Chelsea are making a late push to signal Manchester Metropolis prospect Nico O’Reilly as they proceed their seek for a brand new central midfielder.
The 19-year-old has solely featured six occasions for Pep Guardiola’s senior facet, however his potential has caught the eye of the Blues, who’re eager on including one other high younger expertise to their ranks.
With Carney Chukwuemeka prone to depart earlier than the switch window shuts and Romeo Lavia sidelined by harm, Chelsea are regarded as keen to bolster their midfield. Nevertheless, Metropolis are reluctant to half methods with O’Reilly with out sustaining some type of future management over the participant – one thing which is making negotiations tough.
In keeping with switch knowledgeable Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have made an official enquiry for O’Reilly.
He wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter: “Chelsea maintain engaged on new midfielder with enquiry made to Man Metropolis for 2005-born midfielder Nico O’Reilly.
“Metropolis don’t need to lose future management on the participant— not a simple deal. Follows enquiry made for Mathis Amougou reported final week, nonetheless on listing.”
Saint-Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou has been a key participant for the membership since their return to Ligue 1, making 16 appearances up to now this season.
As CaughtOffside reported beforehand, Chelsea see the 18-year-old as a long-term prospect and discussions are nonetheless ongoing with their possession group, BlueCo. If a deal is struck, there’s a robust probability Amougou might initially be part of Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister membership, to proceed his growth.
Nico O’Reilly might be the brand new Cole Palmer
O’Reilly’s potential transfer to Chelsea follows the membership’s profitable seize of Cole Palmer in 2023. Regardless of being extremely rated at Metropolis, Palmer struggled for normal minutes below Guardiola earlier than Chelsea swooped in with a €47 million deal.
Since then, Palmer has develop into one among Europe’s high performers – naturally, Chelsea might be hoping that O’Reilly if signed, can comply with an identical trajectory.
With the deadline quick approaching, Chelsea are working in opposition to the clock to finalise a deal, however with Metropolis hesitant to let go of the proficient midfielder with out circumstances, securing his signature gained’t be simple.
