Chelsea 'contact agent' over surprise £35m Fulham transfer

Chelsea are reportedly considering a surprise move for Fulham star Andreas Pereira this summer. The Blues have already snapped up a number of targets this summer, signing the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman and others.

And with a number of sales also wrapped up, Enzo Maresca is expected to have the space he needs to strengthen his squad even further before the summer is out. A new striker is required, and Chelsea are also likely to want depth at both centre-back and centre midfield.

In the case of the latter, it seems Cottagers and former Manchester United midfielder Pereira could be an option. According to Globo, Chelsea have already been in touch with the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, over a possible deal this summer, and they are said to be willing to pay as much as £35million to seal the deal.

Though, Fulham have already lost Joao Palhinha this summer, and they will want to avoid having another hole in their midfield. Pereira played in all-but one of the Cottagers’ Premier League games last season, forming a vital part of Marco Silva’s plans. But they did pay just £10million for the Brazilian, and a £25million profit may be tempting if the reports are true.

Former Manchester United star Fred described Pereira as a ‘great player’ back in 2022, saying: “I think he’s doing really well at Fulham, he’s a great player. Everyone knows how good he is. We played together here for some time, he was at Flamengo in Brazil where he did well, I was following him there.

“Now he’s back here with Fulham and having a great season in the Premier League. Great player, we know his quality, but we have to play our game, we know the qualities of their players, but we need to play our game and get the win.”

What Pereira has said about Fulham

Pereira said of his early days at Fulham back in 2023: "I'm feeling at home here and it's been great so far. When I first came here they told me that every year in the Premier League they would go down. The main objective was to stay in the Premier League but I spoke with the manager and he told me what he wanted to achieve and the way he wanted to play.

"He was very ambitious and I really liked that. When we were five games into the season we realised we could do something great with the team and it's been amazing. He's very, very strong and he's a great guy. I've been enjoying my football so it's been amazing."

Fulham boss SIlva has been full of praise for Pereira. “Before he joined, Andreas was playing more as a second midfielder at Man United, and sometimes as a wide player as well,” said the Fulham boss in April. “Also, in his spells around Europe and at Flamengo in Brazil, always a second midfielder.

“Since he joined, he is playing in a different line, much more as an offensive midfielder in the pocket areas and we have been working with him to arrive more in certain areas [to score]. He’s been one of the players in this league with more assists and he is really strong in [taking] set pieces too. In our team he is a player with more assists. In that role in the team, you have to be more decisive, score more goals as well, and I’m really pleased to see him arrive in certain areas.”