Chelsea have entered the race to sign a "sensational" star, with West Ham United now prepared to sanction a summer departure for around £52m.
Blues set to change transfer policy in upcoming window
It would be fair to say BlueCo's recruitment strategy of signing younger players hasn't paid dividends, after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season, and Ben Jacobs has suggested the board are now set to change their model somewhat.
The reporter said: “Chelsea will sign two-three experienced ready players this summer. They still like Morgan Rogers, with one of the priorities being a creative left-sided player.
“Chelsea may also look at a striker, depending on what happens there with existing players, as well as other areas.”
Rogers could be an exciting signing, having proven himself in the Premier League over the previous two campaigns with Aston Villa, bagging 21 goals and 19 assists in 85 top flight matches.
Morgan-Rogers-Aston-Villa-Europa-League
With Enzo Fernandez's future at Stamford Bridge up in the air, in light of the Blues missing out on European qualification entirely, Xabi Alonso may also need to sign a new central midfielder, and a raid is now being plotted on a rival club.
Chelsea enter race to sign "sensational" star
According to a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea have now surged into contention to sign West Ham star Mateus Fernandes, who is attracting widespread interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa also keen.
Having been relegated from the Premier League, the Hammers are now prepared to offload the Portugal international for around €50m – €60m (£43m - £52m), with the Red Devils currently leading the race for his signature.
The Hammers are facing 'financial pressures' after dropping out of the top flight for the first time in 14 years, which means captain Jarrod Bowen is in line to leave too, and the Blues are also in the race for the forward, who's scored 85 goals in 280 games for West Ham.
Losing Bowen would certainly be a blow, and the same has to be said about Fernandes, who was lauded as "sensational" by The West Ham Way's Mark Carlaw back in November.
Although he is still only 21-years-old, the maestro has started to build up a decent amount of Premier League experience, picking up five goals and eight assists in 72 matches, across spells with the Irons and Southampton.
Fernandez, on the other hand, was forced into an apology for comments he made about Real Madrid back in April, and he is starting to attract interest from Manchester City, who have held internal talks regarding a move.
However, Fernandes may not be a like-for-like replacement, given that he flourishes defensively, whereas the Argentina star poses more of a threat going forward.
Key Premier League stats (2025-26) Enzo Fernandez Mateus Fernandes
Goals 10 3
Assists 4 4
Successful dribbles per 90 0.4 0.8
Tackles per 90 1.5 3.1
Interceptions per 90 0.6 1.0
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