Chelsea are undergoing a rather hectic start to the summer, and Enzo Maresca's side are believed to be working on reinforcing numerous positions as we fast approach the first mini-window deadline on June 10.
Chelsea set sights on new centre-back for Enzo Maresca
Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi are widely seen as likely to leave Chelsea this summer, while Trevoh Chalobah has also been mentioned as a potential departure (Matt Law), regardless of his excellent displays since returning from a loan spell at Crystal Palace.
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Chelsea inform £170k-a-week star they're ready to pay his £50m release clause
The Euro 2024 winner is a serious target for Enzo Maresca's side.
Some reports in France have even suggested that Chelsea are considering the sale of Wesley Fofana amid his unreliable fitness record.
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While all four of these names obviously won't go, it is highly likely that at least two of them will seal exits from Stamford Bridge this summer, as Maresca plots a defensive reshuffle ahead of 2025/2026 and their first campaign back in the Champions League since 2023.
A new centre-back is high on Chelsea's to-do list before next season, but it remains to be seen whether they'll sign one before the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline in just six days.
Spain international starlet Dean Huijsen was a top target for the Blues in that regard, before the 20-year-old eventually confirmed his dream move to Real Madrid. Chelsea even made Huijsen an offer to join the club, according to some reports, but Maresca was ultimately forced to concede defeat in the race for his signature.
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Now, Chelsea are being linked with marquee Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and England star Marc Guehi as alternatives.
"Ideally, Chelsea want a new centre back to join them at the Club World Cup if possible, and they have been working hard on a few names," said journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, this week.
"If Chelsea cannot land Branthwaite, there are many other names on the list, and Marc Guehi has come back into the equation. He never actually left, but Chelsea have discussed him again and are keeping an eye on his situation as they look to sign at least one more centre-back this summer.
"The Benfica pair, Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva have been mentioned to me again by SPTC sources as two other centre backs that are liked a lot by Chelsea and are still on our radar as more alternatives."
BlueCo offer Ismael Doukoure contract to join Chelsea
As well as the aforementioned names, Chelsea could turn to their sister club, Strasbourg, for reinforcements.
One of their star players, Ismael Doukoure, wanted to leave Strasbourg in the last two summer windows, but BlueCo ended up blocking his exit from the Stade de la Meinau.
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However, Chelsea's owners may now grant him his desired leave by letting him join Maresca's squad in England.
According to esteemed French newspaper L'Equipe, BlueCo have offered Doukoure a contractual package which includes a move to Chelsea, and they're convinced that the 21-year-old is one of Strasbourg's few players who could genuinely make the grade in west London.
Called a "complete" defender by Jacek Kulig, an expert on European football's rising young stars, a deal with Strasbourg could also be fairly straightforward to do
His current contract expires next summer, prompting BlueCo to entice him with an offer to eventually join Chelsea, rather than lose Doukoure for nothing at the hands of another suitor.