Chelsea and Arsenal are very much aligned in their transfer thinking. Young players, midfielders, exciting wingers, Declan Rice.
When this happens, and they're not the only two teams chasing these characteristics and profiles, it creates gloriously chaotic transfer battles. Add Liverpool to the list of teams with interest in Rice, Rafael Leao and Brighton's Moises Caicedo.
The financial might and pull of the Premier League has often meant it's English sides going head-to-head in the market too. It's created an intriguing contest off the field to watch and one that looks set to continue on.
READ MORE: Malo Gusto to Chelsea transfer: Tariq Lamptey impact, Personal terms agreed, Man United interest
It creates added tension when the teams do lineup on the field and Chelsea's battle with Arsenal looks set to keep going. After the Gunners lost out on Mykhailo Mudryk - less due to finances and more in relation to structure - they hit back with Leandro Trossard who had been on Chelsea's radar previously.
It's a deal for the Ukrainian that will hurt and linger though. Much like Blues fans have had to sit and watch Sergio Aguero amass a mountain of goals for Manchester City after being shrewd to beat Roman Abramovich to his signature, it only took 30 minutes of Mudryk at Anfield for fans to see what Mikel Arteta missed out on.
Had the 22-year-old made his way to the Emirates Stadium it could have bolstered what is already one of the most fluid and dynamic frontlines. His rapid jinxes and twists on Merseyside were just a sign of what is to come from the new No15 at Stamford Bridge.
If Chelsea want to not only strengthen yet again - looking for their seventh signing of the window - then they will have to stop Arsenal some more. Caicedo has seen a £55m bid rejected for him from Chelsea before Arsenal made their own late attempt to sign him, only offering up £60m despite Brighton's continued stance for £75m.
Arsenal haven't signed someone for over £60 since 2019 whereas Chelsea have done so three times under Todd Boehly. Their fearless spending has attracted criticism from many but it has accelerated the squad overhaul. If the Blues want to continue this streak then they may be able to repeat their Mudryk tactics.
Although this specific deal would involve outbidding the Gunners whereas Mudryk didn't, Boehly could flex his financial muscles once more to blow Arsenal out of the water with another offer.
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