Chelsea ‘explore signing’ of €30m Ligue 1 wonderkid as one of three Mason Mount replacements

Chelsea are reportedly ‘exploring the signing’ of Lyon’s Rayan Cherki as one of three potential replacements for Mason Mount.

After a number of back and forths between Chelsea and Manchester United, the Blues agreed to sell Mount to the Red Devils for £55m, with a further £5m possible in ‘difficult add-ons’.

Chelsea are making progress in a deal to bring Moises Caicedo to the club from Brighton this summer, and for a long time it was thought a defensive midfielder to play alongside Enzo Fernandez would be the only midfield addition.

But a report last week claimed ‘internal discussions about a replacement for Mount’ have taken place with ‘the success of their clear-out of unwanted players meaning Chelsea are also increasingly open to signing a more attacking midfielder’.

There’s space in the squad not just due to Mount’s departure but Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal, N’Golo Kante’s move to Al-Ittihad and AC Milan completing a deal for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

It’s also claimed that Chelsea remain open to selling a further midfielder in Conor Gallagher, though Pochettino would rather keep him at the club.

Evening Standard claimed Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga, who’s been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United as well as Chelsea, is the Blues’ ‘top target for that position’, but it appears they’re spreading the net a litte wider in their search for a playmaker.

Journalist and Chelsea insider Simon Phillips says they’re ‘exploring the signing’ of Cherki, who’s emerged as one of the top young talents in Ligue 1 in recent seasons.

The 19-year-old got four league goals and six assists for Lyon last term and is valued by Transfermarkt at €30m.

Chelsea are also ‘monitoring’ Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, according to Football Transfers.

The 20-year-old – who was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in January – would likely cost significantly more than both Veiga and Cherki, with Transfermarkt valuing him at €85m and any previous rumours surrounding the Germany international tipping him to cost at least £60m.