First Alonso signing? Chelsea intensifying contacts over potential €60m midfield addition

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a transfer move for Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki as they start planning for life under Xabi Alonso.

It looks increasingly like the Blues are moving towards hiring Alonso, and contacts are also intensifying over a potential €60m Sadiki transfer deal.

That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which suggests that Sadiki could be brought in to replace Enzo Fernandez, while Romeo Lavia is another of the club’s current midfielders who could be sold this summer.

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Chelsea have done well to invest in top young players in recent times, and Sadiki, 21, looks like someone else who could be a fine investment for the long term after his impressive form for Sunderland this season.

Noah Sadiki to Chelsea under Xabi Alonso?

It remains to be seen if Chelsea will give Alonso much control over transfers, but even if he’s not directly requesting specific targets, perhaps the board are factoring in the Spaniard’s tactical philosophy when picking out potential new signings.

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Sadiki certainly looks like someone who could strengthen CFC or a number of other top clubs, so this could be a worthwhile piece of business.

The only concern is that this will be another deal much like Chelsea’s others in recent times, with a lot of promising young talents going backwards at Stamford Bridge.

The appointment of Alonso as manager could help with that, but there’s always a risk that the pressure of playing for a big club like Chelsea isn’t the best thing for players at this age.

It will be interesting to see how this saga progresses or if other clubs also enter the conversation, but for now Fichajes suggest Chelsea are the furthest ahead, with contacts intensifying in recent times.