Chelsea have reportedly kept Sporting Lisbon youngster Dario Essugo on their wishlist for 2025.
The Premier League giants ultimately endured a quiet winter transfer window when it came to incomings, instead largely focusing on reducing their outgoings.
However, it was announced late on Tuesday afternoon that a deal had been agreed to sign Saint-Etienne midfielder Mathis Amougou on a long-term contract.
There is a perception that the 19-year-old will now spend several months training with the first team, while also providing backup to the senior crop if required.
Nevertheless, according to A Bola, there remains interest in adding yet another young central midfielder to their ranks.
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What is Essugo status?
Reports during the final 48 hours of the winter transfer window indicated that Chelsea may attempt to negotiate a deal with Sporting that would be completed in the summer.
A transfer ultimately did not go through, Essugo left to focus on life at Las Palmas with the prospect spending the season on loan at the La Liga side.
Essugo already representing Sporting and Las Palmas in 2024-25 meant that an arrival at Stamford Bridge in recent days was out of the question.
That said, it is anticipated that Chelsea will renew their interest in the Portuguese starlet at the end of the season.
There are currently two-and-a-half years remaining on the contract of the Under-21 international, who has made 25 appearances for his parent club.
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Do Chelsea need Essugo?
When fit, the trio of Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are the clear first choices of Enzo Maresca.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a valuable backup member, while Andrey Santos is already earmarked to be integrated into Maresca's squad for 2025-26.
Lesley Ugochukwu is also on Chelsea's books, while Amougou has been identified as a likely loanee for Strasbourg next season.
Given FIFA's regulations regarding foreign loans, there is limited value in signing Essugo unless he will be spending time in English football during the next campaign, whether that be at Chelsea or another team.
Darren Plant
