According to a report, Chelsea Football Club has shown interest in Andreas Pereira, a former midfielder of Manchester United who is currently playing for Fulham in the Premier League.
The Blues are preparing themselves for the potential departure of Mason Mount, as negotiations over a new contract for the academy graduate have not been productive so far. Liverpool is also said to be in pole position to lure Mount away, with other Premier League clubs such as Manchester United also showing interest.
Regardless of where Mount ends up, Chelsea will need to find a way to replace him as his potential departure would leave a gap in the midfield. According to an ESPN report, Chelsea has set their sights on Pereira, who has been flourishing with Fulham this season after joining them at the beginning of the current season.
Pereira's last appearance for Manchester United was two years ago, and the club couldn't find a place for him. However, he has since contributed six assists and two goals from 27 Premier League appearances this season. His impressive performances have caught the eye of several clubs, including Chelsea.
Although Chelsea may be interested in Pereira, they will need to pay a fee between £25 million and £35 million, according to the report. However, in an ideal world, Chelsea could sign him for £15 million if Fulham were relegated due to a clause in his contract. Fulham is currently in the top half of the table, one place above Chelsea, and is not in danger of losing their Premier League status this year. Therefore, if Chelsea wants Pereira immediately, they will need to make a higher bid. Nonetheless, a value of up to £35 million should still be within their comfortable reach, given how heavily the club has spent so far under Todd Boehly.
The potential acquisition of Pereira by Chelsea would provide much-needed depth in the midfield as he can operate in a central or attacking midfield role, a position Mount is currently playing in. With the potential departure of Mount, it is critical that Chelsea finds a suitable replacement. Furthermore, Chelsea has a busy fixture list, including domestic and European competitions, and they will need to have a deep squad to compete effectively.
In conclusion, the reported interest of Chelsea in Andreas Pereira from Fulham provides a potential solution for the potential departure of Mason Mount this summer. While a fee between £25 million and £35 million is needed to secure Pereira's services, Chelsea can afford it comfortably. This acquisition would also provide much-needed depth in the midfield and would allow Chelsea to compete effectively in domestic and European competitions. Photo by thearcticblues, Wikimedia commons.