Chelsea set to miss out to European rivals in race for midfield wonderkid: report

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 2: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on October 2, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea look set to be pipped to Corinthians midfield prodigy Gabriel Moscardo by PSG, in a potential blow to their January transfer plans.

The 18-year-old starlet has also been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, with Corinthians holding out for a club-record fee for their youth product.

But it appears that PSG are currently winning the battle to secure Moscardo's services in the New Year.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 1: Gabriel Moscardo of Corinthians gestures during the match between Corinthians and Athletico Paranaense as part of Brasileirao Series A 2023 at Neo Quimica Arena on November 1, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)

Gabriel Moscardo (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Ligue 1 champions' "mission" to land Moscardo is "[entering] key stages" and the player is keen on a move to Paris.

Romano adds that Chelsea have no intention of tabling an offer for the Brazil U23 international – who made his senior debut for Corinthians as a 17-year-old.

The Blues – who won 3-2 at home to Brighton on Sunday despite playing most of the game with 10 men – are expected to be active in the winter transfer window, with a new striker likely to be their top priority.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea FC and Borussia Dortmund at Soldier Field on August 2, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Chelsea signed France striker Christopher Nkunku for £52m from RB Leipzig in the summer, but he has yet to make his competitive debut due to a knee injury (Image credit: Getty Images)

Having spent so lavishly since Todd Boehly's takeover last year, the January window should be a more restrained one as far as Chelsea are concerned.

Nonetheless, it would be a big surprise not to see any new faces through the door at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues aim to continue the steady improvement they've shown under Mauricio Pochettino in recent months.

But it's safe to say we probably won't see a repeat of the eight additions they made in January 2023.

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Chelsea appear to have suffered two further transfer setbacks, this time in relation to centre-forward targets.

The Blues could also end up losing one of their most important players to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo has revealed why he opted to join Chelsea over Liverpool in the summer.

And FourFourTwo has ranked the best signings the Blues have ever made throughout their history.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...