Chelsea are willing to meet Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto’s €40m (£36m) release clause, according to Spanish journalist Jose Luis Carazo (via 90min.com).
Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo enquired about Roberto’s availability twelve months ago but he was promptly told that the player was not for sale.
If the existence of the buyout clause is true, it would no doubt revive the Blues interest in the player. With Nemanja Matic expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and with Nathaniel Chalobah having already departed for Watford, greater depth in central midfield is required.
Reports this morning suggest however that Roberto is not one of the four players that manager Antonio Conte is interested in signing before the end of the transfer window.
Their hands may be forced however if Manchester City re-enter the race for the 25 year old. Mundo Deportivo say Barca rejected a €35m offer from City for the player recently, and it wouldn’t take much more for them to meet the reported release clause.
