5 times Chelsea hijacked transfers from other Premier League clubs

• Chelsea have reportedly placed a Leicester City midfielder top of their transfer wishlist ahead of the summer window
• The west Londoners are expected to revamp their squad in preparation for the 2024/25 season following a poor campaign last term
• Midfield is among the key departments that have been earmarked for strengthening by new boss, Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pochettino

Chelsea are making a strong push to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City, which has caused the midfielder's proposed move to Brighton to fall through.

This isn't the first time Chelsea has swooped in late to outbid a Premier League rival.

Sports Brief recalls five previous instances when the West London club hijacked deals:

John Obi Mikel

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One of the most controversial transfer hijackings involved John Obi Mikel. Manchester United had advanced their pursuit of the midfielder so far that he was unveiled as their new signing, complete with a signed contract and Mikel donning United's colors.

However, Mikel had simultaneously agreed terms with Chelsea and claimed he was pressured into signing with United. A legal battle ensued, with both clubs contesting the rights to the Lyn Oslo teenager.

Eventually, Chelsea paid Manchester United £12 million and Lyn Oslo £4 million for Mikel. He went on to make 372 appearances for Chelsea, winning two league titles and eight major honors.

Florent Malouda

Rafael Benitez had targeted Florent Malouda to bolster Liverpool's attacking options in 2007.

Despite Benitez's efforts, Malouda chose Chelsea over Liverpool, reuniting with former Guingamp teammate Didier Drogba.

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The pair thrived together at Chelsea, contributing to a domestic double in 2009/10 and the 2012 Champions League victory.

Willian

In the summer of 2013, Tottenham Hotspur were set to announce Willian as their record signing after he completed a medical.

Willian was meant to replace Gareth Bale, who was on the verge of a world-record move to Real Madrid.

However, Chelsea intervened, agreeing to a £30 million deal with Anzhi Makhachkala and convincing Willian to join them instead.

Mohamed Salah

During the 2014 January transfer window, Liverpool was close to signing Mohamed Salah after weeks of negotiations with Basel.

Despite Salah's interest in Liverpool, a phone call from Jose Mourinho persuaded him to join Chelsea in an £11 million deal.

Salah's time at Chelsea was underwhelming, with only 13 league appearances in 18 months. Liverpool eventually signed him from Roma in 2017, where he has since won the Premier League and Champions League, along with numerous individual accolades.

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Mykhailo Mudryk

Chelsea recently ambushed Arsenal’s deal for Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian winger had publicly expressed his desire to join Arsenal, even posting on social media about watching their games.

Arsenal made three bids for Mudryk, but Chelsea's superior offer, an initial £62 million potentially rising to £88 million, secured his transfer. Mudryk signed a long-term contract with Chelsea, snatching him away from their London rivals.

Chelsea ready to break transfer record

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Chelsea's willingness to break the Premier League transfer record to sign Newcastle United striker, Alexander Isak, to bolster their attack.

Despite spending heavily on new transfers since Todd Boehly's arrival, the Blues are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad further in the upcoming transfer window.