Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes has allegedly emerged as a surprise transfer target for Chelsea.
Throughout the summer window, it has been no secret that the West Londoners are in the market for more experience in the centre of the pitch.
Although Mauricio Pochettino has a wide array of younger options at his disposal, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher remain as the senior players despite being just 22 and 23 years of age respectively.
While their long-term target Moises Caicedo is just 21, the Ecuador international is a proven Premier League performer who could command a regular starting place, presumably alongside Fernandez.
Nevertheless, Chelsea are yet to find a breakthrough in negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion, who are insisting on receiving £100m rather than a fee closer to the £80m that their Stamford Bridge counterparts have offered thus far.
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The lengthening impasse and Brighton's alleged confidence over retaining Caicedo's services is forcing Chelsea to consider alternatives with Leeds United's Tyler Adams a name that is said to have been mentioned.
However, according to the Evening Standard, Paredes has also entered the conversation having recently returned to his parent club.
Paredes endured somewhat of a frustrating campaign on loan at Juventus in 2022-23, making a total of 14 starts and 21 substitute outings in all competitions.
With a year left on his contract, the 29-year-old is available for the right price and would bring more know-how to the engine room and squad in general.
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Furthermore, Paredes is no stranger to working with Pochettino, an Argentine compatriot, courtesy of the Blues' head coach's stint at Parc des Princes.
During 2021-22, the World Cup winner made just 10 starts and five substitute outings in Ligue 1, but he missed as many as 17 games through fitness and injury problems.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has already held conversations with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi this summer regarding other transfer matters, and it is plausible that further talks could be held in due course.
Paredes has been linked with Chelsea in the past with Maurizio Sarri wanting to sign him at the midway point of the 2018-19 campaign, only for the player to sign for PSG.
Darren Plant
