Chelsea have reportedly submitted a bid in the region of €3 million to €4 million in order to convince HNK Rijeka to agree a transfer for Ivan Lepinjica.
According to FCNaija.com, Chelsea have reportedly gone ahead and submitted an offer for Ivan Lepinjica. The Blues are interested in bringing the Croatian midfielder over to Stamford Bridge and have tabled a bid between €3 million to €4 million to his parent club HNK Rijeka.
The report further entails that Rijeka do not think that the aforementioned bid is enough and are holding out for €5 million. Rijeka remain confident of being able to get their price tag, especially with Championship duo Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion also pursuing the 20-year-old aggressively.
Ivan Lepinjica joined Rijeka in 2013 and progressed through the ranks at the club before making his senior debut in the 2018-19 season. The 20-year-old has since locked down a regular place for himself in the Rijeka starting eleven, playing the role of an anchor man in holding midfield well.
??? | #WBA
West Brom and Leeds United are battling Premier League duo Chelsea and Spurs for HNK Rijeka starlet Ivan Lepinjica.
The 20-year-old is considered a major talent in Croatia but wouldn’t be ready for Prem action yet, which is why a Championship move is on the cards. pic.twitter.com/fnYTcGN2pI
— WBA Report (@WBAReport) January 7, 2020
Chelsea might be looking for reinforcements in midfield, owing to the lack of choice outside the first-choice trio of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
Danny Drinkwater has joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season while Ross Barkley has been unable to impress under Frank Lampard. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is yet to return to full action and the 20-year-old could help Chelsea adjust to the rigours of competing in multiple competitions.
Chelsea’s track record of giving youngsters an opportunity in the first-team setup under Frank Lampard could also entice Lepinjica to make the move.
Championship clubs Leeds United and West Brom though, will be able to guarantee regular first-team football, something Chelsea might not do outright. Rijeka, on the other hand, will not budge on their price tag, especially with Lepinjica’s contract running till 2024.
Chelsea are currently in the lead for Lepinjica as there are no reports of any other club having lodged a bid or coming in with one. But, they will have to meet the price tag and even that is unlikely to guarantee Lepinjica’s signature, with clubs like Leeds and West Brom having the capability of offering regular first-team football, which is more of a necessity for the 20-year-old right now.
