Xabi Alonso starts work as Chelsea manager, officially, on July 1 with the Spaniard set for a busy summer in terms of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge
11:58, 30 Jun 2026
Xabi Alonso wants to bring Granit Xhaka to Chelsea this summer
View 4 Images
Xabi Alonso wants to bring Granit Xhaka to Stamford Bridge(Image: Jurgen Fromme - firo sportphoto)
One of the first things football.london was told when Xabi Alonso's appointment was confirmed was Chelsea's intention to give the incoming manager more power than his predecessors when it comes to the club's transfer business.
Thus far, from what we've been told by various sources, the Blues were not lying. Alonso has very much been given the keys this summer (and he hasn't officially started his job yet). Alonso will get to work at the club's Cobham-based training centre on July 1 (tomorrow, at the time of writing) with the knowledge that one signing has already been secured.
Chelsea and Atalanta last week agreed on a fee in excess of £43million for versatile defender Marco Palestra to move to Stamford Bridge on a long-term contract. Alonso, sources say, is a huge admirer of Palestra, who can play in both full back roles and as a wing back - something the new Blues gaffer appreciates.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
We are just awaiting on Chelsea's official confirmation when it comes to Palestra but by all intents and purposes, the deal appears to be done. Elsewhere, Alonso wants to add more quality to his squad in the near future, with a centre back right at the top of the club's priority list this summer.
Maxence Lacroix has been identified as Chelsea's No.1 option when it comes to recruiting a central defender. Last week, the Blues made an official approach to Crystal Palace in relation to bringing in the France international, but things have gone pretty quiet on that front ever since.
Maxence Lacroix
View 4 Images
Chelsea are working to sign Maxence Lacroix(Image: Sebastian Frej)
Chelsea could be forced into the transfer market for another defender should anyone leave this summer. Trevoh Chalobah, valued at £35m by the Blues, is a big target for Italian club Como, as well as Serie A champions Inter Milan - though the former seem to be in the driving seat at the time of writing.
The futures of Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain up in the air as well, with none of the trio impressing last season. Stamford Bridge sources insist Como defender Jacobo Ramon remains a target for the west Londoners after a move was considered in the January transfer window.
Chelsea are also looking to bring in a left back this summer, with Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria a serious option. Following the £52m departure of Marc Cucurella early in the transfer window, the Blues are looking for another left-sided full back and Chavarria is admired by Alonso and the sporting directors.
Pep Chavarria
View 4 Images
Chelsea are interested in Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria (Image: GSI/Icon Sport)
When football.london asked a source if Chavarria would be a 'direct replacement' for Cucurella, it was instead clarified that Jorrel Hato will play a bigger role in the side in his second season at Chelsea. The Netherlands international, who made his World Cup debut in the Dutch's heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to Morocco on Tuesday morning, impressed senior figures inside the club with his development and improvement in the second half of his debut campaign at the Bridge.
We now wait to see what happens next in relation to Granit Xhaka. Chelsea lodged an £8m offer for the 33-year-old midfielder over the weekend but Sunderland were swift to reject the bid, with the Black Cats apparently left infuriated at how low the fee was for one of their key players.
Xhaka is said to be keen on reuniting with Alonso, who managed the Switzerland international during their days together at Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso is unsurprisingly the driving force behind Chelsea's pursuit of the experienced central midfielder and the Spaniard will be hoping the club improve on their initial £8m offer.
Granit Xhaka celebrates
View 4 Images
Granit Xhaka is wanted by Chelsea(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto)
Article continues below
While talk of signing an attacker has gone a bit quiet, Chelsea remain keen on adding another option to help Alonso's side in the final third. Morgan Rogers is a long-term target but Arsenal remain the front-runners for the Aston Villa and England attacker.