“Tried to sign him” – David Ornstein shares update on Chelsea transfer target with “top potential” | OneFootball

Chelsea transfer target Nico O’Reilly has top potential and Manchester City keeping hold of him was their best bit of business according to David Ornstein.

The January window slammed shut on Monday night, with Chelsea making just one signing as Mathis Amougou arrived from St Etienne for £12.5m to provide cover in midfield.

Six players left the club, although Cesare Casadei was the only departure, whilst fans were left disappointed the Blues didn’t sign a striker.

Ornstein hails Chelsea target O’Reilly

The Blues were linked with numerous players throughout the window, and are reported to have laid a lot of groundwork for potential summer signings.

Chelsea are said to have a five man shortlist of attacking signings, and it will be interesting to see how many of those arrive in the summer with striker and winger said to be main priorities.

Before Chelsea settled on Amougou to provide cover in midfield they enquired for O’Reilly, but City knocked back their approach.

Chelsea made an enquiry for O’Reilly in January. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The 19-year-old is regarded as a huge talent and whilst he’s not featured much for Pep Guardiola this season, City have high hopes for him.

Ornstein believes the teenager has top potential and stated Chelsea were trying to pull off another Cole Palmer type signing.

“I was going to mention City’s best signing of the window, well not a signing but a retention, Nico O’Reilly who has got top potential,” he told The Athletic.

“Chelsea tried to sign him and do a Cole Palmer mark two, but City managed to keep hold of him, and you’ll remember this when he comes good.”

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Whether the Blues go back in for O’Reilly in the summer remains to be seen, and they’ve also been strongly linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Dario Essugo.

Andrey Santos is set to return and be a key part of the squad next season, and it’s unclear what Chelsea’s plan would be for all these potential midfielders.