Chelsea may have completed the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, but there is still significant work ahead in the transfer market as the club navigates a pivotal summer under Xabi Alonso.
Sources indicate Chelsea are targeting at least two additions of sufficient quality to step straight into the starting XI next season, with the aim of pushing back into the Champions League places.
At the same time, departures remain an important part of the club’s plans after failing to qualify for European competition in 2026-27. With that in mind, here is the latest from Stamford Bridge, based on reporting from Chelsea correspondent Kieran Gill.
Although Alonso does not officially begin work until July 1, he is already involved behind the scenes. He has toured Cobham with his coaching staff, spent time in London with his family, held conversations with several players and is being regularly consulted on transfer decisions in both directions.
Reports in Spain suggested Alonso discovered Cucurella’s move to Madrid through social media, but that claim is understood to be wide of the mark. It would be highly unusual for a manager not to be informed about the sale of a senior first-team player.
Chelsea are said to be satisfied with the overall terms of Cucurella’s £51.8 million departure. The Spain international had made it known that he was open to returning home for family reasons, according to sources. The progress of Jorrel Hato over the past season also helped shape the club’s thinking, while Valentin Barco is expected to arrive from Strasbourg.
Chelsea say their intention is to reinvest and strengthen.
Chelsea say they will reinvest the £51.8m they have made from the sale of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid
Why aren’t many names being linked with Chelsea?
Cards are being kept close to chests, which is fine, if a little frustrating when covering Chelsea. Scroll social media and you’ll see tons of supposed targets, this name and that, Sandro Tonali, Andrea Cambiaso and so on and so forth.
We hear whispers, too, but have to verify rumours before reporting as fact. I’ll give a little example – and don’t go aggregating this, aggregators, it’s just a small side note – of what can happen when chasing a transfer tale. I had two names of potential interest put to me from outside sources about a week ago: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal, and Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham. So I did what we’re supposed to do and checked these transfer tips with the relevant contacts inside of Chelsea who would know.
The feedback I received was that they aren’t currently in for either. Neither Nwaneri, nor Bergvall, despite Chelsea liking them in windows of old. So I did not write a story. It’s disappointing in a way, because you want a transfer tip to be backed up so you can break the news, but it happens. On to the next one.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri was with England during their pre-World Cup warm-up camp but Chelsea have made no attempt to sign the midfielder
Do you think Enzo Fernandez will leave?
If I had to make a prediction – I’d be surprised if he’s still a Chelsea player next season.
Clearly, Fernandez is open to moving to Madrid. I’m told personal terms are not seen as an obstacle. Chelsea are aware of interest from Madrid. But from what I’m hearing, it does not sound as if club-to-club talks centred on hashing out a deal for Fernandez have started between Chelsea and Madrid as of yet.
Whatever noise flying around on this transfer is not coming out of Chelsea. They’re staying fairly schtum on it. They’ve set their £120million valuation, and that’s that as far as they’re concerned.
It’s worth noting on top of all of this – Chelsea have said from the start that they would be happy to keep Fernandez if nobody coughs up the cash that it will take to sell him. They think their sale of Cucurella for £51.8m reflects their ability to secure significant value in the transfer market.
Chelsea have put a £120m price tag on Enzo Fernandez but there has been no approach from Real Madrid as yet
Will Chelsea sign a centre back?
It’s considered a priority position for Chelsea this summer.
A while back, I reported Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke were among the ‘ready-made’ options being looked at. Van Hecke has now signed for Tottenham, who have made a habit of nabbing Chelsea-linked players, having previously got Xavi Simons, Mathys Tel and Marcos Senesi.
Personally, I do wonder if Chelsea would go back in for Dean Huijsen. He had huge admiration inside the club, who were disappointed to miss out on him to Madrid last summer. Could scratch an itch there if Huijsen was willing and Jose Mourinho, who worked with him briefly as a loanee at Roma, did not mind letting him leave. But that’s just me thinking out loud.
Chelsea have a bunch of centre backs on the books – Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, am I forgetting anyone? – and they’re looking to sign another one worthy of going straight into their starting line-up. So, obviously, sales and loans are going to be a necessity, especially when there is no European football for spreading minutes around.
Chelsea have an interest in the France and Crystal Palace centre-half Maxence Lacroix
What type of targets do Chelsea want this summer?
A centre-back as mentioned, and also a versatile tried-and-tested addition to their attack.
I don’t think it’s any secret that they like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but, obviously, they aren’t alone in that regard. Tyrique George is likelier to be sold than stay if he returns from Everton, who have not yet triggered their buy option on the Cobham graduate. My understanding is that clause is worth around £25m.
Chelsea like Aston Villa and England’s Morgan Rogers, but, obviously, they aren’t alone in that regard
Front-of-shirt sponsor update if possible?
Chelsea won’t want to start yet another season without a front-of-shirt sponsor, because, let’s be honest, it’s a tad embarrassing for this to be happening year after year. The deal with IFS expired at the end of the last season.
Every so often, we’ll see claims on social media that they have an agreement in place, then no announcement follows. As of today, Chelsea sources say they are in talks with a number of potential partners, but add there’s nothing they can confirm at this stage.
If the club wanted to name a new front-of-shirt sponsor tomorrow, I’m sure they could, but it all comes down to money – what they want, and what others are willing to give. You can imagine those sponsors in talks will be looking for a cheaper deal given their branding won’t be getting taken abroad next season.
They could announce a partner for their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia in the meantime.
What’s happening in the striker department?
Chelsea will welcome back Nicolas Jackson from his Bayern Munich loan this summer, though it isn’t set in stone that he will stay. They have Jackson, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha and Joao Pedro all as strikers. Too many. At least one should leave, and it will not be Joao Pedro.
We could technically even throw in the versatile Dastan Satpayev as he’s arriving this summer also from Kairat in Kazakhstan, though what happens next with him remains to be seen. He’ll be arriving in London next week and is in line to participate in pre-season training with Alonso.
I liked what I saw from Jackson against France in Senegal’s World Cup opener despite their defeat. A couple weeks back, I was told his club want to give him his chance in pre-season. That’s still the case as far as I’m aware. It helps his cause that he could also be used on the left wing if required. Personally, I’d keep Jackson and move on Delap.
Nicolas Jackson (right) was impressive against France in Senegal’s World Cup opener despite their defeat
Will Mike Penders stay?
That’s the suggestion, though Chelsea have yet to confirm their concrete plans for the goalkeeper position.
Penders would return from his loan with Strasbourg to compete with Robert Sanchez next season, with Filip Jorgensen having been told he is free to explore his options.
It just hasn’t worked the way Jorgensen wanted and unfortunately we’ll always have Paris to remember him by.
