The latest transfer news coming out of Stamford Bridge with Chelsea's business heating up with Xabi Alonso now officially in his new role
10:00, 04 Jul 2026
Maxence Lacroix
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Chelsea remain interested in Maxence Lacroix(Image: Nicolò Campo - LightRocket)
A busy week is reaching its conclusion for Chelsea - not only have the Blues been busy in the transfer market, but it was the club's chapter with Enzo Maresca ended on Monday.
You might point out that reached its end on New Year's Day, and you would be right in some degree, but there was closure at the start of this week. In unprecedented circumstances, there was a trade off of statements when Maresca's Manchester City appointment was announced at 2pm on Monday. That messy chapter has concluded and Chelsea are on the next page.
The Blues want their story to continue with Marco Palestra being one of the main characters. Earlier this week, Chelsea confirmed the £47million (including add-ons) capture of the versatile Italian defender, who has signed a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
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That was the very first signing of the Xabi Alonso era - bar pre-agreed deals before the new manager's time - and the Spaniard will be hoping for several more between now and the end of the summer transfer window. One transfer Alonso was really pushing for is Granit Xhaka, the Sunderland midfielder he coached during his days at Bayer Leverkusen, but it won't be straightforward.
Transfers are rarely straightforward and with Sunderland adamant they will not sell the 33-year-old midfielder this summer, that is set to be the case this time as well. Chelsea saw an £8m offer knocked back last weekend for Xhaka, who is said to keen on reuniting with Alonso. Stamford Bridge sources told football.london earlier this week that they expect Chelsea to return to the table with a new-and-improved bid.
Xhaka, though, has since reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland in a big blow for Chelsa and Alonso. Xhaka was the prototype of the new 'ready-made' mould of player Chelsea are targeting this summer, as are the likes of Maxence Lacroix and Pep Chavarria.
Chelsea remain interested in Crystal Palace central defender Lacroix, though things have gone quiet on that front over the last week. The Blues made an initial enquiry for the Frenchman, who is on a list of centre-back targets, last week. Como's Jacobo Ramon is also of interest at the Bridge.
Palace are in the market for a new centre back themselves and appear to have lost out in the race to sign Charlie Cresswell, with Rennes reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Toulouse for the English defender. There is still plenty of time remaining in the window for Chelsea to strike a deal with the Eagles for Lacroix, but he is not expected to come cheap.
Chelsea are still in active talks with Rayo Vallecano over the signing of Pep Chavarria, sources say, with reports from Spain in recent days suggesting negotiations have become a bit of a mess completely dismissed. The Blues want to sign the 28-year-old as an option at left back following Marc Cucurella's £52m move to Real Madrid last month.
On the outgoing front, Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid suddenly looks dead. Los Blancos came out and released a remarkable statement on Friday morning where they completely dismissed speculation that they were in talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign the Argentine. Real even went as far as categorically pulling themselves out of any sort of move for Fernandez this summer.
From Chelsea's point of view, nothing has changed. Fernandez has a £120m 'come and get me' label on his head and if that is not triggered, then he will likely be working under Alonso next season. Stamford Bridge insiders remain relaxed on the situation as a whole.
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Trevoh Chalobah, meanwhile, looks more likely to leave west London this summer. The England international, who has two years (plus a club option of an extra 12 months) remaining on his contract with Chelsea, is available for sale and has two Italian clubs in Como and Inter Milan seriously interested in his signature.
Tyrique George is set to depart Chelsea on a permanent basis. Everton and the Blues have been in talks this week over the signing of the Cobham graduate, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. There is optimism from all sides that a deal can be struck for George to leave Chelsea for good this summer.