Transfer News: Chelsea join race to sign Domenico Berardi

Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi who is also a transfer target for London rivals West Ham United.

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Chelsea are the latest entrant in the race for the signing of Sassuolo and Italy winger Domenico Berardi, who is also being pursued by West Ham United and Borussia Dortmund.

Berardi is a product of the Sassuolo youth academy and has spent his entire playing career with the Neroverdi barring a loan stint at Juventus in the early parts of the last decade. A mainstay in the side, the 26-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers in Serie A in recent years and enjoyed a fine 2020/21 campaign.

Following that, Berardi also impressed at the UEFA Euro 2020, where he helped Italy win the tournament. His rise to stardom has led to strong interest from several top clubs including Liverpool and Tottenham. And now, Chelsea and West Ham United have also emerged as suitors for the 26-year-old winger.

Chelsea have an abundance of attacking options within their roster already with Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz all capable of playing in the wide areas. But there have been some rumblings about the future of Ziyech after a difficult debut campaign in England while Hudson-Odoi was also not afforded much game-time by Thomas Tuchel.

Throw in Werner’s profligate nature in front of goal in the last season, it makes sense that Chelsea are looking to add another goalscoring attacker to their midst this summer. Federico Chiesa was seen as a target by the Blues but they were rebuffed in their attempts to land the Juventus star, leading to them turning their focus to Berardi instead.

However, Chelsea are likely to face competition from London rivals West Ham United in pursuit of the 26-year-old winger. The Hammers could use more options out wide following the permanent departure of Felipe Anderson while Andriy Yarmolenko also seems set for an exit this summer. In addition, recent reports have indicated that Jarrod Bowen has emerged as a transfer target for Liverpool.

Irrespective of the 24-year-old’s future at the London Stadium, David Moyes & co. would be well-served by adding another wide forward as they prepare for a campaign with European football, during which squad depth will be essential. Berardi, thus, becomes a viable target for West Ham, who already have made an enquiry for the Italian as per the report.

Apart from Chelsea and West Ham, there is interest in Berardi from Borussia Dortmund while Serie A clubs AC Milan and Lazio are also keen. Sassuolo value the 26-year-old at €40 million, which could be difficult for the Italian teams, but not so much for Chelsea or West Ham or even Dortmund, who will have money from Jadon Sancho’s sale. It now remains to be seen who makes the first move to secure the signing of the Italian.