Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist to replace Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
Writing on his Substack page, Phillips claims that Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus have all been made transfer targets. While fans on Twitter like all three players, there are plenty who are backing a move for Wirtz:
Wirtz would be the absolute dream signing
— george (@george09358534) June 22, 2023
wirtz 😍😍😍
— W.D (@CFC_WD) June 22, 2023
1. Wirtz
2. Szoboszlai
3. Kudus
Rate them all tbf but Wirtz is different level— Nkunku Time (@Nkunku_Time) June 22, 2023
wirtz 🔥🔥🔥
— Pius 🍃 (@Ssebuumapius7) June 22, 2023
Bring me wirtz
— 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 (@_Maxmilianjohn) June 22, 2023
Wirtz is clear but expensive
— Southboy 🦄 (@Southboy_MFB) June 22, 2023
Wirtz. Pay and don’t speak
— Tommy Took (@TommyTook) June 22, 2023
BRING FLORIAN WIRTZ NOW!!
— Nandz🇿🇦🇫🇷 (@downbadnandi) June 22, 2023
Cost may prove decisive in which transfer target Chelsea go after
Financial Fair Play could still play a role in the club’s decision-making when it comes to targets, despite the fact that the Blues have worked hard to raise cash through player sales in recent weeks.
With that in mind, Kudus would be the favourite, considering he is likely to be the cheapest. Reports suggest that Ajax could let him leave for around £40m this summer. However, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in the Ghanaian international.
Szoboszlai, meanwhile, has a £60m release clause, and has also been linked with the Magpies. Wirtz’s price tag is harder to gauge at the moment. The 20-year-old has massive potential but he has recently returned from a serious injury. That would have to be factored in when the Blues assess his value. It will be interesting to see, though, which of these three the London club end up going after.
