With several players expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be looking to enhance his squad during the transfer window.
As the 2021-22 season draws to a close, Chelsea’s new owners will learn that the last few weeks have been the calm before the storm.
The extended international window has put an end to the typical free-for-all in order to honor the players who are still competing for their countries in important Nations League matches. That has been a gift in many respects at the end of such a tumultuous season, as it has allowed the new hierarchy time to organize their thoughts and goals.
But, with no summer tournament to keep the transfer squabbles in check, Todd Boehly is already getting a taste of what they’re in for with the European transfer market as the powerful Spanish media ramps up. The latest Chelsea transfer news and speculations are examined by Mirror Sport.
Barca joins the fight against Kounde.
“Kounde, la prioridad,” screams Mundo Deportivo, leaving little room for misunderstanding. Xavi Hernandez, the manager of Barcelona, has put Chelsea target Jules Kounde at the top of his shopping list as he attempts to rebuild the Spanish giants from the ground up. After being pulled off injured in the 1-0 defeat to Croatia last night, the 23-year-old France international defender now looks ready for surgery. The setback leaves the current World Champions bottom of their group with no wins in four attempts. A medical procedure could keep him out of a crucial preseason, but Sevilla are still aiming to recoup the £51.8 million transfer fee in order to support a much-needed rebuild.
Nonetheless, they would rather sell to Chelsea than to one of their La Liga rivals. Despite this latest setback, with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger departing Stamford Bridge, the discussions are expected to move rapidly, with financial details said to be almost finalized with the players’ representation.
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Romelu does not take a break.
While most players are using the end of the international campaign as a chance to go on a well-earned break, Corriere dello Sport suggest Romelu Lukaku is headed straight back to London to try to sort his future out before the end of the month. Reports from Italy suggest the £20m it will cost Inter to loan back their former player may be beyond their means and will certainly strain their interest at a time where every euro is being stretched as thinly as possible.
Otherwise, the attraction of a return to London could be a change to sit down with Todd Boehly and try to resolve the impasse with Thomas Tuchel, who fell out with his star striker over an interview in which he questioned the tactics of the Chelsea manager. Since then an uneasy calm has settled it is certainly the first diplomatic crisis the new consortium have walked into.
Progresses with Wolves
Tuchel’s route and branch overhaul is certainly not just about the big names as the Chelsea manager wants to be stronger across the board to compete more consistently. With Marcos Alonso also being linked with an exit, Tuchel is looking to recruit quantity as well as quality.
And while the spine of his team is the priority, he also needs to ensure that he has a genuine rival to Ben Chilwell with such a high work-rate demanded of his wing-backs. Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri cost the Midlands club only the £10m in loan fees when they made his loan move from Angers a permanent one 12 months ago and has been linked with Chelsea by the Daily Mail.