Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to sign €80m-rated Real Madrid superstar - Reports

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly wants his side to make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.

According to El Nacional, Pochettino is eager to sign Valverde, as he looks to bolster his midfield this summer. N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic both look to be heading out of Stamford Bright, leaving the Argentine short of numbers.

It will reportedly cost the Blues £70-80 million to persuade Real Madrid to discuss a deal for Valverde. The 24-year-old was in fine form this season, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 56 games across competitions.

Chelsea have reportedly already contacted the Uruguayan's camp to make their interest known. They have informed the midfielder that he will be an undisputed starter for the Premier League giants.

Valverde isn't given those assurances at Real Madrid, who have just added Jude Bellingham to their bloated midfield. Carlo Ancelotti's side already have the Uruguayan, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.

Valverde is intent on remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he has been an integral member of Los Blancos's squad. However, Bellingham's arrival may have a knock-on effect on the Uruguayan's game time. So, the playmaker isn't ruling out a move to Chelsea.

Pochettino is set to rebuild his Blues squad this summer despite the club spending over £600 million in the last two transfer windows. Midfield is definitely an area the Argentine manager will be attending to.

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Real Madrid call off Kai Havertz pursuit

Kai Havertz won't be heading to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have reportedly decided against pursuing a deal for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that talks between the Blues and Los Blancos have broken down. Madrid are unwilling to spend upwards of €60 million on the German, who has two years left in his contract.

Havertz struggled for form this season, scoring nine goals in 47 games across competitions. The attacker was played in a false nine role but failed to inspire his Chelsea side, as they finished 12th in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old has been at Stamford Bridge since 2020 when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for €80 million. He scored the winner in the 2021 Champions League final, which is the highlight of his largely forgettable spell in west London.

Although Real Madrid have cooled their interest in Havertz, the forward may still be on the move. The Athletic reports that Arsenal have made contact with Pochettino's side regarding a potential deal for the German.