Goalkeepers
football.london reported on June 10 that Chelsea's new ownership group planned to open contract talks with Edouard Mendy this summer. The Senegal international has firmly established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper since arriving from Rennes in September 2020 but is one of the lowest-paid players in the first-team squad.
Discussions have now started between Chelsea and Mendy's camp but they are at an early stage and no deal is close to being agreed upon as yet. The 30-year-old still has three years remaining on the contract he signed when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
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Meanwhile, a loan to Napoli for Kepa Arrizabalaga has stalled. The world's most expensive goalkeeper has spent the past two campaigns playing deputy to Mendy and was hoping to secure a move away from Chelsea in order to make a late push for the Spain squad ahead of the World Cup.
Kepa's wages – worth around £190,00 a week – are understood to be a key sticking point as the Serie A side expect Chelsea to cover the majority of the Spaniard's salary if he were to move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Defenders
It is set to be a big week for Chelsea in their pursuit of Leicester City's Wesley Fofana. football.london understands a third bid for the 21-year-old is imminent and it is likely to be a world-record fee for a centre-back once add-ons are taken into account. It's hoped that will be enough to tempt Leicester into selling.
At right wing-back, the Blues hold an interest in Southampton Kyle Walker-Peters and Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan. However, no official bid has been submitted for either player as yet. On the opposite flank – following the signing of Marc Cucurella – Marcos Alonso is expected to be granted his wish of a move to Barcelona.
One defensive exit will be Malang Sarr; the Frenchman is set to join Monaco on loan for the 2022/23 campaign. The Ligue 1 side will have an obligation to make the switch permanent next summer for £13million if Sarr reaches a certain number of appearances for the Monegasques, according to The Telegraph.
Elsewhere, football.london understands Ethan Ampadu is set to hold talks with Chelsea over his future in the coming days. The Wales international has yet to make a firm decision over his future but wants to be playing regular football ahead of the World Cup.
Midfielders
It's no secret Chelsea have sounded out Barcelona over a move for Frenkie de Jong, who Tuchel is a huge admirer of. A move for the Dutchman is viewed as complicated given he is owed around €17million in unpaid wages by the La Liga club, who have made it clear to de Jong that they would like him to move on this summer if a sizeable offer arrives.
De Jong has yet to make a final decision over his future but is understood to favour a switch to Chelsea rather than Manchester United if he does leave the Camp Nou before the transfer window closes on September 1.
football.london understands Juventus continue to hold an interest in Jorginho and the Serie A side are in the process of selling Adrian Rabiot to Manchester United. However, unless a late bid arrives, the Blues midfield looks settled.
Billy Gilmour is still expected to depart, almost certainly on loan. Everton is a potential destination. Ross Barkley is free to leave if a club can be found.
Forwards
This is the area of the squad that is likely to see the biggest changes before the window closes. Timo Werner is set to depart Chelsea in the coming days and return to RB Leipzig after two years in west London. football.london understands the fee will be around £25million including add-ons that are viewed as achievable.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, is pushing for a move away from Chelsea in order to secure first-team football. football.london understands Borussia Dortmund have rekindled their interest from last summer while Southampton, Leicester City and a number of European clubs are also in the running if a loan deal can be struck.
Hakim Ziyech remains hopeful that a move to AC Milan can come to fruition, although talks have not progressed on that front for some time. No genuine offers have arrived for Christian Pulisic who despite having concerns about his game time, is set to remain at Chelsea.
As is Armando Broja as things stand. It's understood the academy graduate has been reassured by Tuchel that he will be given opportunities this term and the Albanian international came off the bench against Everton in Chelsea's Premier League opener.
One forward Chelsea are set to sound out this week over a move to Stamford Bridge is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The former Arsenal captain has been usurped in the pecking order at Barcelona by Robert Lewandowski and enjoys a strong relationship with Tuchel from their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
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