Chelsea's great midfield rework is underway as Mauricio Pochettino looks set to oversee a number of changes in the squad this summer. A whole host of players are linked with exits as the bloated numbers in the dressing room need cutting down before the new season.
The balance of the squad is one key element, with the finances another on top of dealing with the contract situations throughout the team. The central ranks are one the main areas for this change as Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Conor Gallagher are all rumoured with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
They could join Jorginho, who left in January, by leaving and kickstarting the rework in Chelsea's midfield that is required for the new boss. Manuel Ugarte was an option for the Blues, but the Sporting CP star made the move to join PSG instead, switching focus to elsewhere.
That main focus appears to be Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo as football.london understands that the 21-year-old is a priority for the Blues, who are confident in striking a deal. There's also the long-term interest held in West Ham captain Declan Rice that could be a factor.
Reports state that the Blues are less likely to bid for the England international, but they could hijack a move from Arsenal in the coming weeks. While the pair would be an expensive rebuild, the introduction of them alongside Enzo Fernandez could be the midfield for the future.
For that though, there has to be exits and the first one appears to be edging even closer as ESPN reports that Kovacic is on the edge of completing a move to Manchester City. Personal terms have already been agreed with the Croatian international, who has just one-year remaining on his deal.
The fee is said to be £34.2million, which will be a handy transfer windfall for the Blues as part of their rebuild in the transfer window. It remains to be seen whether any other players will soon follow him in a summer that's expected to be a busy one both incoming and outgoing.
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