By Wayne Veysey

1st Oct, 2023 | 7:00pm

Sources: Chelsea now set sights on Brighton star Simon Adingra

Chelsea are keeping close tabs on Brighton breakout star Simon Adingra, sources have told Football Insider.

Talent spotters from the London club’s recruitment team are watching the forward, 21, at close quarters after being impressed by his start to the new season.

Chelsea watched Adingra score in his team’s 3-1 win at Man United last month and saw him again in Saturday’s shock 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

He is firmly on the radar of Chelsea, who have already lured multiple senior staff members from Brighton, including former manager Graham Potter and record signing Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea are on the lookout for more firepower after a poor start to the season and their recruitment team have identified Adingra as an ideal target for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Summer signing Nicolas Jackson has led the line for the Blues so far in the 2023-24 campaign, but Chelsea are still on the lookout for more attacking depth.

The London side have specifically targeted players under the age of 25 since Todd Boehly’s consortium took charge of the club, and Adingra is the latest player to make their transfer shortlist.

The attacker joined Brighton in 2022 but spent last season out on loan at Union SG, where he scored 15 goals and registered 15 assists in 51 total appearances.

Roberto De Zerbi has put his faith in Adingra by awarding him a spot in the first team this season, and he immediately rewarded his manager with a debut goal in the 4-1 win over Luton Town in August.

He has made a total of seven appearances for Brighton, including two Premier League starts.

In other news, Pochettino and Chelsea coaches have ‘big concern’ after Chilwell update