Todd Boehly is eyeing up a Chelsea swoop for a Premier League forward in order to bolster Graham Potter’s side…
What’s the news?
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are ready to open preliminary talks with Brighton & Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard ahead of a potential move.
His contract expires next year and the Seagles have ruled out a move in January, however, Potter is holding talks in order to get an agreement in place.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upgrade
Trossard is currently playing at the World Cup for Belgium, where he came on against Canada for the last 25 minutes and a reunion with Potter at Chelsea looks to be on the cards.
The 27-year-old has excelled this season, scoring seven league goals, including a hat-trick against Liverpool, while also chipping in with three assists that has helped propel Brighton into the top half of the table, despite losing Potter to Chelsea in September.
Although mainly utilised as a left winger, Trossard can be just as effective in a centre-forward role and would be an upgrade on Aubameyang, who has struggled since joining from Barcelona in the summer.
The 33-year-old has scored just one league goal so far, making just four starts, while struggling to get involved in matches, averaging only 15 touches per match and it's clear the Belgian would be a significant upgrade.
The £42.5k-per-week sensation appears ready to take the next step up in his career, with Brighton being the perfect stepping stone for a move to a Premier League heavyweight such as Chelsea.
Gabby Agbonlahor has dubbed him a real “threat” of late due to his performances this season and the Englishman has backed Trossard to thrive if he moves to a bigger club in the near future.
He was also praised by Alan Shearer for a “magnificent” goal he scored against Brentford last season and Trossard would certainly help Chelsea score more goals, especially with their attacking options netting just 10 goals between them all season.
A move in January appears to be off the cards but securing a deal to bring the Belgian to Stamford Bridge for free next summer would be a very shrewd investment by the club.