Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign a new striker, central midfielder and goalkeeper in the summer transfer window, football.london understands. However, the Blues must focus on moving current members of the team on due to their bloated squad size.
There are expected to be plenty of departures from Stamford Bridge this summer with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek facing uncertain futures. N'Golo Kante is likely to be the first departure after agreeing a deal to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad upon the expiry of his contract at Chelsea.
Mason Mount is another player that could leave the club with Manchester United leading the race for the 24-year-old's signature, football.london understands. Pochettino may be forced into more signings than he anticipated despite the Blues recently pulling out of negotiations over a deal to bring Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte to the club.
Chelsea will also need to assess the future of Romelu Lukaku - who is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer when his loan deal at Inter Milan expires. The Italian outfit are preparing to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final tonight with reports stating a meeting has been scheduled between the Blues and Inter to discuss Lukaku's future later this month.
The Belgian striker is understood to be keen on staying at the San Siro next season - whether that is on another loan deal or permanent transfer. Chelsea could look to use Lukaku in negotiations for some of Inter's star players who are of interest to Pochettino - with Andre Onana, Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez being linked with switches to west London.
It is likely that this will all be discussed when the two clubs meet this month - whilst Trevoh Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek could also be used as part of a potential swap deal for some of Inter's players. Pochettino has already secured the signing of Ecuadorian talent Kendry Paez - but the youngster will not move to Chelsea until 2025, when he turns 18.
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football.london understands the Blues are set to push for the signing of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo but face competition from London rivals Arsenal. Chelsea will be hoping that once the Champions League final has ended and Inter's season is over - they can then kickstart their summer transfer business and look to meet Pochettino's demands with new arrivals.
The latest reports from Italy suggest the Blues have already agreed personal terms with Onana but Inter have set an asking price of £50 million for their goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Barella has been discussed internally with Chelsea expected to need more than two central midfield signings this summer given the amount of outgoings they could lose in that position.
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