Chelsea are on the verge of securing a huge transfer as they close in on an agreement with Leicester City for the £30 million acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, according to The Telegraph.
Former Leicester manager Enzo Maresca is leading the charge to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge, following several days of negotiations between the clubs.
Dewsbury-Hall, 25, is expected to finalize his move to Chelsea on Sunday, with a young player from Chelsea heading to Leicester as part of the deal.
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This transfer is a setback for Brighton, who had been pursuing Dewsbury-Hall for the past two transfer windows.
According to Telegraph Sport, Dewsbury-Hall had even completed a medical at Brighton earlier this week after the clubs had agreed on a fee.
Maresca, now at Chelsea, has acted quickly to secure Dewsbury-Hall, a player who significantly contributed to Leicester’s promotion last season.
The fact that Dewsbury-Hall is left-footed makes him an attractive option for Chelsea, whose current central midfielders are predominantly right-footed. Maresca sees him fitting well into his new system at Stamford Bridge.
Dewsbury-Hall offers a more attacking option compared to Chelsea’s other midfielders, including Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, and Conor Gallagher, should Gallagher remain with the club.
His addition is expected to bring a different dynamic to Chelsea's midfield setup.
Leicester City, meanwhile, will feel the impact of losing Dewsbury-Hall.
However, head coach Steve Cooper is focusing on pre-season preparations and potential new signings. Leicester's financial situation has necessitated a significant sale this month due to Premier League financial controls.
The club was charged in March and needs to raise around £40 million before the June 30 deadline to avoid further breaches.
The sale of Dewsbury-Hall, combined with the £10 million compensation from Chelsea for Maresca and his backroom staff, will provide Leicester with a crucial financial boost.