Chelsea recently initiated discussions with Premier League midfielder Eberechi Eze as they looked to bolster their attacking lineup ahead of the upcoming season.
The club had high hopes of bringing the Crystal Palace star to Stamford Bridge, even dangling the enticing opportunity of Champions League football as part of their pitch to him.
The interest in Eze came in the wake of Chelsea missing out on Michael Olise, another former Palace player who has since risen to prominence on the global stage as a formidable attacking talent.
The excitement among Chelsea fans was palpable, especially with the team’s renewed focus on strengthening the front line. Already this summer, the Blues have secured the signings of Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Joao Pedro.
The club is also close to finalizing the transfer of highly-rated Brazilian youngster Estevao Willian. Despite these additions, Chelsea are far from done in the transfer market and are still in pursuit of further reinforcements in attack before the transfer window closes.
However, hopes of securing a deal for Eze have now dimmed considerably. According to journalist Simon Phillips, negotiations with the player’s camp hit a roadblock due to unexpectedly high wage demands. Chelsea were reportedly caught off guard by the financial terms requested by Eze’s representatives.
In addition to the wages, another major stumbling block was the discovery that Eze’s £67.5 million release clause must be paid in full and upfront—a condition Chelsea are reluctant to accept, especially considering the player is approaching his late twenties.
Chelsea have made it clear in recent years that they prefer investing in younger talents with long-term potential, rather than paying premium prices for older players.
The club did initially express genuine interest in Eze and entered discussions to explore what a potential deal might look like, but the financial demands have ultimately made the transfer less appealing. As a result, Chelsea are now expected to turn their attention elsewhere.
With Eze looking increasingly out of reach, Chelsea have begun eyeing a move for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The Dutch attacking midfielder enjoyed a standout season in the Bundesliga and is reportedly open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea will not have a clear path to his signature, as Arsenal are also believed to be keen on the 21-year-old and could provide stiff competition in the race for his services.
