Leandro Paredes has now officially joined Jose Mourinho at Roma from PSG – just days after he was linked with a move to Chelsea.
The Italian giants announced the news earlier today on their official website.
So, what was the situation with Leandro Paredes and Chelsea before Roma swooped in? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, it was the Evening Standard who claimed that Chelsea were considering a move for the Argentina international as Brighton held firm over Moises Caicedo.
Martin Arevalo of ESPN Argentina even claimed that the Blues made contact with Paredes earlier this summer.
Eventually, a move to Stamford Bridge failed to materialise for the South American, but the 29-year-old has now found an escape from PSG in Roma.
Mourinho has signed Paredes on a two-year contract running until June 2025.
The Argentine is actually returning to Rome, having played for the Italian giants on loan from Boca Juniors in the 2014/15 campaign, before spending 2015 to 2017 as a permanent Roma player.
Chelsea no longer need Leandro Paredes
At the time of the Evening Standard’s story – 4th August – Chelsea certainly needed at least one new midfielder.
Links to Paredes made sense, as the San Justo-born maestro had previously played under Mauricio Pochettino at PSG, and boasts plenty of experience at the highest level.
PSG were also keen to sell.
However – as Paredes now moves to Roma – Pochettino has Caicedo at Stamford Bridge, and is close to signing Romeo Lavia from Southampton as well.
The Ecuador international and the Belgium international join the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu in the Argentine’s midfield department.
Therefore, the need for Paredes at Chelsea has dropped significantly, and we can’t imagine many fans are that upset about seeing the World Cup winner join Mourinho in Rome, rather than make the move to west London.
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