Chelsea' s transfer business is taking shape, with a number of players already through the door and further big names expected to arrive in the coming days.
Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr are confirmed arrivals, while deals for Brighton's Joao Pedro and Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens are close to being finalised. The London club look set to wrap up the bulk of their transfer business before their Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras next weekend, but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from spinning.
Whether it's further attacking reinforcements or defensive additions, names continue to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea will begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on August 17 and will be hopeful of mounting a strong challenge both domestically and in Europe.
Here, football.london takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours involving Chelsea.
Chelsea 'rejected' by striker target
Chelsea look set to miss out on reported striker target Nick Woltemade, if the latest reports in Germany are anything to go by. It was reported by outlet BILD earlier this month that the London club had held talks with the player's representatives and had been monitoring his progress in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart.
However, journalist Christian Falk now claims the 23-year-old has informed both Chelsea and another of his suitors in Napoli that he intends to join Bayern Munich this summer. Further meetings with the player's entourage had been scheduled, but those have now been cancelled, as per the report.
Bayern's sporting director, Max Eberl, confirmed Bayern's interest in the forward when speaking to DAZN on Sunday ahead of the team's Club World Cup round of 16 tie against Flamengo. However, he did express that the Bundesliga champions, or anyone else for that matter, would not pay a 'crazy price' for the player.
football.london says: There will likely be little concern inside Stamford Bridge, given that deals for Pedro and Gittens are close to completion. Enzo Maresca’s side are well stocked in attacking areas, and the need for a striker will likely only grow if Nicolas Jackson departs this summer, which is far from certain. Some reports in Germany have suggested Stuttgart could seek a fee in the region of a staggering €100m, so the player’s decision may end up being a blessing in disguise for Chelsea.
Goalkeeper battle 'emerges'
Elsewhere, Chelsea are also reportedly looking to upgrade their goalkeeping options this summer. Kepa Arrizabalaga is heading to Arsenal after they triggered his £5m release clause, while the club actively pursued AC Milan's Mike Maignan before their Club World Cup campaign got underway, but failed to agree a fee with the Italian side.
Now, a report from CaughtOffside claims Chelsea are set to rival Premier League side Manchester United for Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. The article states that the French club have set an asking price of €20-25m, with the 25-year-old entering the final year of his contract.
Interestingly, the Poland international spent time in Chelsea's youth academy between 2016 and 2019 before signing for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The report also notes that several other Premier League clubs, including Sunderland, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, are monitoring the player’s situation.
football.london says: Goalkeeper is certainly a position Chelsea will need to consider strengthening this summer, but for now, a number of names are doing the rounds. With so many other clubs seemingly in the mix, Chelsea may be better served focusing their efforts elsewhere, particularly on targets with clearer availability or fewer complications.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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