The summer transfer window has not officially opened yet but Chelsea are working intensely behind the scenes to try and get a headstart on their rivals.
If you're a Chelsea supporter then Sunday evening was dominated by transfer-related activity. The Blues pulled out of the race to sign highly-rated midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP. It's understood there was at one point a confidence from Chelsea's side that they would be able to sign the 22-year-old, who was also keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, Paris Saint-Germain, who have been head-to-head with Chelsea for Ugarte's signature in recent weeks, submitted a significantly higher offer – one that the Blues were unprepared to match. Now, it looks as if the Uruguay international will join PSG on a long-term deal in the coming days, with some reports suggesting he has a medical booked in Paris very soon.
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Even when a deal for Ugarte looked to have been on the table, Chelsea were still actively looking at other options as well as the Uruguayan. football.london understands the Blues will push to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion after failing to strike a deal with the Seagulls in the January transfer window.
Negotiations will not be easy, though, as we've learned from the club's past dealings with players. Brighton are tough negotiators and in recent years they have sold really well in terms of getting every possible penny for some of the star players they have been forced to offload.
This summer, Brighton and Chelsea are set for continuous talks once again over a deal to sign Caicedo but there will be another player on the agenda, too: Levi Colwill. The 20-year-old defender spent last season on loan at the Amex Stadium and flourished under Graham Potter initially and then Roberto De Zerbi.
Colwill has consequently attracted plenty of interest ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. Liverpool and Manchester City are said to be keeping an eye on his situation while Brighton want to sign him on a permanent basis, with a £30million offer from the Seagulls recently being turned down.
Chelsea do not want to sell Colwill this summer and see him as part of their plans for next season, football.london understands. The defender's contract at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in just over two years' time and the club are eager to get him tied down to an extension on his current deal to fend off interest from their rivals.
Brighton will undoubtedly try to discuss Colwill's future when the clubs are in negotiations for Caicedo but Chelsea are unlikely to budge on their rather stubborn stance over their talented defender. Pochettino will need to speak to a lot of players currently in the Chelsea squad – including Colwill – over where their futures lie ahead of an uncertain transfer window.
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