Chelsea want Nahuel Molina just months after Arsenal were seemingly chasing his signature in a potential swap deal with Udinese.
Marca claim that Chelsea have now join the race to sign Molina.
The Blues are seemingly seeking another right wing back to offer cover and competition behind Reece James.
Molina is now emerging into their radar having turned in a solid World Cup campaign for Argentina.
Molina was the main who latched onto Lionel Messi’s stunning pass to open the scoring against the Netherlands on Friday.
That kind of attacking intent has now attracted Chelsea’s interest but it all could have been so different over the summer.
Arsenal wanted Chelsea target Nahuel Molina
Arsenal seemingly had a look at some right back option over the summer.
Takehiro Tomiyasu had impressed but suffered an injury-hit second half of the season whilst Cedric Soares wasn’t really a long-term solution.
The Gunners didn’t end up signing a right back and have instead moved Ben White from centre back to right back, accommodating William Saliba.
Whether Arsenal go back into the market for a right back remains to be seen but they seemingly fancied Molina.
Italian newspaper Messaggero Veneto reported that Arsenal were keen on signing Molina in a potential swap deal involving Pablo Mari.
Udinese had taken Mari on loan for the second half of last season and were keen to keep the Spaniard with Arsenal open to letting him go.
That deal could have suited all parties but Molina instead joined Atletico – again with a swap deal.
Atletico sent cash plus defender Nehuen Perez – who had been on loan at Udinese alongside Mari – on a permanent basis.
Mari still ended up in Italy but instead joined Monza on loan, where he has been rehabilitating since October after a horrific stabbing incident in Milan.
Arsenal’s window to sign Molina may have closed now and Chelsea seem ready to try and tempt Atletico into letting him go just months into his career in Madrid.
This could be just another example of the sliding doors moments in football, with Molina potentially in line to join one of Arsenal’s bitter rivals.
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