Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino has the chance to scout two of his transfer targets in the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan
Tonight's UEFA Champions League final comes at an unusual time for football fans. The domestic season concluded two weeks ago and focus is already on the 2023/24 season for many.
However, due to the FIFA World Cup pausing club football for over a month back in November and December, the final fixture of this campaign's Champions League in Istanbul takes place 10 days into June.
The prestigious event sees Manchester City take on Italian giants Inter Milan in what's set to be a mouth-watering encounter between the two sides. Victory for either will mark a historic landmark with City aiming to finish a near-perfect season by winning the treble.
Yet, despite the abnormal notion surrounding this season's final, new Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be watching the Istanbul showpiece with a keen eye. The Argentine wants to sign a new goalkeeper, defender and attacker this summer, football.london understands, and has the opportunity to personally scout two of his targets.
Inter Milan's Andre Onana and Lautaro Martinez have both been the subject of interest from Chelsea in recent weeks. No formal move has, yet, been sanctioned by Todd Boehly, with decisions expected to be made after the final.
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea have already tested Inter's resolve with four separate swap offers that would have seen Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly move to the San Siro. All were turned down.
Valued at €100million (£85million) by CIES Football Observatory, Martinez has scored 21 goals and assisted seven in Serie A this term, only Victor Osimhen has scored more goals with 26.
Chelsea have constantly been linked with a move for the Argentine in previous transfer windows, but this summer could be different. Romelu Lukaku's loan spell at Inter will come to an end this week and his future in London remains in doubt, supplying the west Londoners with an opportunity to offer him as part of the package.
Both Onana and Martinez are in line to start from the off at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium this evening. Whether they can win Inter their first European title since 2010 remains to be seen, but they have an opportunity to show Chelsea exactly why they're worth the investment.