Chelsea could sign £80m target for less than his valuation as contact is made with agents

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Chelsea could hand Xabi Alonso a new midfield option or two once the transfer window opens.

Chelsea are interested in Adam Wharton, though the Crystal Palace star is expected to cost a huge fee this summer.

The Blues have also been linked with Mateus Fernandes, who is available following West Ham United’s relegation to the Championship.

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Chelsea only want to pay £50m-£60m.

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Chelsea may not have to pay £80m for Mateus Fernandes

At one stage, Fernandes’ valuation also looked like a sticking point. It has been reported that Chelsea are reluctant to pay Fernandes’ £80m asking price.

However, it now appears that West Ham could be prepared to sell him for less in a boost to the Blues.

According to TEAMtalk, sources close to Fernandes’ camp believe the 21-year-old could be sold for a lower fee.

The same outlet also claims that Chelsea have held discussions with Fernandes’ representatives over a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese was a key player for West Ham last season. He missed just two Premier League games and managed to produce seven goal contributions from midfield.

The Hammers’ relegation, though, means they have little chance of keeping hold of him.

Chelsea partly to blame for crazy midfielder market

Right now, the midfielder market is crazy. Relegated West Ham want £80m for Fernandes, while Palace and Nottingham Forest are demanding £100m fees for Wharton and Elliot Anderson.

Are Chelsea partly to blame for this side of the transfer market spiralling out of control? Perhaps. They paid £115m for Moises Caicedo and £107m for Enzo Fernandez.

It is thought that Forest are using Caicedo’s transfer as a benchmark for Anderson’s valuation.

Chelsea will argue that Caicedo and Fernandez were both worth their price tags, especially if midfielders who are probably not as good as the duo are now going for a similar amount of money. But again, critics of Chelsea’s heavy spending will say this all started with their purchase of Fernandez in 2023.