Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are reportedly in a three-way tussle to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini from AS Roma. According to a report by Daily Mirror, Pellegrini is a subject of a transfer scramble in the Premier League. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in signing the AS Roma midfielder, who has a £21million buy-out clause in his contract.
The report suggests that all three English clubs are watching him closely while Roma are desperately trying to keep him and change the contract, having previously loaned out their academy graduate. However, he has now made major progress.
Pellegrini plied his trade for Sassuolo for two seasons after leaving Roma for the Serie A club back in 2015. But Roma wanted him back and succeeded in securing his return to the capital. The Italian has played 21 times in all competitions so far this season, scoring twice and assisting a further three times. He opened the scoring for Roma against his former side last week in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.
Chelsea’s interest in Pellegrini does come as a bit of a surprise, as we signed Ross Barkley only a few days ago. With the recent arrival of Barkley, Antonio Conte has the likes of Danny Drinkwater, N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas at his disposal. But Pellegrini, with his technical abilities and pace, will certainly be a fine addition for Chelsea.
Fabregas has been in fine form this season, orchestrating much of Chelsea’s attacks from an advanced role. But with the Spaniard entering his 30s, he lacks the dynamism and pace to match the Premier League’s pace after a couple of years.
Pellegrini could be touted as a long-term replacement for the ageing Fabregas. A trio of Bakayoko, Barkley and Pelligrini could go on to serve us for years. Conte is also keen to add to his squad this month, especially if the likes of Michy Batshuayi and David Luiz leave the club to secure more playing time elsewhere during a World Cup year.
On the other hand, Roma have no intention of selling the young Italian, with the club’s sporting director saying that he did not expect too much transfer activity at Roma in January.
