At this point in the season, Chelsea fans will just be looking forward to the FA Cup final and be hoping for a resolution to the Roman Abramovich saga. The takeover will no doubt impact how the Blues can operate in this summer's transfer window with a view to improving Thomas Tuchel's squad.
A speedy resolution would be the best outcome ahead of a summer in which Chelsea know they need to acquire some talented players with an exodus already on the cards. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both set to leave at the end of the season once their contracts expire, meanwhile Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta all see their deals come to an end next summer.
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With a number of players nearing exits and new owners in the offing, Tuchel will undoubtedly be keen to see the west Londoners bolster the ranks. So we, football.london, noted down all the latest transfer rumours around Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.
Dembele blow for Chelsea
Chelsea have been handed a blow in their potential pursuit of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that positive talks have been held between the Frenchman and the Catalan club over a new deal, with his current one expiring at the end of the season.
The Blues were linked with a move for the forward in January, with a stalemate between him and his club creating the potential for an exit amid reports that he was told to leave while he was still under contract. Despite reports of a move for Dembele, Tuchel insisted there was no approach and they had a “calm” January transfer window. “I did not have contact with Ousmane. There was no contact in winter," he said.
Sarri eyes Cobham raid
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is at the top of Maurizio Sarri's summer transfer shortlist, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. The report claims that the 26-year-old has been identified as the ideal replacement for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who faces an uncertain future at the club.
The Cobham graduate sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in June 2024. Loftus-Cheek enjoyed the heights of his prime during Sarri's tenure in west London.
Tuchel adds three centre-backs to Blues shortlist
Tuchel has found three centre-backs he would like Chelsea to sign in the summer transfer window, according to Goal. The German boss has reportedly added Sevilla's Jules Kounde, Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez to his growing list of targets - the trio amount to a healthy £118m, as per CIES Football Observatory.
The Blues face an exodus of defenders at the end of the season, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both set to leave once their contracts expire in the coming weeks. Though while the west Londoners look to be in the market for reinforcements, Levi Colwill, who has impressed on loan at Huddersfield this season, will be returning in the summer.
