Chelsea reportedly retain an interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha.
Having announced heavy financial losses as recently as last week, it remains unclear how Chelsea will handle the summer transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino himself acknowledged that he was unsure whether the Blues would be active in the market ahead of 2024-25 when the club need to ensure that they meet all of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability criteria.
For Chelsea to achieve that, sales will likely need to be made, and midfielder Conor Gallagher is known to be a potential option on that front due to the reluctance of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to agree fresh terms with the academy graduate.
While Chelsea are well-stocked for options in that area of the pitch, many of the players in question are young or have spent a significant amount of the season on the sidelines through injury.
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As a result, changes in the engine room cannot be ruled out with Chelsea realistically requiring experience to take the strain off Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, as well as Gallagher should he stay at Stamford Bridge.
According to HITC, Chelsea have been admirers of Vitinha for a number of seasons.
The 24-year-old is currently plying his trade for PSG, where he has established himself as a key player in central midfield since his arrival from Porto.
During 2023-24, Vitinha has made 24 starts and seven substitute outings in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, contributing five goals and three assists.
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Vitinha has proven value for money for PSG since his £34m transfer in 2022 and fits the strategy at Parc des Princes, with the club's hierarchy wanting to put together a team full of established young players.
The Portugal international still has over three years remaining on his contract, yet it is unclear how PSG would react if they were provided with a chance to make a profit on the player.
He is also not short of experience with England having made 22 appearances on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2020-21 campaign, albeit acquiring just 511 minutes of football across 19 outings in the Premier League.
Chelsea's interest is said to stem from the performances that Vitinha delivered for Porto during the following season, which earned him his transfer to PSG.
Darren Plant
