Chelsea are not letting the summer transfer window slide without making a real attempt to bolster their squad in the right areas. Not only have they made much needed progress on selling some of their stars, they have already sounded out key targets to bring in.
Ahead of what promises to be one of the most important and interesting windows in the club's recent history, there is a mountain of work to be done by Mauricio Pochettino. He is coming into the club with a 32-man squad to cut down as well as returning loanees, club-record buys to sort out and new additions to make.
It is quite the task for the Argentine given that attention is sure to be on him from the start. Before even he has officially started on July 1, he could be as many as five midfielders down. N'Golo Kante is set to leave for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia when his deal ends at the end of June.
Loanee Denis Zakaria has already sent his farewell following a disappointing year away from Juventus. Ruben Loftus-Cheek said his own goodbyes to the Stamford Bridge crowd after the 1-1 draw with Newcastle and football.london understands he is closing in on a move to AC Milan - though the director overhaul at San Siro have put that into doubt.
Mateo Kovacic has just over 12 months left on his contract and has flirted with a move to Manchester City, who are understood to be keen on the Croatian. A quick move for around £35million could be done there and Mason Mount is another that could be off to Manchester.
The Red Devils have emerged as the new favourites to sign him with contract issues forcing Chelsea to consider a sale this summer despite his position in the squad. For Pochettino it would be a big hole in the middle of the team, especially after the experience of Jorginho left in January as well.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Moises Caicedo bid, Havertz exit, £172m deal signed, Neymar move
Now, in order to cover for that, Chelsea are upping their attempts to land not just one big name but two. Moises Caicedo has been the priority throughout, football.london understands, but the Ecuadorian is not the end of the pursuit. Even after the attempt to sign Manuel Ugarte fell through, Caicedo remains a key name.
Here, football.london looks at how the new midfield could look if multiple successful recruits are possible. According to 90min, it's exactly what the club are going for.
Moises Caicedo
The one consistent in this search is Brighton's main man. Now the most actively pursued player on the south coast after Alexis Mac Allister was confirmed as a Liverpool player, Caicedo will be a hard deal to get done.
Not only has he just signed a new deal - though the £35million price for Mac Allister, who also penned an extension this season gives hope - but he is also the biggest star on offer for the Seagulls.
Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that he may well be on his way out as well. Although it will be hard to sign the 21-year-old, there is extra hope that a deal could be possible. He would be the start of what could become a true engine room for Pochettino, should he join.
Brighton have demanded £100million for his signature but could be forced to re-evaluate that with Chelsea and Arsenal both pushing for multiple big-money moves.
Declan Rice
Although Arsenal and Bayern Munich appear to be the frontrunners for Rice, Chelsea are still in the mix and have held long-term interest in the player, regardless of owner or directors. The West Ham captain is almost certain to leave this summer after chairman David Sullivan revealed conversations promising a move.
For £100million it is understood that Arsenal won't chance a deal but would be willing to go for him at a lower price, Chelsea are likely to be in the same boat.
The player himself has remained loyal to the club that offered him a chance post-Chelsea rejection. He is said to be alongside Caicedo and even if the Ecuadorian was to move to Stamford Bridge, it would not mean the end of pushing for Rice, or vice-versa.
This is set to be a three-man midfield on show but Romeo Lavia is another name to watch as part of the double-addition. He is another that football.london has learnt is not to be discarded this summer and could form part of the midfield revamp.
Enzo Fernandez
The final part of what looks to be an immensely balanced, almost too good to believe midfield is already at Chelsea. The £107million addition in January was signed before Europe's top clubs came rushing in for him this window, the Blues got the march on the rest.
Fernandez appears to be a partner away from truly unlocking the team. His performances in less than six months since joining have been so positive that he was in the running for the club's player of the year award.
After starting ever game since joining over the winter, Fernandez has already transformed the tempo and energy on offer, with someone to cover defensively and work as a true partnership, there is hope that even more can come in the final third.
READ NEXT:
Mauricio Pochettino has already given Eden Hazard stance as $17m Chelsea transfer price emerges
Lionel Messi makes transfer U-turn in $1.2bn shock as Mauricio Pochettino gets double Chelsea blow
