Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says the transfer fees required to sign elite-level players have become "a bit scary" but accepts clubs will not always be able to find value in the market.
This summer alone, Chelsea have invested more than £150m in Tuchel's squad under the new ownership group of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Raheem Sterling was first to arrive from Man City for £47.5million and was soon joined by Kalidou Koulibaly (£34m) from Napoli. Carney Chukwuemeka (£20m) and Marc Cucurealla (£60m) have since arrived.
Chelsea are not done. Either the Blues are intent on signing Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana, but a fee close to £80m may be needed to land the 21-year-old. There is also interest in Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong – who could cost around £60m – and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang, who the La Liga giants have reportedly priced at £25m.
