Time is ticking for Chelsea to finalise transfers ahead of this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, with their first game kicking off on Monday, June 16.
FIFA introduced a special pre-tournament transfer window, which opened on Sunday and will close next Tuesday on June 10. It will then remain shut for six days before reopening on June 16 for the remainder of the summer, running until September 1.
So far, Chelsea have beaten off competition from rivals to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, with the deal announced earlier this week. The club continues to be linked with strikers, central defenders, and wingers, but only a few days remain to bring in any more new faces before the squad departs for the United States.
One of the names tipped for a move to Stamford Bridge is Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. However, the Blues face stiff competition from Premier League champions Liverpool, and the Bundesliga side’s £85million asking price for the France youth international is currently considered too steep.
Chelsea are also reportedly interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, both of whom have been tentatively linked with Liverpool at various points. The expected fees for those two, said to be in the £40–50 million range, are far more attainable should Chelsea decide to press ahead with a move.
The next few days could be pivotal if Chelsea are to outmuscle their rivals for key targets. Liverpool are currently preoccupied with negotiations that could result in a British record transfer for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, while Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is also high on their summer wishlist.
Beyond those pursuits, and with Jeremie Frimpong already through the door from Leverkusen, Liverpool’s ability to make further signings is likely to hinge on outgoings. All of Jarell Quansah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have been linked with summer exits, though no departures appear imminent with the first transfer deadline fast approaching.
That could quickly change when the window reopens later this month, potentially prompting Liverpool to intensify their efforts to sign someone like Ekitike, making it harder for Enzo Maresca to land his targets. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can take advantage of the distraction and steal a march while Liverpool’s focus lies elsewhere.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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