£100m England star now keen on joining Chelsea after talks with his agents

A marquee star apparently has one eye on a potential transfer to Chelsea this summer, following some discussions involving Enzo Maresca’s side and the player’s representatives.

What Enzo Maresca thinks about Chelsea’s midfield

Maresca, according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips in January, feels as if the club are missing a certain type of profile in the engine room.

Related

Boehly now personally “lining up a bid” to sign £40m midfielder for Chelsea

The American billionaire has a target in his sights.

While Chelsea are expected to significantly invest in a new striker and centre-back this summer, Maresca made his request to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy clear in the winter window when it comes to his desire for a potential new senior midfield star.

Despite links to some big names, including Man United sensation Kobbie Mainoo, Maresca was forced to settle for teenage prospect Mathis Amougou – who joined Chelsea in the latter stages of January from Saint-Étienne.

The Frenchman has made one appearance for Chelsea since then – a seven-minute cameo against Southampton – and he’s expected to head back to Ligue 1 on a season-long loan to sister club Strasbourg for the 2025/2026 season (Fabrizio Romano), so the west Londoners could well return to the market for a new midfield technician.

Reports suggest that Chelsea are considering numerous options. They could even raid Barcelona for some key players, including Frenkie de Jong, who has apparently been offered to Maresca’s side by intermediaries (Graeme Bailey).

Gavi is also on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist, and it is believed they’ve approached the representatives of fellow Catalan midfielder Marc Casado (Cadena SER).

Closer to home, and away from the Camp Nou, chairman Todd Boehly is personally weighing up the prospect of a summer bid for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham. The Sun reported this week that Chelsea are lining up an offer for Bellingham, but Mainoo is also said to remain firmly in Chelsea’s thinking.

The 19-year-old is one of United’s key stars, but his contract expires in 2027, and he’s currently earning far beneath other big-name players in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

Talks over fresh terms are dragging on, with Chelsea lurking in the background as they monitor his interesting situation at Old Trafford.

Kobbie Mainoo keen on joining Chelsea after contact

According to TEAMtalk, in what could be a boost for Maresca, it is claimed Mainoo is interested in the prospect of joining Chelsea from Man United – following some contact from the Blues with his camp.

The teenager is thought to be a real one to watch this summer, and Chelsea will be one of the main competitors for his signature, even if he is focused on life at United for now.

Amorim’s side are wary of PSR, and there is a hesitance to approve big-money contracts as a result, but this stance could force some of their most pivotal assets to ponder summer exits – including Mainoo.

Chelsea, meanwhile, would leap at the chance to strike a deal for the Englishman. However, some reports have claimed that United wouldn’t sell for less than £100 million, so BlueCo could even need to spend nine figures on a player for the third time since their takeover.