According to the latest reports, Premier League side Chelsea have joined the race with Arsenal in the hunt to sign Lille forward Nicolas Pepe in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Blues are now preparing for life after Eden Hazard and if the Belgian leaves, they need to find a suitable replacement.
Ever since Maurizio Sarri took charge of the Chelsea football club back in the summer of 2018, he has done quite a decent job by replacing his fellow Italian compatriot Antonio Conte at the helm. The 60-year-old former Napoli master tactician received plenty of praise and plaudits from fans and pundits across the globe for bringing in an effective and attractive brand of football into the Premier League. Sarri guided Chelsea to the finals of the League Cup but eventually lost out to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a penalty shootout. The West London club have also booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Europa League and look like serious contenders to go on and win the continental competition.
However, Chelsea are facing an uphill battle in terms of trying to finish inside the top four of the Premier League. It seems unlikely that the Blues will be eligible to qualify for a Champions League position and that means it will be even more difficult for them to keep hold of their star players at the club. Even more so, a loss against Liverpool made the chances of Chelsea reaching the last four even more difficult. One player who is almost certain to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window is Belgian talisman, Eden Hazard. The 28-year-old is wanted at the Santiago Bernabeu to play under Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid and a move is on the cards if Chelsea do not qualify for the elite competition.
Hazard has been absolutely brilliant for Chelsea this season as well, scoring 19 goals and setting up another 13 more. His numbers are absolutely brilliant and Chelsea will have to ensure that they find someone who can match their ability.
Recent reports have emerged claiming that Chelsea are also looking to make a move for Lille superstar Nicolas Pepe in the summer transfer window after the 23-year-old impressed for the Ligue 1 side. Pepe has scored 20 times already this season and racked up 11 assists as well in all competitions, helping Lille to 2nd place on the French table. The Ivorian star winger was instrumental in the battering of Paris Saint Germain a few nights ago and looks set to leave Lille after recent comments made the club’s CEO.
Le 10Sport | Nicolas Pépé's priority is to move to #Chelsea, Bayern or PSG and has no interest in moving to Inter Milan. #CFC pic.twitter.com/9qjZLmbOAK
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) April 16, 2019
Chelsea will be battling it out against fierce London rivals Arsenal in their pursuit of Pepe as the attacker is in demand by a host of top clubs on the European continent. Pepe will not leave Lille at a cheap price but Chelsea will also have to wait and see if they are going to face a transfer ban over two windows.
The FA have been looking into the case of Chelsea signing too many young foreign players and that could be used against them because they will not be able to purchase anyone for almost a year now.
