Chelsea chief Boehly reverting to old habits as £120m ‘double deal’ sounded out

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Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly could return to his big-spending ways this summer amid reports that a lucrative double deal is being eyed up. The Blues have huge ground to make up on their Premier League rivals, and the impressive Napoli duo of Stanislav Lobotka and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could help them close the gap.

Napoli stormed Serie A this term, sewing up their first league title in over 30 years with weeks to spare. Despite the team’s heroics, and the fans’ euphoric celebrations that accompanied them, the Azzurri are still unable to match the Premier League’s top sides when it comes to wages.

Chelsea could use that to their advantage this summer, and Il Mattino claim that inquiries have already been made with regard to Kvaratskhelia and Lobotka. Signing the duo would be no easy feat, with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis supposedly labelling them ‘untouchable’.

But the Blues could still test their resolve with a mighty offer, and Boehly has shown since taking over the boardroom that he is not one to shy away from an eye-watering transfer fee.

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Kvaratskhelia is believed to come with a price-tag of £87million, although reports indicate that Napoli will insist that he stays in Italy for at least one more year. The 22-year-old winger has forged a deadly partnership with Victor Osimhen this season that has seen him linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

With 22 goal contributions in 31 Serie A appearances so far this term, the Georgian has established himself as one of Europe’s breakout stars. His rise has been rapid since signing from minnows Dinamo Batumi in 2022.

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Given that Kvaratskhelia could effectively choose his next destination due to the amount of suitors on his tail, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea have the necessary pulling power as they bumble towards a bottom-half Premier League finish this season.

They could run into a similar issue regarding Lobotka, who has appeared in every single Napoli league game so far this campaign. The industrious Slovakian international is valued by Transfermarkt at £33m, although De Laurentiis may be reluctant to do business at all.

If Chelsea are to pull the trigger on either player, whether this summer or in subsequent transfer windows, Boehly will need to clear space in the squad after spending a staggering £600m on new recruits over the past 12 months.

With Mauricio Pochettino set to be unveiled as the new permanent manager, a fire sale is on the cards at the end of the season to give the former Tottenham boss the best possible chance of producing a tight-knit unit at Stamford Bridge.

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