Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Chelsea could be keeping a move for Kylian Mbappe secret this summer.
He told CaughtOffside that those at the club are downplaying their chances at completing a deal for him to join in an extraordinary turn of events.
The fact that Mbappe is now seemingly going to be sold this summer has sent shockwaves through the sport this summer.
All of the big teams have had their transfer plans somewhat altered by the opportunity to sign a player universally seen as ‘world-class’.
Of all the elite English sides, Chelsea have been the ones linked strongest to a deal. Todd Boehly has reportedly been leading the interest.
While the message is that they are focusing on elsewhere, Jacobs has speculated that they are in fact plotting a move in secret.
Chelsea secret deal for Mbappe
He said: “PSG will now listen to all offers and have received some player swap options. Paris-based sources indicate Todd Boehly was one of the first people to make contact with Nasser Al-Khelaifi over Mbappe.
“Yet those close to Chelsea continue to downplay a move. Mauricio Pochettino, who managed Mbappe at PSG, has also said Chelsea have other priorities.
“So Chelsea are either keeping any approach really secret, have low confidence Mbappe will move to the Premier League, or PSG are simply fuelling interest to put pressure on Real Madrid.
“PSG can certainly play on the fact that they believe trust is at an all-time low between Florentino Perez and Mbappe after the French international renewed his last PSG deal instead of moving to Madrid.”
Despite his brilliance, it is surely unlikely the Blues get a deal over the line to bring the forward in, especially looking at other areas they need to strengthen.