Chelsea have reportedly identified Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho as a potential transfer target for 2025.
The Ecuadorian, just 23 years old, could be available at a relatively modest fee despite his recent move to the French champions.
Under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea are performing admirably this season, currently sitting in third place in the Premier League after 13 games.
This strong position comes as a surprise to many, given the significant squad changes made during the summer transfer window.
The Blues have demonstrated consistent form, with standout performances from Cole Palmer and a rejuvenated Nicolas Jackson, who has rediscovered his goal-scoring prowess.
Their defensive stability has also been a key factor in their success, helping them maintain their competitive edge.
Despite their solid performances, Chelsea remain active in exploring potential reinforcements to strengthen their squad further.
Recent reports suggest the club is contemplating a significant €150 million investment in Barcelona’s defensive pair, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo.
Both players have been on Chelsea’s radar previously, with Kounde nearly joining in 2022 before opting for Barcelona, and Araujo being linked to a move to Stamford Bridge earlier this year.
These two remain high on Chelsea’s list of defensive targets, but the club is also keeping tabs on other options, such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Club Brugge’s Joel Orondez.
However, the emergence of Willian Pacho as a candidate has added an intriguing twist to Chelsea’s plans.
Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Chelsea are admirers of the defender, who only joined PSG in the summer on a five-year deal.
Despite being just a few months into his stint with the Parisian side, Pacho has already made a strong impression, starting in 15 matches across all competitions and becoming a key figure in their defensive setup.
PSG, for their part, are reportedly reluctant to part ways with Pacho given his importance to their system.
However, it’s believed that an attractive offer from Chelsea could compel the French club to reconsider, particularly if they see an opportunity to reinvest the funds in other areas of their squad.
The report highlights that Pacho remains focused on his current performances at PSG and is seemingly unaffected by the growing transfer speculation.
Chelsea’s interest in Pacho reflects their ambition to build a formidable squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
While their current defensive pairing of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana has been solid, the club is clearly keen to add further depth and quality, with Pacho emerging as a promising long-term option.
