Chelsea are negotiating with Southampton over the potential of signing one of their former players back from the Saints - and then sending him back again.
After two years at Stamford Bridge and just four senior appearances, right back Tino Livramento transferred to the south coast for an £8million fee in the summer of 2021. He duly impressed in his first full campaign in the Premier League, making 28 appearances and scoring one.
But his season was curtailed by serious injury, after severely damaging his ACL in a 2-2 clash with Brighton. It kept him out of action for some 13 months, with the 20-year-old only returning for the last two matches of the 2022/23 season, ironically a defeat to the Seagulls before a final day draw with Liverpool.
His lengthy lay-off hasn't put off potential pursuers though. According to the Daily Mail, the relegated club have rejected bids of both £12million and then £21million from Newcastle United, instead valuing him closer to £38million.
And new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to swoop with the club offering Southampton a caveat. Should they sign their former academy graduate, who was first on the books with the Blues in 2009, they would immediately loan him back so that he can get more first team experience in the Championship.
But certain international managers are also likely to be monitoring developments with interest. Despite representing England through the youth ranks, first playing for his country at Under-15 level, Livramento is also eligible to play for the Scotland and Portugal via his parents.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Chelsea challenge for the title again next season? Comment below.
Securing his services long term could prove a shrewd move from Pochettino, who been nothing but busy since walking through the door in west London. A number of first team players have been culled this summer, with Kai Havertz the most high profile having left for Arsenal for £68 million.
N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy have all headed off to Saudi Arabia, with Hakim Ziyech's own proposed moved to the Middle East scuppered by a failed medical. Mateo Kovacic meanwhile, has signed for Man City.
But there has been a high profile arrival too, with Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson signing from Villarreal. Pochettino has been charged with improving on a turgid Premier League campaign, which saw the two-time Champions League winners finish down in 12th.
