Chelsea plotting €50m move for 21-year-old LaLiga star linked with Liverpool: Reports

Chelsea are interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, as per a report from CaughtOffside. They are plotting a €50 million move for the Spaniard, who is rumored to be linked with fellow Premier League side Liverpool.

Chelsea seem a probable destination for Barrios who is shining bright at Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone. The Blues are facing a tough situation with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who has not lived up to the expectations under new head coach Enzo Maresca. The Argentine has received 589 minutes of game time in the Premier League this season but has made only six starts in nine appearances.

Pablo Barrios, on the other hand, suffered a muscle injury that kept him out for some time. Before the injury, he was a regular in the starting line-up. Upon returning, he played two games against Real Sociedad and Leganes but again missed out against Real Betis in LaLiga. Barrios' most recent outing was against UD Las Palmas on November 3 when he received 45 minutes of game time.

Looking at Enzo Fernandez's situation at Chelsea, a report from The Sun has linked him with Barcelona and Inter Milan. The Argentine's contract at Chelsea runs until June 2032. Thus, if the midfielder is sold, the Blues might receive a good amount which they can utilize to buy Barrios, whose contract at Atletico Madrid ends in 2028.

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Chelsea and their challenges before the international break

After playing out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League on November 3, Enzo Maresca's side will lock horns with Noah in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday (November 7). The Blues sit at the top of the table with two wins from as many games.

They have dominated the competition with eight goals in two fixtures, conceding only three in return. They have the best goal difference.

After the continental game, the Blues will return to Premier League action on November 10, as they face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Maresca's side have the same number of points as Arsenal but boast a better goal difference, thanks to the 20 goals they have scored so far.

However, Arsenal have been defensively better to some extent, leaking one goal less than the Blues, 11.