Chelsea confirmed their second summer departure on Sunday with Kalidou Koulibaly becoming the latest player to switch the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League.
The 32-year-old central defender, who spent just one season at Chelsea after joining from Napoli last summer, has made the move to Al-Hilal. It comes just days after N'Golo Kante joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer with his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring.
Koulibaly struggled during his sole season with the Blues despite the club having big expectations for him upon his arrival. But with Chelsea aiming to offload over ten players this summer, when a big offer – believed to be in the region of £20 million – came in for Koulibaly the club could not afford to refuse it.
It seems things are really heating up for Chelsea now on the transfer front. The Blues have a number of players who are expected to leave this summer with talks over departures really intensifying over the last week or so.
Hakim Ziyech, too, looks close to a move to Saudi Arabia, with his career at Chelsea all but over. Edouard Mendy, also, is set to switch England for the Middle East following a disappointing season for the out-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper.
Trevoh Chalobah is in talks with Inter Milan over a possible switch, while Mateo Kovacic's move to Manchester City is in its final stages. Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains in talks with AC Milan over a move to the San Siro, football.london understands, despite the Italian club's recent change to their board.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All of the latest updates coming out of Stamford Bridge
Kai Havertz looks set to complete a move to London rivals Arsenal, while Mason Mount's future remains up in the air. There are plenty of outgoings that seem imminent, which is good news for the club considering that is what they set out to do this summer.
An incoming, however, looks set to be the next piece of business for Chelsea. The Blues have agreed a deal to sign Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal on a long-term contract as Mauricio Pochettino looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old has completed his medical with Chelsea, a source has told football.london after the west London club agreed to pay his £30m release clause. Jackson, who scored nine goals in the final eight La Liga games of the 2022/23 season, is expected to become the Blues' second signing of the summer transfer window after Christopher Nkunku was announced last week.
Meanwhile, the club is still working on a deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton. football.london understands the Ecuador international has verbally agreed personal terms with Chelsea and wants the move to Stamford Bridge. However, the stumbling block is agreeing a fee with Brighton.
The Seagulls are demanding around £80m for his signature but Chelsea do not want to pay such a fee. Talks at this stage remain ongoing as the two clubs look to find a compromise over a move for Caicedo, who wants to move away from the Amex Stadium this summer.
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