Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal look primed to once again lock horns across the transfer landscape this summer after reports suggest that the Blues are prepared to rival the Gunners for not just Moisés Caicedo, but Declan Rice as well.
According to 90min’s Graeme Bailey, Mauricio Pochettino’s new employers are considering a double swoop for the highly sought-after Premier League pair, which could see either club end up with both players on their books come the conclusion of the window.
Bailey’s report sites the reality that Chelsea is set to likely lose four midfielders this summer, with N’Golo Kanté already off to join compatriot Karim Benzema at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad, while Mateo Kovačić and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are being lined up for potential moves to Manchester City and AC Milan respectively.
Chelsea has also parted ways with Swiss international Denis Zakaria, who has returned to Serie A giants Juventus after an incredibly poor loan spell at Stamford Bridge. With holes to fill in the middle of the park and Pochettino likely to want considerable business so that he can get off on the right foot after his return to London, the free-spending side could look to supply him with the central duo while once again potentially beating Arsenal to the punch.
The Blues had pulled a similar move during the January transfer window when they outstripped Arsenal in the race for Mykhailo Mudryk, a player who very publicly professed his desire to head to the Emirates Stadium before ultimately arriving in west London.
Arsenal, who are widely viewed as the likely destination for Rice in the wake of the England international captaining West Ham United to a Europa Conference League win last night in Prague against Fiorentina, continue to view the Hammers icon as vital to their plans, while reports from earlier today have pointed to the club making a renewed push for Caicedo after Brighton have said their Ecuadorian starlet could be available for no more than £80m.
With the immediate and long-term futures of both clubs heavily riding on the business they conduct this summer, another war of attrition could be set to take hold along the Thames.
