Chelsea could be set for a busy few days in the transfer market as they prepare to head across the Atlantic for the Club World Cup. The west Londoners will face Club Leon, Flamengo and ES Tunis in the group phase of the new-look competition. They will be hoping to give a good account of themselves, having been buoyed by their recent triumph in the Conference League and securing a top-five finish in the Premier League.
It has already been a productive window for the Blues, who signed Liam Delap from Ipswich Town earlier this week. The former Manchester City man penned a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will travel to the Club World Cup with his new team. He was initially expected to feature for England under-21s in the upcoming Euros, but was not named in Lee Carsley's final squad.
It seems Chelsea could add to the Delap signing with three additional deals before the Club World Cup gets underway. They are said to be making rapid progress in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who has emerged as a top target.
According to RMC Sport, personal terms have already been settled with Gittens eager to join the Blues. He is said to have given the green light to a seven-year contract, but negotiations at club level are still ongoing.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, reports that Chelsea have submitted an opening bid in the region of £29.5million. Gittens remains under contract until the summer of 2028, meaning Dortmund are under no pressure to sell if their demands are not met.
Chelsea also remain in talks over a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, with Enzo Maresca eager to recruit an established stopper. He has also reached an agreement on personal terms with the Blues, according to TEAMtalk.
It is said that Maignan is eager to leave the San Siro and play in the Champions League next season. The report adds that he could be involved for Chelsea at the Club World Cup if a deal can be done over the next few days.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is another reported target for Chelsea, having piqued their interest with his prolific form in Germany. He scored 22 goals in the season just gone and has been touted for a big move to the Premier League this summer.
Chelsea are firmly in the hunt to complete a deal before the Club World Cup but have reservations about Ekitike's asking price, according to Bild. Frankfurt are said to be demanding £84.3m, but the Blues are unwilling to go beyond £67.4m.
Time is running out for Chelsea to sign all three players, with the first part of the summer transfer window set to end on Tuesday. But if they can get those deals over the line, they will be able to travel to the Club World Cup with a revamped squad.