Chelsea’s summer transfer window has taken a turn in the past week and today marks the end of four academy players’ time at Stamford Bridge
As we prepare to enter July, and the official beginning of Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have really kicked into gear in recent days when it comes to the club’s summer transfer window.
The Blues have agreed a deal to sign Marco Palestra from Atalanta and are also working on deals to bring in Granit Xhaka, Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix. It is also busy on the outgoing front with the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez all being linked with departures this summer.
Chelsea saw an £8million offer for Xhaka rebuffed by Sunderland over the weekend. The Black Cats are insistent the 33-year-old midfielder is not for sale this summer and it remains to be seen whether the Blues will revisit the situation.
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Elsewhere, talks with Crystal Palace are understood to be ongoing over a deal to sign Lacroix. Chelsea have identified the Frenchman as their No.1 defensive target this summer, but no official offer has been made at the time of writing.
Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria is a target for the west Londoners. While Jorrel Hato is set to play a bigger role next season following Marc Cucurella ‘s departure, Chavarria is wanted as a versatile option by Alonso.
Como are strongly interested in Chalobah, who Chelsea value at around £35m, and remain in talks over a fee for the Cobham graduate. Meanwhile, Gusto and Fernandez are being priced at £75m and £120m, respectively, amid interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
While they are prospective departures this summer, four exits have been officially confirmed by Chelsea. The Blues announced earlier this month that academy quartet Jimi Tauriainen, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Richard Olise and Brodi Hughes will all leave the club on June 30 (today) once their respective contracts expired.
Academy star Ronnie Stutter will stay at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea moving the striker to a month-to-month contract. The final line of the announcement made by the Blues read: “We thank all our departing players for their contributions during their time with the Blues and wish them well for the next chapter in their careers.”
