Chelsea may reportedly target a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra during one of the upcoming transfer windows.
The Blues have endured a disappointing start to the new Premier League campaign, collecting just five points from six matches to sit just above the relegation zone.
However, Mauricio Pochettino witnessed his team go some way to kick-starting their season with a 1-0 victory over Brighton in the EFL Cup third round last week.
Three former Brighton players in Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo all started for Chelsea, four if you count Levi Colwill who spent 2022-23 on loan with the Seagulls.
With Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital having previously appointed then-Brighton boss Graham Potter as their new head coach 13 months ago, the two clubs are no strangers to doing business.
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Brighton have also received players in the opposite direction with Billy Gilmour now starring in their midfield, yet it appears that they may have to try to fend off interest in another of their squad members.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea have started to take an interest in the development of Adingra in recent weeks.
The integration of Adingra into the Brighton first team in the summer went somewhat under the radar, a consequence of him spending last season with Belgian side Union SG.
During his stint out on loan, the 21-year-old contributed a remarkable 15 goals and 15 assists, resulting in him being promoted to Brighton's senior ranks by Roberto De Zerbi.
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Since then, the Ivory Coast international has been provided with 239 minutes of senior action, contributing one goal and one assist in the Premier League.
With a contract until 2026, Adingra's future at the Amex Stadium appears secure, yet it is alleged that Chelsea have had scouts present at two of Brighton's most recent domestic games.
Chelsea are well stocked for players in the final third with Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke competing for the two wide positions.
Christopher Nkunku is also still yet to come into the fold after injury, but Pochettino is eager to see his side improve in front of goal having netted just eight times in as many matches since his arrival.
Darren Plant
