Chelsea will have to pay at least €70m (£61.1m) to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha this summer, while they also face competition from one of their biggest rivals for his signature.
In 2024, it was claimed that Chelsea were pursuing Nmecha, and it looks like the 25-year-old is still on their radar.
Romeo Lavia’s injury record could force Chelsea to sign a new midfielder in 2026. Who would you buy if Kobbie Mainoo isn’t available?
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have both been mentioned 👀
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia preparing a pass and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo jogging
Credit: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
The Blues have had some issues in midfield this season, with both Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo failing to stay fit.
Romeo Lavia of Chelsea during a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea will have to pay at least £61m to sign Felix Nmecha
According to Bild, Dortmund are willing to sell Nmecha in the summer but will demand at least £61.1m for their midfielder.
The same outlet claims that a move to the Premier League appeals to Felix, which is good news for Chelsea.
However, Bild’s report mentions both Chelsea and their rivals Manchester United as potential suitors for the German.
Surely we can just put our trust in Andrey Santos?
Or are the club worried about Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo?
Felix Nmecha price tag
Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images
It means a transfer battle could break out between the two Premier League giants for Felix’s signature, and something similar has happened before.
Last summer, Chelsea beat United to the signing of Liam Delap, who was once on Manchester City’s books just like Nmecha. The two could now link up at Stamford Bridge amid Chelsea’s interest in Nmecha.
Brajan Gruda of RB Leipzig is challenged by Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund
Photo by Reinaldo Coddou H./Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
How Felix Nmecha and Moises Caicedo compare
Nmecha has played a lot of games as a defensive midfielder this season, meaning that he could be a good fit for Moises Caicedo’s role in the Chelsea team when the Ecuadorian is unavailable.
The Germany international has a way to go before he is as effective at winning the ball back as Caicedo is.
For example, Nmecha makes 1.45 tackles per 90 minutes, according to FotMob. However, Caicedo is recording 3.18.
Caicedo is also making more interceptions, with an average of 2.27. Nmecha’s is 1.09.
To be fair to Nmecha, Caicedo is going to top most midfielders in those two areas. He is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world right now. Covering for him will not be an easy job.
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