Paul Pogba holds key as Todd Boehly tries £200m Liverpool hijack

Boehly plans Liverpool hijack

Chelsea and Liverpool are both keen on signing new midfielders in 2023 as Jurgen Klopp and Graham Potter plan major overhauls. Potter has N’Golo Kante and Jorginho out of contract while Klopp has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deal expiring.

In a world of talented young players in the middle of the park there is a clear overlap in plans with Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham all on the list for the Blues and the Reds. It has opened up a situation in which Todd Boehly will be determined to bring in at least one, if not two, of that trio, with Liverpool lining up the same. Bellingham is a clear target for Liverpool though and could leave the coast clear for Chelsea to run at the others.

Pogba holds the key

Paul Pogba’s move to Juventus hasn’t gone as planned having not yet played a minute due to injury. The Frenchman rejoined the Old Lady over the summer after seeing out his contract at Manchester United. He himself isn’t a target for Chelsea in the transfer market but most other top-level midfielders are, and Pogba’s fitness could leave the Blues waiting to make a move. With Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie both targets Chelsea have looked at, the Italian side are reportedly set to do business but only if Pogba is ready to return to action.

Double deal set to be completed

Chelsea could have three transfers sown up by the time the January window opens. With Boehly focusing on young players for the future the Blues have quickly moved to agree a deal for Brazilian superstar Andrey Santos. They are also close to completing the signing of Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana, 19, after his medical was held on Thursday. Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku has all but been announced. He is expected to join next summer but has opened the door for more deals to be completed in rapid time as the winter window prepares to swing open.