Chelsea Rumors: Blues Vying With Barcelona In Race To Sign 7-Time Champion – Report

Chelsea has set its sights on a world-class champion ahead of the next transfer window, a report says.

Following an underwhelming 2020-21 season, reigning Serie A champions Juventus are expected to make certain changes this summer. One of the players in question is veteran midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

There has been an array of big-name clubs linked to a move for Rabiot in recent weeks. Barcelona is said to be leading the race, but English Premier League side Chelsea is now looking to butt in to land the seven-time domestic league champion, Italian outlet Calciomercato reported.

Earlier reports said that Juventus has been in discussion with Barcelona over a deal for Rabiot and that Barca chiefs have been in contact with the player’s agent and mother, Veronique.

However, the report said it has become apparent that the Blues are hoping to also leverage a deal that would send Rabiot to Stamford Bridge with the help of the club’s several connections to the 26-year-old.

One of Chelsea’s possible bargaining chips at the moment is Rabiot’s relationship with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel, whom he worked with at Paris Saint-Germain in the past. Another key factor in completing the transfer is Rabiot’s admiration for fellow Frenchman and Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, the report added.

Rabiot moved to the Bianconeri in the summer of 2019, arriving on a free transfer after playing some of the best seasons of his career at PSG.

The left-footed midfielder has won six titles with PSG and continued his winning ways at Juventus, having won the Serie A title in his debut season with the Italian side.

Despite becoming a regular in Andrea Pirlo’s squad, Rabiot’s future with the Old Lady is still being deemed uncertain.

Aside from Rabiot, Chelsea is also linked to a transfer swoop for Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza at the end of the season.

The Blues are willing to offer Marcos Alonso in a swap deal to sign Pedraza, who is also a target for Barcelona, this summer, according to Spanish publication El Gol Digital.

Pedraza has redeemed his career at Villarreal after his loan spell at Real Betis, and the report stated that Chelsea has already moved up a notch in its attempt to lure the 25-year-old.

Apart from link-ups with Barca, Rabiot and Pedraza are both consistent performers in their respective clubs. The two are also both left-footed midfielders, but the latter has forged a new role playing as a defender.