barcola, as they both play on the right wing.

The Englishman's career has stalled in recent seasons, on the back of serious injuries, and he needs a fresh start.

A loan move to Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen last season did not pan out, but he could find it easier in Ligue 1, and a permanent home may also help.