Chelsea's summer transfer plans face being squandered as a consequence of their poor 2022/23 season. The Blues face another crucial window this year ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's first season at Stamford Bridge.
Last season, the Blues finished 12th - their worst finish in Premier League history - meaning they will not play in any of UEFA’s European competitions next campaign.
Any business in the transfer market promises to be possibly some of the most important in the club's recent history. Alongside the tough task of trimming the 32-man squad, the Blues face competing with some of Europe's elite for their preferred targets.
Todd Boehly faces stiff competition from Arsenal for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, with the Gunners able to offer Champions League football for the first time since 2017. The Blues have also missed out on Manuel Ugarte after being unable to match Paris Saint-Germain's multi-million wage offer.
And a similar story is set to unfold with another midfield target. Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League after impressing in Italy.
Chelsea had been joined by Liverpool in the race for the 26-year-old, but it has now emerged that he is close to joining Newcastle United.
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According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are pushing hard to bring the Italy international to St James' Park in a deal worth around £50million. The report claims that the Magpies have designated the majority of their transfer budget on improving Eddie Howe's midfield this summer.
Barella and Leicester City's James Maddison are said to be their top two targets. Upon their return to the Champions League, a new number six is at the top of their list to allow Bruno Guimaraes to push further forward.
Chelsea look set to miss out on Barella, with intense talks between Newcastle and Inter set to take place over the last few days. Therefore, co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart must identify other alternatives for Pochettino's midfield.
Elsewhere, the Blues continue to be linked with Barella's Inter team-mates Lauturo Martinez and Andre Onana.
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