Who are the European stars that could be following Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea?

With Mauricio Pochettino officially unveiled as the new Chelsea boss on Tuesday, the former Tottenham boss knows that he has a real job on his hands after returning to the capital.

Arriving at Stamford Bridge on a two-year deal, the 51-year-old already finds himself at the heart of what is a major squad overhaul in SW6 this summer.

Watching Mason Mount complete his controversial £55million move to Manchester United earlier in the week, Chelsea have also seen the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Eduard Mendy head out of the Stamford Bridge exit.

However, really breaking the bank over the previous two transfer windows and watching their financial approach come under a huge amount of scrutiny, Pochettino is expecting a rollercoaster summer behind the scenes in west London.

While there might still be speculation that the likes of Christian Pulisic and Conor Gallagher could be the next batch of Chelsea stars on their way out of SW6, the former European champions are expecting plenty of new faces to come through the door.

With Pochettino set to be handed a major war chest this summer, we have taken a look at three European stars that have been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer.

Moises Caicedo – Brighton

While Chelsea might have only welcomed Enzo Fernandez to Stamford Bridge back in January following a jaw-dropping £105million deal with Benfica, it is no secret that the Blues are seeking midfield reinforcements this summer.

With the likes of Kante, Mount and Kovacic already clinching their own respective moves away from the capital, Pochettino will already have a headache over the lack of midfield options he has in his ranks.

However, expected to complete a real midfield overhaul this summer, it appears that both Pochettino and the Chelsea hierarchy have identified their number one target.

Along with continued speculation over the past 12 months, it appears that the former European champions are inching towards a blockbuster swoop for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

With Sky Sports reporting earlier in the week that Chelsea are set to formalise their interest and open negotiations, it has been heavily suggested that the 21-year-old is desperate to complete a move to SW6.

Playing a vital role as the Seagulls clinched a famous European ticket last season, the Ecuador international is believed to be valued in the region of £80million by Brighton.

Paulo Dybala – Roma

With it looking like Romelu Lukaku will not be part of Pochettino’s plans next season after completing his season-long return back to Inter Milan, fans around Stamford Bridge will know that a new number nine should be at the top of Chelsea’s agenda this summer.

Really gaining a reputation for their attacking issues last season, only five Premier League clubs bagged less top-flight strikes during the 2022/23 campaign and they also have no European adventure on the horizon for later in the year.

Watching last season’s top goalscorer Kai Havertz make the move across London to Arsenal last week, Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Chelsea now have their sights set on an ambitious swoop for Paulo Dybala this summer.

Pochettino is thought to be a huge admirer of the Argentina international and sees his compatriot as the perfect option to spearhead his new-look attack next season.

Although it might be suggested that Dybala would demand an enormous salary to make a maiden move to England this summer, the ex-Juventus superstar does have a £10million release clause in his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Florian Balogun – Arsenal

While Chelsea might have sold Havertz to the Gunners in a £65million deal last week, it has been suggested that one of Arsenal’s attacking stars could be heading in the opposite direction this summer.

Although reports in Italy might suggest that it is Dybala who remains Pochettino’s number-one striking target this summer, Football Transfers reported earlier in the week that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are keen on a potential swoop for the impressive Florian Balogun.

Enjoying what was a breakout campaign with Reims last season as the USA international notched 21 Ligue 1 strikes, Balogun has quickly blossomed into one of Europe’s hottest young attacking starlets.

Notching more goals domestic strikes than the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar last season, Arsenal’s homegrown product has made it clear that he is seeking regular first-team action.

However, with Mikel Arteta failing to offer Bologun the promise that he will be Arsenal’s leading man next season, both parties appear to have accepted that the former England youth star will be granted a permanent move away from the Emirates this summer.