PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted that his club are fighting a losing battle to keep Noni Madueke out of Chelsea ’s clutches.
The Blues have had an initial bid worth £30 million rejected by the Dutch club - and Van Nistelrooy has been urging his club’s director of football Marcel Brands to keep the England Under-21 international in Holland. But Van Nistelrooy has revealed that he is already looking for a replacement for the 20-year-old winger. And Chelsea will get their man if they can get close to PSV’s £40 million valuation.
Van Nistelrooy said: “It is now a case of looking for a good replacement. It looks like we could lose another big player this winter transfer window.
“I know that they (Chelsea) want Madueke. I would rather not let him go, but I can’t stop big clubs from showing such a massive interest in him.
“Madueke has created the interest by himself, because of his terrific qualities and his performances here in the Netherlands and in European games.
“I wanted to see if there was any way we could keep him here. My hope was on a longer spell of Madueke here at PSV Eindhoven.
“So I told the club to try and do everything to keep him. He is quality for this club. But I know things take a completely different turn when the big money comes on the table.”
Chelsea are looking to strengthen their squad to give manager Graham Potter a chance to rescue their season. They have already spent more than £300 million under new owner Todd Boehly.
But after also paying £9 million to take Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid for the rest of the season, they saw the Portuguese striker sent off on his debut in the derby defeat at Fulham.
Cash-strapped Dutch club need to raise money after failing to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League. They eased their financial worries by selling Cody Gakpo to Liverpool for £43 million.
Chelsea’s first offer for Madueke was not enough to make PSV’s resolve crumble. Barnet-born Madueke came through Tottenham ’s youth system.
He captained Spurs Under-15s team and had progressed to the Under-18s team when he took up PSV’s offer of a three-year contract at the age of 16.
Madueke also represented England at youth level and made his Under-21 debut last year. PSV rewarded Madueke with a new contract that runs until 2025 and handed him the club’s coveted No 10 shirt.
