The Chelsea sporting leadership team have lots of work to do before the summer transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea interacts with fans as he arrives at the stadium before the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England
Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain future at Chelsea(Image: Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Chelsea need to prioritise five deals before the transfer window slams shut next week. So far this summer, the Blues have forked out over £230m on new players and raked in almost £160m from sales, but there's still plenty of business to be done in the coming days.
Back in July, shortly after walking through the doors at Cobham training ground, Xabi Alonso claimed that he and the sporting leadership team would explore every avenue up until the final day of the transfer window.
Speaking to reporters before embarking on the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, the new Chelsea manager said: "We have to be ready. The market is open for a few weeks.
"We need to be aware of different positions, different situations, so for sure, we have a plan, an idea, and we need to assess in the right moments. We can’t say what’s going to happen, but some things might happen.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
"We need to know that probably there will still be some movements. We need to be flexible and quick to act. The main thing is that we have a clear idea, a clear plan that we have built. Probably it will change until the last day of the market being open.
"We want to build a competitive team. We are in that process. We have great quality, great talent, and we need to know what it takes to compete in the Premier League. We want a squad with the right balance between quality and mentality."
Chelsea have welcomed lots of new and exciting faces to Stamford Bridge, but there's still lots of work to be done. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what should be at the top of the agenda in the final week or so of the transfer window.
Content Image
Content Image
Chelsea hold Man City ransom for Fernandez
Although Manchester City, as well as other potential suitors, missed the unofficial deadline to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea by 5pm on Friday, August 14, the sporting leadership team need to draw a line in the sand once and for all.
football.london understands that the Blues midfielder informed higher-ups at Stamford Bridge of his desire to leave at the end of May. Fernandez had previously flirted with Real Madrid, refusing to rule out a departure from Chelsea and claiming he would love to one day live in the Spanish capital.
Los Bancos eventually withdrew from the race to sign the Argentina international, announcing in an official statement that they had not, and did not plan to, make any effort to secure his signature. It's understood that the Blues then set a deadline for potential suitors to pay the £120m asking price.
Enzo Fernandez smiles
Enzo Fernandez's days at Chelsea could be numbered(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Although Chelsea didn't receive any bids, Fernandez still faces an uncertain future in west London, with Enzo Maresca keen to reunite with him at the Etihad Stadium. The Argentine hasn't downed tools, but he's also not put the speculation to bed.
Over the next few days, the Blues need to set a revised price tag that penalises potential suitors for failing to pay on time and inform Manchester City of the new terms. If the Cityzens miss the deadline again, then so be it.
Alonso prioritises three more departures
Not only do the sporting leadership need to resolve the future of Fernandez, but they also need to prioritise the departure of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Chelsea winger, who only returned to action after almost two years on the sidelines earlier this summer, needs to be granted a loan to a Premier League club.
Mudryk still has a future at Stamford Bridge, with lots of potential still to be unlocked, but he needs to find his feet again in the English top-flight. football.london understands that the Blues are no longer considering loaning the 25-year-old to Leeds United.
Mykhailo Mudryk played for the first time for more than 18 months this summer
Leeds United were pursuing Mykhailo Mudryk(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
The West Yorkshire outfit had been in talks with Chelsea over a potential deal, but Elland Road appears to no longer be an option. Mudryk wants to stay in the Premier League, and the Blues should honour that.
Chelsea also need to prioritise the departures of Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi. football.london understands that the Blues and Crystal Palace are close to reaching an agreement on the season-long loan deal of the defender; the former is also expected to depart.
Chelsea sign Scott at the death
If Manchester City pay the asking price for Fernandez, Chelsea should throw the kitchen sink at a deal for Alex Scott. The Bournemouth midfielder wouldn't necessarily compensate for the loss of goals from the middle of the park, but he would maintain the great level of control and calmness alongside Moises Caicedo.
football.london understands that the Blues are interested in signing Scott, whose contract at the Vitality Stadium expires in June 2028. However, it's said that Chelsea will likely only pursue a deal if the Argentine leaves.
The Blues had a £64m bid for the 23-year-old maestro rejected earlier this summer, with the Cherries insistent that he's not for sale. Scott is also understood to have turned down a contract extension offer from Bournemouth in July.