On February 10th, France’s Foot Mercato reported Chelsea are in the picture to sign Kays Ruiz-Atil on a free transfer this summer.
The 18-year-old’s contract with PSG expires at the end of June, and he is now able to speak to other clubs about a free transfer in the next window.
Since Mauricio Pochettino took over at the Ligue 1 champions, the versatile midfielder has been completely out of the picture. Before that, Thomas Tuchel had been giving him opportunities occasionally and he’d picked up 181 minutes of league football so far this campaign.
Foot Mercato reported Chelsea held a meeting last year with the player’s entourage, and that interest continued from the London club. That Tuchel is now in charge at Stamford Bridge was seen as a boost for the club’s chances of signing Ruiz-Atil.
Now Barcelona are being dragged back into the picture, to sign a player who left their youth system in 2015. AS is one of the Spanish sources reporting that today, and Barca would be a problem for Chelsea.
A lot would depend on whether Ruiz-Atil is more attracted by returning to his former club, or teaming up with Tuchel again and a manager who has given him chances in the past.
