Chelsea hope to complete the signing of England forward Raheem Sterling and at least one defender before they set off on their American tour this weekend.
A deal for Manchester City star Sterling is believed to be close, and although the Blues' pursuit of Seville centre-back Jules Kounde has gone quiet in the last 10 days, the powerful French centre-back is still believed to be in head coach Thomas Tuchel's sights.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will have to meet the Spanish club's buy-out clause of around £72 million, and Seville sporting director Monchi is reported as saying: "Jules Koundé has chances to leave the club if some club will pay the release clause. Chelsea made a bid last week but we didn't like it."
Tuchel sees De Ligt
Chelsea's top priority, before they fly out to the United States on their pre-season tour this weekend, is to sign at least one centre-back – preferably two.
After losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Spanish giants on free transfers, Tuchel needs urgent replenishments at the back.
Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt remains a major target, although the Blues are not prepared to match the Old Lady's monster £103million release clause for a player entering the final two years of his contract in Turin.
The Italian club are likely to talk terms nearer £70m, but they have already rejected Timo Werner and Jorginho as makeweights in any deal with Chelsea.
Bayern's Pavard on radar
Sky Germany suggest Bayern Munich's French defender Benjamin Pavard is another name on Tuchel's shopping list. But Chelsea will face stiff competition from Atletico Madrid and Juventus for the 26-year-old.
Alonso's request
Spanish media Mundo Deportivo are claiming Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso is willing to submit a transfer request to force through a move to Barcelona.
Alonso was earmarked by Barca coach Xavi as his preferred left-back option earlier this summer, and the player is believed to be keen to follow Andreas Christensen from Stamford Bridge to the Nou Camp.
Now Alonso is reported to be contemplating a written request to bring the issue to a head, and with Ben Chilwell back in training the Blues may be prepared to let him leave – but only after bringing in a replacement.
Ake Ok for return
According to the London Evening Standard , Chelsea are in advanced talks with Manchester City about a £41 million deal with Manchester City to bring Nathan Ake back to Stamford Bridge.
The versatile Dutch international, who can play anywhere across the back four, left SW6 for Bournemouth for £20m five years ago, but he has made only 19 Premier League starts for City since switching to the Etihad in 2020.
City want to get their money back on 27-year-old Ake, and the financial terms are not thought to be an issue, but Blue Moon conductor Pep Guardiola wants to sign a replacement before letting him leave.
If the transfer goes through, it would be the second time in 12 months that Chelsea have re-signed a player for significantly more money than they received for selling him.
They had to pay more than three times the £28m Everton paid for Romelu Lukaku before the Belgian striker's £97.5m repatriation on Fulham Broadway last summer.
