It would be safe to say that Chelsea want to sign a winger this summer. That has been what several reliable outlets have suggested over the past few months. And quite a few players have been linked as well. Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa is viewed as one on their radar. Kenan Yildiz is viewed as somewhat of a dream target as well.
It will be interesting to see if some other players end up getting linked with Chelsea over the coming weeks. It is almost certain that will be the case.
Amid all this, it looks like a Spanish international winger, Chelsea have been linked with lately, is drawing the interest of Arsenal as well.
According to a report from Ekrem Konur on Sports Boom, Arsenal are preparing an opening bid in the region of €30 million for Ander Barrenetxea. They view him as a fit for their long-term project.
Chelsea have been linked with Ander Barrenetxea recently
A report from MARCA last month stated that Chelsea and Manchester United have closely monitored the Real Sociedad player’s progress throughout the season.
Barrenetxea is believed to have a release clause in the region of €75 million. But it is hard to imagine that any club would make a transfer bid in that region for the winger.
Barrenetxea’s numbers do not pop out of the page. Last season, he managed four goals and five assists in 34 appearances.
So, is the 24-year-old the kind of player who would come to Chelsea and solve their problems? Perhaps, I would never rule anything out in football. That being said, the probability of it happening are low. Arsenal can make that kind of signing because they are a fully formed project now. The Blues need to further strengthen their starting XI before thinking about depth.
Which winger could Chelsea sign this summer?
We have already mentioned Rogers as a potential signing. But he is more of a number 10 than an out-and-out winger.
Of course, that could suit Chelsea if they go for Xabi Alonso’s three-at-the-back system. A double number 10 pairing of Rogers and Cole Palmer could do wonders.
When it comes to out-and-out wingers, Chelsea have also been linked with Rafael Leao lately. The Portuguese winger has already admitted to wanting to leave AC Milan and a €50 million offer could be enough, a fraction of what it would have taken a few years back.
I am sure a few other names are bound to emerge over the coming weeks and months. Alonso is expected to have a big say on things as well. As for Barrenetxea, it simply does not look like the right fit at this time.
