Todd Boehly has finally opened the floodgates to Thomas Tuchel's perfect summer transfer window, with Chelsea welcoming Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly just days apart. The Blues have forked out around £81million for the star-studded duo, and the west Londoners have shown no sign of slowing down.
football.london understands that Chelsea could revisit a deal for Jules Kounde after missing out on the chance to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City. It's understood that the Blues have remained in contact with the Sevilla defender in recent weeks as Tuchel takes the next steps towards completing a proposed rebuild.
Speaking to football.london, the German said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
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"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
So, football.london, have drawn up a transfer plan for Chelsea to follow in the final weeks of the summer window.
In: Jules Kounde - £69million
The Blues were linked with Kounde ahead of last season and were understood to have agreed a deal worth around £43million, according to The Athletic. However, the subsequent sale of Kurt Zouma to West Ham reportedly saw Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, increase the asking price to £69million, at which point Chelsea halted their pursuit.
The Sevilla defender has since - again - been heavily linked with a move to west London.
In: Rafael Leao - £59million
With Chelsea missing out on the signing of Raphinha and Hakim Ziyech facing an increasingly uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel has made it known to the board that he wants to sign at least one new forward this summer. According to The Telegraph, Rafael Leao has emerged as an option after an incredibly impressive breakthrough campaign at AC Milan last season.
The 23-year-old, who is valued at around £59million by CIES Football Observatory, featured 34 times for Stefano Pioli's side in the Serie A last season, directly contributing to 21 goals. Leao, who sees his contract at the San Siro expire in June 2024, has reportedly courted the interest of Chelsea.
In: Gabriel Slonina - £8million
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Chicago Fire's goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, football.london has been told. The 18-year-old was also of interest to Real Madrid but it looks as if the Blues have won the race.
Slonina has featured 13 times in the MLS so far this season, keeping five clean sheets in the process. And, while he may not be a signing to bolster the west Londoners' immediate endeavours, he is certainly a prospect for the future.
In: Frenkie de Jong - £72million
Frenkie de Jong has been heavily linked with an exit from the Camp Nou this summer, with the Spanish giants eager to lessen their financial woes. football.london understands that the west Londoners have 'liked' the idea of signing the Netherlands international for a few years now.
And, while Tuchel faces great competition from Erik ten Hag for the the 25-year-old's services, the Blues boss is confident of beating Manchester United to a deal. According to Spanish outlet Diario Sport earlier this month, the Chelsea entourage would be able to convince De Jong to snub Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge for two reasons: Champions League qualification and a lucrative London lifestyle.
The Telegraph claimed that United reached an agreement with the Catalan side for the midfielder that would see them pay an initial £55million, with an additional £17million payable in add-ons. But, a deal is yet to have materialised and widespread reports have said that the Dutchman is intent on staying at Barcelona this summer.
Out - £63million
Marcos Alonso, Kenedy, Emerson, Malang Sarr, Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi have all been inducted into Tuchel's travelling pre-season squad, though many of whom have either been heavily linked with an exit or struggle to justify a first-team position. They have an estimated combined value of around £63million and could save Chelsea around £19.6million-per-annum on wages, according to CIES Football Observatory and Salary Sport.
That money could be set aside to fund Tuchel's rebuild at the club with a handful of exciting names linked.
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