Chelsea have just one week left to get their squad in shape before the transfer window shuts until January 2023 and there's plenty left to do. Thomas Tuchel has managed to add three new first-team starters in the side, with Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella all joining the club.
Further changes are expected, with players set to leave the club that are unlikely to feature or play a large role this campaign as the manager eyes a refresh. Plenty of targets continue to be linked too, with the likes of Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon just three of those.
Tuchel has admitted that he is unsure if any deals will progress though, telling reporters after the match: "We need to wait. The transfer period is still open. It gets later and later, and we need to focus on what we have and what we can do."
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While talks progress across the board, the Blues will try and make their own moves pay off, with the latest being a third bid for Leicester City defender Fofana. The 21-year-old has been the subject of interest from the west London outfit for the majority of the summer but their latest offer worth around £70million has been rejected.
With time ticking away, a deal could hang in the balance in the coming days as negotiations continue. However, there appears to be a back-up plan for if things for the France international don't quite go to plan.
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba is on the list as a potential alternative to Fofana. The reporter claims the 23-year-old has been discussed as a target internally and is on the shortlist for a transfer.
It remains to be seen whether a move will be made for the Burkina Faso international, although it shows there are some back-up plans if they cannot land their main target before deadline day on September 1.
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