Chelsea ‘in talks to sign £35m former Man Utd midfielder, 28, after Enzo Maresca approves deal’

CHELSEA are in talks to sign Fulham star Andreas Pereira, according to reports.

The Blues have made contact with the 28-year-old’s agent Kia Joorabchian.

PA

Chelsea are ready to pay Fulham £35m for Andreas Pereira[/caption]

Getty

New manager Enzo Maresca wants the player[/caption]

Chelsea have already bolstered their depth in midfield by spending £30million on Leicester ace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

And they are now ready to meet Fulham’s £35m price tag for Pereira.

The Brazil international has supposedly reached a verbal agreement with the Cottagers to depart should any club match their asking price.

New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has given his seal of approval to the deal, according to reports from South American outlet Globo.

Ligue 1 side Monaco have also been in contact with the player’s agent.

But Pereira prefers a move to Chelsea as he is settled living in West London.

There is hope a deal will progress when the player returns from his holiday after being handed an extended break due to his participation in the Copa America with Brazil.

Pereira, who came through the ranks at Manchester United, is viewed as a possible replacement for Conor Gallagher.

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The England star has just one year left on his contract and the club is no closer to agreeing an extension.

Tottenham, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are all reportedly interested.

Chelsea have already splashed the cash this summer, bringing in five new faces – Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu.