The two Eredivisie midfielders Chelsea are targeting
Karan Tejwani
- 1 Sept 2022 08:50 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are looking to improve their midfield on the final day of the transfer window, and have targeted an Eredivisie duo to help them achieve that goal.
The Blues have already spent big on defensive signings, bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana to strengthen their backline.
They’re now looking to sign a defensive midfielder, having seen their midfield’s instability in their poor start to the season, which has included losses to Leeds United and more recently, Southampton.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have now targeted two players: Edson Alvarez from Ajax and Ibrahim Sangare from PSV, both of whom will be difficult to get.
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Chelsea targeting Eredivisie duo
Chelsea have the funds to get both players, but the problem facing them is that the Dutch transfer window is now shut and neither club will have the opportunity to sign a replacement if they sell their players.
Both clubs would also have been reluctant to sell regardless of the transfer deadline, seeing how important each player is to their respective club.
Sangare only recently signed a new contract with PSV, agreeing a deal that runs until 2027, and he won’t come cheap, with the Dutch side reportedly wanting €40-45 million for the player.
The 24-year-old has been one of PSV’s most important players, and with rumours elsewhere of Cody Gakpo being of interest to other English clubs, the Eindhoven side will not want to lose their two best players in one window.
Sangare only signed for PSV in 2020 from Ligue 1 side Toulouse and throughout his time in the Netherlands, has been rumoured to moves elsewhere, with many believing that he will shine if he plays in a top five league in Europe.
In the case of Alvarez, the situation is slightly more complicated with Ajax demanding around €50 million for the Mexican midfielder.
Lost Erik Ten Hag
Lost Ryan Gravenberch
Lost Noussair Mazraoui
Lost Sebastien Haller
Lost Andre Onana
Lost Nicolas Tagliafico
Lost Lisandro Martinez
Lost Antony
Everton want Mohammed Kudus
Chelsea want Edson Alvarez
😵 This summer has been BRUTAL for Ajax— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 31, 2022
The Dutch would not want to sell another first-team star having already let go of Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller, Andre Onana and Noussair Mazraoui.
Alvarez has had an impressive start to the campaign at Ajax, being one of their best performing players as new boss Alfred Schreuder has started the season with four wins from four in the Eredivisie.
It’s reported that Chelsea have offered to quadruple Alvarez’s salary, and the player is keen to leave, believing that an opportunity like this won’t come around any time soon.
He has taken the Antony approach of refusing to train, and given that he’s already a permanent fixture in the Mexican squad, his place in the national team is quite secure ahead of the World Cup.
