Chelsea look set for a summer of change as Todd Boehly's reign as owner begins.
The Blues have ramped up their transfer business in the last week or so, bringing in Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly becoming the club's first two signings of the Boehly era at Stamford Bridge. football.london understands Chelsea are now focusing on strengthening the defence and are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla for Presnel Kimpembe and Jules Kounde.
The Blues allowed Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan on-loan as Thomas Tuchel prepares to field a new-look forward line next season. football.london understands the club are open to selling Hakim Ziyech should they receive the right offer.
READ MORE: Chelsea 'in talks' to sign Presnel Kimpembe as PSG's transfer stance revealed
AC Milan and Chelsea are still in talks regarding a potential deal that would see the Moroccan forward join the Serie A champions. Ziyech is open to a move after making 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing a further six assists.
football.london understands the figures that have are involved in a potential deal are €5million (£4.2million) for a year-long loan plus €20million (£17million) to complete the switch the following summer. With all parties seemingly keen to get a deal done, football.london takes a look at four potential replacements Chelsea could sign this summer.
Rafael Leao
Should Ziyech complete a transfer to the San Siro, it could pave the way for AC Milan's promising Portuguese attacker Rafael Leao to move the other way and join the Blues at Stamford Bridge. Leao was a key player as Milan won the Serie A title last season, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in 34 league appearances.
The 23-year-old registered 26 goal contributions in 42 appearances across all competitions, averaging a goal or assist every two games. Leao has the versatility and ability to play on either wing, or as a striker, which could work well with the arrival of Sterling and allow Tuchel to mix up his attacking line-up.
Leao is able to create and score goals with either foot, similar to Ziyech, and his pace and power would make him a suitable option for the Premier League. Valued at around £60million, the 23-year-old would cost the Blues more than Sterling but Leao's potential and Tuchel's ability to develop players could make him one of the most clinical attackers in the Premier League for years to come.
Leroy Sane
Chelsea were interested in signing Leroy Sane's teammate Serge Gnabry this summer before the German signed a new deal with Bayern Munich. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Blues with Sane proving to be a better alternative.
The 26-year-old is a year younger than Gnabry and provided more goal contributions (29) than the former Arsenal winger (27) last season. Sane scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions last term, helping Bayern win the Bundesliga title.
A return to the Premier League could be on the cards this summer after the German giants poached Sadio Mane from Liverpool, a move which could limit Sane's game time next term. The Germany international has played alongside Sterling in the past and proved to be a clinical forward for Manchester City, and a move to Chelsea could see that partnership pay dividends for Tuchel, with national teammate Kai Havertz alongside them in attack.
Reports in Spain suggested Real Madrid had been offered the chance to sign Sane last week, but the Spanish giants turned down the opportunity after completing their transfer business for the summer. Valued at around £65million, Sane could make a huge difference as Chelsea look to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City after the Blues struggled in front of goal at points last season.
Arnaut Danjuma
Arnaut Danjuma had a stellar season for Villarreal last term scoring 16 goals and providing four assists in 34 appearances. The Dutch forward scored six goals in 11 Champions League games, helping the La Liga outfit reach the semi-finals before being knocked out against Liverpool.
The 25-year-old represents a cheaper alternative to both Sane and Leao whilst providing a similar level of output. Danjuma is more of a goalscoring winger as opposed to providing goals and assists, whilst being able to play as a centre-forward when required.
West Ham had a bid rejected for the Netherlands international earlier this summer with Villarreal hoping to keep hold of their star attacker. Danjuma has expressed a desire to return to the Premier League in the past, hinting he would love to grasp the opportunity to return if it were presented to him.
Danjuma said: “In terms of the Premier League, it’s indescribable. The thing I will never forget in the Premier League is the fans. If you just walk into the stadium you cannot replicate the feeling of a Premier League game elsewhere in the world, it’s different.
“So in that regard you are always going to miss a bit of England. If I’m returning one day, I guess that’s up to the way I perform and what the future holds for me.”
Memphis Depay
Barcelona star Memphis Depay is deemed as surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou this summer. Following the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha to join Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Xavi will allow Depay to leave the club for a minimal fee in the region of £17million, according to reports from Spain.
Depay has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham, but will only move to a club offering Champions League football and a project that offers regular game time. The 28-year-old can play anywhere in attack and scored 12 goals in 27 La Liga appearances last term.
Despite struggling in the Premier League for Manchester United, Depay excelled for Lyon before sealing a move to Barca where he has experienced ups and downs during a turbulent time at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants need to raise funds this summer in order to register the signings of Lewandowski and Raphinha, and want to move Depay on to free up wages and transfer budget for further signings.
Depay is entering his peak years and is available for a cut-price fee which may represent the smartest option for Boehly and Tuchel, who could be able to unleash the Dutch forward's potential at Stamford Bridge.
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