Chelsea could challenge Manchester City for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, according to reports in the Italian media.
Despite the Citizens having been favourites to sign the 25-year-old for most of the summer, it is believed that Thomas Tuchel’s side could muscle in on the negotiations.
Supporters on Twitter are, understandably, rather bemused by this latest claim, with many dismissing the story as inaccurate:
Just Imagine
— Max (@CFCMaxx) July 25, 2021
No we haven’t, next.
— ♠️™️ (@benpacked) July 25, 2021
Lol we don't need him
— Rapzeal (@EduzorRapheal) July 25, 2021
there is no way this is legit
— Muk (@CFC_Muk) July 25, 2021
Talk to make City pay i bet
— ?Bofazz? (@zzBofazz) July 25, 2021
Fake news
— Tino Wyse (@hadheyhemor) July 25, 2021
Makes no sense to sign him, not even worth the money
— Ishak (@Tuchelinio) July 25, 2021
Why the hell would we do that huh???
— Evans Nyefia?? (@Evans_Nyefia) July 25, 2021
No thanks ?
— VAR ?? (@Ziyechman) July 25, 2021
This is getting ridiculous day by day … how many days until we hear chelsea is going to sign Messi and Ronaldo too ?
— Ram G (@casper0033) July 25, 2021
Grealish is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and with the Blues pursuing Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, it is hardly likely that the club’s owner Roman Abramovich is going to sanction two club-record transfers.
Chelsea did spend in excess of £200m last year, but that was the result of funds being available due to a long spell of inactivity in the market after a transfer ban. Spending even more on just two players this summer seems very unlikely unless there are some significant outgoings as well.