Chelsea appear to have expanded their search for a new winger. The Blues were heavily linked with numerous forwards during the January transfer window, as Enzo Maresca looked to bolster his frontline after Mykhailo Mudryk was provisionally suspended in December due to a failed drug test.
Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who later joined Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli for £59m, all emerged as potential targets for the Blues. Despite Chelsea's best efforts to bring a new face to Stamford Bridge, nobody was signed.
With Mudryk still ruled out, the West Londoners have persisted in their hunt for a new winger. According to the MailOnline, Chelsea are interested in signing Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis, who's 'caught the eye of elite scouts' since breaking into Manuel Pellegrini's side.
The 19-year-old, who sees his contract at the Benito Villamarín Stadium expire in June 2029, has featured 10 times in LaLiga this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Rodriguez has started each of Real Betis' last seven games in the Spanish top-flight.
In his most recent league outing, he won a the game-winning penalty – which Isco dispatched – in a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid. The report states the Spain Under-19 international, who has a £42m release clause, has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
Rodriguez was first given minutes by Pellegrini as a right-winger. Then, Antony joined from Manchester United on loan, forcing the former Manchester City boss to shift the youngster onto the opposite flank after taking to the Spanish top-flight like a duck to water.
The duo have helped Real Betis climb to sixth in LaLiga and reach the UEFA Conference League round of 16. Chelsea also have their eyes on the European trophy – but Maresca is without a striker following injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
Last month, the Blues boss claimed he had no regrets that his side didn't sign an attacker in January. Maresca said: "I said after the West Ham game that the things that we planned in terms of players that had the desire to leave and the players that we need.
"In the end, I think we did all of the things we needed. Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc. Sometimes we adapt also Christo [Nkunku] there, but in case both of them are out, we are going to find a different solution."
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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