Chelsea are weighing up a move for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe before Friday’s transfer deadline – with Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres also on the Blues’ radar

Chelsea are considering a late move for Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe and Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

The Blues have already spent around £350 million this summer and a total of around £900 million under the leadership of chairman Todd Boehly, who has been spending big since his arrival in May 2022.

Despite all these additions, the west London side looks bright in the future.

And manager Mauricio Pochettino is clearly looking to strengthen his attack ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

And as reported in Monday’s Transfer Confidential column Mailsport‘s transfer guru Simon Jones, Boehly, Pochettino and Co are considering upcoming moves for Smith Rowe, Raphinha and Torres.

The interest is not particularly high, but this trio is among the names being discussed by the Chelsea hierarchy at this stage.

Smith Rowe, 23, had an injury hit in the 2022/23 season and has not yet played a minute in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.

Ferran Torres was often used as backup for star striker Robert Lewandowski at Camp Nou.

And Brazilian winger Raphinha, formerly of Leeds, has been dropped in recent weeks for 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen’s decision on a new contract could affect Marc Cucurella’s departure from Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella is available for loan and Manchester United made inquiries on Saturday, but Chelsea may not be so sure whether Oranje international left-back Maatsen is not committed to a new contract.

The 21-year-old has been offered a long-term contract but is unsure of the terms and validity of signing it. Burnley, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham are all interested in Maatsen and can match or offer better terms.

Mauricio Pochettino is impressed by Maatsen and the club would prefer to let Cucurella go at this stage. Chelsea have also expressed interest in Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco, but it is expected that Manchester City will win that race.