Chelsea are ready and waiting to become active players in the summer transfer market, once Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club gets the green light.
A period of stasis has fallen over the club as it looks to move on from the Roman Abramovich era while under Government sanctions.
When the restraints are loosened, the Blues look set for a decent spending spree with the new owner having identified where he wants to splash the cash first.
Here are the latest Chelsea transfer news and rumours...
Jules Kounde
Two top-quality centre-backs are the priority for Chelsea in the summer market, writes Standard Sport’s James Robson.
Todd Boehly is hoping to complete his takeover in the club in time to find replacements for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, with the futures of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso also in doubt.
Existing transfer chiefs Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech will be entrusted by the American to pursue long-term target Kounde from Sevilla with Leicester’s Wesley Fofana also of interest.
LaLiga club Sevilla hold a £68.7million release clause on Kounde, who was the subject of an approach from Chelsea last summer.
Christopher Nkunku
RB Leipzig striker Nkunku is attracting plenty of attention from around Europe after banging in 34 goals so far this season.
According to Sky Germany, Chelsea and Manchester United are in the race to sign the Frenchman, who has been offered a fresh contract by the Bundesliga side.
Leipzig are described as keen not to sell Nkunku but could also field reported interest from Chelsea in defender Josko Gvardiol.
Pau Torres
Chelsea risk missing out on Villarreal defender Pau Torres unless the takeover of the club goes through soon.
That is because Manchester United are stealing a march in negotiations for the Spaniard, available for his £55m release clause as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues are described as monitoring the situation yet are currently unable to enter negotiations, while United mull over a bid as Erik ten Hag formulates his plan for the team.
Jake Clarke-Salter
The defender, 24, is out of contract in the summer having impressed on loan at Coventry this season.
Chelsea do have a 12-month option on Clarke-Salter’s deal, and he may hold out hope of emulating Trevoh Chalobah with a surprise run in the first-team as the club looks for new centre-backs.
But The Sun detail interest from Leeds, Sheffield United and PSV Eindhoven in a free transfer.
