Chelsea have already been active in the summer transfer window as head coach Enzo Maresca prepares his squad for a return to Champions League football next season.
While the first mini transfer window has been open for less than a week, the Blues have completed the signing of striker Liam Delap. The club beat off serious competition for the Ipswich striker to complete the £30million move.
But Chelsea are not done there. They are eager to add further to their squad before the deadline on September 1.
A fourth place finish in the table means that Champions League football will be back at Stamford Bridge next season. The blues will have a taste for lifting European silverware having completed the set with the UEFA Conference League last month.
But some work will have to be done in the off-season if the side wish to make it to the latter stages of all competitions in the upcoming campaign.
With that in mind, football.london have taken a look at the next few weeks, and given our thoughts on what could, and should happen before the deadline.
Hugo Ekitike transfer
While Chelsea have completed a move for Liam Delap, they are on the lookout for a second striker in the transfer window to provide competition and support to Nicolas Jackson.
They’ve been linked with a few different names including Victor Osimhen, but the link that seems to be the strongest is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
Reports in Germany claim that the Blues are in pole position for the French international amid talk of a potential £84million move.
The 22-year-old scored 22 goals in 48 appearances in all competition in the season just gone, while also providing 12 assists. Chelsea do have competition for his signature.
If they can complete a deal with both Frankfurt and the player, then that should be the striker position sorted for the upcoming season. Maresca will have an array of options with Jackson, Delap and Ekitike all vying for the central striker role.
Three more transfers
It’s not just up front where Chelsea are looking to strengthen this summer. Another priority is a right-footed left winger.
The decision to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United after his loan spell means that Chelsea are likely to be in the market for a replacement.
Borusssia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens has been the most heavily linked, with the Blues in talks with the German club over a possible transfer. There has also been previous interest in Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
At centre-back, the Blues have been linked with an interest in a reunion with former defender Marc Guehi. The defender came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge before completing a permanent move to Crystal Palace, where he has become a key player and established himself as an England international.
Chelsea have also been linked with bringing in a new goalkeeper this summer, to provide more competition for Robert Sanchez. The Blues have been in talks with AC Milan over a potential move for Mike Maignan.
If the club can complete moves for Gittens, Guehi and Maignan, that will be most areas of the squad strengthened before the new season. Gittens is expected to cost at least £50million, Palace are reportedly looking for a transfer fee of around £60million for Guehi while AC Milan reportedly value Maignan at £25m - meaning £135m may need to be found to complete all three signings.
Other arrivals
As well as incomings, Chelsea also have three more players who they could add to their squad this summer. Kendry Paez, Estevao Willian will arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, while Andrey Santos is due to return from a loan spell with Strasbourg.
All three have impressed with performances for their respective sides this season. They are likely to be given a chance to impress Enzo Maresca in pre-season in a bid to be part of the first team squad for the upcoming campaign, although Paez is expected to join Strasbourg on loan for the season.
13 exits
Pre-season will also give Maresca a chance to decide who could leave the club between now and the start of the new season. A few players could be on the move.
It has already been confirmed that Jadon Sancho will return to United after a loan spell last season. He joins a pretty long list of potential exits.
Raheem Sterling, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku are all expected to leave the club either on loan or permanent deals.
There could also be uncertainty over the futures of Trevoh Chalobah and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, due to a lack of game time. However, the latter may depend on any more incomings in central midfield - Champions League football next season means he may get more of a chance in the Premier League, depending on potential incomings.
Young striker Marc Guiu could also go out on loan in search of more game time.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Chelsea Conference League Champions