While the squad works to become the first winners of the new and improved Club World Cup, Chelsea’s administration have sealed the signing of João Pedro from Brighton and Hove Albion. The reports claim that the Blues will pay £60 million for the 23-year-old Brazilian after initially having a £58 million offer rejected.
Chelsea beat Newcastle United to the striker’s signature and are looking to seal the deal in time to have him feature for them in the Club World Cup. A seven-year contract is in the plans for the striker, who joins former Brighton players Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez in making the same move. Reports claim that the move has to be completed by July 3rd, which is the FIFA-set deadline for new squad additions by all teams still remaining in the competition.
Chelsea have already made five signings this summer, with one being a big signing: Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for £30 million, and are set to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for around £55 million. Pedro will be the third.
Emiliano Martinez could be the fourth, according to reports. The Argentina number 1 is set for an Aston Villa exit and the media has linked him to Manchester United, but fresh reports now claim that Chelsea are gearing up for a hijack of the player’s discussions with Ruben Amorim’s side.
According to reports, United are trying to move Andre Onana on, but their efforts have stalled, which has opened the door for Chelsea to swoop in for Martinez, who they intend to replace Onana with. The Blues are moving for Martinez thanks to the influence of Willy Caballero, who is one of Enzo Maresca’s assistants.
Martinez is available for £45 million, and the reports claim that the Argentinian prefers to go to Old Trafford. Chelsea will have to work twice as hard to charm him away from the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Brighton are actively looking to sell Julio Enciso this summer but are not willing to go below their €35 million valuation of the Paraguayan.
Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Porto and two unnamed clubs in LaLiga have been trying to get the Seagulls to budge on their price tag for the player whose contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 21-year-old endured a difficult loan spell with Ipswich Town last season, which was disrupted by injury. Also, it is understood that he doesn’t figure in Fabian Hürzeler’s plans at the AMEX, which means that he has to be moved on to make space for the manager’s preferred squad members.
