Chelsea weigh sales and targets amid reshuffle
Chelsea submit a second bid, around £15m, for Rayo left back Pep Chavarria after a £9m offer was rejected. Personal terms are said to be agreed as Alonso targets his choice to replace Cucurella.
Inter and Como chase Trevoh Chalobah, with a £35m fee sought. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has encouraged a Serie A move, and Inter are closest after a £30m offer. Chelsea open to sale amid defensive reshuffle.
Newcastle, replacing £100m exit Sandro Tonali, join Man United in pursuing Andrey Santos. Chelsea rate him at £50m, and could leverage interest to re-sign Lewis Hall as left-back cover.
Recap of notable Chelsea free transfers: Ruud Gullit’s player-manager impact, Thiago Silva’s 2021 Champions League win and longevity, and Winston Bogarde’s ill-fated spell with minimal minutes.
Midfielder Julia Bartel, 22, is set to leave Chelsea for Juventus after just two appearances. She spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid and will help replace Lia Walti in Turin.
Chelsea plan to sell Alejandro Garnacho after a poor debut season, yet believe his chance-creation data can still fetch £40m. Roma want a loan but Chelsea prefer a permanent sale on his long deal to 2033.
Bright Ede, once linked with Chelsea, signs with Deportivo La Coruña to 2031. Motor Lublin say Chelsea never bid. Elsewhere, Akpe Victory joins Basel to 2030 from Zalaegerszeg.
Chelsea tie Jesse Derry to a new long-term deal then loan the 19-year-old forward to Sporting for 2026-27. Wages covered, no buy option. He made 3 senior apps last season after excelling for the U21s.
Chelsea have opened talks to sign Werder Bremen defender Karim Coulibaly, valued at around £43m, as Xabi Alonso targets backline reinforcements.
Newcastle schedule a 16 August friendly with Strasbourg, the Ligue 1 club owned by Chelsea’s owners, at St James’ Park, a week before facing Liverpool.
Enzo Fernandez heads a stoppage-time winner as Argentina beat Egypt after trailing 2-0. TyC Sports hail his ‘sensational’ goal. He is the first Chelsea scorer at this World Cup and is set to stay put.
Chelsea agree a season loan for Harrison Murray-Campbell to KV Kortrijk. The versatile 19-year-old, shortlisted for PL2 Player of the Year, seeks regular minutes after his senior debut last season.
Estevao Willian’s hamstring rehab continues in Brazil after skipping surgery. He is unlikely to be ready for the start of pre-season, with a return expected in the first half of the Premier League season.
New Paris FC boss Liam Rosenior could take Mamadou Sarr on loan after limited Chelsea minutes. Como and Cesc Fabregas also keen. Blues still target Maxence Lacroix, tightening centre-back competition.
Chelsea’s TV moves: Brighton home now Sun 30 Aug 2pm, Arsenal home Sun 6 Sep 4.30pm, Brentford away Fri 18 Sep. Changes resolve EFL Cup scheduling clash. Pre-season starts 28 Jul vs Western Sydney.
Chelsea explore free-agent Dusan Vlahovic as a ‘serious option’ to upgrade on Liam Delap. Alternatives include Watkins, Igor Thiago and Esposito, with Osimhen a costly possibility.
