Chelsea plot summer move for star with €100m release clause, but face competition from rival club | OneFootball

Chelsea are targeting a summer move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios but face competition from a rival club according to reports.

The Blues haven’t been shy of spending money under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, and have broken the British transfer record twice with the signings of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

The recent January window was a huge disappointment with the club not strengthening the squad, much to the annoyance of supporters, and the Blues now face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea target summer move Barrios

It might only be the start of March, but planning for the summer window is likely to be well underway, with Enzo Maresca said to be involved in the planning process.

Chelsea need a striker, centre back and left winger due to the continued absence of Mkyhailo Mudryk, but it appears they could also be targeting a new midfielder.

According to Caught Offside the Blues are looking to make a summer move for 21-year-old Atletico midfielder Barrios.

Barrios is said to have caught Chelsea’s eye with his performances. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The report adds Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich and Tottenham have also been impressed by the Spaniard.

Caught Offside side claim that both Chelsea and Arsenal are planning to make a €70m offer for Barrios in the summer window.

Signing Barrios could be tricky given he’s tied down to the club until 2028 and has a €100m release clause in his current deal.

The Blues are well stocked in midfield with Andrey Santos set to return after his loan at Strasbourg, to play a key role in the squad.

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Fernandez and Caicedo are main stays, but Romeo Lavia’s constant injury issues may force the Blues to bring another body into the squad.

Barrios has impressed this season with Atletico Madrid currently second in La Liga, just a point behind leaders Barcelona, and he’s made 27 appearances in all competitions, whilst he has one cap for Spain.