Chelsea completes yet another acquisition with the promise of a future announcement, frustrating PSG.
When the 18-year-old's contract ends, Chelsea will have beaten their European rivals to the signing of the promising young player.
An 'announcement coming shortly' according to rumours indicates that Chelsea has finalised the acquisition of Benfica winger Diego Moreira. To the dismay of Chelsea's European rivals, particularly PSG, the promising 18-year-old will leave the Portuguese team this summer and sign with Chelsea.
outlet for Portuguese news The Record claims that despite interest from PSG and AC Milan, Moreira has already decided to join Chelsea this year. The left-footed winger, who is dual-national with Belgium and Portugal, can play on either flank.
Scouts were drawn to Moreira when he helped Benfica win the UEFA Youth League last year and made his senior team debut last year against Pacos de Ferreira, but he hasn't played this year. The young man, who represented Portugal's under-19 team and is quick and technically skilled, has been compared to former Manchester United player Nani.
As he continues to construct for the future, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is anticipated to carry out a massive renovation at Stamford Bridge this summer. When Moreira's contract expires, they will be able to increase their roster as the Chelsea co-owner tries to recoup about £200 million in sales this summer.
According to The London Evening Standard, Chelsea is preparing a clear-out of their roster this summer in order to reduce their pay bill and provide their next manager a smaller pool of players from whom to chose. Since taking control, Boehly has spent well over £600 million on signing players like Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Andrey Santos in the last two transfer windows.
As Boehly attempts to cut the pay budget at Stamford Bridge, senior players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, and Cesar Azpilicueta are anticipated to be among those let go this summer. Lukaku, who had been returned on loan to Inter Milan for the entire season, became the first casualty of the purge.
There are worries, though, that Chelsea may have a difficult time finding organisations ready to pay the asking price for their senior talents. Boehly might have to change their transfer valuations because to high wage demands, and he might even think about paying some players off for the rest of their contracts.
The co-owner is becoming increasingly struck by Mauricio Pochettino after more discussions with the former Tottenham head coach, and the future Chelsea manager may have their own transfer requests. Julian Nagelsmann, the former manager of Bayern Munich, is another target after the 35-year-old 'changed his mind' about going back into management.
