Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City simply do not play around in the transfer market.
This month, City have already signed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively. Chelsea are yet to sign anyone.
It is thought that Chelsea held some interest in Semenyo and Guehi, but in the end, they did not make a move for either.
JUDGEMENT TIME: Did Chelsea make a mistake not signing Marc Guehi?😬
Enzo Maresca rejected the chance to sign Marc Guehi at Chelsea
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
The Blues’ interest in another Premier League star seems a bit stronger, but he could also be set for a transfer to City.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest applauds the fans
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Manchester City want to get Elliot Anderson deal wrapped up
Chelsea have Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson on their radar; however, City could end up scuppering any hopes they have of signing the midfielder this summer.
According to CaughtOffside, while a move to Stamford Bridge cannot be ruled out, City are keen to begin work on a deal as they look to see off competition from Chelsea and others.
The Citizens are not the Blues’ only problem. It is going to cost a huge fee to get Anderson out of the City Ground.
The same outlet claims that Forest could demand £100m or more for the 23-year-old’s signature.
Chelsea have shown that they have no issue with spending that kind of money on a midfielder. In 2023, they paid £107m to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica before offering Brighton & Hove Albion £115m for Moises Caicedo.
If Fernandez leaves Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, perhaps they will be willing to spend big on Anderson. In recent days, Fernandez has been linked to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, with City possibly set to miss out on the Premier League title to Arsenal, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, speaks to the media
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Chelsea’s potential alternatives to Elliot Anderson
If Chelsea miss out on Anderson, they could turn their attention towards Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
Wharton is another midfielder Chelsea are thought to admire, so do not rule that one out. There have also been links with Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, but it now looks like he will stay at Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
DECISION TIME: If Liam Rosenior gets to pick one midfielder signing this month, who should it be?💰
Have we missed anyone…
Chelsea midfielder targets
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Whatever the case, because of Romeo Lavia’s injury problems, everything is pointing towards Chelsea signing a new midfielder at some point this year.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox