Chelsea submit enquiry for Pepe

Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have reportedly submitted an enquiry for Brazilian attacker Pepe, valued at €70 million by FC Porto.

According to a report by Portuguese publication Record, Pepe is the subject of interest from Chelsea over a possible move in the ongoing transfer window. FC Porto will only part ways with the Brazilian attacker if a suitor triggers his release clause, worth €70 million.

Pepe spent his formative years in his homeland Brazil before graduating from the academy of his hometown club Foz de Iguacu. But the 25-year-old’s stock rose when he joined Gremio half a dozen years ago. And after five productive years with the Brazilian outfit, Pepe arrived in Europe when he joined FC Porto last summer.

The Brazilian attacker was slow off the blocks at FC Porto, but he has raised his performance levels since Luis Diaz’s move to Liverpool in January. And Pepe has been decent at the onset of the 2022/23 season, providing one assist in four games thus far. His progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Chelsea showing interest in him.

The Blues have been active in the market this summer but are yet to bolster their squad to Thomas Tuchel’s liking. Raheem Sterling has reinforced Chelsea’s offensive unit following his big-money move from Manchester City. But with Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will need to sign another attacker this summer.

Embed from Getty Images

Several players have thus emerged on Chelsea’s radar, with the Blues working on a deal to sign Rafael Leao. In addition, Anthony Gordon is a top target for Chelsea, with the west London club ready to fork out a sizable transfer fee to secure the services of the Everton prospect this summer.

While Gordon is keen on joining Chelsea, a summer move is not set in stone. Pepe has thus popped up on Chelsea’s radar as a viable candidate to bolster Chelsea’s offensive unit. But the Brazilian attacker will not come cheap, with FC Porto pointing towards his release clause, worth €70 million, to part ways with him.

FC Porto’s insistence on recouping the entire valuation of his release clause is understandable, as Gremio will receive 12.5 per cent of a future sale. But it is unclear if Chelsea will be ready to shell out €70 million to sign Pepe. For now, the Brazilian attacker has emerged as the latest candidate to bolster Chelsea’s attack this summer.