Chelsea are plotting a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez this summer transfer window.
According to Bild, the Blues have already identified the 25-year-old German international as a priority target ahead of what could be a busy few weeks of transfer activity.
Chelsea sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, and the club is now expected to test the waters over a potential sale of Enzo Fernandez to the same club in the near future.
Fernandez is believed to be keen on a move to the Bernabeu, which would leave Chelsea needing to reinforce their midfield options before the new season begins.
Nmecha fits the profile Chelsea are looking for, with his box-to-box attributes and versatility in central midfield making him a natural like-for-like replacement for the possibly outbound Argentine.
The Borussia Dortmund star has been in outstanding form at the World Cup, scoring and assisting in Germany’s stunning 7-1 victory over Curacao last weekend.
That kind of form is only likely to drive his transfer value higher, with Dortmund expected to demand a fee in the region of £105 million for the midfielder.
Manchester United are also tracking Nmecha, but Chelsea are believed to be in pole position to secure his signature this summer.
United have already agreed a deal for a similar midfield profile in Atalanta’s Ederson, which could limit their appetite to spend heavily on a second such signing.
Chelsea’s ability to generate funds through the potential sale of Fernandez gives them a significant financial advantage over United in this particular pursuit.
Should Fernandez depart for Real Madrid, the fee received would comfortably exceed what Chelsea would need to pay Dortmund, making the deal financially viable for the west London club.
With the World Cup ongoing and Nmecha’s stock continuing to rise, Chelsea will need to move decisively if they are serious about landing one of the tournament’s standout performers.