Chelsea are reportedly putting together a package worth £68.3m to win the race for highly-rated Serie A forward Kenan Yildiz during the summer transfer window.
The Juventus youngster has been labelled the heir to the Mohamed Salah throne at Liverpool thanks to his rapid rise to fame in Italy, where he has amassed eight goals and five assists from 45 matches this term.
Yildiz has impressed in a variety of attacking roles this term, operating on both flanks and also just behind the striker, and the German-born 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most talented teenage prospects in the game.
Liverpool had been tipped to make a move for Yildiz last month, and even though Salah has now signed a new two-year deal at Anfield, the Reds are facing uncertainty over the futures of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa.
Arne Slot's men therefore cannot be counted out in the battle to sign the 2005-born talent, but Fichajes claims that Chelsea are hoping to beat them to the punch by making the first move.
Chelsea 'finalising details' for £68.3m 'coup'
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The Blues are always on the lookout for the hottest young attacking proteges in the game, and they would allegedly be willing to offer £68.3m to get a deal for Yildiz done.
Juventus have the Turkey international on contract until 2029 and are under no pressure to sell in that regard, but the report adds that the Bianconeri's volatile economic situation could lead to a sizeable offer being seriously considered.
Even though the Old Lady are already planning to extend Yildiz's contract again, they have supposedly accepted that it will be difficult to keep hold of the teenager as Chelsea ready their 'coup'.
On Chelsea's side, Enzo Maresca is said to be a particular fan of Yildiz's ability to function on both wings, and the Blues are working to 'finalise' their official proposal for the Turk.
Yildiz spent 10 years in the Bayern Munich youth system before joining Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, since when he has amassed a total of 12 goals and six assists from 77 matches in a black and white strip.
Chelsea's attack: The state of play ahead of the summer
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Todd Boehly's Chelsea stockpiling attackers - especially wide attackers - has been common practice for some time now, but there could be significant movement in the opposite direction this summer.
The Blues' £25m obligation to buy Jadon Sancho from Manchester United has supposedly now been triggered, but they can still choose to pay a £5m penalty fee and send him back to Old Trafford.
The club are also awaiting on the outcome of Mykhaylo Mudryk's doping case, while Raheem Sterling will almost certainly be sold when he returns from his unsuccessful Arsenal loan.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku could also be shifted to make room for new blood, as Chelsea are also expected to be one of the main contenders to sign Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.
However, the West London giants are believed to be preparing a new contract for one of their teenage attacking talents as a reward for his rise to the first team in the current campaign.
Ben Knapton
