Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to press ahead with a bid for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.
Throughout the summer transfer window, it has been apparent that the Blues want to significantly strengthen their options in the centre of the pitch.
Although Lesley Ugochukwu has arrived from Rennes, Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo has been regarded as a priority target, the Ecuador international also seemingly eager to move to Stamford Bridge.
However, after Chelsea failed to meet Brighton's £100m valuation, Liverpool have allegedly stepped in to beat their Premier League rivals in the race for the 21-year-old.
While Chelsea are not short of options in the engine room, they lack Premier League and European experience, and Mauricio Pochettino is keen to rectify that as soon as possible.
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If reports are to be believed, Tyler Adams will soon arrive from Leeds United and the West Londoners are said to have gone close to meeting Southampton's demands for Romeo Lavia.
Nevertheless, according to Foot Mercato, Chelsea hold an interest in securing a deal for Verratti, a player who is familiar with Pochettino.
The pair worked together during the Argentine's stint at Parc des Princes, making a total of 32 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign.
Verratti is a club legend at PSG, spending the last 11 years in France's capital, but it has been suggested that he could leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer.
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Al-Hilal have been making the effort to tempt the Italy international into a switch to the Saudi Pro League to join the likes of Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Instead, it has been claimed that Verratti would prefer to remain in Europe, and Chelsea have allegedly emerged as a potential option for the 30-year-old.
Despite being an age that may not necessarily be in keeping with the long-term strategy of owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Pochettino will argue that his squad needs more know-how in important areas of the pitch.
PSG are in a position where they to keep their position with FFP in check, yet it is unclear whether they will give the green light to a sale for Verratti with three years still remaining on his contract.
Darren Plant
