The 4 midfielders Chelsea are targeting following Caicedo stalemate including star with £20m release clause

The Blues are keen to add more experience in central midfield

August 01, 2023 at 11:54 am GMT+1

Chelsea are preparing to return to the drawing board after seeing a fourth bid for Moises Caicedo rejected this summer, and have identified four names as potential transfer targets before the new season.

The Blues remain desperate to add Brighton’s Caicedo to their ranks, but will not meet the Seagulls’ £100m asking price and are struggling to find a compromise with the south coast side.

Though they are yet to walk away, they are keen to recruit further in midfield amid reports that Conor Gallagher could be sold this summer, following Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount out of the door and leaving Mauricio Pochettino’s side looking somewhat light in midfield.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday August 21, 2022. 2JR2G9B Chelsea's Conor Gallagher during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday August 21, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)

To that end, the Times claim that they are eyeing up four midfield alternatives, though they are only expected to sign one or two depending on outgoings.

Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga remains on their wishlist, with the Spaniard having previously caught the eye of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City and having a 40m euro release clause in his contract.

They are also ready to try again for Ajax man Edson Alvarez, who has seen a move to Borussia Dortmund break down already this summer and who Chelsea saw several bids rejected for on last summer’s transfer deadline day.

Another man they saw a bid rejected for last summer is Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, and the Blues remain keen though it is believed that they are behind Liverpool in the queue for the 19-year-old’s signature.

18 Feb 2023 - Chelsea v Southampton - Premier League - Stamford Bridge Southampton's Romeo Lavia during the Premier League match against Chelsea. Picture : Mark Pain / Alamy Live News 2NKR45Y 18 Feb 2023 - Chelsea v Southampton - Premier League - Stamford Bridge Southampton's Romeo Lavia during the Premier League match against Chelsea. Picture : Mark Pain / Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, the Blues are thought to have added Leeds United captain Tyler Adams to their list of potential targets.

It is believed that Adams, who missed the last part of the 2022-23 season through injury, has a release clause in his contract at Elland Road set at £20m, which could make a deal easy to complete.