After missing out on European football entirely, Chelsea are working to ensure it does not happen again and know how crucial it is that they don’t make mistakes this summer in the transfer window.
There will be business to be done, both in signings to strengthen their starting line-up and in sales to trim down the squad to suit their new manager, Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard does not start work officially until July 1, but has been unofficially involved in ongoing discussions with his sporting directors and owners since being appointed.
Chelsea want at least two, perhaps three, ‘ready-made’ players who can compete for a place in Alonso’s starting XI, and so here is Daily Mail Sport’s transfer briefing on the latest happenings around Stamford Bridge.
What’s the latest on Enzo Fernandez?
Chelsea have told Daily Mail Sport their valuation of the midfielder: £120million. Which means the ball is now in the court of Real Madrid and Fernandez’s representative, Javier Pastore. Up to them if they believe they can find a way to secure a deal for the 25-year-old Argentinian, who would prefer to know his club future before representing his country at the World Cup.
Chelsea aren’t desperate to sell Fernandez. They recognise his value, having paid £106m themselves after the last World Cup, and say they would be happy if he is still with them next season. They insist they will not sell him this summer for less than they think he is worth.
Real could look at including players in a possible deal, though it is believed no names have been discussed between the clubs as of yet. Chelsea were extremely interested in young centre back Dean Huijsen when he left Bournemouth last summer to join Alonso, who had not yet been officially announced by Real but was involved in that £50m signing. Huijsen said previously: ‘I fitted in well with Xabi’s ideas.’
Chelsea have set a price for Enzo Fernandez – if an offer comes in that matches it they will assess the situation
Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen (left) played under Xabi Alonso in Spain and could be a contender to join Chelsea
Who are Chelsea interested in?
Aston Villa and England attacker Morgan Rogers is one player, though Arsenal are also among those interested in the 23-year-old. Chelsea have naturally looked at Jarrod Bowen given West Ham’s relegation, and are not alone in that regard, as the winger has plenty of admirers.
However, I used to cover West Ham, and so still know some senior sources there. Every time I ask them about Bowen, I receive the same reply: ‘He’s not for sale.’ I don’t entirely believe that, but that’s the line they’re sticking with, including when asked if £35m would be enough to prise Bowen out of their hands.
Chelsea are interested in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa – but are not alone
Who have they already signed?
Winger Geovany Quenda will be arriving from Sporting Lisbon this summer, in a deal that was agreed a year ago.
Likewise, striker Emmanuel Emegha is coming in from their French sister side Strasbourg, along with returning loanee Mike Penders in goal.
Kazakh wonderkid Dastan Satpayev, who plays for Kairat Almaty and already has seven caps for his national team, will join Chelsea on August 12 when he turns 18.
Kazakh wonderkid Dastan Satpayev, who plays for Kairat Almaty and already has seven caps for his national team, will join Chelsea on August 12 when he turns 18
Who could leave?
Let’s start with who isn’t. Josh Acheampong is not for sale. Chelsea have already rebuffed enquiries from English clubs and teams in Europe for the versatile 20-year-old defender. Acheampong is contracted until 2029 and will be keen for their belief in him to be backed up by playing time on the pitch. He will inevitably seek assurances from Alonso and Chelsea regarding that, but from the club’s perspective, he is untouchable.
Chelsea have long insisted they are not interested in selling their star players – from Joao Pedro to Cole Palmer to Reece James to Moises Caicedo to Levi Colwill to Estevao Willian – and that they do not need to do so to satisfy their financial situation.
Marc Cucurella could leave, however. Chelsea are not actively looking to sell, but if, say, Atletico Madrid arrived with an acceptable bid and the player expressed his desire to leave alongside that, then a deal can be done. Sources have not put a price on Cucurella’s head, unlike Fernandez.
Back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has asked to be sold amid frustration over his game time and Chelsea will not stand in his way. Axel Disasi is available for sale after returning from his West Ham loan, which went well for him, if not for the club.
Decisions on the likes of Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr, Tosin Adarabioyo and so on may need to be made once Alonso has had a chance to work with them in pre-season, starting next month. Sources within Fofana’s camp have previously told us that he has no interest in leaving this summer.
Chelsea have not put a price on the head of their Spanish full back Marc Cucurella
Any midfielders among their targets?
Chelsea’s priorities are finding a centre back and a versatile attacker.
They could do with help on the left wing specifically – Alejandro Garnacho could be moved on this summer, with Jamie Gittens likelier to receive another season after injuries curtailed his last campaign. The pair cost a combined £88.5m last summer, and in a combined 40 Premier League appearances produced just one goal – Garnacho’s strike in the 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland in October.
The midfield could yet be bolstered though, depending on who leaves. When Chelsea were previously linked to Alex Scott of Bournemouth, sources within the club played it down, though I should note this was before Alonso’s appointment.
They did the same when Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes were rumoured, with that speculation coming after Alonso was confirmed to be the next manager.
Adam Wharton at Palace is admired, though would not come cheap, much like fellow England midfielder Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest, who is being chased by the two Manchester clubs, and is believed to be closest to City.
When it became clear that Ibrahima Konate was leaving Liverpool last week, Chelsea sources played down the assumption that they were in for him – the suspicion inside Cobham was that their name was being used to drum up a market and flush out another club. And now it seems he is destined for Real Madrid.
I reported a while back that Maxence Lacroix at Crystal Palace and Jan Paul van Hecke at Brighton are two Premier League players with experience whose situations are worth watching this summer.
Keep an eye on the situation of Brighton centre back Jan Paul van Hecke this summer
Will Nicolas Jackson stay?
We cannot say with absolute certainty that Jackson will stay because if an offer too good to turn down suddenly arrives, then it will be considered.
The plan right now is to welcome Jackson back to Chelsea this summer now that his season-long loan at Bayern Munich has ended, and then assess.
There is an acceptance around the club that at least one striker will need to be sold. They currently have Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Emegha and Jackson on their books.
Sources close to Jackson’s camp say he would be willing to stay, but they too are waiting to see what happens, including with Delap. Guiu could leave on loan, along with 18-year-old Shim Mheuka, who has been scoring for fun for the development side.
