Over the last few months, Chelsea and Arsenal have tussled over similar transfer targets. Whilst Arsenal have shown a new competitive edge and competence in their business recently, new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has ensured the transfer market is aware of his determination and drive when it comes to getting deals over the line, with the American owner spending over £600m in new additions.
One of those players was Mikel Arteta’s number 1 January target, Mykhailo Mudryk, who instead signed for Graham Potter’s blues for a staggering package totalling €100m. However in spite of this blow, In the summer Todd Boehly was unsuccessful in his attempts to poach Arsenal’s deal for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian’s agent revealed that “Chelsea were one of the teams that tried to hijack the Arsenal move. They tried very hard in the final days to get him. By that point we’d already chosen our new project”. With the final third of the season still left to play, clubs are beginning to form their transfer plans and strategies for the summer and it seems there are still many more fierce battles between the two London rivals to come.
It has been widely reported by us and several other credible journalists that West Ham midfielder, Declan Rice is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wish list this summer, with the gunners already completing significant groundwork in their pursuit for the Englishman. However, this certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t being closely watched by rivals such as Chelsea, who have made it no secret over their strong attraction towards Declan Rice in spite of their current midfield depth. When asked about the situation, top journalist Di Marzio stated “I’m sure that they will try to get him if they know he is close to signing for Arsenal only because they don’t want him to go there. Chelsea are buying players like it’s a game and its a crazy situation right now at Chelsea”.
After a fantastic World Cup, it was expected that Europe’s elites would be carefully watching Alex Mac Allister who is just one of the products of the fantastic recruitment being done at Brighton. It’s been reported by the reliable journalist, Gaston Edul that Arsenal and Chelsea are the two main candidates ready to battle it out for the midfielder’s signature. Our understanding is that whilst Arsenal admire the player, Mac Allister sits behind Declan Rice in their priorities. However this does not mean we should rule out the possibility of a deal being completed, as we are told that Arsenal would ideally like to bring in a couple players in midfield this summer. We expect this to be a saga to drag deep into the window as clubs line up to sign undoubtedly a remarkable footballer who will undoubtedly flourish wherever his fate lies.
It was revealed last month by Fabrizio Romano that both Arsenal and Chelsea hold significant interest in Southampton player, Romeo Lavia. The 19 year old definitely fits the projects of both clubs, with Mikel Arteta’s tricky reds having an abundance of young talent (the 2nd youngest squad in the league) and Todd Boehly outwardly trying to replicate this use of youth as demonstrated by the large number of young players being brought in during the American billionaire’s tenure.
Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano stressed the gunners continued strong appreciation for Moises Caicedo, who was highly sought after by both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last January transfer window but both were unable to loosen Brighton’s grip on the Columbian. The blues made the first move, tabling a respectable offer worth £55m but that was firmly turned down and Boehly briskly set his eyes upon his alternative, Enzo Fernandes. The gunners also tested Brighton with two bids, their final proposal came to a staggering total of £70m. Brighton stood their ground, stating that a January sale of Caicedo was impossible as the Seagulls were dedicated to preserving their hopes of possible European qualification and this hope was valued more than any amount of cash Arsenal could cough up. Edu Gaspar and his transfer team had to make a strategic pivot to, funnily enough, Chelsea midfielder, Jorginho on deadline day. Despite Brighton managing to weather the storm of bids in January, the Caicedo transfer saga seems all but over. Sources tell us that Moises Caicedo could definitely leave Brighton this summer despite his newly signed contract until 2027. The Columbian still has the ambition of eventually departing Brighton to go and play at the highest level, with many Premier League clubs confident including Arsenal and Chelsea that they can seal Caicedo’s signature for a fee in the region of £80-90m.
Finally, reports have emerged from several Brazilian outlets this week that 18-year-old striker, Vitor Roque is highly regarded by Arsenal and Chelsea. With Chelsea still hunting for a new number 9 since both Romelu Lukaku and Aubameyang have miserably failed to do the shirt any justice, could Vitor Roque be the man to fulfil that role, if not now but perhaps in the future. On the red side of London, the future of Folarin Balogun remains unknown, Vitor Roque remains a possible player to step into Balogun’s space if the reds decide to cash in on the 21-year-old.
After a January transfer window of drama and repeated conflict between Arsenal and Chelsea, the fierce battles between the blue and red sides of London in the market are far from over.