Chelsea have now started negotiations to sign two players who Mikel Arteta badly wants at Arsenal.
Fresh from hiring Enzo Maresca as a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues have now launched straight into recruitment plans alongside the Italian – which looks set to throw a spanner in the works for Arsenal.
So, which Arsenal targets are Chelsea trying to sign? Let’s take a look…
Chelsea start negotiations to sign two Arsenal targets
A story by Foot Mercato in France now claims that Chelsea have opened talks to sign RB Leipzig No.30 Benjamin Sesko and Crystal Palace No.7 Michael Olise.
Maresca is determined to bring the attacking duo to Stamford Bridge – with the French news outlet adding that Todd Boehly is prepared to release the necessary funds.
It comes after the Mirror claimed that Sesko is a primary target for Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners ready to spend £45m on the Slovenia international.
In regards to Olise, it was Fabrizio Romano who revealed that Arteta really likes the France U21 international, and he is on the Spaniard and Edu’s list of transfer targets.
Foot Mercato believe Chelsea are firmly lodged in talks with the representatives of both players, and hope to reach an agreement soon.
Benjamin Sesko and Michael Olise should take note of Mykhailo Mudryk struggles
Chelsea famously beat Arsenal to a transfer target after hijacking the deal to sign Mykhailo Mudryk back in January 2023 – eventually spending £88.5m on the Ukraine international.
However, it felt rushed, and the Blues never really seemed to have as much of a plan for the winger as Arteta did.
That has been partly proven through the fact Mudryk has only scored seven goals in 58 appearances for Chelsea – and has also now worked under four different managers with Maresca currently at the helm.
Another top talent in Enzo Fernandez has also struggled at Stamford Bridge and seems to be lacking direction on the pitch, whereas Arteta has rarely missed with a signing, developing the likes of Declan Rice, Ben White, David Raya and Martin Odegaard into key cogs.
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Therefore, Sesko and Olise must think hard about whether a move to west London makes sense for their careers at this moment in time.