Chelsea have made moves to bolster their squad with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise
Moises Caicedo (right) goes toe-to-toe with Raheem Sterling last season. (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia could both be assigned their dream shirt numbers at Chelsea, but Michael Olise will have to find another option should he complete his move to Stamford Bridge.
Continuing their rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino this summer, Chelsea have smashed their own Premier League record transfer fee to sign Caicedo from Brighton for an amount which could rise to £115million with add-ons. Lavia and Olise are poised to follow him through the door after big-money deals were agreed.
football.london understands breakthroughs have been reached with Southampton and Crystal Palace over their respective signatures. They could be confirmed at any stage.
Lavia, 19, will cost around £58million and his impending transfer is subject to a medical. As for Olise, meanwhile, his services have been priced-up at £35million, owing to a release clause.
Chelsea have rubber-stamped their swoop for Caicedo, 21, while there are further formalities to complete when it comes to Lavia and Olise, 21, such as their respective medicals. However, should all go to plan there, Pochettino will take his summer spend past £400million in an attempt to bolster his squad.
But what shirt numbers will those three wear this season?
Caicedo, who wore the No.25 shirt at Brighton, has not yet been assigned his squad number. Of course, the No.25 remains open for him to choose, but Chelsea have – significantly – not handed it to anybody since legendary figure Gianfranco Zola departed Stamford Bridge two decades ago now.
Lavia might well have a more straightforward path to the No.45 shirt he donned at Southampton as that particular option has not been taken up at Chelsea this season. However, when it comes to Olise, every squad number he has worn throughout his career has been assigned.
As things stand, other options available to Caicedo, Lavia and Olise – or other potential signings – are 4, 9, 12, 22, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39 and 40. Several numbers 40-plus are also free for those players to select.
Soucre: football.london
