Chelsea have been linked with a midfield target ahead of the summer.placeholder image
Chelsea have been linked with a midfield target ahead of the summer. | Getty Images
Chelsea might face Premier League competition for a Bundesliga summer transfer target
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior will have the chance to put his own stamp on his Blues squad at the end of the season as he approaches his first summer transfer window at the club.
Rosenior arrived at Stamford Bridge in January but amidst a reluctance by club chiefs to spend big mid-season, the Englishman has been tasked with making the best of the same group of players which had seen inconsistent results prior to the sacking of Enzo Maresca.
The Blues are never short of money to spend, though, and this summer could prove to be an important one as they look to close the gap on top two Arsenal and Manchester City. Several early transfer rumours have begun to emerge, while a Champions League rival could compete for a big-money signing who is understood to be keen for a move to the English top flight.
Dortmund star becomes £61m midfield target for Chelsea - and Man Utd
According to reports from Bild in Germany, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is set to be the subject of Premier League transfer interest this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United both believed to be at the forefront of the race for his signature after holding an interest for ‘months’.
Dortmund understand the necessity to sell high-value assets this summer, with Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi also thought to be amongst those who the Bundesliga giants could sell amidst ‘radical change’ at the club.
Speculation surrounding a prospective move to England is reportedly causing ‘unrest’ for Nmecha, who holds dual citizenship as a Hamburg-born Germany international who was on the books at Manchester City for 14 years after moving to England in 2007.
A Premier League move is thought to be of interest to Nmecha, whose brother Lukas currently plays for Leeds United. Felix recently joined England-based agency ‘The Talent Table’ – changing agents is usually a sign that a player is considering a move – and Dortmund are thought to value the midfielder at an eye-watering £61million.
Nmecha primed for move as Premier League beckons
Nmecha has already played close to the highest number of league minutes of his career by the end of February this term, also increasing his attacking output with five goals and three assists from midfield. His versatility is also a key strength which would be an important asset to potential suitors.
Despite a perceived embarrassment of riches in terms of squad numbers, Chelsea have limited midfield cover and could see Nmecha become a transformational signing. Amidst long-term injuries to Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, Rosenior has had limited options behind regular midfield trio Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos. Nmecha would arrive at Stamford Bridge not only to compete, but could make one of those midfield spots his own.
At Man United, meanwhile, the club’s need for a midfield rebuild is well documented. The Red Devils are said to be targeting two top-quality midfielders this summer, with Nmecha believed to be on their list. While he does not have prior Premier League experience like many of their other targets, his tutelage at Man City is likely to make any transition back to life in England seamless.
Nmecha’s future could become a key topic of discussion in the summer but for now, the player is keeping his cards close to his chest.
"Whether I want to play in the Premier League or not, I'm not going to say now,” said the 25-year-old before Dortmund’s Champions League match at Tottenham Hotspur.
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