Chelsea are preparing for life under new manager Enzo Maresca, and the Blues are determined to shed the skin of a disappointing 2023/24 season and reclaim their place among Europe’s elite.
They’ve been one of the most active Premier League teams in the summer transfer window thus far and have shown no signs of pumping the breaks on their spending spree.
Chelsea have already strengthened their squad in the transfer window, securing the signings of Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
However, several reports claim more additions are in the pipeline.
Nicolas Jackson may soon have company upfront. Chelsea are scouring the market for a prolific striker to add firepower and competition to their attack.
The Blues also want to sign a winger, while a left-back is also high on the priority list.
The sting of missing out on Champions League and Europa League football still lingers at Stamford Bridge.
The club’s management are determined to avoid a repeat and are throwing their financial weight behind Maresca’s project to ensure the Italian has a big enough squad to compete across all fronts this summer.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a number of transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea’s potential targets and ongoing negotiations.
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Renato Veiga
According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached an agreement with FC Basel to sign highly-rated versatile midfielder Renato Veiga.
The deal, which is reportedly worth around £11 million, brings dynamic and adaptable young talent to bolster Maresca’s options in midfield and defence.
The Portuguese Under-21 international is expected to undergo a medical in London before signing a long-term contract until 2032.
Veiga is naturally a defensive midfielder, but he can comfortably slot in as a left-sided centre-back and a left-back, which emphasises his quality as a versatile player.
The 20-year-old’s “Swiss Army Knife” skillset perfectly aligns with Maresca’s tactical vision. The 44-year-old wants full-backs who can invert into midfield, and the Basel man checks that box.
Marc Cucurella fits that role to an extent, but Veiga offers a significant aerial presence at 6ft 3in, addressing a perceived weakness in Chelsea’s backline.
However, Veiga’s impressive potential goes beyond his physical attributes.
In 26 appearances for Basel last season, he contributed two goals and an assist. He also created four big chances, recovered the ball seven times per match, and won a stunning 61% of his aerial duels.
Veiga is set to become Chelsea’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window after Dewsbury-Hall, Adarabioyo, Guiu, and Omari Kellyman.
While an immediate starting role may not be guaranteed, Veiga’s versatility and room for growth under Maresca’s guidance make him a valuable addition.
Pre-season will be crucial for the young Portuguese star. Maresca will assess his readiness for the rigours of Premier League football.
If Veiga fails to leave a lasting impression on the manager, he could be shipped off on a season-long loan to gain regular playing time and valuable first-team experience.
Chelsea have been looking for a versatile left-footed defender and were previously linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori.
However, Forest’s asking price for Murillo was outrageous, while Arsenal have reportedly won the race to sign Calafiori.
Veiga comes at a fairer price for Chelsea, and his impressive injury record makes him a more attractive choice.
Veiga is the type of adaptable, multi-positional player increasingly sought after by modern managers like Maresca. His arrival gives the manager tactical flexibility as they look to return to Champions League football.
Victor Osimhen
Chelsea have reportedly not ruled out a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is still expected to leave the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer.
Given Napoli’s outrageous demands for Osimhen, potential suitors are thin on the ground, but the Partenopei appear to be getting desperate in their attempts to sell the Nigerian marksman.
Osimhen’s contract includes a £127m release clause, but interested parties are unwilling to match those demands and have turned their attention to other potential targets.
The Azzurri have since reduced their asking price to £85m and are hoping their change of heart will bring the suitors back to the negotiating table.
Chelsea are still keen to sign a prolific striker to rival Jackson, who bagged 17 goals and six assists in 44 appearances across all competitions last season.
The Blues could revive their interest in Osimhen if Napoli are willing to a accept a payment structure that works for the Premier League giants.
The 25-year-old is also subject to interest from the Saudi Pro League, but he has made it clear he wants to play in the Premier League next season, which works in Chelsea’s favour.
However, the Blues are still hesitant to splash £85m on a striker who has only crossed the 30-goal threshold once in his career, while his injury record is also hugely concerning.
Chelsea were previously linked with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran and Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, but neither move has materialised thus far.
Alexander Isak
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is the latest star to pop up on Chelsea’s radar. According to Sky Sports, the Blues have made further contact with the Magpies regarding a potential deal.
The Sweden international striker was one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League last season, bagging 25 goals in 40 games across all competitions despite dealing with niggling injury problems.
His 21-goal haul in the Premier League was only bettered by Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer (22) and Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Braut Haaland (27).
Understandably, Newcastle are reluctant to sell their prized asset. They value Isak at well over £100m and will not do suitors any favours by negotiating a lower fee.
Chelsea appear to be ramping up their interest in the striker, but it remains to be seen whether they will formalise their interest in the Swedish hitman with an offer.
However, the Blues will have to smash their record transfer fee to get a deal for Isak over the line this summer.
Aaron Anselmino
Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, according to TyC Sports.
The Blues are poised to seal a deal worth around £17m plus add-ons for the 19-year-old, who is poised to become Chelsea’s latest purchase from the South American market.
Anselmino progressed through Boca’s academy ranks and joined the first team in January but only has ten senior appearances for the club, scoring a goal in the process.
His development has reportedly caught the attention of European clubs in recent months, including Chelsea.
The Blues now appear to have won the race for the highly-rated defender, who has reportedly committed to a six-year contract.
A deal is expected to be announced in the coming days, although Anselmino will remain at Boca for one more season before moving to Stamford Bridge.
