Chelsea could be one of the Premier League's busiest clubs this summer with plenty of uncertainty throughout the first-team squad. Todd Boehly's early days at the club are likely to be dominated by transfer planning with a number of high-profile names reportedly targeted already.
The departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have already been confirmed by Thomas Tuchel but they may not be the last to leave. Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku have all been linked with moves away and it remains to be seen what the first-team squad will consist of when the transfer window closes.
Nevertheless, it is a challenge those concerned will have to be up for. With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at the latest names to be linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
READ MORE: Ousmane Dembele transfer latest, Chelsea squad rebuild and what comes next for Todd Boehly
Declan Rice alternative
Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Ibrahim Sangare this summer. The midfielder is said to be convinced that he'll be playing Premier League football next season.
Both clubs are looking to strengthen their respective midfields in the window as they undergo new eras at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford. The Blues in particular are likely to have a very busy window, with plenty of exits and incomings expected. In terms of the midfield, football.london understand that the long-term futures of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante remain undecided, with both out of contract next summer.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice remains a Chelsea target and Tuchel is a huge admirer of the West Ham midfielder, who wasn't involved in the promotion of the Irons' latest kit release. The England international is set to warrant an eye-watering fee, so Sangare emerges as the shrewd option.
Richarlison stance clear
Richarlison has dismissed claims that he's to leave Everton this summer for one of Chelsea, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain, despite a report from The Sun claiming otherwise. On Twitter, the 25-year-old said: "Crazy is who trusts these sources."
Whether he does move on remains to be seen, but for now at least, it seems as though he's committed to Everton, who will be looking to bounce back from a really poor 2021/22 Premier League campaign that almost saw them relegated to the Championship.
Sevilla chief speaks on Jules Kounde deal
Sevilla chief José María Cruz de Andrés has indicated that Jules Kounde is in a better place to leave the club this summer after Chelsea failed in their attempts to land the France international last year. Kounde is expected to complete a switch to Stamford Bridge with personal terms agreed for some time. But as yet, no official bid has been submitted for the 23-year-old, who is currently away on international duty with France.
Cruz told Sport Witness: "The case with Jules Koundé is very similar to the case of Diego Carlos. Not in the timing because we received offers for Jules Koundé in the last two seasons but always in the summer market.
"We have rejected because we thought that this player can improve his performance. It was better to wait because the market at the time was depressing. We thought that waiting a while would [help us] obtain more money."
The secretary of the Board of Directors provided another example that should give the Blues hope that this is the summer they will prise Kounde from Seville. However, he listed other teams that could be in contention for the 23-year-old.
