Chelsea transfers: Mauricio Pochettino given fresh hope as summer target admits ‘dreams’ of future move
Antonio Nusa admits he was never going to leave Club Brugge to join Chelsea in the summer but confessed that it is his ‘dream’ to play at the highest level.
Chelsea were, once again, big spenders in the summer transfer market. Their huge outlay on new players has taken the Blues spending under Todd Boehly to more than £1bn. The Stamford Bridge outfit needed to sell before they bought, however, with several stars leaving.
Kai Havertz departed for Arsenal while Mason Mount left for Manchester United.
Mateo Kovacic joined champions Manchester City, with Kalidou Koulibaly opting to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ethan Ampadu were also sold.
And Romelu Lukaku’s Chelsea career appears over after he was loaned to Roma.
The west Londoners raised significant funds before hitting the transfer market themselves.
Moises Caicedo’s move from Brighton was the standout deal, while Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer and Axel Disasi were also recruited.
Nicolas Jackson and Lesley Ugochukwu were among six other players that Chelsea paid money for during the off-season.
But that number could have been seven as they wanted to sign Nusa.
The 18-year-old admitted that the first he heard about it was after a Europa Conference League clash against Osasuna on August 30.
“I didn’t know about it,” he told TV2. “I saw there was a lot of stuff on my phone. My phone exploded after the game. Then I wondered what happened. Then I realised.”
No chance of summer Chelsea move for Nusa
Nusa enjoyed 31 outings in all competitions for the Belgian side last term.
The forward bagged just a couple of goals but it was enough for Chelsea scouts to take notice.
He was the subject of late interest from the Blues and admitted that the sums involved did turn a few heads.
“I already knew that it wasn’t going to happen, but then the money came on the table,” he added.
“Then it’s seen in a slightly different way. We had to have another conversation when the money arrived, but we were on the same page, so there was no problem there. I knew what to do anyway, so it was fine.”
The former Stabaek player has already received a call-up to the Norway senior side having played for many age-group teams.
And, having made a stellar start to 2023-2024, other clubs are said to be on the case.
Fabrizio Romano said on X that Chelsea will ‘keep monitoring’ the starlet after their €30m offer was rejected.
Whether they make a move in January only time will tell. But it seems clear that he will be change clubs sooner rather than later.
Nusa dreaming of Premier League career
Nusa could be the next Norwegian to star in the Premier League following Erling Haaland’s sensational move to Manchester City.
And he appears keen to tread a similar path to his compatriot after admitting his surprise at Chelsea’s bid.
“That’s a lot of money. A lot of money. But I try not to think about it so much,” he continued. “I can’t focus on that, you know. I don’t think it’s good for me.
“We are talking about very big clubs and that’s where you dream of being in the future.
“I try not to think about money at all. There’s a lot of money in football, so that’s not what’s on my mind. It’s where I can develop best and become as good as possible.”
READ MORE: Pochettino anxious as Man City start chasing Chelsea defender for devastating 2024 transfer
