Plenty have questioned just how seriously clubs will take the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, but with a £97million prize fund for the winning team, it is difficult to not take the competition seriously.
Chelsea are one of the selected clubs for the revamped tournament in the United States and the Blues get their campaign under way on Monday evening as they take on Los Angeles FC in Atlanta. After that, there are two games against Flamengo and Esperance in Philadelphia, with the Blues overriding favourites to win their group.
The knockouts will naturally be more difficult but Chelsea are targeting lifting the trophy in mid-July and receiving a huge £97million payout. And that would help Chelsea massively when it comes to the summer transfer window.
The Blues have already brought in the likes of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr this summer but there is expected to be plenty more business between June 16 (the date the window reopens) and the deadline on September 1. The club are expected to revisit a deal to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund when the window opens again on Monday.
Chelsea had a £42million offer turned down by the Black and Yellow with the German club demanding £50million for Gittens' services, football.london understands. Gittens has told Dortmund he wants to join Chelsea, who will be hoping to reach some sort of compromise with his current employers over a transfer fee.
Likewise, Chelsea could not agree on a price for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan before the deadline for the mini window. The Blues proposed a fee of less than £13million for Maignan given his age - 29 years old - and the fact he has 12 months remaining on his contract at the San Siro. Sources have not ruled out Chelsea revisiting the situation when the window reopens.
Milan, however, are demanding £21million for the France international - a price Chelsea believe is too extortionate given his situation. So, theoretically, Chelsea could sign both Gittens and Maignan for a combined fee of £71million - although they will hope to get that number down - meaning the possible Club World Cup prize fund would cover the deals.
A central defender is also on the agenda for the Blues. Jorrel Hato, a left-back who can also play in the middle of a back four, is on the club's radar but the Dutchman is not alone. Murillo, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tomas Araujo and Marc Guehi are also of interest to Chelsea as they look to give Enzo Maresca more depth for his second season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have a concrete interest in Hugo Ekitike, football.london understands. Eintracht Frankfurt are demanding €100million (£85million) for the French striker and Chelsea are unwilling to match that price. The Blues will walk away from negotiations should Frankfurt refuse to budge on their valuation of the 22-year-old striker.
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Club World Cup on DAZN
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The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG andBayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.