Chelsea identify £55m Premier League star previously wanted by Arsenal as Mason Mount replacement – 101 Great Goals

Chelsea have identified Everton star Amadou Onana as a potential addition for their midfield, but have been warned that the Toffees may demand as much as £55m for the Belgian international this summer.

The Blues are set to undergo major surgery to their side this summer, with all of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek potentially being shown the exit door amid interest in the quartet from across Europe.

N’Golo Kante is also set to leave for free this summer when his contract with the club expires, with the Frenchman having agreed a mega move to join compatriot Karim Benzema at Saudi side Al-Ittihad.

It leaves Chelsea light in midfield, with just Enzo Fernandez and Carney Chuckwuemeka left of senior options that were handed minutes last season, though academy talent Lewis Hall could also be used there.

Now, it has been claimed that they will be looking to bridge that with a move for Onana, who refused to leave Everton in January amid interest from both the Blues and Arsenal but is now set to depart the club.

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Chelsea have ’shown a strong interest’ and ‘resumed discussions’ with both the player and the club over a potential move.

However, they may face a small sticking point, with Everton in desperate need for money sooner rather than later in order to comply with financial fair play, and keen for a quick sale even as they hold out for £55m.

Chelsea themselves are in a similar boat, needing to sell players before June 30th to comply with FFP restrictions after spending over £500m across the past two transfer windows.

It means that splashing out a further £55m any time soon could be a stumbling block to any deal for the Belgian.

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