Transfer News: Chelsea to rival Europe’s big boys for Villarreal defender Alfonso Pedraza
A report by Italian publication Calciomercato (h/t football.london) states that Chelsea are targeting Villarreal left-back, Alfonso Pedraza, in the summer transfer window.
The Blues already have Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso, and Emerson Palmieri in that department. But they could still move for Pedraza, who has previously played in England at Leeds United.
The report mentions that the 25-year-old is also on the radar of clubs such as AC Milan, Barcelona, AS Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, and Napoli. And an attempt to sign him could cost his potential suitors €15m in transfer fees.
According to a report by football.london earlier this month, and as covered by ASBTF, Emerson, Alonso, and Davide Zappacosta are on the radar of Inter Milan. If they are to leave, then links with Pedraza make sense for the Blues.
Alfonso for Alonso?
Alonso and Chilwell both shared gametime under Thomas Tuchel last season. The German plays three centre-backs with 2 wing-backs at Chelsea, and he didn’t outright trust Chilwell considering the Englishman had to share starts with Alonso.
If the former Fiorentina man is not at Stamford Bridge next season, then a new signing only makes sense. Pedraza can be that man because apart from playing as a left-back, he has largely played down the left-wing during his career.
That indicates that he likes to attack as well, something that the Blues can use to their advantage if they manage to sign. The aforementioned fee also sounds reasonable for a 25-year-old.
More Chelsea News:
- Transfer News: Chelsea youngster Trevoh Chalobah wanted by six clubs
- Four Premier League clubs eyeing Chelsea teenager Lewis Bate
- Transfer News: Chelsea only want permanent sale for Davide Zappacosta amid Inter Milan link
But the Londoners have to be quick to fend off interest from other clubs. If the likes of Barcelona and Milan are serious about Pedraza, Chelsea could face some difficulty in signing the Spanish defender.