Chelsea secured the dream January signing of Enzo Fernandez but it may have cost them the chance of finishing a deal for Jude Bellingham. Having already spent over £550million this season Todd Boehly is now under pressure to comply with financial restraints and rules from UEFA and the Premier League.
Although there is an easy way out of balancing the books by selling a homegrown player, it isn't the optimal way to do business, especially as the new owners want an onus on academy players in the first team squad. The sale of someone like Callum Hudson-Odoi might offer a way out, though.
The issue is that it is not just a financial persuasion needed with Borussia Dortmund to get Bellingham. The player himself needs to be convinced of the project he is signing up for. With the world and all of Europe's best clubs at his feet it makes perfect sense to take his time forming a decision.
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It's a call that is likely to go on well into the summer though that won't stop attracted clubs from courting over him until then in order to push their bid. Chelsea are no different despite splashing a league record £106.8million on Fernandez last month. That price is also going to be a new benchmark for Bellingham when it comes to Dortmund's valuation.
However, according to German publication Sport1, the financial might of Todd Boehly has actually had the opposite effect on the teenage midfielder. They report that the 19-year-old has ruled out Stamford Bridge as a destination due to an incohesive transfer plan.
With all of the January signings under the age of 24 - seven aged 23 or under, the new ownership may well dispute that. But failing summer deals have continued to cloud the work of the ownership in their nine months in charge. Even though the American businessmen have the capacity to match any bid from Real Madrid or Manchester City - the two current favourites - it may not be to much avail.
Liverpool themselves are said to be out of the picture currently due to their league position and uncertainty over Jurgen Klopp's future, while Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be out of the race. If true, this leaves Los Blancos in pole position alongside Pep Guardiola's men.
Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are yet to take no for an answer in the market, though, and that is something for Blues fans to cling onto.
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